Hebrews 6:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

NIV: But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

NASB: but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

CSB: But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.

NLT: But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

KJV: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

NKJV: but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

According to the early verses of chapter 6, Christians who wallow in a shallow, immature faith run the risk of "falling away." In context, this means the same thing it did for the nation of Israel in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. There, fear caused Israel to disobey God's command to enter the Promised Land. Rather than destroying them, God put Israel under harsh judgment: forty years of aimless wandering in the desert. Only after this was complete could they resume their progress into Canaan.

This history is used in Hebrews as a warning to saved Christians: those who allow doubt to produce disobedience don't just risk losing their rewards. They also put themselves in line for harsh, cleansing judgment from God. The metaphor of verses 7 and 8 completes a thought begun in verses 1 through 3, and expanded in verses 4 through 6. Those who "fall away," like Israel did, are like a field which receives rain, but only produces weeds. The farmer does not destroy the field, just as God does not damn the fallen believer (1 John 1:9; John 10:28–30). But the only remedy for a thorn-choked field is fire, to burn away the thorns and reset its progress.

In the same way, God's fire and judgment on the fallen Christian does not mean a loss of salvation. Rather, it means experiencing pain and suffering, to prepare us to trust and obey. Those with a "shipwrecked faith" (1 Timothy 1:19–20) might well come back to full faith, after they have suffered. The warning of this passage is to avoid being in that state of "disqualification" (1 Corinthians 9:27).

This verse also helps to distinguish between fields which have always produced large amounts of crops, versus those who have yet to give a significant return. Both are still used by the farmer, and both still receive the rains from God. While the Bible makes it clear that saved Christians produce the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22–23), it does not claim that all Christians are equally productive.

In other words, saved believers all produce the same kind of spiritual fruit, but not the same quantity of spiritual fruit. Those who struggle in their spiritual walk are not necessarily showing signs of being lost. Rather, they might be experiencing a season of judgment preparing them for a more productive future. Where each person is, in terms of their own salvation, is always between them and God alone (1 Samuel 16:7). Human judgment is flawed, so we need to be careful how we use it.

Hebrews 6:4–8 is frequently cited by those who doubt the doctrine of eternal security, easily more so than any other passage in the New Testament. For that reason, it can be said these words are among the New Testament's most often misunderstood. Taken in context, this passage is a warning to Christians about the potential consequences of shallow, immature faith. Those who fall into doubt and disobedience cannot be ''restored,'' except by the fire of God's judgment. There is a natural flow in this part of Hebrews: from spiritual immaturity, to its consequences, to the confidence which ought to inspire our growth.

Chapter 6 expands on the dangers of a shallow, immature faith. Rather than attempting to re-explain the basics, the author intends to press on. According to this passage, shallow faith opens up the risks of doubt, discouragement, and disobedience. These lead to a situation where one's only hope for restoration is through judgment, much as Israel experienced for forty years in the wilderness. Since our hope is anchored in the proven, unchanging, perfect, absolute nature of God, we should be confident and patient, rather than fearful.

Chapter 6 completes a warning begun in the last verses of chapter 5. The author has deep points to make, but doubts that the readers are ready for them. Yet the only course of action is to press on: there is no time to re-establish the ABCs of the faith. Spiritual immaturity prevents growth, leading to doubt, discouragement, and eventually to judgment. Those who only scratch the surface of Christianity, then fall into disobedience, can't be restored to good standing until they've experienced some level of judgment. Rather than make that mistake, we should trust in the absolute promises of God, and the work of Christ, as we patiently pursue godly wisdom. Chapter 7 will resume the extensive discussion of Melchizedek's priesthood.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.