7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Our earth, that is, our heart, receives blessings if it receives “the rain” of the doctrine of the law “that often falls upon it” and brings forth the fruit of works. But if it does not have a spiritual work but “thorns and thistles,” that is, cares of the world or the desire of pleasures and riches, “it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.” For that reason, each one of the hearers, when he assembles to hear, receives “the shower” of the Word of God; and, if one indeed brings forth the fruit of a good work, one will obtain “a blessing.” But if a person disdains the received Word of God and frequently neglects to hear it and subjects himself to the care and passion of secular affairs, as one who would suffocate the Word “with thorns,” he will procure “a curse” for a blessing, and, instead of receiving a blessing, his “end is to be burned.” Therefore, he says, “I will give you your rains in their season.”
Let us see then whether by an illustration used by the apostle in the epistle to the Hebrews, we are able to prove that by one operation God has mercy upon one while he hardens another. It is not God’s intent to harden, but while having a good purpose, hardening follows as a result of the inherent principle of wickedness in such persons, so that he is said to harden him who is hardened. … As regards the rain there is one operation, but the ground which is cultivated produces fruit, while that which is neglected and is barren produces thorns.
Let us hear the oracles of God with fear, with fear and much trembling. For (it is said) "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto Him with trembling." (Ps. ii. 11.) But if even our joy and our exultation ought to be "with trembling," of what punishment are we not worthy, if we listen not with terror to what is said, when the things spoken, as now, are themselves fearful?
For having said that "it is impossible for those who have fallen away" to be baptized a second time, and to receive remission through the layer, and having pointed out the awfulness of the case, he goes on: "for the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God. But if it bear thorns and thistles, it is rejected, and nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned."
Let us then fear, beloved! This threat is not Paul's, these words are not of man: they are of the Holy Ghost, of Christ that speaketh in him. Is there then any one that is clear from these thorns? And even if we were clear, not even so ought we to be confident, but to fear and tremble lest at any time thorns should spring up in us. But when we are "thorns and thistles" through and through, whence (tell me) are we confident? And are becoming supine? What is it which makes us inert? If "he that thinketh he standeth" ought to fear "lest he fall"; for (he says) "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. x. 12); he that falleth, how anxious ought he to be that he may rise up again! If Paul fears, "lest that by any means, when he had preached to others, he himself should be a castaway" (1 Cor. ix. 27); and he who had been so approved is afraid lest he should become disapproved: what pardon shall we have who are already disapproved, if we have no fear, but fulfill our Christianity as a custom, and for form's sake. Let us then fear, beloved: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven." (Rom. i. 18.) Let us fear, for it "is revealed" not "against impiety" only, but "against all unrighteousness." What is "against all unrighteousness"? [Against all] both small and great.
In this passage he intimates the lovingkindness of God towards man: and the teaching [of the Gospel] he calls "rain": and what he said above, "when for the time ye ought to be teachers" (c. v. 12), this he says here also. Indeed in many places the Scripture calls the teaching "rain." For (it says) "I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it" (Isa. v. 6), speaking of "the vineyard." The same which in another place it calls "a famine of bread, and a thirst of water." (Amos viii. 11.) And again, "The river of God is full of waters." (Ps. lxv. 9.)
"For land," he says, "which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it." Here he shows that they received and drank in the word, yea and often enjoyed this, and yet even so they were not profited. For if (he means) thou hadst not been tilled, if thou hadst enjoyed no rains, the evil would not have been so great. For (it is said) "If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin." (John xv. 22.) But if thou hast often drunk and received [nourishment], wherefore hast thou brought forth other things instead of fruits? For (it is said) "I waited that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth thorns." (Isa. v. 2.)
Thou seest that everywhere the Scripture calleth sins "thorns." For David also saith, "I was turned into mourning when a thorn was fixed in me." (Ps. xxxii. 4, so Ps. xxxii. 4 LXX.) For it does not simply come on us, but is fixed in; and even if but a little of it remain in, even if we take it not out entirely, that little of itself in like manner causes pain, as in the case of a thorn. And why do I say, 'that little of itself'? Even after it has been taken out, it leaves therein for a long time the pain of the wound. And much care and treatment is necessary, that we may be perfectly freed from it. For it is not enough merely to take away the sin, it is necessary also to heal the wounded place.
But I fear however lest the things said apply to us more than to others. "For," he says, "the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it." We are ever drinking, ever hearing, but "when the sun is risen" (Matt. xiii. 6) we straightway lose our moisture, and therefore bring forth thorns. What then are the thorns? Let us hear Christ saying, that "the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." (Matt. xiii. 22.)
