<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"] I think these verses are difficult for a Calvinist but for the Armenian the understanding seems to naturally flow from what the text says. </font><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>Hello Costello,<br><br>Just a quick comment here because I didn't see it pointed out previously. If indeed the Arminian interpretation is the true one for this passage, it would not only teach that one can fall away, but it would also teach that if one does fall away then he cannot be saved again ("it is impossible to renew them to repentance"). Is it your belief that if someone loses their salvation that they can never get it back again?<br><br>As to how I think we should interpret the text, the following is a quick summary I gave in another thread:<br><br>I think it is important to remember that Hebrews 6:4 and following are an explanation as to why the author has chosen not to go over the elementary principles again, but has decided to go on "to perfection." The reason for this is that his audience fully understands the basic Gospel promise. They have been Christians long enough that they ought to be teachers by this time, but they have been slack in growing in the understanding of God's Word. The writer knows that their behavior is a reflection of one of two possibilities then: 1) Either they have understood the Gospel and have consciously rejected it or 2) They are still immature in their thinking and need to grow in the understanding of God's Word. The remainder of the book weaves in warnings about the danger of being in the first category, but proceeds upon the optimisim that they are in the second. Hence, after explaining that there is nothing more to say to someone who has been fully acquainted with the Gospel and rejected it, he "moves on to perfection" in chapter 7 because "he is persuaded of better things concerning them". Which is to say, he thinks that they have simply been lazy in their spiritual growth and have therefore exhibited some behavior that looks like unbelief, therefore he will go on to instruct them in their faith being confident that it will take root and produce fruit.<br><br>Sincerely in Christ,<br><br>~Jason<br>