12/2/23
Are we once saved, always saved? Our eternal security has been and will continue to be controversial. There are opinions, and there are Biblical facts.
Question: If a person once professing faith in Jesus Christ, then willfully rejects that which he had once vowed (if possible), can they ever be restored to the faith? A favored verse used as proof is,
Hebrews 6:4-5-6, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
The Greek words (highlighted above) should shed light on the subject. If Hebrews 6 is correctly understood, it will clear up any misgivings on “Once saved, always saved.”
The verses undiscussed are found in Hebrews 6:4-6. I have enlarged the words under discussion.
Hebrews 6:4-6, “For it is impossible for those who were ONCE ENLIGHTENED, and have TASTED of the heavenly gifts, and were made PARTAKERS of the Holy Ghost, and have TASTED the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, IF they shall fall away, to RENEW them again unto repentance.
- The word “Once” in Greek is ‘hapax.’ It is an adverb of time, once, as a Metaphor, meaning once for all, already, formerly,
- “Enlightened” Synonyms and similarities are Light, Lighten: Lightened: Lighteth: Greek is ‘photizo.’ To light, to lighten: when a person is said to be “Once enlightened?” That person is said to be thoroughly instructed in the nature and design of the Gospel of Christ, having learned the truth. Compare the following verses.
As a metaphor, common form. Of persons, to light, to enlighten, to impart moral and spiritual light to anyone, to enlighten the mind of mental eyes of anyone. Here is how the word is used in other passages of Scripture. To enlighten is from the “light,” as seen below.
John 1:9, “That the true Light, which lights every man that cometh into the world.”
Passive, expressing action, or the effect of an action of some agent.
Ephesians 1:18, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”
To have “Tasted of the heavenly gift.” The Greek word “tasted” is used as a metaphor to experience, prove, and partake of what?
Hebrews 6:5, “The good word of God.” To taste is also used in,
Matthew 16:28, “There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death.” To taste of death, as in to die,
Hebrews 2:9, “That He (Jesus) by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
John 8:52, “If a man keep my sayings, he shall never taste of death.”
So, Hebrews 6:4, “Having tasted of the heavenly gifts.” Sequel to follow or present participle of the sequel, to follow “that.”
1 Peter 2:3, “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” Septuagint for Hebrew,
Psalms 34:8, “O taste and see that the LORD is good.”
To be made, “Partakers of the Holy Ghost” The Greek word “partakers,”
“Partakers.” Greek is metochos. Adjective, partaking, substantive, meaning a part of speech that expresses something that exists. A partaker,
Hebrews 3:1, “Partakers of the heavenly calling,” with verse 14, “For we are made partakers of Christ.”
Hebrews 6:4, 12:8, “If ye be without chastisement, where of all are partakers.”
Partakers the sense of partner, companion, fellow,
Luke 5:7, “They beckoned unto their partners.”
Hebrews 1:9, “God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows,” quoted from Psalms 45:8, where Septuagint for Hebrew, “fellows” (means companions.)”
It is impossible to, “To renew them again” Greek for renew is, ‘anakainizo.’ Future, “doubtless,” to renew to restore to its former state, transitive verb, past particle, Septuagint, “renewest,” Psalms 104:30. In N.T. metaphor to renew, speaking of those who have fallen from the true faith, to bring back to repentance and their former faith, Hebrews 6:6. Septuagint, Metaphor for, “Renewed,” Psalms 103:5.
- “If they shall fall away.”
The Greek word for “If” is “ean.” Conjunction (for Greek, “ei,” meaning, if perhaps, forasmuch, that, and Greek “an,” meaning, what, where, whence. It differs from “ei” in that “ei” expresses a condition that is merely hypothetical, as a subjective possibility. At the same time, “ean” implies a situation that experiences must determine as an objective possibility and refers, therefore, always to something future. Compare “ei,” with “ean,” in,
1 Corinthians 7:36, “But if (ei,) any man think.”
Revelation 2:5. “Eav,” “Except thou repent,” is usually construed with the Subjective, meaning these internal states, thoughts, or feelings. So, subjective truths or reality are those that are verified by consciousness.
Hebrews 10:32, “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated (enlightened,) ye endured a great fight of afflictions.”
The words illuminated, and enlightened are the same Greek word ‘phitizo.’ The idea of being enlightened infers, to enlighten, to impart moral and spiritual light to anyone, to enlighten the mind or mental eyes of anyone. That is, to have been thoroughly instructed and to understand the knowledge of the word of truth.
Hebrews 10:26, “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,”
This would have to be a deliberate denial of the Gospel message after understanding its message and having a conviction for the truth. For this person, there remains no more sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 10:26 answers to both, Hebrews 6:4, and,
Hebrews 10:32, “Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions.”
