Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 6:8

"but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned." — Hebrews 6:8 (ASV)

But that which bears.—Rather, But if it bear thorns and briars it is rejected. We are told that the presence of briars (i.e., caltrops) is a sure evidence of a poor soil, on which labour will be wasted.

The words are partially a quotation from Genesis 3:18. The change of translation here is important; if that very land, which has drunk in the abundant rain and has received careful culture still proves unfruitful, it is rejected.

Man can do no more; and the curse of God is near; its end is for burning. The explanation of the last words is probably found in Deuteronomy 29:23, which speaks of the land of Sodom which God overthrew, which is brimstone and salt and burning.

The connection between these two verses and the preceding passages is obvious. In the case of the apostates there described, man is helpless; God’s curse is near. But, as Chrysostom says, in this very word there is mercy; the end is not yet come.