"For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it," he says, "and bringeth forth meet herbs." Because nothing is so meet as purity of life, nothing so suitable as the best life, nothing so meet as virtue.
"And bringeth forth" (saith he) "herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God." Here he says that God is the cause of all things, giving the heathen a blow, who ascribed the production of fruits to the power of the earth. For (he says) it is not the hands of the husbandman which stir up the earth to bear fruits, but the command from God. Therefore he says, "receives blessing from God."
And see how in speaking of the thorns, he said not, "bringing forth thorns," nor did he use this word expressive of what is useful; but what? "Bearing" [literally "putting out"] "thorns," as if one should say, "forcing out," "throwing out."
"Rejected" (he says) "and nigh unto cursing." Oh! how great consolation in this word! For he said "nigh unto cursing," not "a curse." Now he that hath not yet fallen into a curse, but is come to be near [thereto], may also come to be far off [therefrom].
And not by this only did he encourage them, but also by what follows. For he did not say "rejected and nigh unto cursing," "which shall be burned," but what? "Whose end is to be burned," if he continue [such] (he means) unto the end. So that, if we cut out and burn the thorns, we shall be able to enjoy those good things innumerable and to become approved, and to partake of blessing.
And with good reason did he call sin "a thistle," saying "that which beareth thorns and thistles"; for on whatever side you lay hold on it, it wounds and stings, and it is unpleasant even to look at.
Would you like to know in what way the faithful are compared with clouds in holy writ? Isaiah says, “I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon them.” Moses was speaking as if he were a cloud when he said, “May my teaching drop as the rain.” The letters of the apostles are spiritual rain for us. As a matter of fact, what does Paul say in his letter to the Hebrews?: “For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it,” and again, “I planted, Apollos watered.”
“It is cultivated” manifestly for their salvation and the enjoyment of those producing fruit. And if “the Father is the vinedresser,” just as the Lord says, and again the Son is also the sower, “the one sowing the good seed,” if the crop is suitable for them, that is, if the fruit appears—for we also ought to bear fruit for God, as he says somewhere, “but now having become slaves to God, produce your fruit for sanctification”—then if this is the case, we farm manifestly because of God, in order that we may please him with a virtuous life. Therefore we also will be deemed worthy of his blessing.
“For the earth, which produces.” In the parable, he speaks of the land and the people, he rain, however, is called the teaching, as elsewhere, "I command the clouds," says God, "not to rain upon the vineyard;" (Isa. 5:2) and again, "the river of God was filled with waters;" (Ps. 144:10) these, he who, having been graced by God to teach, was filled with the waters from above, that is, with gifts. those who have often heard and have been metaphorically watered by the saving word of faith, and either have benefited or gained nothing from it.
"suitable vegetation." What is a suitable vegetation? The proper constitution, the virtuous life; for nothing is so well-placed, that is, appropriate and agreeable, as the purity of life.
"for those for whom it is cultivated." Since he spoke about land and fruits, he remained in the metaphor. The good life is produced by the teachers (for these are the ones who cultivate), as those who partake of the virtue of the students.
It is indeed cultivated for the salvation and benefit of those who bear fruit. If it is so, as the Lord says (Jn. 15:1), the Father is the farmer, and the Son is the sower, sowing the precious seed (Matt. 13:3); if the plant is suitable for them, that is, if the farming appears (for we owe it to God to bear fruit, as it is said somewhere (Rom. 6:22): "But now, having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit to holiness"). If therefore we cultivate this, namely for God, in order to please Him with a virtuous life, we are also deemed worthy of His blessing.
"receives a blessing from God." For the fruitful land is blessed by God. Who is the fruitful land? The virtuous man.
"producing thorns." He did not say "bearing [Τίκτουσα]," but "producing [Ἐκφέρουσα]," hinting at the unnaturalness of the production, as if he said, "spitting out [ἐκβράσσουσα]." And "producing" indicates the production until the end and death. For he did not say "carrying out [Ἐξενεγκοῦσα]," but "producing [Ἐκφέρουσα]"; note this.
And by thorns and thistles, he speaks of sin, because it strikes from all sides and corrupts the one who holds it.
"and near to a curse."He spoke of the greatest comfort. For he did not say, "It is a self-curse," but rather, "and near to a curse." And one who is near to a curse can also become far away through repentance. For if he had said, "And it is a curse," he would have had to despair. But now, he says, "and near to a curse," speaking in fear and with caution; "Behold, you have become near to the curse; be afraid lest you fall into it, and flee from it." For one who is near can also flee; for he has not yet been seized.
