Thus chapter 3 to chapter 4 is a poor chapter division. 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 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. Thus, throughout His temptations in their origin, process, and result, sin had nothing in Him; He was apart and separate from it [ALFORD]. even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit--that is, reaching through even to the separation of the animal soul, the lower part of man's incorporeal nature, the seat of animal desires, which he has in common with the brutes; compare the same Greek, 1 Corinthians 2:14 , "the natural [animal-souled] man" ( Jude 1:19 ), from the spirit (the higher part of man, receptive of the Spirit of God, and allying him to heavenly beings). . God wishes not His rest to be empty, but furnished with guests ( Luke 14:23 ). 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. 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. About bible study hebrews chapter 4 bible study hebrews chapter 4 provides a comprehensive and comprehensive pathway for students to see progress after the end of each module. 1 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. 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. He 4:4 <> Ge 2:2. from his own works--even from those that were good and suitable to the time of doing work. 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. In Him alone we have an example suited to men of every character and under all circumstances. Hebrews 4:1-16 . boldly--Greek, "with confidence," or "freedom of speech" ( Ephesians 6:19 ). It is not something that should be put off. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Hebrews 4:3, R.S.V., says, "For we who have believed enter that rest." 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. The rest promised to the Hebrews was a type of that promised toChristians, 3-10. Why should people fear, especially Christians? If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. The message of salvation is urgent. ... Scripture: Hebrews 4:1–11. 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. Its double power seems to be implied by its being "two-edged." Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. but--"nay, rather, He was (one) tempted" [ALFORD]. There have been in all ages many unprofitable hearers; and unbelief is at the root of all unfruitfulness under the word. . is most likely the one who preached to the Israelites. like as we are--Greek, "according to (our) similitude." … 12. 5. "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 ). 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. "It judges all that is in the heart, for there it passes through, at once punishing [unbelievers] and searching [both believers and unbelievers]" [CHRYSOSTOM]. . . Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Questions and answers with John Piper. The throne of grace: The throne of God is a throne of grace. He, therefore, experimentally knew what power was needed to overcome temptations. Though "great" ( Hebrews 4:14 ), He is not above caring for us; nay, as being in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted, He sympathizes with us in every temptation. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because o they were not united by faith with those who listened. great--as being "the Son of God, higher than the heavens" ( Hebrews 7:26 ): the archetype and antitype of the legal high priest. 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. THE PROMISE OF GOD'S REST IS FULLY REALIZED THROUGH CHRIST: LET US STRIVE TO OBTAIN IT BY HIM, OUR SYMPATHIZING HIGH PRIEST. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Rather, "His rest": the man's rest: that assigned to him by God as his. Arguments and motives to faith and hope in our approaches to God. 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. . [] 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said() “As I swore in my wrath The reason why they were not brought into the rest promised tothem, 2. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. 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. 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. 4:2 1 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not … in time of need--Greek, "seasonably." In sympathy He adapts himself to each, as if He had not merely taken on Him man's nature in general, but also the peculiar nature of that single individual. Let us . a 2 Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had … Men's Ministry Home Women's Ministry Home Children's Ministry Home Pastor's Ministry Home. The clause (reaching even to) "both the joints and marrow" is subordinate to the clause, "even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit." The writer now, in Hebrews 4:6-9, gathers up the argument, and reaches his conclusion that a Sabbatism remains for God’s people. KEY WORDS IN HEBREWS 4 - Click for complete list of Key Words in Hebrews. 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. Hebrews 4:1-10 Hebrews 4 shows a connection between God's rest on the Sabbath day during the creation week and the thousand-year reign of Christ, commonly called the "Millennium." (Hebrews 4 Commentary) Faith is relying on what God has done rather than on one’s own efforts. (4-14) Commentary on Hebrews 1:1-3 (Read Hebrews 1:1-3) ... (Read Hebrews 1:4-14) Many Jews had a superstitious or idolatrous respect for angels, because they had received the law and other tidings of the Divine will by their ministry. The word we have translated beware literally means to fear (phobeisthai, Greek #5399). labour--Greek, "strive diligently." Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter Hebrews 4 comprises two parts. "God's wisdom, simply manifold, and uniformly multiform, with incomprehensible comprehension, comprehends all things incomprehensible." Chapter Summary In Hebrews chapter 4, the author refines the theme of chapter 3. The "rest" in Hebrews 4:8 is Greek, "catapausis;" Hebrew, "Noah"; rest from weariness, as the ark rested on Ararat after its tossings to and fro; and as Israel, under Joshua, enjoyed at last rest from war in Canaan. 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. Sections. . © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . So far, he has at least mentioned this subject in every chapter (i.e. (11-14) Commentary on Hebrews 5:1-10 (Read ) "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS" Chapter Four Since many Israelites failed to enter their Canaan rest because of unbelief, the author says we should fear ... What are the main points of this chapter? In a serious pathetic exhortation that this great high priest, who was discovered to them, might be seriously considered by them ( v. 1-6 ). although, &c.--Although God had finished His works of creation and entered on His rest from creation long before Moses' time, yet under that leader of Israel another rest was promised, which most fell short of through unbelief; and although the rest in Canaan was subsequently attained under Joshua, yet long after, in David's days, God, in the ninety-fifth Psalm, still speaks of the rest of God as not yet attained. 1. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. This chapter points us back to Eden, where Adam spent his first day of life, resting in God's completed work. 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. 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 ). The sense is, "lest any fall into such disobedience (so the Greek for 'unbelief' means) as they gave a sample of" [GROTIUS]. 1 * Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, * and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year. 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 . God's "work" was one, comprehending, however, many "works.". find grace--corresponding to "throne of grace." "To-day" still continues, during which there is the danger of failing to reach the rest. - 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? The two ideas of "rest" combined, give the perfect view of the heavenly Sabbath. ... —The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on Heb. The argument is to show that by "My rest," God means a future rest, not for Himself, but for us. But here, in light of the finished work of Jesus, we see mercy and judgment reconciled into one throne of grace. Here, the author points out that the rest promised by God is still offered, through Christ. 1. sharper--"more cutting." 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 ). 2 For good news came to us just as … (1-3) And in his superiority to all the holy angels. Pleading our High Priest Jesus' meritorious death, we shall always find God on a throne of grace. (In the oldest manuscripts as in English Version, there is no "both," as there is in the clause "both the joints and . Remember that grace does not ignore God’s justice; it operates in fulfillment of God’s justice, in light of the cross. obtain--rather, "receive." 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. He 4:5 <> Ps 95:11. Initial impressions of Hebrews might suggest that the writer is detached from any context. Daily devotional with John Piper. For--Such diligent striving ( Hebrews 4:11 ) is incumbent on us FOR we have to do with a God whose "word" whereby we shall be judged, is heart-searching, and whose eyes are all-seeing ( Hebrews 4:13 ). The message is simple. that rest--which is still future and so glorious. finished--Greek, "brought into existence," "made. Hebrews 4:1-2.In this chapter, which is of the same nature with the foregoing, the apostle proceeds with his exhortation to the Hebrews, and all professing Christians, to faith, obedience, and perseverance; and enforces it by a most apposite and striking instance in the punishment which befel the Israelites, those ancient professors of the true religion, who were guilty of sins contrary to those duties. So "hear" is used for "obey" in the context, Hebrews 4:7 , "To-day, if ye will hear His voice." 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. . and I will give you rest (the rest received on first believing). But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Then he adds Hebrews 3:15, When it is said, Today if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. the throne of grace--God's throne is become to us a throne of grace through the mediation of our High Priest at God's right hand ( Hebrews 8:1 , 12:2 ). 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) 16. come--rather as Greek, "approach," "draw near." Other translations of this chapter: NASB / NKJV / ESV. . 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 … 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.