Paragraph Group 6:4–8

In the second (6:4–6) and third (6:7–8) paragraphs in this chapter the author gave the third warning in Hebrews (as indicated in the Outline). In 6:4–6 he warned that if people “fall away” from their faith, they bring disgrace to God’s Son. It is impossible to make them repent again. In 6:7–8 he compared faithful and unfaithful believers to fruitful and unfruitful land. Land that produces only thorns must be burned.

Paragraph 6:4–6

Paragraph 6:4–6 is one complex sentence in Greek. It indicates that people who “fall away” cannot be restored to repentance. The phrase “having fallen away, to again restore to repentance” does not occur in Greek until 6:6. In many languages, it is necessary to change the order of words and repeat certain phrases to make the meaning clear. Some ways to do this are:

• Repeat “fall away.” For example:

6 For if people…retreat from their faith, 4 they can no longer 6 be helped to repent from their sin. 4–5 At one time, they were enlightened…. 6 Yet after that, they retreated from their faith. Doing that is like crucifying the Son of God again and openly disgracing him.

• Repeat “it is impossible” in both 6:4 and 6:6. For example:

4 Some people cannot 6 be brought back again to a changed life. 4–5 They found out…6 But they fell away from Christ. 4 It is impossible to bring them back to a changed life again, 6 because they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him…. (New Century Version)

• Shift “it is impossible” from 6:4 to 6:6. For example:

4 Some people once had God’s light. They experienced the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. 5 They experienced…6 Yet, they…deserted [Christ]. They are crucifying the Son of God again and publicly disgracing him. Therefore, they cannot be led a second time to God. (God’s Word)

In some languages it may be necessary to repeat a different phrase or to make changes in the order of phrases. It is fine to number the verses to fit well with the sentence structure of your language.

6:4a

The Greek begins this verse with a conjunction that is usually translated as “for” or “because.” In some versions, a conjunction introduces a warning. It is based on what the author said in 6:1–3 about becoming mature. In 6:4–6 he warned his listeners that if we do not become mature, we may “fall away” from our faith (6:6). When that happens, it is impossible to be brought back to repentance.

Notice that here a conjunction connects paragraphs (1–3 and 4–6), rather than sentences. In some languages a conjunction is not needed. It is often helpful to translate the two paragraphs before deciding how to connect them.

It is impossible for those: The phrase It is impossible for those describes an action that no one can do. No one can help certain people to repent a second time. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

It is not possible to help certain people
-or-
as for people who deliberately retreat from their faith, they can no longer be led back to repent from their sin

Notice that the second example supplied a phrase from 6:6 (“who deliberately retreat from their faith”).

who have once been enlightened: The verb have…been enlightened is passive, and it is used as a figure of speech here. It indicates that God caused the people to know the truth. In this context it especially implies knowing the truth of the Gospel that God revealed through his Son.

Some ways to translate the figure of speech are:

• Use a figure of speech in your language that has the same meaning. For example:

their minds have already been illuminated
-or-
Some people once had God’s light. (God’s Word)
-or-
their minds/eyes had been opened

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

they understood the truth

once: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as once refers here to the time in the past when the people understood the gospel. Some other ways to translate it are:

at one time
-or-
at one point

6:4b

who have tasted the heavenly gift: The clause who have tasted the heavenly gift means “and have experienced what God gave.” The word tasted is a figure of speech that implies a full experience. It does not imply that the experience is limited. It implies that the person has not only been told about the gift—he has actually experienced it. The meaning is similar to its meaning in 2:9, where the phrase “tasted death” indicates that Jesus experienced death fully.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

enjoyed heaven’s gift (New Century Version)
-or-
they have benefited from what God has given
-or-
experienced the gift from God

the heavenly gift: The word heavenly here is an indirect way to say “from God.” The word gift probably refers here to the gift of new life through Christ. God sent Jesus to save us from sin and to bring us into fellowship with God. In some languages it is more natural to translate the noun gift with a verb phrase or clause. For example:

what God gave
-or-
the ⌊new life⌋ that God gives

6:4c

who have shared in the Holy Spirit: The phrase have shared in the Holy Spirit indicates that they were among those who experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

have shared in experiencing the Holy Spirit
-or-
among those who were blessed with the Holy Spirit

the Holy Spirit: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Holy Spirit refers to the Spirit of God. Translate the term the Holy Spirit in the same way as you did in 2:4 and 3:7.