"whose end is for burning." See again how securely he speaks, lest it be thought that the greatest remedy among men casts out repentance. For he did not say, "He who has accepted thorns and thistles is burned," but rather, "whose end is for burning." If we endure until the end, he says, and carry out the thorns until the very end, then we will be burned, indicating by contrast that if we do not endure the thorns until the end, but change our minds, we will not be burned.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened.” He did not say that it is difficult, unprofitable, or improper, but impossible, so as to cast them into despair of hoping for a second cleansing.
"Having tasted the gift." The forgiveness of sins, which is in baptism; for this is a heavenly gift. For no one can give such things except one, God.
"and having become partakers of the Holy Spirit."After the forgiveness of sins, then comes the partaking of the Holy Spirit; for He does not dwell in a body burdened with sins; By the laying on of hands, as he says above (Heb. 6:2).
"and having tasted the good word of God." The teaching concerning the mind of Christ.
"the powers of the age to come.” For we shall all give an account of the words we have lived by, and both punishment and rest are everlasting. For in these things is the power of the age to come. That is, the seriousness [ἀῤῥαβῶνα] of the coming age, namely, faith in Christ.
“the powers of the age to come." Powers of the coming age. That there will certainly be a resurrection, and that we shall all give an account of the life we have lived, and that both punishment and rest are inescapable, and such things, for these indeed are the powers of the coming age. Or that the pledge of the coming age is faith in Christ. Powers of the coming age, Instead of what the future age can teach. For those who have tasted, in common, what has been taken figuratively [τροπικῶς], signifying, those who have learned, have been instructed. What then can the future do, and what is its necessity and work? Because in it each finds the reward of what he has done, since there is no end either to the punishment in it, nor to the happiness, because then the unfailing judgment and the just will be revealed more clearly, and many other things. Therefore, those who have learned these things along with the others, he says, and having fallen away, it is impossible, and thereafter.
"and having fallen away." It is impossible to renew a city to repentance after having lost all these things and having fallen away. What then? Should we cast away repentance? May it never be, (thus says the holy Cyril in the sixth book of “On the Veneration and Worship in Spirit and Truth”) but rather the repentance through baptism. For it is necessary first to consider repentance and the renunciation of wicked deeds, and thus to be baptized. Therefore, he says, the repentance in baptism, from which he also said, "To renew what is proper to baptism," and "To crucify again, which is also proper to this baptism." For those being baptized are crucified with the Lord. Therefore, he who wishes to repent again through the second baptism crucifies Christ by being crucified with Him.
"they crucify again for themselves the Son of God." What does it mean, crucify again for themselves the Son of God and setting an example? He says from above, crucify again for themselves and bringing shame. But he says it is of this kind; once Christ was crucified, and we too, once, are crucified with him through baptism. Therefore, he says, one who thinks there is a second baptism, as far as he is concerned, crucifies the Lord from above. For what else does the one who thinks he is being crucified a second time through baptism do, except that he also considers himself to be crucified a second time, through what he does? But to crucify a second time, he says, Christ, as far as it pertains to him, is nothing other than to set an example for him and to bring him to shame. For once crucified, he is therefore immortal. But he who re-crucifies does this as a falsehood, which brings him shame as if he had only pretended to die once.
What does it mean to crucify again? Calling it a second crucifixion and a second passion [πάθος], if such repentance exists, and the worthiness to receive the remission through baptism was achieved only by the cross of Christ. Therefore, those who understand this desire again to see Christ being crucified, mocked, and typified. Oh, the audacity and shamelessness! If anyone contemplates such things. And indeed, through these, they shake their thoughts, so that having become hopeless of being able to attain such repentance, they strive for virtue instead.
By "earth" he calls the soul, and by "rain" – teaching, as also in another place: "I will command the clouds," says God, "not to pour... rain" upon the vineyard (Isa. 5:6). And again: "the river of God is full of water" (Ps. 65:10), that is, he who has received from God the gift of teaching others is filled with waters from above, or gifts. Here he gives to understand that they both received and drank the word, and were often deemed worthy of it, and nevertheless did not profit from it, which he also said above: "by this time you ought to be teachers" (Heb. 5:12).
A life filled with virtue, that is. For there is nothing so useful, that is, becoming and desirable, as purity of life.
"Grass," he says, that is, a virtuous life, the earth brings forth for those for whom it is cultivated, and for them it is "useful": for those very ones, bearing virtue, will enjoy it. Some understood "for them" as meaning: for the teachers; for indeed, good conduct is cultivated by them, so that they are partakers in the virtue of their students.
Here he silently rebukes the Greeks, who attribute the growing of fruits to the power of the earth. And it is not even the hands of the farmer that produce the fruits, but everything, he says, is the work of God: He Himself blesses and gives abundance of fruits.
[AD 253] Origen of Alexandria on Hebrews 6:7-8