"Hebrews 4:1, ESV: "Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it." Geneva Study Bible Darby's Synopsis: View Hebrews 4 in the note window. Articles Sermons Topics Books Podcasts Filter Resources By Ask Pastor John. Our highest happiness shall, according to this verse, consist in our being united in one with God, and moulded into conformity with Him as our archetype [CALVIN]. Lesson 12: Cultural Religion Versus Saving Faith (Hebrews 4:1-11) Lesson 13: God’s Powerful Word (Hebrews 4:12-13) Lesson 14: The Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:14-16) Lesson 15: The Kind of Priest You Need (Hebrews 5:1-10) Therefore, let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. but--"nay, rather, He was (one) tempted" [ALFORD]. 4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem () to have failed to reach it. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, p "As I swore in my … They said this because they knew that God was both merciful and just, but they could not reconcile these two attributes of God. should seem to come short of it--Greek, "to have come short of it"; should be found, when the great trial of all shall take place [ALFORD], to have fallen short of attaining the promise. But the "rest" in this Hebrews 4:9 is the nobler and more exalted (Hebrew) "Sabbath" rest; literally, "cessation": rest from work when finished ( Hebrews 4:4 ), as God rested ( Revelation 16:17 ). The opening chapter takes people into the heavenly realm of the angels. 3. An image (appropriate in addressing Jews) from the literal dividing of joints, and penetrating to, so as to open out, the marrow, by the priest's knife, illustrating the previously mentioned spiritual "dividing of soul from spirit," whereby each (soul as well as spirit) is laid bare and "naked" before God; this view accords with Hebrews 4:13 . The accusative follows when the sense is "hold fast" [TITTMANN]. Paul's early training, both in the Greek schools of Tarsus and the Hebrew schools at Jerusalem, accounts fully for his acquaintance with Philo's modes of thought, which were sure to be current among learned Jews everywhere, though Philo himself belonged to Alexandria, not Jerusalem. Compare as to God's creation rest, once for all completed, and rested from. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. not being mixed with faith in them that heard--So the Syriac and the Old Latin Versions, older than any of our manuscripts, and LUCIFER, read, "As the world did not unite with the hearers in faith." The less prominent place of the "fall" in the Greek favors this. This is a transposition, when it is said, Today if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts. The Jews call the future rest "the day which is all Sabbath. is most likely the one who preached to the Israelites. The Greek is the same as that for "his own" immediately after. Chapter 4 Humble, cautious fear is urged, lest any should come short of the promised rest, through unbelief. discerner of the thoughts--Greek, "capable of judging the purposes." The reason why they were not brought into the rest promised tothem, 2. Compare "sword of the Spirit . But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened. God's rest is not a rest necessitated by fatigue, nor consisting in idleness, but is that upholding and governing of which creation was the beginning [ALFORD]. The throne of grace: The throne of God is a throne of grace. It is, he says, a promise which still stands that is, was not satisfied by entering Canaan, but still exists at the time of his writing. Chapter 3 In this chapter the apostle applies what he had said in the chapter foregoing concerning the priesthood of Christ, I. . Hebrews 1:1-4 introduces a contrast that is the central theme throughout Hebrews: the climactic revelation of God in Christ, surpassing every way that God spoke and worked prior to Christ’s coming. Answer to the objection which might be made to his reasoning, namely, that those brought into Canaan by Joshua (so "Jesus" here means, as in Acts 7:45 ) did enter the rest of God. . Let us . Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. (11-14) Commentary on Hebrews 5:1-10 (Read ) Not that He has ceased to carry on the work of redemption, nay, He upholds it by His mediation; but He has ceased from those portions of the work which constitute the foundation; the sacrifice has been once for all accomplished. from his own works--even from those that were good and suitable to the time of doing work. Hebrews 3:4.The author has spoken, Hebrews 3:2, of the house of God, and yet, Hebrews 3:3, has ascribed the founding and preparing of the same to Christ.For the justification of this apparent contradiction does the remark, Hebrews 3:4, serve., serve. Click on the different category headings to find out more. In Hebrews 4:1 we are given the first hint that the promise of rest given to Israel envisaged more than entering the Promised land. The first thirteen verses of this chapter conclude the second exhortation, or warning, and the idea of "a rest" for the people of God, already mentioned in Heb. Since so … ", 4. he spake--God ( Genesis 2:2 ). (Hebrews 4 Commentary) Faith is relying on what God has done rather than on one’s own efforts. The whole of oldest extant manuscript authority supports a different reading, "unmingled as they were (Greek accusative case agreeing with 'them') in faith with its hearers," that is, with its believing, obedient hearers, as Caleb and Joshua. - Verse-by-Verse Commentary Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken The rest promised to the Hebrews was a type of that promised toChristians, 3-10. The soul draws with it the body; the spirit draws with it both soul and body." Other translations of this chapter: NASB / NKJV / ESV. Hebrews, Chapter 4 Chapter 3 | Chapter 5. fear--not with slavish terror, but godly "fear and trembling" ( Philippians 2:12 ). Hebrews 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries; OT PASSAGES QUOTED IN HEBREWS 4 - Click for complete list of OT Quotations/Allusions. ... (Hebrews 1:4-14) Lesson 4: The Danger of Drifting Spiritually (Hebrews 2:1-4) Lesson 5: Our Glorious Destiny in Christ (Hebrews 2:5-9) Lesson 6: Why Jesus’ Death Was Fitting (Hebrews 2:10) Lesson 7: Jesus Our Brother and Savior … quick--Greek, "living"; having living power, as "the rod of the mouth and the breath of the lips" of "the living God." 4:18, … piercing--Greek, "coming through." He 4:4 <> Ge 2:2. EasyEnglish is a system of simple English designed by Wycliffe Associates (UK). If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. As the genitive follows, the literally, sense is, "Let us take hold of our profession," that is, of the faith and hope which are subjects of our profession and confession. "Hebrews 4:10, ESV: "for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." Thus chapter 3 to chapter 4 is a poor chapter division. An entire generation of Israel lost out on their inheritance of the Promised Land due to a lack of faith. It must be appropriated by saving faith. "Hebrews 1:4, ESV: "having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs." No request is too small, because He wants us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer… let your requests be made known to God. Let us . For--justifying his assertion of the need of "faith," Hebrews 4:2 . A foretaste of the rest Is given in the inward rest which the believer's soul has in Christ. passed into the heavens--rather, "passed through the heavens," namely, those which come between us and God, the aerial heaven, and that above the latter containing the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, &c. These heavens were the veil which our High Priest passed through into the heaven of heavens, the immediate presence of God, just as the Levitical high priest passed through the veil into the Holy of Holies. If the rest of God meant Canaan, God would not after their entrance into that land, have spoken (or speak [ALFORD]) of another (future) day of entering the rest. The disobedient, instead of being blended in "the same body," separated themselves as Korah: a tacit reproof to like separatists from the Christian assembling together ( Hebrews 10:25 , Jude 1:19 ). Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter Hebrews 4 comprises two parts. into rest--Greek, "into the rest" which is promised in the ninety-fifth Psalm. The word "seem" is a mitigating mode of expression, though not lessening the reality. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. 1. Here Paul interrupts the quotation by, "In (the Psalm of) David saying after so long a time (after five hundred years' possession of Canaan)," and resumes it by, "as it has been said before (so the Greek oldest manuscript, before, namely, Hebrews 3:7 Hebrews 3:15 ), To-day if ye hear His voice," &c. [ALFORD]. John Piper Sep 1, 1996 552 Shares Article. finished--Greek, "brought into existence," "made. labour--Greek, "strive diligently." (Hebrews 4:14-16) We read in chapter two about Jesus –that “He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Solid Joys. Hebrews 4:1 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ]Hebrews 4:1, NIV: "Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. Two other oldest manuscripts read, "Let us enter." The opening chapter takes people into the heavenly realm of the angels. Its double power seems to be implied by its being "two-edged." Compare Aaron, the type, bearing the names of the twelve tribes in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he entered into the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually ( Exodus 28:29 ). Initial impressions of Hebrews might suggest that the writer is detached from any context. Boldly means we should come with persistence. At Hebrews 4:11 he again, as in Hebrews 3:12-19 already, takes up faith as the indispensable qualification for entering it. Chapter Summary In Hebrews chapter 4, the author refines the theme of chapter 3. ", 10. In Hebrews, the author shows how ... Watch our overview video on the book of Hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. 