Introduction
Two passages in Hebrews (Heb 10:26 and Heb 6:4-6) are sometimes misunderstood as saying that if you sin intentionally after receiving the knowledge of the truth and becoming a believer, that you cannot be forgiven for intentional sin. However, this is a misunderstanding of what is being said. Let’s look at both the context of the passage and what the Greek is actually conveying. Let’s start by looking at the ESV translation of the passage of Hebrews 10:22-39, and also Hebrews 10:26 in the KJV.
Hebrews 10:22-39 (ESV)
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Hebrews 10:26 (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
Contextual Overview
The theme of this passage is maintaining our faith as the Day (of the Lord) draws near. We don’t want to be found in sin when the Lord returns, and we have to face Judgement. Verse 26 comes right after verse 25 which directly references the “Day drawing near”. This is the context in which verse 26 should be understood. ESV is clearly a better translation in this case as compared to KJV because the Greek word for sinning is actually in the genitive. That is, it is not a willful sin that condemns us, but rather willingly falling back into a sinful lifestyle (perpetually sinning without constraint). What is being described here is if we disregard the faith (commit apostasy) and are found living a life of sin, when the day comes, the sacrifice for sin has been discarded. Apostasy is the desertion of the faith. If we desert the faith, we desert our sacrifice. Taking a closer look at the Greek clearly confirms this assessment.
What does the Greek Say in verse 26?
Below is the Greek critical text for Hebrews 10:26 followed by a detailed interlinear table with each Greek word in sequential order, the English rendering, the Parsing, and lexicon definition of each Greek word. Literal and Interpretive Translations are provided below in the interlinear table
Hebrews 10:26 (NA28)
26 Ἑκουσίως γὰρ ἁμαρτανόντων ἡμῶν μετὰ τὸ λαβεῖν τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν τῆς ἀληθείας, οὐκέτι περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν ἀπολείπεται θυσία,
Literal and Interpretative Translations
Below is the literal rendering of Hebrews 10:26 based on the interlinear table. It closely matches the word order of the Greek. Also shown is less literal interpretative translation.
Greek | Translation | Parsing | Definition |
26 Ἑκουσίως | willingly | Adverb | without compulsion, i.e. deliberately, intentionally |
γὰρ | for | Conjunction | shows inference or continuation: for, because, indeed, but |
ἁμαρτανόντων | if-of-sinning | Verb, Present, Active, Participle, Genitive, Masculine, Plural | sin, commit a sin, do wrong |
ἡμῶν | we | Pronoun, Genitive, (No Gender), Plural, 1st Person | I, me, my; we, us, our; often added for emphasis: myself, ourselves |
μετὰ | after (with) | Preposition Governing the Accusative | (gen.) with, among, a marker of association of various kinds and meanings; (acc.) after, later, a marker of time |
τὸ | the | Determiner, Accusative, Neuter, Singular | the; this, that; he, she, it; τοῦ with inf. in order that, so that, with the result that, that |
λαβεῖν | having received | Verb, Aorist, Active, Infinitive | to take, receive; (pass.) to be received, selected |
τὴν | the | Determiner, Accusative, Feminine, Singular | the, this, that, who |
ἐπίγνωσιν | knowledge | Noun, Genitive, Feminine, Singular | knowledge, recognition, consciousness |
τῆς | of the | Determiner, Genitive, Feminine, Singular | the; this, that; he, she, it; τοῦ with inf. in order that, so that, with the result that, that |
ἀληθείας | of truth | Noun, Genitive, Feminine, Singular | truth |
οὐκέτι | no-longer | Adverb | no longer, not again, not any more, no further |
περὶ | concerning | Preposition Governing the Genitive | (1) gen. about, concerning, of, with reference to; for; on account of (π. ἁμαρτίας often sin offering); (2) acc. around, about; near; of, with reference to, regarding |
ἁμαρτιῶν | of sin | Noun, Genitive, Feminine, Plural | sin, wrongdoing; usually any act contrary to the will and law of God |
ἀπολείπεται | it is abandoned | Verb, Present, Passive, Indicative, 3rd Person, Singular | leave behind; abandon, desert (passively, remain); by implication, to forsake |
θυσία | an offering | Noun, Nominative, Feminine, Singular | sacrifice, offering; act of offering |
Hebrews 10:26 Literal Translation
For if willfully of sinning—ourselves
– after having received the knowledge of the truth –
– no longer – concerning sin –
it is abandoned—an offering
Hebrews 10:26 Interpretative Translation
For if we are willfully sinning
after having received the knowledge of the truth,
no longer is there an offering concerning sin –
it is abandoned
Analysis
Let’s break the verse down in reference to key Greek words used, which are often misunderstood.