What does it mean when it is said that a person has “Tasted of the heavenly gift?” Or have tasted for themselves God’s gifts. We saw that the word “Enlightened” refers to enlightenment of the mind and mental eye. This held valid, especially for those Jews and Gentiles, who were actual witnesses of the works of Christ and the apostles. So, the idea of a person who has tasted of the heavenly gifts follows. It gives the idea of experiencing, proving, and partaking of the finished work of Christ.
To be “Made partakers of the Holy Spirit?” implies that the Holy Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are God’s children and not the servants of others. Assures us of God’s mercy and power to produce effects by the atonement through which we have received blessings.
Being “Made partakers of the Holy Ghost” is distinct from, though inseparably connected with, “To be enlightened,” and with those who have “Tasted of the heavenly gifts,” that gift being Jesus Christ. So, the Holy Spirit witnesses with a man’s spirit, assuring us of Illumination and the partaking of God’s gifts.
To have “tasted the good word of God?” We have proof of the merits of the promises of God in the sending of the Gospel message, the Gospel itself being the Good-Word, of a Good God. Do you find the reading and preaching of the Gospel sweet in your mouth, music to your ears, and saving to your soul? Do you have an appetite and thirst for the word of God?
Hebrews 6:6 starts with, “If they shall fall away,” This is an extreme falling away. A complete and willful ‘apostasis” is meant. We are warned that such a falling would be the final result of degeneration, = (going back to our worldly ways.)
Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.”
“To renew them again?” means to make another confession of faith or repent of sin, the first steps needed in our Christian walk. If a person is not truly repentant, being sorry is useless. Why? Any person who has rejected in part, or its whole, the works of Jesus Christ has refused the only Sacrifice that can save them from eternal damnation. Their repentance would be useless without true faith, and their salvation would be impossible. For this reason, the apostle added, “again,” as in “To renew them again.”
“Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God?” The Jewish authority, with the blessing of the Jewish people, rejected Jesus, claiming he was an imposter, and together agreeing that he was justly put to death. Therefore, it is said, “To crucify him to themselves.”
Paul wrote in Galatians 6:14, “God forbid that I (Paul) should glory, save = (except) in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me.” Paul is saying, because the Jews and Gentiles despise me for that which I believe and trust, I, Paul, despise them for what they believe and trust in.
Hebrews 10:29, “Of how much sorer = (worse) punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden (trampled) under-foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, (common) and hath done despite (insult) unto the Spirit of grace?”
The phrase “The Son of God” marks Jesus’ dignity. To trample, insult, or make the crucifixion seem trivial is to reveal the whole of a person’s contempt and blasphemous remarks after having once received the truth.
What does it mean when it states, “Put Him (Jesus) to an open shame?” It’s to mock or make a public example of Jesus. What the Jews did outwardly at Jesus’ crucifixion is what blasphemers do inwardly, virtually crucifying the Son of God over and over again. This verse seems to imply that a person may appear renewed, but in their heart, they are not and will eventually fall again into a sinful life.
The conclusion,
The truth of one’s salvation lies in one’s heart! Only God can know the depth of a man’s love. Those not of Christ will be cut off as dead branches, but those who live in Him become free from the grip of sin.
Part 2.
2 Timothy 3:1-4, “In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves — traitors.” Verse 5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power.”
What is a traitor? Greek for traitors is ‘prodotes.’ It’s one who betrayed, as did Judas, who betrays the trust of others, false to their duties and obligations as Christians. They betrayed the Lord and Christians and fell from the faith.
They “having the form of.” Form, Greek is ‘morphosis.’ It means having the appearance, as mere external form, an instructor of the foolish, — which hast the form (appearance) of knowledge.”
1 Timothy 3:5-6, “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Verse 6, Not a novice (new convert) lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” This is a warning from God.
Fall into, Greek ‘means’ to fall into place, as in a pit; fall in with thieves; fall into a state or condition; into the condemnation of the devil, reproach, temptation, mischief.
Novice, young men and women without life experiences, well-meaning, but in time, submitting to the world’s temptations. Pride resulted in the fall of Satan, and he has taken with him many men and women of the faith.
Paul is speaking to believers,
2 Timothy 2:16-19, “But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their word will eat as does a canker (cancer:) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”
“To error here is to swerve, to miss the mark.
To overthrow the faith,” is to overturn, to destroy, subvert. Greek is ‘anatrepo.’ To overturn, transitive verb, expressing a completed action. And that action has passed from an agent to the object. Septuagint means to “destroy,” Psalm 118:12.
Christian of the faith can be overcome, falling from the faith, and being deceived by the false teachings of others.
2 Peter 2:20, “For if after they (professing Christians) have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”
“Entangled, means to get involved again with the pollution of the world. Note, Pollutions in Greek means stained, in a moral sense, to turn back to defiled things.
Note the word again. Greek is, ‘eistrepho.’ It means to turn back upon, to return unto. As a past participle, which expresses a completed action, and a present participle, sequel, to “turn back.” Absolute, total, complete.
