SUMMARY
Everyone knows that Christian belief has its share of difficult stretches, but faith is also a holyHoly is a term that originally meant set apart for the worship or service of God. While the term may refer to people, objects, time, or places, holiness in Judaism and Christianity primarily denotes the realm of the divine More gift, which cannot be thrown aside casually or without consequences. It is not as simple as it appears to revert to “life before faith.”
ANALYSIS
The writer makes two points at the same time. First, those who move from unbelief to belief and then lapse back into unbelief place themselves in a position of more severe judgment. Second, the privilege of having had the faith “passed on to them” brings with it a formidable responsibility. The letter’s context–the church in a time of profound transition–heightens the importance of trustworthy stewardship of the faith.
