Hebrews 6:4-6 is among the most debated passages in all of Scripture. And much of the debate has revolved around the question: can true Christians lose their salvation? At first read, the text does seem to suggest one can—that one can truly experience the blessings of salvation and then fall away permanently, never to be restored.

The Text in Context:

However, it’s crucial to remember we’re to interpret Bible passages not in isolation, but rather,  in light of the entire scriptural narrative. This means we’re to consider Hebrews 6, and the question, ‘Can Believers Lose Their Salvation?’ in light of all that Scripture has to say about salvation, God’s faithfulness, and the nature of genuine faith. We’re to consider what the entirety of Scripture teaches about the security and permanence of salvation.

The Book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being tempted to return to the old covenant practices of Judaism. The author of Hebrews is urging them to hold fast to the faith and not revert to their old ways. Throughout the book, the theme of perseverance is emphasised, encouraging believers to endure in their faith in Christ. Hebrews 6:4-6 serves as a strong warning, but it must be understood in the context of the full Bible teaching on salvation.

The Doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints: One of the central tenets of Calvinism is the perseverance of the saints: it suggests those whom God has truly saved will never lose their salvation. This is based on passages such as John 10:28-29, where Jesus says no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand, and Philippians 1:6, which promises He who began a good work in believers will bring it to completion. PLEASE READ OUR POST: Calvinism’s TULIP: Why Affirm Perseverance of the Saints?

Thus, from a Reformed perspective, Hebrews 6 cannot be teaching that genuine believers can lose their salvation. Instead, it must be referring to those who have experienced certain spiritual blessings without truly being regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

Can Believers Lose Their Salvation? Unpacking Key Phrases in Hebrews 6:4-5: The passage describes individuals who’ve been “enlightened,” have “tasted the heavenly gift,” “shared in the Holy Spirit,” and “tasted the goodness of the word of God.” These phrases indicate these individuals have been exposed to the gospel and have experienced the benefits of being part of the covenant community. They may have participated in the fellowship of believers, heard the Word preached, and witnessed the work of the Holy Spirit. However, these experiences don’t necessarily mean they were truly regenerated believers. As Jesus taught in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9), some people may receive the word with joy but ultimately fall away because the word did not take root in their hearts. The people described in Hebrews 6 appear to be similar to those represented by the rocky soil in the parable—those who experience initial enthusiasm for the gospel but do not endure in faith.

• “Enlightened”: This term doesn’t necessarily imply salvation. It can refer to intellectual understanding of the gospel without genuine faith. Many in the early church experienced this “enlightenment” without true conversion (Acts 26:18).
• “Tasted the heavenly gift”: Tasting is not the same as fully partaking. Judas Iscariot “tasted” the ministry of Christ without truly believing (John 6:70-71).
• “Shared in the Holy Spirit”: This could refer to experiencing the Holy Spirit’s presence in the church community without personal indwelling of the Spirit. Simon the Sorcerer witnessed the Spirit’s power without being regenerate (Acts 8:9-24).
• “Tasted the goodness of the word of God”: Again, tasting doesn’t have to mean fully embracing. The parable of the sower illustrates how some can initially receive the word with joy, and yet fall away (Matthew 13:20-21).

The Danger of Apostasy: The warning in Hebrews 6 is directed at those who, after having these experiences, turn away from Christ. These are individuals who have been exposed to the blessings of the Christian community and the power of the gospel, but have not experienced genuine regeneration. They have “tasted” but not fully partaken, illustrating the difference between temporary and saving faith.

The author states it’s impossible to renew such people to repentance. This isn’t suggesting true believers can fall away, but rather emphasising the severe consequences of rejecting Christ after fully understanding the gospel. It serves as a warning against apostasy and encourages genuine faith. Their hearts become hardened, and they continue in willful unbelief, “crucifying once again the Son of God” by rejecting His sacrifice.

True Believers Will Persevere: From a Calvinist viewpoint, those who fall away were never truly saved in the first place. They may have participated in the life of the church and experienced some of its blessings, but their faith was not genuine. This is consistent with 1 John 2:19, which says, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” True believers, on the other hand, will persevere to the end. God has promised to keep His elect secure in Christ, and no power in heaven or on earth can separate them from His love (Romans 8:38-39). The warning in Hebrews 6 serves as a means by which God preserves His saints—it urges believers to examine themselves and remain steadfast in their faith.

The Assurance for True Believers: While Hebrews 6:4-6 serves as a warning, the author immediately provides assurance to true believers in verses 9-12. He expresses confidence in their salvation, evident through their love and service to the saints.

The chapter concludes by anchoring the believer’s hope in God’s unchanging promise and the high priestly work of Christ (Hebrews 6:17-20). This emphasises the security of those truly in Christ

Conclusion: So, Can Believers Lose Salvation? While Hebrews 6:4-6 is a sobering passage, it is not meant to cause despair for those who are truly in Christ. Instead, it should lead believers to a healthy self-examination, as Paul instructs in 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” The evidence of true faith is not merely an outward profession or temporary experience, but a life of growing in holiness and love for Christ.

True believers will persevere by God’s grace, while those who fall away reveal they were never truly saved. True believers will endure, not because of their own strength, but because God is faithful to complete the work He began in them. We trust in the finished work of Christ for our salvation.  As John Calvin stated, “It is not the sheep who keep the shepherd, but the shepherd who keeps the sheep.”

 

Other ‘Problem’ Passages for Calvinism and the Response

• Hebrews 10:26-29: This passage seems to describe someone who was “sanctified” and yet turns away from Christ, leading to the expectation of judgement. Calvinists argue this refers to someone who has had a covenantal, external relationship with the church without true, inward faith.
• 2 Peter 2:20-22: This passage seems to describe individuals who have known Christ but then turned away, ending in a worse state than before. Calvinists interpret this as referring to a superficial knowledge and not saving faith.
• 1 Timothy 4:1: This verse appears to suggest some who’re in the faith can “depart” from it. Calvinists understand this as evidence of false believers or those who were never truly regenerated—like those described in the warnings in Hebrews.
• John 15:1-6: The metaphor of the vine and branches seems to suggest a person can be “in Christ” and later be “thrown away” if they do not bear fruit. Calvinists argue the unfruitful branches represent those who’re outwardly connected to the visible church but are not genuinely united to Christ in saving faith.
• Galatians 5:4 This passage could be interpreted as suggesting that someone who has been in Christ can be “severed” from Him and fall away from grace. However, Calvinists say those who seek justification by the law were never truly in Christ to begin with and that Paul is speaking hypothetically about the consequences of such a desire.
• Matthew 7:21-23 Though not directly related to perseverance, this passage challenges the notion that external religious acts alone confirm salvation. Even those who perform miracles in Jesus’ name may be rejected—this may be seen as evidence these individuals never had a true, saving relationship with Christ.
• Romans 11:17-22 This passage suggests branches (people) who were “grafted in” can later be broken off due to unbelief. Calvinists interpret this as referring to members of the visible church who’re part of the covenant community but not truly saved.
• Philippians 2:12 This exhortation to “work out your own salvation” may seem to imply a level of uncertainty about one’s salvation or that it depends on personal effort. Calvinists understand this as referring to the outworking of sanctification, not the attainment of salvation itself, which remains secure in God’s sovereign grace.

Our Related Posts

• Assurance of Salvation: Can I Really Know I’m Saved?
• Salvation: By Faith Or Works? Or Both?
• Penal Substitutionary Atonement: The Blazing Heart of the Gospel