Hebrews 6.4
Though within this passage there are a number of significant
theological and exegetical issues which we could explore, in light of our task,
we will focus on the meaning and usage of evpoura,nioj.
The purpose of Heb. 6.4-6, and the larger passage of which it is a part, is to
encourage the community of believers to remain faithful to Christ in the midst
of possible temptation to turn away from him. In vv. 4-5, the author of Hebrews
describes the community as those who have been enlightened, tasted of the
heavenly gift, partaken of the Holy Spirit, and tasted of the word of God and
the coming age. These spiritual (i.e. Spiritual) blessings do not have either
man or the earth as their origin but rather are from God who is in heaven (8.1)
and are of the Holy Spirit (6.4). The precise identification of ‘the heavenly
gift’ (th/j dwrea/j th/j evpourani,ou) is difficult to
discern. Commentators have suggested such references as the Eucharist, an
identification with God, a parallel with partaking of the Holy Spirit, enlightenment,
or baptism. While these seem to be viable options, a more natural reading is to
identify ‘the heavenly gift’ with salvation itself. Harold Attridge writes, ‘The
“heavenly gift” is best understood as a general image for the gracious bestowal
of salvation, with all that entails – the spirit, forgiveness, and
sanctification.’ Thus we can refer to ‘the heavenly gift’ (th/j
dwrea/j th/j evpourani,ou) as salvation but also as that which
ultimately comes from God and has heaven as its origin and goal. As a result,
though the usage of evpoura,nioj in Heb. 6.4 is
qualitative, the term still carries its basic meaning as a reference to that
which is spatially distinct from the earth since it represents that which comes
from God in heaven. (M. Jeff Brannon, The Heavenlies in
Ephesians: A Lexical, Exegetical, and Conceptual Analysis [Library of New
Testament Studies 447; London: T&T Clark, 2011], 90-91)
