HEBREWS 4
1 So we should be very wary lest, whilst the promise of entering his rest is still open, any of you should be accused of having fallen short of it. 2 See, we have had the good news brought to us just as those people did, but the word of the message doesn’t benefit those who don’t combine it with the faith of those who do listen. 3 For we who believe are entering into that rest; as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘As if they will enter into my rest!’” even though God’s works were ready since the foundation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken this about the seventh day, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,” 5 but in this quote again, “As if they will enter into my rest!”
6 Since, then, it remains for some to enter into it, but the previous ones receiving the good news didn’t enter because of disobedience, 7 again a certain One ordains a day, “Today”, speaking through David after such a long time (just as has already been said), “If you would listen to his voice today, you wouldn’t harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had brought them rest, he would not have spoken afterwards about another day. 9 Therefore there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters into his rest then rests from his works the same way God did from his. 11 So then let’s be diligent to enter into that rest so that no one might fall because of the same type of disobedience. 12 For the Word of God is living and potent, and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating right through to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and for judgement of the thoughts and understandings of the heart. 13 Indeed, no part of creation is hidden from God, but everything is naked and has been exposed to the eyes of him to whom we will render an account.
14 Therefore, having a great high priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold onto the confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses – he was tested in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, we may come with boldness to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy, and find the grace for timely support.
6 Since, then, it remains for some to enter into it, but the previous ones receiving the good news didn’t enter because of disobedience, 7 again a certain One ordains a day, “Today”, speaking through David after such a long time (just as has already been said), “If you would listen to his voice today, you wouldn’t harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had brought them rest, he would not have spoken afterwards about another day. 9 Therefore there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters into his rest then rests from his works the same way God did from his. 11 So then let’s be diligent to enter into that rest so that no one might fall because of the same type of disobedience. 12 For the Word of God is living and potent, and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating right through to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and for judgement of the thoughts and understandings of the heart. 13 Indeed, no part of creation is hidden from God, but everything is naked and has been exposed to the eyes of him to whom we will render an account.
14 Therefore, having a great high priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold onto the confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses – he was tested in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, we may come with boldness to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy, and find the grace for timely support.
2) Difficult verse to translate, but the basic idea seems to be one of comparing across the eras – those unfaithful in the Exodus didn’t inherit, just as those unfaithful in the day of this letter don’t gain their potential inheritance. This shows that the faith to inherit in the OT is the same faith that God seeks in the NT (and therefore today). See Rom 4:3 et al.
14) the confession. Not ‘our confession’. May be a more overarching theme here; as in, there is a common confession for all the faithful.
15) empathize. Certainly Jesus empathizes rather than sympathizes with our plight. See a good description of the difference here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw
14) the confession. Not ‘our confession’. May be a more overarching theme here; as in, there is a common confession for all the faithful.
15) empathize. Certainly Jesus empathizes rather than sympathizes with our plight. See a good description of the difference here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw