What is falling away as mentioned in Hebrews 6?

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Sep 24, 2012
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#1
What is falling away as mentioned in Hebrews 6?

Here's a link to Hebrews 6 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6&version=NIV

I've had moments where I've possibly stopped believing (being frustrated and finding a reason to not believe or not wanting to believe anymore and stopping after finding a reason not to believe might describe one or more of these moments), would this be falling away?
 

Bingo

Well-known member
Feb 9, 2019
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#2
"Interpretation always rests' on the individual, does it not. We all may pause or have mixed
emotions, hey...we are human. From this side of the 'glass'...'falling away' shall be considered
of less interest, going against things of God, changing our perception of how we should conduct our life,
less discipline, putting worldly things ahead of our spiritual well being, selfish motives....
in short.......more about ourselves than being more focused on God. In this restless world, many
are 'falling away' from time past....does not 'growing pains' bring cause of an ever increasing
'falling away'...let us hope and pray to be more focused on our spiritual well being...all is well,
let us not lose our spiritual equilibrium."
'Praise God'
 

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John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
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#3
What is falling away as mentioned in Hebrews 6?

Here's a link to Hebrews 6 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6&version=NIV

I've had moments where I've possibly stopped believing (being frustrated and finding a reason to not believe or not wanting to believe anymore and stopping after finding a reason not to believe might describe one or more of these moments), would this be falling away?
First of all, let's recognize the audience...the Hebrews in the last days. This is not Church Age doctrine. During this time of the last days before the Lord's second coming, a man can fall away from the Lord after receiving life, how? By taking the mark of the beast, one will be condemned for eternity. During this time period one must "endure till the end".
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
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#4
3895. παραπίπτω parapíptō; fut. parapesoúmai, 2d aor. parépeson, from pará (3844), to the side of or from, implying error, and píptō (4098), to fall. To fall aside or away, err, stray, lapse. Used only in Heb 6:6, denoting a falling away, an abandonment. Some have suggested that this word and its noun paráptōma ([3900], a lapse, error, wrongdoing) indicate errors of weakness, faults or accidents and do not represent deliberate, blameworthy or willful sin, contending that this would be expressed by parabaínō (3845), to willfully transgress. However, the usus loquendi of the words (verb and noun) yield no such meaning but in every case signify deliberate acts of sin. See Sept.: Eze 18:24; 20:27.



Deriv.: paráptōma (3900), transgression.



Syn.: rhíptomai (4496), to fling oneself; katapíptō (2667), to fall down.



Ant.: orthopodéō (3716), to walk straight; ananḗphō (366), to recover self, regain one's senses; anorthóō (461), to straighten up.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
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#5
What is falling away as mentioned in Hebrews 6?

Here's a link to Hebrews 6 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6&version=NIV

I've had moments where I've possibly stopped believing (being frustrated and finding a reason to not believe or not wanting to believe anymore and stopping after finding a reason not to believe might describe one or more of these moments), would this be falling away?
A person can fall away into disbelief.. disbelieving the teaching of Jesus / disbelieving that the Atonement of Jesus saves them..

Or

A person can fall away into doctrines of demons ( false religon )
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#6
Take the verse and read it plainy

It is impossible (what is impossible?)

If they fall away, to renew them to repentance (they have no hope of returning to a state of salvation)

The context is returning to law, Which states that a person can fall away, And because of this, an atoneing sacrifice must be given to restor that person

Scripitpure says Christ died once for all sin

So IF a person could fall away, Your in fact saying his sacrifice was insufficient (we need to return to law, which never saved anyone) thus putting him (christ) to open shame.
 

Bingo

Well-known member
Feb 9, 2019
9,166
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#7
"And...shall not a 'falling away'...be considered when ones heart has no testimony of
how God's love and 'inspiration' has helped change ones own life, and to promote God's
glory as something to share and rejoice in being grateful and humble in praising God,
of ones own joy."
'Praise God'
 

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Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
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#8
The meaning of the entire verse is the crux of the matter, not one word. All the words must be understood.

Years back my teacher shared a reasoned approach to interpreting Scripture. It uses the acronym I.C.E. - isagogics, categorical and exegesis. Until one approaches verses with minimal bias and due diligence, they are at the mercy of their emotions and false teachers.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,097
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#9
Take the verse and read it plainy

It is impossible (what is impossible?)

If they fall away, to renew them to repentance (they have no hope of returning to a state of salvation)

The context is returning to law, Which states that a person can fall away, And because of this, an atoneing sacrifice must be given to restor that person

Scripitpure says Christ died once for all sin

So IF a person could fall away, Your in fact saying his sacrifice was insufficient (we need to return to law, which never saved anyone) thus putting him (christ) to open shame.
It is impossible to renew them again to repentance...if they fall away.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#10
It is impossible to renew them again to repentance...if they fall away.
If (if it were possible) they fall away It would be impossible to renew them t repentance
 
Oct 31, 2015
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#11
What is falling away as mentioned in Hebrews 6?

