Hebrews 6:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Complete Jewish Bible:

For when people have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become sharers in the Ruach HaKodesh,

Berean Standard Bible:

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

American Standard Version:

For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} it is impossible^{G102} for those who were once^{G530} enlightened^{G5461}, and^{G5037} have tasted^{G1089} of the heavenly^{G2032} gift^{G1431}, and^{G2532} were made^{G1096} partakers^{G3353} of the Holy^{G40} Ghost^{G4151},

Cross-References (KJV):

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

2 Peter 2:20

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2 Peter 2:22

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Matthew 5:13

¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

John 15:6

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.

Matthew 7:21

¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

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Commentary for Hebrews 6:4

Hebrews 6:4 is part of an extended discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews, which is believed to have been written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were considering reverting to their former Jewish beliefs and practices. The verse addresses the gravity of apostasy, which is the act of abandoning one's religious faith, especially after having experienced a profound spiritual awakening.

In this verse, the author of Hebrews is emphasizing the seriousness of falling away from the Christian faith after one has been "enlightened" (received spiritual understanding), "tasted of the heavenly gift" (experienced God's grace and salvation), and "partakers of the Holy Ghost" (shared in the blessings of the Holy Spirit). The language suggests a deep spiritual experience, not merely intellectual assent or nominal association with Christianity. The term "impossible" (ἀδύνατον, adynaton) is used to underscore the difficulty or moral impossibility of restoration to repentance for those who have willfully turned away after such an intimate knowledge of Christ and His gifts.

The historical context suggests that the recipients of the letter were well-versed in Jewish sacrificial law and were familiar with the idea of a covenant with God. The author is warning them that to reject Christ after having been part of the New Covenant established by His sacrifice would be a dire mistake, akin to the Israelites who, after witnessing God's mighty acts, still rebelled and were excluded from entering the Promised Land (a frequent comparison in Hebrews).

The themes of Hebrews 6:4 include the permanence of the spiritual enlightenment received through Christ, the danger of apostasy, and the gravity of rejecting the definitive revelation of God in Jesus Christ after having encountered it. The verse serves as a stern warning to believers to hold fast to their confession of faith and to persevere in the face of trials, rather than turning back to their previous way of life. It also reflects the high Christology of the epistle, which presents Jesus as superior to the angels, the Old Testament priesthood, and the sacrificial system, and urges believers to put their full trust in Him alone for salvation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Strong's Number: G102
There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδύνατος
Transliteration: adýnatos
Pronunciation: ad-oo'-nat-os
Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and δυνατός; unable, i.e. weak (literally or figuratively); passively, impossible:--could not do, impossible, impotent, not possible, weak.
Strong's Number: G530
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἅπαξ
Transliteration: hápax
Pronunciation: hap'-ax
Description: probably from ἅπας; one (or a single) time (numerically or conclusively):--once.
Strong's Number: G5461
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φωτίζω
Transliteration: phōtízō
Pronunciation: fo-tid'-zo
Description: from φῶς; to shed rays, i.e. to shine or (transitively) to brighten up (literally or figuratively):--enlighten, illuminate, (bring to, give) light, make to see.
Strong's Number: G5037
There are 192 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τέ
Transliteration: té
Pronunciation: teh
Description: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of καί):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.
Strong's Number: G1089
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γεύομαι
Transliteration: geúomai
Pronunciation: ghyoo'-om-ahee
Description: a primary verb; to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience (good or ill):--eat, taste.
Strong's Number: G2032
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπουράνιος
Transliteration: epouránios
Pronunciation: ep-oo-ran'-ee-os
Description: from ἐπί and οὐρανός; above the sky:--celestial, (in) heaven(-ly), high.
Strong's Number: G1431
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δωρεά
Transliteration: dōreá
Pronunciation: do-reh-ah'
Description: from δῶρον; a gratuity:--gift.
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G1096
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γίνομαι
Transliteration: gínomai
Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Strong's Number: G3353
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μέτοχος
Transliteration: métochos
Pronunciation: met'-okh-os
Description: from μετέχω; participant, i.e. (as noun) a sharer; by implication, an associate:--fellow, partaker, partner.
Strong's Number: G40
There are 1382 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἅγιος
Transliteration: hágios
Pronunciation: hag'-ee-os
Description: from (an awful thing) (compare ἁγνός, θάλπω); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
Strong's Number: G4151
There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πνεῦμα
Transliteration: pneûma
Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.

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