In looking at the warning against apostasy in Heb. 6:4-6, we begin to look at the immediate literary context at verse 11 of chapter 5. The writer chides them from that point to the end of the chapter that although he has much to explain, and it is hard to explain, for they are not listening. Their ears are dull. He scolds them by reminding them that they have been Christians long enough that by this time they should be teachers, but now they need someone to teach them again the basics. They are like children who are old enough to be weaned and eating meat but are still feeding on milk. He tells them that they are unskilled in the word of righteousness and immature so that they really cannot discern good from evil. They have failed to utilize their powers of discernment – can we say they have not put into practice what they have been taught – they have not put Christian doctrine to use in their lives – and so they are childish, ignorant, immature, and unseasoned in the faith long after they should have grown up!

We must not lose sight of this context. Whatever he says in the next chapter relates to and follows from this deplorable condition in their lives. In chapter 6 he tells them that we need to be able to leave the basics and go beyond them. Presumably he means that they need to explore deeply the work of Christ and how His work fulfills the law and provides a perfect sacrifice. In other words, they needed to progress deeper into theology, not just as an intellectual exercise, but for the good of their souls and their usefulness in the kingdom!

He goes on to say that if necessary he will go back to these basic doctrines such as repentance from a works-system, faith toward God, teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Were they in danger of even losing sight of these basic doctrines in their immaturity and ignorance? The implication is that they were. Perhaps theologically it is a matter of “use it or lose it,” or if we are not progressing forward we are slipping backward. Their toying with the efficacy of Jewish ceremonies and their lack of understanding of the priestly role of Christ might just lead to a denial of basic doctrines. More next week.