Verse 21, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Verse 22: “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
Part.3.
1 Timothy 6:9-10, “But they that will be rich FALL INTO temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Verse 10, For the love of money, is the root of all evil: which while SOME coveted after, they have ERRED FROM THE FAITH, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
“Erred” is to be Seduced. Greek is, ‘apoplanao.’ To cause to wander from, lead astray, and lead from the right way. To be seduced, to be deceived, trans. Passive: Expressing action or the effect of an action of some agent. And as a Metaphor, to go astray from, as in to swerve from, to apostatize, Septuagint, Proverbs 7:21, “She forced (seduced) him.”
So to “fall into,” with the primary idea of motion into any place or thing, and then also of motion or direction to, towards, upon, any place, or thing. Those who are lovers of money have “ERRED FROM THE FAITH, and pierced themselves through.”
Part 4:
Galatians 1:6, Paul writes, I marvel that ye are so soon removed (having deserted) from him (the Father) that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.”
To be removed is a Middle term of syllogism, one with which the two extremes are separately compared and by means of which they are brought together in the conclusion, in other words, from faith to another gospel. To be removed is to transfer oneself, to go over from one side or party to another. Sequel, to fall away from one to another.
So, what is Paul talking about? He is speaking to those who were once in Christ, who knew the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and have now fallen away, and follow (Another) Gospel. Clear, simple, and to the point! Once saved, always saved, is nonsense!
Part 5:
Galatians 5:4 says, “Christ is become of none effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are FALLEN FROM grace.”
“Fallen, Greek is ekipipto. To fall out of, from, or off, intransitive verb, which expresses action, and that is limited to the agent. To fall from any state or condition, as in to lose one’s part or interest in that state; sequel to follow. Generally, as to fall from grace.
Grace and legal righteousness cannot co-exist. Those who believe there is a higher efficiency, or a greater degree of perfection that can be gained in doing the works of the law are called, “foolish Galatians.”
Galatians 3:3, “Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the (Holy) Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Paul calls these, “foolish Galatians.”
This attitude is not unique to the Galatians. Paul tells us It’s an attitude that prevails in the church today, as many work for their salvation by their own hand. If anyone believes their works will work toward their salvation, then as Paul writes, “You are fallen from grace.”
Our commission from Jesus Christ is to go out into the world and preach the good news of the kingdom.
Part 6:
2 Peter 3:17, “Beware lest ye also, being LED AWAY with the error of the wicked, FALL FROM your own steadfastness.”
The Greek word for led is, ‘sunapago.’ In the N.T., to be led is only passive expressing action or the effect of an action of some agent. Used as a metaphor to be led or carried away with anything, mostly in a bad sense, as to be led astray, common use, dative, meaning some act directed to an object.
To be led away in “error.” Error is an active verb, meaning deceit, fraud, seduction to error, and sin. False teachers lie in wait to deceive and to seduce.
To fall, means to stumble, error, and fail.
Part 7:
James is writing to the Christian Jewish community.
James 1:13-14-15, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempt he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Verse 16, “Do not err (be deceived) my beloved brethren.”
The actual source of temptation is, and comes from, our own lusts. Lusts that well up from within each individual’s emotional responses and habits.
To be drawn away from our own lusts: Drawn, in Greek, is ‘exelko,’ it means to search out, to trace out, to explore. As a transitive verb, we express an action that passes from the agent to the object.
“When lust hath conceived.” Conceived in the Greek is, ‘sullambano.’ As a metaphor, “lust” is compared to a woman conceiving, who will then bring forth a child. And speaks of a Christian having an irregular desire to sin. Psalms 7:14, “He travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief (trouble) and brought forth falsehood.” He made a pit, dug it, and has fallen into the ditch.”
Lust here is personified, representing a woman of the night who can draw away even the most faithful if they should stray from the word of truth. And if they should fall from the faith, it will bring death. Christians are warned not to be deceived by false doctrines such as “Once saved, always saved.”
Part 8:
Paul is writing to Timothy to guard against false teachings coming into the Christian church.
1 Timothy 1:6-7, “Some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling. Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.”
Some, the number of false teachers is unknown. To swerved: Greek is, astocheo. It means to miss the mark. As a metaphor, to miss, to err, to deviate from.
Turned aside, Greek is, ‘exautes.’ adverb, literally from this time, as in forthwith, presently, immediately. Vain talking, empty words, neither understanding what they say or affirm.
Neither, Greek is ‘mete,’ meaning, not, also not; hence, neither, not even. Conjunctive is a continuative usually referring to a part of a proposition or clause. In continued negation, at the beginning of a subsequent clause. They were repeated, neither — nor, before different elements of the same clause as in, 1 Timothy 1:7.
Phil Laspino www.seekfirstwsdom.com