Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 19:2 (Summer 1976)
Article: The Life Of No Retreat: An Exegetical Study Of Hebrews 6:1-12
Author: David Barnhart

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CenQ 19:2 (Summer 1976) p. 16

The Life Of No Retreat: An Exegetical Study Of Hebrews 6:1-12

David Barnhart

Ph.D. Candidate

Central Baptist Theological Seminary Minneapolis, Minnesota

The passage under consideration in this study has been subjected to more scrutiny by individuals in all ages than possibly any other passage in the entire Bible, the reason being its difficulty in interpretation. The cause of the difficulty is the absoluteness with which the author of the epistle speaks.

In order to understand this passage it is necessary to keep in mind the individuals to whom the epistle is addressed and the historical situation in which they find themselves. After a short presentation of this, the passage itself will then be considered.

The epistle was written to Hebrew Christians in a particular locality: (1) there are personal references to them (2:3, 4; 10:32–34; 13:7); (2) the writer planned to visit them (13:23); and (3) he may have visited them at an earlier time (13:19). That the recipients of the epistle were believers is seen in: (1) the usage of the term “brethren” (3:1, 12) and “beloved” (6:9); (2) the various warnings can more aptly apply to believers (3:12, 13; 6:9; 10:32–34); and (3) the various descriptive phrases that are used (3:1, 14; 4:14; 6:10, 20; 10:22; 13:1, 21). It is also evident that they were immature believers although they had been saved for some time (5:11–14). A final thing to be realized is that they were on the verge of defection from the Christian assembly because of wavering faith (3:12; 10:25).

CenQ 19:2 (Summer 1976) p. 17

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