New Testament
Hebrews 4
Overview
Continuing the meditation on Psalm 95 begun in chapter 3, the author argues that God's "rest" remains open, and warns the readers to fear lest any of them "seem to have failed to reach it" (4:1). He builds a careful exegetical case: God's rest goes back to creation, for "God rested on the seventh day from all his works" (4:4, quoting Genesis 2:2); the wilderness generation failed to enter through disobedience; and even Joshua's conquest of Canaan did not exhaust the promise, since long afterward God still said "Today" through David in Psalm 95. Therefore "there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God" (4:9), a rest entered by faith, in which one ceases from one's own works as God did from His. The author urges, "Let us therefore strive to enter that rest" (4:11), then turns to the searching power of God's word, "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" (4:12), before which all is exposed. The chapter ends by gathering up the priesthood theme: because we have "a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God," who sympathizes with our weaknesses yet was without sin, we may "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace" (4:14-16).
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.