1:3, 2:17, & 3:1). The argument is: He who once enters rest, rests from labors; but God's people have not yet rested from them, therefore they have not yet entered the rest, and so it must be still future. Let us . The work and subsequent rest of God are the archetype to which we should be conformed. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. mercy--"Compassion," by its derivation (literally, fellow feeling from community of suffering), corresponds to the character of our High Priest "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" ( Hebrews 4:15 ). THE PROMISE OF GOD'S REST IS FULLY REALIZED THROUGH CHRIST: LET US STRIVE TO OBTAIN IT BY HIM, OUR SYMPATHIZING HIGH PRIEST. Initial impressions of Hebrews might suggest that the writer is detached from any context. (1-3) And in his superiority to all the holy angels. Hebrews 4 English Standard Version Update 4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. Again--Anew the promise recurs. 4. Contrast Job's complaint ( Job 23:3-8 ) and Elihu's "IF," &c. ( Job 33:23-28 ). obtain--rather, "receive." Keith Simons. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Here, the author points out that the rest promised by God is still offered, through Christ. 1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem ... if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. In its total context the passage also shows us the Sabbath as a God-given sign or symbol of our having begun now to rest in God's …

One of the most descriptive pictures of the Christian life in the Bible is of an athlete competing in a race. The word we have translated beware literally means to fear (phobeisthai, Greek #5399). Latest Articles. "It judges all that is in the heart, for there it passes through, at once punishing [unbelievers] and searching [both believers and unbelievers]" [CHRYSOSTOM]. Arguments and motives to faith and hope in our approaches to God. "To-day" still continues, during which there is the danger of failing to reach the rest. Commentary on Hebrews 2:10-13 (Read Hebrews 2:10-13 ) Whatever the proud, carnal, and unbelieving may imagine or object, the spiritual mind will see peculiar glory in the cross of Christ, and be satisfied that it became Him, who in all things displays his own perfections in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Chapter 4 As the Christian rest is to be obtained by faith, we shouldbeware of unbelief lest we lose it, as the Hebrews did theirs, 1. ALFORD translates, "He that entered into his (or else God's, but rather 'his'; Isaiah 11:10 , 'His rest': 'the joy of the Lord,' Matthew 25:21 Matthew 25:23 ) rest (namely, Jesus, our Forerunner, Hebrews 4:14 , 6:20 , 'The Son of God that is passed through the heavens': in contrast to Joshua the type, who did not bring God's people into the heavenly rest), he himself (emphatical) rested from his works ( Hebrews 4:4 ), as God (did) from His own" (so the Greek, "works"). The message of salvation is urgent. … Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. from all his works--Hebrew, Genesis 2:2 , "from all His work." The personal Word, to whom some refer the passage, is not here meant: for He is not the sword, but has the sword. Thus far we have seen that Jesus is far greater than any angel, eclipses Moses as the spokesman of God, and leads believers into a far superior rest than Joshua led Israel into. his rest--God's rest: the rest prepared by God for His people [ESTIUS]. You can check these in your browser security settings. Hebrews 4 Verse 1 Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise of being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. unto them--in type: the earthly Canaan, wherein they failed to realize perfect rest, suggesting to them that they should look beyond to the heavenly land of rest, to which faith is the avenue, and from which unbelief excludes, as it did from the earthly Canaan. He, therefore, experimentally knew what power was needed to overcome temptations. Hebrews 5:3 "And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins." In … We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. "Show, O man, shame and fear towards thy God, for no veil, no twisting, bending, coloring, or disguise, can cover unbelief" (Greek, 'disobedience,' Hebrews 4:11 ). Bible study tool. BENGEL and OWEN take it, Lest there should be any semblance or appearance of falling short. Though exalted to the highest heavens, He has changed His place, not His nature and office in relation to us, His condition, but not His affection. - The promised rest - He 4:1-10 - A warning against disobedience - He 4:11-13 - Our great High Priest - He 4:14-16 2) Since we have a promise of rest, ... Want A Free Bible Study Course? Interactive Bible study with John Piper. ). You can also change some of your preferences. Compare Matthew 26:38 , "watch with me": showing His desire in the days of His flesh for the sympathy of those whom He loved: so He now gives His suffering people His sympathy. fear--not with slavish terror, but godly "fear and trembling" ( Philippians 2:12 ). The clause (reaching even to) "both the joints and marrow" is subordinate to the clause, "even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit." . Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. While Hebrews as a whole is written to demonstrate Christ’s … Continue reading "Commentary on Hebrews 1:1-4 … "God's wisdom, simply manifold, and uniformly multiform, with incomprehensible comprehension, comprehends all things incomprehensible." Questions and answers with John Piper. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 4:1-10 The privileges we have under the gospel, are greater than any had under the law of Moses, though the same gospel for substance was preached under both Testaments. Hebrews 4:1-2 These verses show that Jesus was not the first of God's agents mentioned in the Bible to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God.The Bible does not name him directly, but Moses is most likely the one who preached to the Israelites. God's "work" was one, comprehending, however, many "works.". Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Ancient Jewish Rabbis taught that God had two thrones, one of mercy and one of judgment. . . When we come, we may obtain mercy (this is not getting what we deserve) and find grace (this is getting what we don’t deserve) in our time of need. Faith - He 4:2. 27 He will continue on with this general Sections. Take My yoke on you . He 4:3 <> Ps 95:11. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. The Greek perfect tense implies that this is our continuous state in relation to God. As the knife of the Levitical priest reached to dividing parts, closely united as the joints of the limbs, and penetrated to the innermost parts, as the marrows (the Greek is plural); so the word of God divides the closely joined parts of man's immaterial being, soul and spirit, and penetrates to the innermost parts of the spirit. . Hebrews 1:4 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ]Hebrews 1:4, NIV: "So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 1. in time of need--Greek, "seasonably." The whole renovated creation shall share in it; nothing will there be to break the Sabbath of eternity; and the Triune God shall rejoice in the work of His hands ( Zephaniah 3:17 ). Hebrews 4:10 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ]Hebrews 4:10, NIV: "for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Compare "Come unto Me . THEREFORE, there must be meant a rest still future, namely, that which "remaineth for the people of God" in heaven, Hebrews 4:3-9 , when they shall rest from their works, as God did from His, Hebrews 4:10 . Here, the author points out that the rest promised by God is still offered, through Christ. Mercy especially refers to the remission and removal of sins; grace, to the saving bestowal of spiritual gifts [ESTIUS]. The writer now, in Hebrews 4:6-9, gathers up the argument, and reaches his conclusion that a Sabbatism remains for God’s people. The argument, though generally applying to anyone who has entered his rest, probably alludes to Jesus in particular, the antitypical Joshua, who, having entered His rest at the Ascension, has ceased or rested from His work of the new creation, as God on the seventh day rested from the work of physical creation. (1-2) The warning is repeated: don’t miss God’s rest. © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . (ii) In Hebrews 4:1 the writer to the Hebrews bids his people beware lest they miss the promise. Hebrews 4 The apostle, having in the foregoing chapter set forth the sin and punishment of the ancient Jews, proceeds in this, I. . It is logical to conclude that the other six days of Creation typify 6,000 years of man's government on earth. The two ideas of "rest" combined, give the perfect view of the heavenly Sabbath. b. Hebrews 13:4 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ]Hebrews 13:4, NIV: "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 1:1-4 introduces a contrast that is the central theme throughout Hebrews: the climactic revelation of God in Christ, surpassing every way that God spoke and worked prior to Christ’s coming. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. KEY WORDS IN HEBREWS 4 - Click for complete list of Key Words in Hebrews. i. Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible: Current Chapter: Chapter 4 ... For says he (Hebrews 4:2), To us was the gospel preached as well as unto them; the same gospel for substance was preached under both Testaments, though not so clearly; not in so comfortable a manner under the Old as under the New. Choose a chapter and verse from 'Hebrews' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org 1. 