“willfully”
The Greek word Ἑκουσίως (hekousiōs) means willfully, deliberately, or intentionally. It is used only twice in the New Testament The meaning of this word is further informed by the other occurrence in 1 Peter 2:5, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you.” In this verse, willing is contrasted with a Greek word meaning under compulsion. That is Ἑκουσίως (hekousiōs) is the inverse of compulsion. The implication is “if-of-sinning” without constraint, then the sacrifice is forsaken. That is, the one who is committing the sinning is doing so with complete disregard for the truth. When one sells themselves out to sin, they have abandoned their faith.
“of-sinning”
The Greek word ἁμαρτανόντων (hamartanontōn) is in the Greek genitive case. The most common use of the genitive is when the word in the genitive gives some description of the head known (it is descriptive). That is, the word functions somewhat like an adjective. The word “of” is typically added before the verb for occurrences of the genitive. What is being conveyed by the participle in the genitive plural, “if-of-sinning.” That is if we are “of-sinning” (not that we have willfully sinned) our sacrifice/offering has been abandoned.
The important clarification here is that it is referring to a present state of being described as someone who is actively engaging in sin. The genitive case modifies the basic meaning of the verb in such a way that the verb is descriptive of a current pattern of behavior rather than a previous one. What is implied is the verb “sinning” describes the current state of being, a pattern of behavior, or characterization. Indeed, we don’t want to be caught up in sin when the Lord returns. If we have discarded our faith, we have also discarded our sacrifice. The passage says nothing to the effect that if we have discarded our faith, it is impossible to reclaim it. But we need to repent and turn away again from sin, lest the day of the Lord come upon us by surprise.
“it is abandoned”
The Greek word ἀπολείπεται (apoleipetai) means to leave behind or abandon. The implication is to forsake. If we abandon our faith, we abandon our sacrifice. If we forsake our faith, we forsake our sacrifice. However, nothing in the passage indicates that if we backslide into the darkness, we cannot come back into the light and restore our faith.
Literal Standard Version
An appropriate rendering of Hebrews 10:26 is given by the Literal Standard Version. Where the word “are” is added to modify the word “sinning.” This gives a more accurate implication that we are outside the promises of God if we are sinning (not that we had willfully sinned after being a believer). We cannot be found in a state of willful disobedience when the Lord returns. If we reject him—he will reject us.
Hebrews 10:26 (LSV)
For [if] we are sinning willingly after receiving the full knowledge of the truth—there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
Balancing Scripture
Below are several references to put things into perspective. God is merciful and forgiving.
Psalms 32:5 (ESV), I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin
5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Ezekiel 18:21-23 (ESV), Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD?
21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Luke 17:3-4 (ESV), If he sins against you seven – and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.
3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Acts 17:30-31 (ESV), Now he commands all people everywhere to repent
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
1 John 1:5-9 (ESV), If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (ESV), Let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober
2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (ESV), As you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 5:14-15 (ESV), The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick – if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Hebrews 3:12-15 (ESV), Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV), Repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will remove your lampstand from its place
4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Revelation 2:14-16 (ESV), Repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:20-22 (ESV), Those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works
20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,
Revelation 3:1-3 (ESV), Repent – If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
Revelation 3:15-20 (ESV), Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
What about Hebrews 6:1-8?
Hebrews 6:4-6 is often combined with Hebrews 10:26 to make a case that if you fall away, you are preeminently lost. A closer analysis will show the meaning intended by the author regarding the original Greek. English translations don’t necessarily give the appropriate rendering. The key to understanding the context of Verses 4-6 is verses 7-8.
Hebrews 6:1-8 (ESV)
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
What does the Greek Say in verse Hebrews 6:4-6?
Below is the Greek critical text for Heb 6-4-6 followed by a detailed interlinear table with each Greek word in sequential order, the English rendering, the Parsing, and the lexicon definition of each Greek word. Literal and interpretative translations from the detailed interlinear table are below the table.
