Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul, having, in the previous chapter, proved both Christ’s superiority over Moses, and the new law under Christ superior to the law given by Moses, now in chapter 4 he shows, by scripture, the privileges by Christ under the gospel exceed the privileges under the law given by Moses, and why the Hebrews should make the effort to to apply God’s Word to their lives. He explains why the Israelites did not profit by their religious privileges. And then he confirms the privileges of those who believe and the cost of those who do not believe. Concluding with the arguments and motives of faith and obedience.

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God
4 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. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a]

In these first two verses Paul repeats the warning from the last chapter: don’t miss God’s rest!

Therefore is used to continue to carry, without pause, the message from Hebrews 3, that unbelief kept those who escaped Egypt from entering Canaan, though the promise of entering His rest remains, and they could enter into that rest by faith. Stressing, again, that unbelief would make them fall short and miss God’s rest.

Rest meaning: Peace with God. Freedom from bondage. Deliverance from the Mosaic law. Freedom to worship, and the rest that God Himself enjoys.

He continues to stress that “For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did ..” Hearing God’s word was not enough, the Israelites had heard the gospel and did not profit by it, as they didn’t receive it by faith. They did not apply God’s word to their lives by mixing it with their faith. Paul is urging the discouraged Hebrews not to do the same with this example.

3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[Psalm 95:11]
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[Genesis 2:2] 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”[Psalm 95:7-8]
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
In these scriptures Paul shows proof that a “rest” remains for God’s people.

“So I declared on oath…” (Psalm 95:11) demonstrates that God has a rest for them. A rest pattered after God’s own rest on the seventh day, from all His works. (Genesis 2:2). He stresses that if Israel failed to enter because of disobedience, then someone else would enter into His rest.

“Today, if you hear his voice..” (Psalm 95:7-8), Paul uses David’s appeal proving that there is a rest remaining for God’s people to enter, beyond the fulfillment under Joshua. This rest is spiritual, though patterned after the rest provided through Joshua. The mention of Joshua in these scriptures is to remind them that the name Jesus is the same as Joshua. Jesus is greater than both Moses and Joshua. The rest is in the person of Jesus Christ. He also points out that if Joshua had given them rest God would not have had to speak later through David.

10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his.

Here, entering this rest means no longer needing to work; the idea is that there is no longer any place for “works” as a basis for their righteousness. The cessation from works as a basis for righteousness fulfills the “Sabbath rest”. God rested from His works because the work was finished (Genesis 2:2). Paul stresses that God’s people cease from “self-justifying” works because Jesus finished the work on the cross.

11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

“Let us, therefore …” appears several times in Hebrews. Paul uses it to present a doctrinal truth, in this case it is the truth of a remaining rest available to them by faith. He then advises that they apply the truth to their lives by telling them to “make every effort to enter that rest”. Clearly they must enter that rest by faith, God will not force it upon them. This verse shows that faith is not passive, that it takes “effort” (or diligence in some translations) to trust, rely on and hold onto Jesus. If they are not diligent to enter the rest of God they may “perish” as Israel did in the wilderness.

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Paul, addressing the Hebrews, points out that they were too ready to follow the failure of those in the wilderness, giving up the faith. We must remember Paul is addressing those who were in a deep state of discouragement. They were giving up the faith. He points out that God’s word is “alive and active”, demonstrating it’s inherent power and accuracy. It exposes weakness and unbelief. He is reminding them to submit themselves to the Word of God, to apply it to their lives. Paul stresses “alive and active” to stress the Word’s life and power, that it gives life to all who will receive it by faith. God’s Word reaches us with precision, the Holy Spirit empowers it to work deeply within our hearts.

Paul continue to make the distinction between the soul and the spirit, showing that a division can be made between them. Here pneuma (Gk) is used for the human spirit, focusing on the spiritual aspect of man (man’s life in relation to God). And psyche (Gk) is used for the human soul (his life in relation to himself; emotions and thoughts), separate from his spiritual aspect. Paul stresses a strong opposition between the two. Paul is using a poetic expression here to show that the Word penetrates to the innermost places of man separating the natural man from the spiritual man; as a sword cuts through the joints and marrow.

Paul goes on to stress that there is no one and nothing that is hidden from God. He knows (sees) the heart and knows how to touch it. In the end an account must be given for how they responded to the touch of His Word.

“Laid bare” (open in some translations) is trachelizo (Gk) and is used only here in the NT, meaning to prostrate or to overthrow, bringing victory. Using this term shows us that Paul trusts that he has pierced the hearts of the Hebrews, who were considering giving up on Jesus. He is making it clear to them that could not give up on Jesus and hide it from God as the Word of God exposes their condition.

Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Paul reiterates here that Jesus is High Priest, as he proved in Hebrews 2:17 and 3:1, and continues on to develop this truth. Using, again, the term therefore Paul calls attention to the character of Jesus, the High Priest; no other High Priest was called great or ascended into heaven or is the Son of God. Paul is stating that it is wonderful to know we have a High Priest; but it is even greater to know that He ascended into heaven and now resides at the right hand of God. Paul encourages the Hebrews to “hold firmly to the faith” with these truths.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Here Paul uses both Jesus’ deity and humanity (Hebrews 1:14 & 2:5-18) to show that He can empathize with the Hebrews. Meaning that Jesus, God the Son, High Priest, understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses. Jesus knows what it is to be tempted and to battle with sin ,even though He never sinned.
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Paul teaches the Hebrew people that because Jesus is the High Priest and is both omnipotent and compassionate we are able to approach Him with confidence (boldly in some translations). “With confidence” or “boldly” does not mean proudly or arrogantly, rather it means that we can come to God’s throne without reservation and persistently.

When approaching “God’s throne of Grace” Paul is encouraging the Hebrews the they can receive mercy (this not getting what they deserve) and find grace (this is getting what they don’t deserve) in their time of need. Remember that grace doesn’t ignore God’s justice but rather it operates in the fulfillment of God’s justice in light of the cross. Paul encourages them that God helps in their time of need.
Footnotes:
a Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts because those who heard did not combine it with faith
b Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
c Hebrews 4:4 Gen. 2:2
d Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7,8
e Hebrews 4:10 Or labor
f Hebrews 4:14 Greek has gone through the heavens