I asked you how you interpret 'thorns and thistles' in
Hebrews 6:4-8?
You said 'who depart the faith back to sin'.
Thorns and thistles are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. That's obvious LGW. Where the farmer planted fruit trees only thorns and thistles grew instead.
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
Romans 7:4
Therefore, my brethren,
you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead,
in order that we might bear fruit for God.
In the context 'repentance' is referring to dead works, the law.
Hebrews 6:1
...not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.
Not really David. We are talking about sin which the bible (not me) defines as the transgression of God's law *1 John 3:4 or the breaking of anyone of God's 10 commandments *James 2:10-11 or not believing or following God's Word *Romans 14:23.
Let's look at the detail of Hebrews 6:4-8 and Hebrews 10:26-31...
God's Word says that these people are in all reference to those who were once believers... I have numbered the sections within these scripture passage below and pulled out the sections from the scriptures word for word afterwards to show that these scriptures are a warning to those who were ONCE BELIEVERS that had fallen away and departed the faith to return to unrepentant sin.
Let’s look at the scriptures and see what they are saying…
HEBREWS 6:4-8 [4], For it is impossible for those (1) WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, and (2) HAVE TASTED THE HEAVENLY GIFT, and (3) WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, [5], And have (4) TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, and (5) THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, [6], (6) IF THEY (believers) (7) SHALL FALL AWAY, to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame. [7], For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft on it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: [8], But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is near to cursing; (8) WHOS END IS TO BE BURNED.
The following are taken from the above scriptures...
1. They were once enlightened; HEBREWS 6:4
2. Having tasted of the Heavenly gift; HEBREWS 6:4
3. They were made partakers of the Holy Ghost; HEBREWS 6:4
4. Having tasted of the good Word of God; HEBREWS 6:5
5. Having tasted of the power of the world to come HEBREWS 6:5
6. THEY (BELIEVERS) FALL AWAY; HEBREWS 6:6
7. THEY (BELIEVERS) renew themselves to repentance; HEBREWS 6:6
8. THEY (BELIEVERS) by their sins crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame; HEBREWS 6:6
Same for HEBREWS 10:26-38
HEBREWS 10:26-31 [26], FOR IF
WE (believers) SIN WILLFULLY AFTER THAT WE (believers) HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH THERE REMAINS NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, [27],
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [28], He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [29], OF HOW MUCH SORER PUNISHMENT SUPPOSE YOU SHALL HE BE THOUGHT WORTHY WHO HAS TRODDEN UNDER FOOT THE SON OF GOD AND HAS COUNTED THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT AN UNHOLY THING AND HAS DONE DESPITE TO THE SPIRIT OF GRACE? [30], For WE (believers) know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, said the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. [31], It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [32], But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions; [33], Partly, whilst you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used. [34], For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. [35],
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. [36], For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
[37], For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. [38], Now the just shall live by faith:
but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
The following are taken from the above scriptures...
1. WE (BELIEVERS) return back to a life of known unrepentant SIN; HEBREWS 10:26
2. WE (BELIEVERS) being those who have received a knowledge of the truth; HEBREWS 10:26
3. WE (BELIEVERS) will receive the judgments of God; HEBREWS 10:27
5. WE (BELIEVERS) by returning back to known unrepentant sin after we receive a knowledge of the truth we count the blood of the covenant an UNHOLY thing and do despite to the Spirit of Grace; HEBREWS 10:29
6. WE (BELIEVERS) are warned not to CAST AWAY our confidence which has great reward; HEBREWS 10:35
7. WE (BELIEVERS) receive God's promise after we do God's will; HEBREWS 10:36
8. WE (BELIEVERS) are WARNED NOT TO DRAW BACK INTO UNBELIEF; HEBREWS 10:38
All of the above is God's Word not mine and are written as WARNINGS to BELIEVERS who once believed God's WORD but departed the faith. Do you believe these scriptures dear friend?
Hope this is helpful