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NA-28)
4 Ἀδύνατον γὰρ τοὺς ἅπαξ φωτισθέντας, γευσαμένους τε τῆς δωρεᾶς τῆς ἐπουρανίου καὶ μετόχους γενηθέντας πνεύματος ἁγίου
5 καὶ καλὸν γευσαμένους θεοῦ ῥῆμα δυνάμεις τε μέλλοντος αἰῶνος
6 καὶ παραπεσόντας, πάλιν ἀνακαινίζειν εἰς μετάνοιαν, ἀνασταυροῦντας ἑαυτοῖς τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ παραδειγματίζοντας.
Greek | Translation | Parsing | Glossary |
4 Ἀδύνατον | powerless | Adjective, Nominative, Neuter, Singular | to lacking capability in functioning adequately, powerless, impotent |
γὰρ | but | Conjunction | shows inference or continuation: for, because, indeed, but |
τοὺς | those | Determiner, Accusative, Masculine, Plural | the; this, that; he, she, it; τοῦ with inf. in order that, so that, with the result that, that |
ἅπαξ | first | Adverb | beginning, first |
φωτισθέντας | they were illuminated | Verb, Aorist, Passive, Participle, Accusative, Masculine, Plural | give light to, light, shine on; bring to light, reveal, make known; enlighten, illumine |
γευσαμένους | they have tasted | Verb, Aorist, Middle, Participle, Accusative, Masculine, Plural | to taste, eat, partake of (implying enjoyment of the experience) |
τε | both | Conjunction | and, but (often not translated) ; both…and |
τῆς | of the | Determiner, Genitive, Feminine, Singular | the; this, that; he, she, it; τοῦ with inf. in order that, so that, with the result that, that |
δωρεᾶς | gift | Noun, Genitive, Feminine, Singular | gift |
τῆς | of the | Determiner, Genitive, Feminine, Singular | the; this, that; he, she, it; τοῦ with inf. in order that, so that, with the result that, that |
ἐπουρανίου | of heaven | Noun, Genitive, Feminine, Singular | heavenly; celestial |
καὶ | also | Adverb | and, also, but, even; that is, namely |
μετόχους | of sharing | Preposition Governing the Genitive | one who shares in, partner; companion, comrade |
γενηθέντας | they of caused-to-be | Noun, Genitive, Feminine, Plural | become, be; happen, take place, arise (aor. often impers. it happened or came about); come into being, be born or created; be done (of things), become something (of persons); come, go |
πνεύματος | Spirit | Noun, Nominative, Feminine, Singular | spirit, inner life, self; disposition, state of mind; spirit, spirit being or power, power (often of evil spirits); life |
ἁγίου | holy | Adjective, Genitive, Neuter, Singular | set apart to or by God, consecrated; holy, morally pure, upright; |
5 καὶ | 5 and | Conjunction | and; and then, then; but, yet, however; also, even, likewise |
καλὸν | beautiful | Adjective, Accusative, Neuter, Singular | good; right, proper, fitting; better; honorable, honest; fine, beautiful, precious |
γευσαμένους | they have tasted | Verb, Aorist, Middle, Participle, Accusative, Masculine, Plural | taste; eat; experience |
θεοῦ | of God | Noun, Genitive, Masculine, Singular | God according to God’s will, godly; after the likeness of God |
ῥῆμα | utterances | Noun, Accusative, Neuter, Singular | what is said, word, saying; thing, matter, event, happening |
δυνάμεις | powers | Noun, Accusative, Feminine, Plural | power, strength; act of power, miracle |
τε | even | Conjunction | and; and so, so |
μέλλοντος | of coming | Verb, Present, Active, Participle, Genitive, Masculine, Singular | be going, be about, intend; must, be destined; (ptc. without inf.) coming, future |
αἰῶνος | of age | Noun, Genitive, Masculine, Singular | age; world order; eternity |
6 καὶ | 6 and | Conjunction | and, also, but, even; that is |
παραπεσόντας | if they fall | Verb, Aorist, Active, Participle, Accusative, Masculine, Plural | fall away, commit apostasy |
πάλιν | again | Adverb | again, once more |
ἀνακαινίζειν | to be restored | Verb, Present, Active, Infinitive | renew, restore |
εἰς | into | Preposition Governing the Accusative | with acc. into, to; in, at, on, upon, by, near; among; against; concerning; as |
μετάνοιαν | repentance | Noun, Accusative, Feminine, Singular | repentance, change of heart, turning from one’s sins, change of way |
ἀνασταυροῦντας | they crucify | Verb, Present, Active, Participle, Accusative, Masculine, Plural | crucify; crucify again |
ἑαυτοῖς | in themselves | Pronoun, Dative, Masculine, Plural, 3rd Person | himself, herself, itself, themselves; possessive pro. his, hers, etc.; reciprocal pro. one another, each other |
τὸν | the | Determiner, Accusative, Masculine, Singular | the; this, that; he, she, it; with inf. in order that, so that, with the result that, that |
υἱὸν | son | Noun, Accusative, Masculine, Singular | son; descendant, offspring, heir; (with gen.) often one who shares a special relationship with or a likeness to someone or something; disciple, follower |
τοῦ | of | Determiner, Genitive, Masculine, Singular | the; this, that; he, she, it |
θεοῦ | of God | Noun, Genitive, Masculine, Singular | God, godly; after the likeness of God |
καὶ | also | Conjunction | and, also, but, even; that is |
παραδειγματίζοντας | they disgrace | Verb, Present, Active, Participle, Accusative, Masculine, Plural | to subject to public disgrace, hold up to contempt, expose to public ridicule |
Literal and Interpretative Translations
Below is a literal translation based on the interlinear table above. Also provided is a more readable interpretative translation based on the literal.
