“For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt” (Hebrews 6:4-6 NET).
In view of the description given to us here in Hebrews 6:4-6, it seems likely that our author is speaking directly to those who never had a genuine relationship with Christ. Much like the weeds growing with the grain in Jesus’ Parable of the Tares, these individuals had the appearance of a genuine relationship with Christ without the substance.
Three sources lend their insights to this conclusion…
“Who are these people? The answer is given in verses 4 and 5. In examining the great privileges which they enjoyed, it should be noticed that all these things could be true of the unsaved. It is never clearly stated that they had been born again. Neither is any mention made of such essentials as saving faith, redemption by His blood, or eternal life.” (1)
“Some New Testament warning passages are aimed at those who are part of the visible church but who do not truly know Christ. Such are the warnings in the epistle to the Hebrews. The author of Hebrews directs some of his statements to mere professors who are not actually saved (see Hebrews 6:4–6 and Hebrews 10:26). The target audience of these passages is unbelievers who are associated with the church and have been exposed to God’s redemptive truth—perhaps they’ve even made a profession of faith—but they have not exercised genuine saving faith. If they continue to reject Christ, they will be lost forever.” (2)
“Warnings such as this one in Hebrews are aimed at people who persist in a life of sin while claiming to have faith in Christ. Such people can expect to hear Jesus’ statement from Matt 7:23 that he never knew them. Just like OT Israel, they have been exposed to the reality of God’s existence and expectations, but they have confused outward obedience for internal transformation (see Isa 1:11–14; 1 Sam 15:22; Mic 6:8). Their knowledge of the truth leaves them without excuse for their unbelief (Rom 1:20). Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, they have witnessed God’s power and received his commands, but they have not responded in faith and obedience.” (3)
Finally, while this represents one possible conclusion, it is important to recognize that it is not the only possible conclusion. We must humbly acknowledge that God knows those who are His, even if or when we don’t.
(1) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary Edited by Arthur Farstad Thomas Nelson Publishers p.2173
(2) GotQuestions.org, What is the purpose of the warning passages in Scripture? Retrieved 09 May, 2022 from https://www.gotquestions.org/warning-passages.html
(3) John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Heb 6:4–8.