Hebrews — Chapter 4

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1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.

2For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.

3For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4For he hath said somewhere of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;

5and in this [place] again, They shall not enter into my rest.

6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,

7he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts.

8For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.

9There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.

10For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.

11Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.

12For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

16Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help [us] in time of need.

1Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it.

2For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith.

3For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’” And yet God’s works were accomplished from the foundation of the world.

4For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,”

5but to repeat the text cited earlier: “They will never enter my rest!”

6Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience.

7So God again ordains a certain day, “Today,” speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts.”

8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken afterward about another day.

9Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God.

10For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.

11Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

13And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

14Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

15For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

16Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

1Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.

2For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard.

3For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest”; although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all his works”;

5and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.”

6Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience,

7he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

8For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.

9There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

10For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.

11Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

12For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

13There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

14Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession.

15For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

16Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Sabbath rest remains for the people of God — we must strive to enter it lest anyone fall through disobedience — and the word of God is living, sharper than any two-edged sword, and our great High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness invites us to the throne of grace.

Authorship & Background

Author: Unknown (see Chapter 1 notes for full discussion).
Historical Context: Chapter 4 continues the theme of God's "rest" from chapter 3. The wilderness generation failed to enter Canaan (God's rest) because of unbelief. But a rest still remains for God's people (v.9). The chapter then transitions to one of the most beloved passages in Hebrews: Christ as our sympathetic High Priest who invites us to the throne of grace (vv.14-16). Two great themes: entering God's rest by faith, and approaching God boldly through Christ.
God's Rest Still Available (vv.1-11): The promise of rest remains (v.1). The gospel was preached to Israel but didn't profit them because it wasn't mixed with faith (v.2). Believers enter rest (v.3). This rest is not just Canaan (Joshua didn't give final rest, v.8) but a Sabbath-rest for God's people (v.9) — ceasing from self-effort as God ceased from His works (v.10). "Let us labour to enter" — strive to enter by faith, not works (v.11).
The Word of God (vv.12-13): A powerful description of Scripture's penetrating power — living, active, sharper than a sword, dividing soul and spirit, discerning thoughts and intentions (v.12). Nothing is hidden from God (v.13).
Our Great High Priest (vv.14-16): Jesus has passed through the heavens (v.14). He sympathizes with our weaknesses — tempted in every way yet without sin (v.15). Therefore: come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help (v.16).

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the Sabbath-rest, the Word's power, and Christ as sympathetic High Priest with detailed analysis of each section.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Throne of Grace" on v.16 (MTP Vol. 17, No. 1024) "Come BOLDLY — not timidly, not reluctantly, not with slavish fear. Boldly. To the throne of GRACE — not judgment, not law, not wrath — grace. That we may OBTAIN mercy — for past failures. And FIND grace — for present needs. To HELP — practical assistance. In TIME of need — exactly when you need it, not before (you'd waste it) and not after (too late). Right on time. This is your invitation: come boldly, come now, come as you are." Sermon: "The Word of God" on v.12 (MTP Vol. 33, No. 1961) "Quick — alive, living, not a dead letter. Powerful — energetic, active, working. Sharper than any twoedged sword — it cuts both ways, it penetrates where nothing else can. Dividing soul and spirit — reaching the deepest parts of human nature. A discerner — it judges, evaluates, exposes. The Word of God knows you better than you know yourself."

Videos

The Bible Project — Hebrews Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. "There remaineth therefore a rest" (v.9). Are you resting in God's finished work, or still striving in self-effort? What does it mean to "cease from your own works" and enter God's rest?
  • 2. "The word of God is quick, and powerful" (v.12). When you read Scripture, do you experience it as living and active? Does it penetrate, expose, and discern your thoughts? How can you approach the Word with greater openness?
  • 3. "Tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (v.15). Christ understands your temptations from personal experience. He's not distant or unsympathetic. Does this change how you approach Him when you're struggling?
  • 4. "Come boldly unto the throne of grace" (v.16). Do you come to God boldly or timidly? With confidence or with fear? It's a throne of GRACE — you're invited. What keeps you from coming boldly?
  • 5. "Grace to help in time of need" (v.16). What is your current "time of need"? Have you brought it to the throne? Grace is available — right now, for exactly what you're facing.