A HERMENEUTICAL EXAMINATION OF HEBREWS 6:7-8
Studies in the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Epistle to Titus by H.
A. Ironside.
In these two verses, the apostle uses a parable to make clear what is
in his mind. He depicts two pieces of ground; both have been
cultivated in the same way; both are warmed by the same sun; both
drink in their share of the same rain; but one produces useful herbs
for those for whose sakes it has been tilled, thus partaking of
blessing from God. The other brings forth only the fruit of the
curse, thorns and briars; it is worthless, and in danger of being
completely given up when its good-for-nothing fruit is burned. What
is the difference between these two pieces of ground? In the one
case, you have good soil into which has fallen good seed. In the
other, there is barren soil and the good seed has not fructified.
The lesson is plain. Here are two Jews, let us say, who have been
brought up side by side. Both have been interested in the law of
Moses and the teachings of the prophets. Both have entertained the
Messianic hope. Both have listened to the preaching of devoted
servants of Christ. Both have become deeply interested in the Gospel.
Both have been astounded at the mighty signs following the
proclamation of the new message. Both make a profession of
Christianity. Both are baptized and take their places in the
Christian company. One of them bears the fruit of the Spirit in his
life and becomes a devoted follower of the Saviour. The other
manifests no evidence of new life at all, and eventually repudiates
Christianity and goes back to Judaism. He is not actually cursed as
yet, for in the mercy of God he may eventually realize his fearful
sin, but it is most unlikely. He has made his choice, and is
therefore nigh unto cursing. Now what is the difference between these
two men? The one has truly turned to God in repentance, and the
incorruptible seed of the Gospel has fallen into the prepared soil of
an honest upright heart. The other has become intellectually
acquainted with and interested in Christianity, but the good seed has
fallen upon an unrepentant heart and has borne no fruit.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry.
Their misery (those mentioned in verses 1-5) is exemplified by a
proper similitude, taken from the ground that after much cultivation
brings forth nothing but briers and thorns; and therefore is nigh unto
cursing, and its end is to be burned, v. 8. To give this the greater
force, here is observed the difference that there is between the good
ground and the bad, that these contraries, being set one over against
the other, may illustrate each other. First, here is a description of
the good ground: It drinketh in the rain that cometh often upon it.
Believers do not only taste of the word of God, but they drink it in;
and this good ground bringeth forth fruit answerable to the cost laid
out, for the honor of Christ and the comfort of his faithful
ministers, who are, under Christ, dressers of the ground. And this
fruit-field or garden receives the blessing. God declares fruitful
Christians blessed, and all wise and good men account them blessed:
they are blessed with increase of grace, and with further
establishment and glory at last. Secondly, Here is the different case
of the bad ground: It bears briers and thorns; it is not only barren
of good fruit, but fruitful in that which is bad, briers and thorns,
fruitful in sin and wickedness, which are troublesome and hurtful to
all about them, and will be most so to sinners themselves at last; and
then such ground is rejected. God will concern himself no more about
such wicked apostates; he will let them alone, and cast them out of
his care; he will command the clouds that they rain no more upon them.
Divine influences shall be restrained; and that is not all, but such
ground is nigh unto cursing; so far is it from receiving the blessing,
that a dreadful curse hangs over it, though as yet, through the
patience of God, the curse is not fully executed. Lastly, Its end is
to be burned. Apostasy will be punished with everlasting burnings,
the fire that shall never be quenched. This is the sad end to which
apostasy leads, and therefore Christians should go on and grow in
grace, lest, if they do not go forward, they should go backward, till
they bring matters to this woeful extremity of sin and misery.
Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest.
In these verses the writer presents an analogy in nature. The
abundant and frequently renewed rain, represents the free and
reiterated bestowal of spiritual enlightenment and impulse to these
Hebrews. One piece of ground reacts by producing herbage good for
food. This is the Hebrew who accepts the New Testament by faith. On
the other hand, the ground that receives the same rain, but produces
thorns and briers, is likened to the Hebrew who being the recipient of
the pre-salvation work of the Spirit, yet turns his back on Him and
goes back to the First Testament sacrifices, the apostate who can look
for nothing but certain judgement.
Translation: For land which drank in the rain that comes oft upon it
and produces herbage meet for these on whose account it is tilled,
partakes of a blessing from God. But if it brings forth thorns and
thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse, and its end is
burning.
Examination:
This is a difficult passage to begin with because of its parabolic
nature. All of the commentaries seem to contain a certain amount of
truth, but it seems that the first two attempt to read something into
the text that is not actually there. Dr. Ironside says "Here are two
Jews, let us say, who have been brought up side by side." This is
merely an assumption and cannot be shown to be true from the
surrounding passages.
Matthew Henry seems to give an indication that the passages allude to
two Christians; one who is fruit-bearing, and the other who is
apostate. This interpretation is totally unwarranted considering
that this epistle was written to Hebrews, some of which may have never
accepted the salvation of Christ. He also seems to indicate that a
Christian who falls backward into sin and apostasy is doomed to
destruction. This thinking is directly opposed to the doctrine of
eternal security in Christ as found in the whole of the Bible.
Mr. Wuest seems to give the most literal interpretation and appears to
be writing in view of the historical circumstances. Therefore, I feel
that his interpretation is the best.
Compliments of the Manna System
Index of Preacher's Help and Notes
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