Who are those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit?

[TonyChanYT]

Hebrews 6:

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity,

The author contrasts elementary doctrine vs maturity. The elementary doctrine includes:

not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

But we need to go on to maturity.

3 And this we will do if God permits.

Now comes a warning:

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,

The above describes experienced Christians but I don't think they have the Paraclete dwelling in them.

6 and then have fallen away,

That's bad, very bad. They did not reach maturity.

to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

That's a seriously strong warning against those experienced but immature Christians. However, what is impossible with men is possible with God (Matthew 19:26).

Now comes a blessing for the experienced mature believers:

7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.

and a curse for the experienced immature Christians:

8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

The author didn't want to end this topic on a negative note:

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

That's encouraging.

11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,

Don't focus on the curse and the burning; Focus on the blessed hope.

12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Don't be sluggish. Go on ahead to maturity.

Hebrews 6:1-12 contrasts between elementary vs maturity. There is a curse for the immature and a blessing for the mature believers. Don't stay at the elementary state. Press ahead to produce the fruit of a mature believer.

See also Can we lose our salvation?.

 

[Bob Estey]

Hebrews 6:


The author contrasts elementary doctrine vs maturity. The elementary doctrine includes:


But we need to go on to maturity.


Now comes a warning:


The above describes experienced Christians but I don't think they have the Paraclete dwelling in them.


That's bad, very bad. They did not reach maturity.


That's a seriously strong warning against those experienced but immature Christians. However, what is impossible with men is possible with God (Matthew 19:26).

Now comes a blessing for the experienced mature believers:


and a curse for the experienced immature Christians:


The author didn't want to end this topic on a negative note:


That's encouraging.


Don't focus on the curse and the burning; Focus on the blessed hope.


Don't be sluggish. Go on ahead to maturity.

Hebrews 6:1-12 contrasts between elementary vs maturity. There is a curse for the immature and a blessing for the mature believers. Don't stay at the elementary state. Press ahead to produce the fruit of a mature believer.

See also Can we lose our salvation?.

I would think people who have repented of their sin are the ones who have been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:17).