Unbelievers and Believers in Messiah
5:11 to 6:20

The book of Hebrews does not teach about two kinds of messianic believers – one immature and the other mature. Rather, the writer, under the inspiration of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh, describes the differences between the unbelieving Jews and Jewish believers. The writer had barely begun his consideration of the Melchizedek priesthood when he felt compelled by the Spirit of God to pause and give two warnings to the unbelieving Jews within the Messianic community (5:11 to 6:8), warning them of the grave dangers of rejecting God’s revelation and grace. These third and fourth warnings were directed to the same group of unbelieving Jews who knew much about the gospel but who had not embraced it personally. Some had probably made a half-hearted profession of faith without really crossing the line from knowledge to faith. They had been warned of the danger of not entering into the blessing of God’s rest, apart from which they could not have eternal life. They were so close, yet so far away from true salvation.

Next, he addresses the righteous of the TaNaKh (6:9-20), reminding them of the certainty of ADONAI’s promises. The divine assurance is that all who come to Him through His Son will be saved. YHVH has never failed to deliver on one of His promises, and He never will. It is impossible for Him to be unfaithful. Consequently, it is impossible for anyone who believes in Christ not to be saved or to lose salvation once it is secured (see the commentary on The Life of Christ MsThe Eternal Security of the Believer). How freeing to know that we can trust the LORD because He has no capacity for deception or failure in His nature! This is the wonderfully reassuring truth for those who have faith in the gospel.138