(This post is taken from a section in my commentary on chapter 17 of the 1689 Baptist Confession, so there are some things here that have been previously argued for, as for example the positive case for the doctrine of Perseverance).
This is arguably one of the most difficult and notorious passages in Holy Writ. There is no consensus on its interpretation. I have consulted many commentaries and articles on this passage and I come to it knowing that I don’t have all the answers. But I also come to it with presuppositions in mind. I am unashamed to say that the Bible does in fact teach the Perseverance of the Saints, therefore this passage cannot be describing the actual apostasy of a regenerate believer totally from the faith. It may be a warning about true believers, it may be hypothetical, but what it cannot be is say that some true and regenerate believers will in fact fall away completely from the faith. I have argued that even in the book of Hebrews itself, the doctrine of Perseverance and the perfection of the work of Christ on behalf of the elect is taught. I have consulted the following articles and commentaries and will cite from some of them freely in the following discussion:
The passage does not say that regenerate believers apostatize:
- John Calvin. Commentaries. Taken from the TheWord Bible Software. Hebrews 6:4-9. Can also be found at here.
- John Gill. Exposition of the Entire Bible. Taken from the TheWord Bible Software. Hebrews 6:4-9. Can also be read at here.
- Arthur W. Pink. Exposition of Hebrews. Taken from the TheWord Bible Software. Chapters 24-27. His commentary on Hebrews 6 can be found here.
- Wayne Grudem. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994). Chapter 40.
- John M. Frame. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2014). Chapter 44.
- J. Ligon Duncan III – Falling Away? (Sermon)
- Mathew Poole - English Annotations on the Holy Bible. Commentary on Hebrews 6, here.
- William Burkitt – Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament. Commentary on Hebrews 6, here.
- Albert Barnes - Notes on the New Testament. Commentary on Hebrews 6, here. He accepts that the descriptions describe a true Christian, but rejects that it is possible for a true Christian to apostatize.
- Robert Jamieson, Andrew Robert Fausset, David Brown – Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Commentary on Hebrews 6, here.
- Matthew Henry – Complete Commentary on the Bible. Commentary on Hebrews 6, here.
- Bob Utley – You Can Understand The Bible (Not that explicit). Commentary on Hebrews 6, here and here.
- John Owen – Exposition of Hebrews. Commentary on Hebrews 6, here.
- Steven J. Cole – Lesson 17: When Repentance Becomes Impossible (Hebrews 6:4-8).
The passage describes regenerate believers who have fallen away:
- Adam Clarke
- James Burton Coffman
- Charles John Ellicott (Not very explicit)
- John Trapp (Not very explicit)
- Thomas Coke
- Daniel Whedon
- David Guzik
- Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary (Too technical)
I have collected some commentaries, articles, and sermons on this pas...