Here's a link to Hebrews 6 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6&version=NIV

I've had moments where I've possibly stopped believing (being frustrated and finding a reason to not believe or not wanting to believe anymore and stopping after finding a reason not to believe might describe one or more of these moments), would this be falling away?

Falling away in Hebrews 6, finds its context in Hebrews 3, specifically Hebrews 3:12-14.


It is also mentioned by Christ in the parable of the Sower.


It refers contextually to Jews who have repented and are Christians then later while being persecuted by unbelieving Jews, who hold to Judaism, turn away from Christ back to Judaism.


Judaism rejects Jesus as Messiah and label Him as a false prophet.



This is what “fall away” refers to, and those who do this can not be brought back to repentance,


  • if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance




For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6



This can be true today for any of us who are born again Christians, who reject Jesus and turn to the gods of other religions.


Especially when it comes to the antichrist.




JLB
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
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#12
There are three “if’s” in Scripture.
1) If (and it’s true)
2) If ( and it’s not true)
3) If ( and it may or may not be true) this is our normal understanding of if

To the extent that we are able to interpret this “little” word, we see God as He is, or we see Him as a “small” God.

Sadness and hopelessness lie in the minds of those that see our magnificent eternal God, as a small, petty deity.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#13
Falling away in Hebrews 6, finds its context in Hebrews 3, specifically Hebrews 3:12-14.


It is also mentioned by Christ in the parable of the Sower.


It refers contextually to Jews who have repented and are Christians then later while being persecuted by unbelieving Jews, who hold to Judaism, turn away from Christ back to Judaism.


Judaism rejects Jesus as Messiah and label Him as a false prophet.



This is what “fall away” refers to, and those who do this can not be brought back to repentance,


  • if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance




For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6



This can be true today for any of us who are born again Christians, who reject Jesus and turn to the gods of other religions.


Especially when it comes to the antichrist.




JLB
A person always return to where their true faith is in. (A dog always returns to his vomit)

A person may TRY christianity, But if their TRUE FAITH is in judaism, or islam, Or any other type of religion. They will ALWAYS return to that, because that is what holds their hope.

Thus they were never saved, Which is what hebrews is tryign to warn them of. If you go back (to your trut faith) you will never come back (repent)
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#15
Are you saying because of the word “if” that there the scenario is not possible?
I am saying the bible says it is not possible.

The word “IF” can always be translated as “impossible” depending on context.

The context of this passage is a warning not to go back to law. The IF a person COULD FALL AWAY, they could NEVER BE RENEWED.

But you think the OT people were saved by law correct? So I understand why you can not get this passage.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
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#16
I am saying the bible says it is not possible.

The word “IF” can always be translated as “impossible” depending on context.

The context of this passage is a warning not to go back to law. The IF a person COULD FALL AWAY, they could NEVER BE RENEWED.

But you think the OT people were saved by law correct? So I understand why you can not get this passage.
Not saved, but that’s another thread. I’m saying this is last days doctrine for the Hebrews during the tribulation. Taking the mark, falling away, cannot be forgiven.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#17
Not saved, but that’s another thread. I’m saying this is last days doctrine for the Hebrews during the tribulation. Taking the mark, falling away, cannot be forgiven.
And your wrong

This is a passage where the writer is warning the people in his day the dangers of going back to judaism. It was just as valid in that day as it is today.
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
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#18
What is falling away as mentioned in Hebrews 6?

Here's a link to Hebrews 6 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6&version=NIV

I've had moments where I've possibly stopped believing (being frustrated and finding a reason to not believe or not wanting to believe anymore and stopping after finding a reason not to believe might describe one or more of these moments), would this be falling away?
The context is referring to complete apostasy of a believer who remains in that state of defection. And the reference to "being impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened" is because of the apostate, not because God would not forgive them.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#19
The context is referring to complete apostasy of a believer who remains in that state of defection. And the reference to "being impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened" is because of the apostate, not because God would not forgive them.
The context is going back to judaism. Thats what the book of Hebrews is about.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
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#20
When scripture told me all scripture was true, then I read we were to follow Moses and again that we weren't to follow Moses I felt as if my world that I knew God created was fracturing. I retired and devoted every minute I could to study to find an answer. Here is what I found:

The world as it was during the time Christ lived is full of history, most of it foreign to us. Hebrews were a small part, they were those strange people who lived in strange ways, stared at a we stare at the Amish. In 70 AD and 132AD the Romans put Hebew's rebellion down so completely it made our Holocaust a minor second in disaster.

Until that time Christianity was not very separate from Judaism. Now men who were converted from idol worship became Christian leaders., men who knew no scripture as it was in that day and men who were not convinced all their idol worship customs were wrong. These men did know that being like those strange acting Hebrews was to be avoided.

In order to know what God wants of our church it is necessary to learn how these men changed God's word. They were men like Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp. Constantine made their ways law. The Catholic church helped make church policy follow them. The principles of the Lord as given in the OT were made fun of, as today the 613 laws are made fun of.

In order to bring the church back from pagan influences to God's ways, each policy needs to be looked at, the source of that policy found to be sure it is of God and not these church Fathers, and brought back to the policies of the Lord only.