© 2016, 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

2:18

Hebrews 2:18 is one sentence which has two clauses. Hebrews 2:18a tells why Christ is able to help us (the reason) and 2:18b tells about his helping (the result). In some languages, it is more natural to reorder these two clauses or to make them separate sentences. For examples of how this verse can be reordered or translated as two sentences, see the General Comment on 2:18a–b at the end of 2:18b.

2:18a

Because: In Greek this verse begins with two connectors that many English versions translate together as “For since.” The word that the Berean Standard Bible leaves implicit (“for”) explains more about why Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest for people (2:17). The word Because indicates that 2:18a is the reason why Jesus is able to help people when they are tempted (2:18b).

In some languages it is not necessary to make both of these connections explicit. Make the meaning clear in a natural way in your language.

He Himself suffered when He was tempted: The Greek phrase the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered when He was tempted is literally “suffered being tempted/tested.” Scholars interpret the connection between “suffered” and “being tempted” in different ways:

(1) Jesus was tempted, and the temptation caused him to suffer. For example:

he himself suffered when he was tempted (New International Version)

(2) Jesus suffered, and the suffering caused him to be tempted. For example:

Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

(3) Jesus was tempted and he also suffered. For example:

he himself was tempted and suffered (Good News Translation)

The meanings of these interpretations are similar, and the differences seem to be mainly a matter of emphasis. You may translate any of these interpretations in a natural way in your language.

He Himself: The phrase He Himself emphasizes Jesus in contrast to “those who are being tempted” in 2:18b. Translate this contrast in a natural way in your language. See the Display for examples.

suffered: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered is a general word that can refer to enduring any kind of pain or hardship. The form of the word implies that Jesus endured this suffering over a period of time. Some other ways to translate it are:

has suffered (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
has gone through suffering (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
experienced distress/hardship

In some languages there may be an idiom that expresses this meaning.

He was tempted: The phrase He was tempted is passive. The Greek text does not specify who or what tempted Jesus. This clause may refer to temptation by Satan. It may also include other sources of temptations, such as other people or the weaknesses of human nature. For that reason, it is best not to make explicit who or what tempted him. For example:

Jesus experienced temptation (God’s Word)

However, if you must provide a subject, you may indicate that Satan tempted Jesus. For example:

⌊ Satan⌋tempted Jesus

was tempted: There are two ways to interpret the word tempted in this context:

(1) It means tempted. It refers here to temptation to sin. For example:

and was tempted (New Century Version)

(2) It means tested. It refers here to a test of Jesus’ faithfulness to God during suffering. For example:

he himself has passed through the test of suffering (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is followed by most English versions and a majority of Bible scholars.

2:18b

He is able to help those who are being tempted: This part of the verse tells the result of 2:18a. Jesus was tempted (2:18a), so he is able to help those who are being tempted. Other ways to translate this result are:

That is how/why he is able to help those who are being tempted.
-or-
therefore he can really help us when we also are tested/tempted.

Translate the result in a natural way in your language.

help: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as help is a general word that can refer to different ways to assist or support someone. In this context, Jesus helps people to resist and overcome temptation so that they do not sin.

Jesus uses many different ways to help people who are tempted. For example, he encourages them, he gives them spiritual and physical strength, he shows them what he wants them to do, and he may cause other people to help them. Having been tempted himself, Jesus understands how to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus helps those who are tempted so that they can resist the temptation and not sin against God. This is the main purpose for Jesus’ help. In some languages it may be necessary to make this purpose explicit. For example:

he can help the people who are tempted so that they are not carried to sin

those who are being tempted: The phrase those who are being tempted is a general statement that is true for anyone who is tempted. Languages have different ways to refer to people in general statements like this. For example, some languages may use “we,” “anyone,” or “whoever.” For example:

anyone who is tempted
-or-
when we are tempted

In other languages it may be more natural to refer only to the temptation without mentioning who is tempted. For example:

during the time of temptation

Use a natural option for your language.

are being tempted: The form of the Greek verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as are being tempted indicates that the temptation continues for some time or that it happens often over a period of time. Here is another way to translate this:

are tempted (NET Bible)

Translate this meaning in a natural way in your language.