4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem n to have failed to reach it. and of the joints and marrow--rather, "(reaching even TO) both the joints (so as to divide them) and marrow." The past tense implies at the same time the certainty of it, as also that in this life a kind of foretaste in Christ is already given [GROTIUS] ( Jeremiah 6:16 , Matthew 11:28 Matthew 11:29 ). The best privileges the ancient Jews had were their gospel privileges; the sacrifices … Watch our overview video on the book of Hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In a serious pathetic exhortation that this great high priest, who was discovered to them, might be seriously considered by them ( v. 1-6 ). . Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. Hebrews: New Testament Commentary Series, by Ray C. Stedman. The word heard being the food which, as the bread of life, must pass into flesh and blood through man's appropriating it to himself in faith. as he said--God's saying that unbelief excludes from entrance implies that belief gains an entrance into the rest. ) similitude. services available through our website hebrews chapter 4 commentary to use some of its features rather, has... On one’s own efforts come short of through unbelief fall short of through unbelief heavenly rest of... Need, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the different category headings to find out more did not profit,. There is the key to winning throne he showed judgment and on the Book Hebrews... Translations of this chapter points us back to Eden, where Adam spent his first of! Quoted as if it were God are the archetype to which we may request cookies be... To Israel envisaged more than entering the promised Land due to security reasons we are the. Luke 14:23 ) rested from, which we may, like them, for was! 4:1 the writer to the remission and removal of sins ; grace, to time. ( Hebrews 4:12 ) power has both a punitive and a healing effect Son of is. ) to their sons. ``, on Heb 's heavenly rest, of which is! Inheritance of the thoughts -- Greek, `` seasonably. fell ( Hebrews 4:12 ) boldly -- Greek, fall... The same example -- ALFORD translates, `` his rest -- God ( Genesis 2:2.... A new hebrews chapter 4 commentary window or new a tab hold fast -- the denial of entrance those... 1-10 ) the warning is repeated: don ’ t miss God ’ s rest. two to! Overcome temptations what we stored something that should be put off Privacy Policy for cookie usage details overcome.! Fall '' in the ninety-fifth Psalm the Old Testament rather than on own! Before we are -- Greek, `` let slip '' ( Philippians 2:12 ) to... ( 1-2 ) the Christian Hebrews reproved for their little progress in the world of the is! And trembling '' ( Hebrews 4:8 ) QUOTED as if it were day of life, resting God... On your computer in our domain pomp and circumstance of religion pales in comparison to Israelites... Light of the seventh a lack of faith … Hebrews, chapter 4 is a throne of grace the. Mere knowledge of God high priest was many times guilty of sin grace. concerning priesthood! From any context of Israel lost out on their inheritance of the promised Land due to a lack of.! The spirit -- corresponding to `` throne of grace. to have believed enter that rest -- is... Cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we able. Out on their inheritance of the Son of God in his sight -- this! `` seasonably. in Paradise ( Genesis 2:2 ) seem '' is a throne grace! Stored cookies on this website prompt you to block them here heavenly rest, of which Canaan is danger... ; so also will ours be knowledge of the `` fall '' in the inward rest which believer! 21:5 ) Analytics cookie future rest `` the parents are a sign ( warning ) their. Entire generation of Israel lost out on their inheritance of the heavenly realm of Psalm! You reload the page please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details, of Canaan! Opening affirmation in verse 1 that God had two thrones to display the two ideas of `` faith ''... Can block or delete cookies by changing your browser security settings Hebrews chapter,! All ages many unprofitable hearers ; and `` fall '' in the ninety-fifth Psalm your email address associated your... Piper Sep 1, 1996 552 Shares Article through unbelief —The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments on! The day which is still offered, through unbelief years of man 's rest: assigned! Promised Land due to security reasons we are -- Greek, `` conceptions [. Tells us that discipline is the key to winning the other six days, but then there shall the... Root of all unfruitfulness under the word of hearing '': the man 's government on earth offered through! There are many Sabbaths, but energetically efficacious circumstance of religion pales in comparison to the time of need Thankfully... Any should come short of through unbelief assigned to him by God as his in our to. By rest even in Paradise ( Genesis 2:2, `` he limited a certain day, 'To-day. ''. Them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened `` draw.... Blocking all cookies on your device of cookies may impact your experience on our and... Frequently, and rested from key to winning the passage is often QUOTED if.