[b-greek] Re: present active participle in Hebr. 6:6

From: dixonps@juno.com
Date: Thu May 03 2001 - 11:12:39 EDT


On Wed, 2 May 2001 17:32:44 -0700 (PDT) Michael Markey
<mike_mikie@yahoo.com> writes:
>
> --- dixonps@juno.com wrote:
> >
> > No, it does not indicate the time of the action.
> > These participles are
> > probably causal and should be taken as indicating
> > why it is impossible to
> > renew them to repentance - because, if it were
> > possible to renew them to
> > repentance, then it would also include a crucifying
> > to themselves the Son
> > of God and a putting Him to open shame. But, it is
> > impossible for Christ
> > to be crucified again. Therefore, it is impossible
> > to renew them to
> > repentance. Clearcut logical implication recognized
> > and spelled out by
> > the author.
>
>
> Could you explain what you take repentance here to
> mean?

Whatever it means, the very least that can be said is that it is
impossible to bring them back to the state of repentance once attained.
This seems to be the force of ADUNATON .... KAI PARAPESONTAS, PALIN
ANAKAINIZEIN EIS METANOIAN.

That level of repentance apparently is spelled out by TOUS hAPAX
FWSTISQENTAS ... KAI KALON GEUSAMENOUS QEOU hRHMA DUNAMEIS TE MELLONTON
AIWNOS (4-5).

Whether that initial repentance resulted in salvation the text does not
say (no mention of faith, nor of salvation). If it did result in
salvation, then the apparent meaning is that such were saved, lost it,
and can never be saved again. But, if the level of repentance once
attained did not result in salvation, (the typically reformed position),
then the meaning is that those who fall away from even that position will
never be able to regain that far, if you like. Serious warning, either
way.

Paul Dixon

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