A Hermeneutial examination of Hebrews 6:7-8  by Jim Fox

   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

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