Hebrews 6:4-6 Literal Translation
4 But powerless those first
they were illuminated
they have tasted
both of the gift of the heaven
also caused-to-be sharing Holy Spirit
5 and they have tasted beautiful utterances of God
even powers of an age coming
6 And if they fall
again to be restored into repentance
they crucify in themselves the son of God
also they disgrace
Hebrews 6:4-6 Interpretative Translation
4 But impaired are those who first
were illuminated
having tasted
both of the gift of heaven
also having been made partakers of the Holy Spirit
5 and having experienced beautiful utterances of God
even powers of the coming age
6 And if they fall –
again to be restored into repentance –
they crucify in themselves the Son of God
and disgrace him.
Analysis
“impaired”
The Greek word Ἀδύνατον (adynatos) is a negative participle of δυνατός (dynatos) which means power. Thus, the meaning is most literally powerless (not “impossible” as many English translations read). This can be interpreted to indicate impotence, deficiency, impairment, or dysfunction.
“having tasted both of the gift of heaven also having been made partakers of the Holy Spirit and having experienced beautiful utterances of God”
This appears to refer to the baptism” of the Holy Spirit and the speaking of tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. Not everyone who identifies as a Christian has received such a rich experience. The implication here is that if you have received such an experience, there is no reason you should fall away. If you do, your faith is seriously deficient.
“again to be restored into repentance”
It says repentance rather than salvation. The implication is that if tasting the good things of God and receiving the Holy Spirit is not enough to maintain a commitment to repentance, one has a dysfunctional faith that is unlikely to be resolved. Being illuminated, having tasted the gift of heaven, and sharing in the Holy Spirit, and experiencing the beautiful utterances of God should be enough to keep us in a state of repentance. If not, we have some serious problems. However, not all those who identify as Christians have had such a rich experience. The passage doesn’t fully apply to all those who haven’t yet experienced God in such a dramatic way.
“they crucify in themselves the Son of God and disgrace him”
This statement is not a rationale of why some one can’t be restored to repentance. The Greek equivalent of “for” or “because” is not used. Rather it speaks of the horrible implication of falling away of disgracing Christ. One who falls away and remains dead in their faith deserves to be burned on the day of God’s judgment. This doesn’t mean we don’t have an opportunity to repent and turn back to God while today is still today. The immediate context again is verse 7-8:
Hebrews 6:7-8 (ESV)
7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
Conclusion
What is being said that if you do not bear fruit after you have partaken of the living water of the Spirit, your faith has become impotent? That is, you are impaired (in a state of dysfunction) which makes you unlikely to return to bearing fruit. It does not say that someone cannot be restored to the faith, but rather implies that if they are not bearing fruit their faith is powerless and dysfunctional. Notice verse Heb 6:8 says, “near to being cursed” (not is cursed). There is still an opportunity to bear fruit before the end of the harvest. Repent while today is today!
Neither Hebrews 6:4-6 nor Hebrews 10:26 indicate that one cannot be saved if they have once believed and have fallen back into sin and unbelief. Both passages are concerned with being ready for the day of the Lord. If we are found to have abandoned our faith, the sacrifice of Christ (as it applies to us) will be abandoned. If we forsake the Gospel, we will be forsaken. These passages pertain to remaining in a state of apostasy. It does not teach that if we once turned away, there is no hope of coming back. Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!
