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Hebrews 6:6 a present infinitive is followed by a bare present participle

longestday

New Member
Can someone verify the following for accuracy

A person swinging an axe splits the wood. The swinging is the action. The splitting is what the swinging does. No one reads that sentence and thinks the splitting caused the swinging.

Now apply to Hebrews 6:6:

Swinging the axe is anakainizein or “renew” or continuously make upwardly profoundly new

Splits the wood is anastaurountas or “crucifies” or continuously upwardly crucify

Renew is what causes crucifixion. Hebrews declares the sacrifice once for all making this impossible.

When a bare participle follows a governing verb with no connecting particle, the participle describes what the action inherently involves. The swinging and the splitting. One motion described from two directions.

In Hebrews 6:6 a present infinitive is followed by a bare present participle with no connecting particle. Both present tense. Both carrying the same prefix. Both appearing nowhere else in the New Testament. Both placed side by side by the most sophisticated Greek writer in the canon.

The pattern appears throughout the New Testament. In every instance the participle does the same thing. In every instance no one argues.

John 5:44 — how can you believe, receiving glory from one another? The believing and the receiving. One involves the other. No one adds because.

Colossians 1:10 — to walk worthily of the Lord, bearing fruit and growing. The walking is the bearing fruit. No one adds while.

Hebrews 11:17 — by faith Abraham offered up Isaac, being tested. The offering is the being tested. Same event from two angles. Same author as 6:6. No one adds since.

Hebrews 12:1–2 — let us run the race, looking to Jesus. The running and the looking are one motion. Same author. Same letter. No one disputes this.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
and have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. [Hebrews 6:6 NASB]

1) "have fallen away" translates the verb "parapiptō" (G3895) and refers to the past action of departing (descending or falling away). The action is "active" and refers to the fact the person had understood to some extent the gospel, but has turned from its truth into false belief.

2) "to restore (or renew)" translates the verb "anakainizō" (G340) and refers to the present action of ascending back into a proper understanding of the truth of the gospel resulting in their repentance.

3) The action of restoring the proper condition is impossible because they again reject the truth, thus crucify to themselves the Son of God, or kill any opportunity for restoration.

4) Again putting the Son of God to open shame, just as His crucifixion did.

The above reflects my understanding of the verse. I see two separate actions, the past action of understanding and then rejecting the gospel, and the present action of continuing to reject the gospel. As long as the person continues to reject the gospel, it is impossible to restore the person to even the opportunity for salvation.
 
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