General Comment on 2:18a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the clauses in this verse. For example:

18b And now he can help those who are tempted, 18a because he himself was tempted and suffered. (Good News Translation)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this verse as two sentences. For example:

He himself was tempted and suffered. So he is able to help us when we are tempted.

The author mentioned temptation and the help of our great high priest again in 4:15–16.

© 2016, 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

4:13

In 4:12 the author said that God’s word is like a sword which cuts people open and shows what they are like inside. In 4:13 the author indicates that God sees every person and everything that he created, and he knows all about them. No one can hide anything from him, and everyone must give an account to him for what they do.

The statements in 4:13a and 4:13b are parallel, and 4:13b repeats the idea of 4:13a. The parallel parts are indicated here by underlining or bolding:

13a And before him no creature is hidden

13b but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one

13c
to whom we must render an account.

In some languages it is more natural to combine these statements. For example:

13a–b No one can hide anything from God, and he is the one 13c to whom we must give an account.

4:13a

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight: The word hidden refers here to something that is not able to be seen or known. The clause indicates that God can see everything and everyone that he created. Nothing can be hidden from God so that he does not see it.

Some other ways to translate the statement are:

No creature can hide from God (God’s Word)
-or-
There is really nothing that can be hidden from God.
-or-
God can see every one of his creatures, and none of them is hidden from him.

creation: The word creation refers to anything that God created. God created everything.

4:13b

everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes: The words uncovered and exposed mean “uncovered, bare,” and they are used in a figurative way here. It indicates that God knows everything about every creature, just as people can see the whole body of a naked person. Even if a person tries to hide something about himself from God, God will still see it clearly. He will know all about it.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

everything is uncovered…for him to see (God’s Word)
-or-
whatever creature, it is as if they are all naked in his sight

exposed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as exposed occurs only here in the Bible. It probably refers to the custom of exposing the neck of a person or animal in order to cut his throat and kill him. Here the word is used as a figure of speech. It indicates that everything (and every person) is completely known to God, and God has power over each one.

Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

exposed/clear
-or-
there is nothing of our thoughts closed to him
-or-
He can always see anything that we are doing/thinking

4:13c

of Him to whom we must give account: The phrase of Him to whom we must give account refers to God. It indicates that God is the judge of what people do and think throughout their lives. He is the one to whom we will explain the way we have lived.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

And he is the one to whom we will answer for all that we have done and thought.
-or-
It is to him that we must admit/confess our behavior.
-or-
This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. (New Living Translation (2004))

give account: The phrase give account means “give an answer for our actions” or “say why we have done what we have done.” See the preceding note for translation examples.

© 2016, 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

6:15a

And so: The phrase And so means “So,” or “Because of that.”

Abraham, after waiting patiently: In this context the phrase after waiting patiently indicates when Abraham received what God promised him. He received it after he waited patiently. Abraham had to wait many years for God’s promises to be fulfilled. He was seventy-five years old when God first spoke to him (Genesis 12:3–4), and he was one hundred years old when Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5).

Some other ways to translate the phrase are:

Abraham was patient, and so (Good News Translation)
-or-
And so by persevering, Abraham (NET Bible)

6:15b

obtained the promise: The phrase obtained the promise indicates that Abraham received what God promised to give him. The birth of Isaac was a fulfillment of God’s promise. Here is another way to translate this:

And so by persevering, Abraham was given the promise. (NET Bible)

The phrase obtained the promise implies that Abraham received the promise from God, as 6:13 says. In some languages it is more natural to repeat “God” here. For example:

obtained what God promised him
-or-
received the ⌊child whom⌋ God promised to give him

General Comment on 6:15a–b

In some languages it may be natural to translate this verse as a reason and result. For example:

Abraham was patient, and so he received what God had promised. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Abraham waited patiently for this to happen, and he received what God promised. (New Century Version)

© 2016, 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.