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Hebrews Chapter 4

New Testament Epistle (General) 16 Verses

What is Hebrews 4 about?

The superiority of Christ over angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the old covenant sacrificial system — the new and better covenant. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.
2For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.
3For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4For he hath said somewhere of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;
5and in this [place] again, They shall not enter into my rest.
6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,
7he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts.
8For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.
9There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.
10For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.
11Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.
12For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
16Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help [us] in time of need.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Let us therefore fear, etc..] Not with a fear of wrath and damnation; nor with a fear of diffidence and distrust of the power, grace, and goodness of God; but with a cautious fear, a godly jealousy, a careful circumspection, and watchfulness: lest a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest; not the land of Canaan, the type of heaven, but rather heaven itself, the ultimate glory: there is a rest of the body in the grave, from work, service, and labour, and from distempers and diseases, where it rests under the guardianship of the Spirit, until the resurrection morn; and there is a rest of the soul before…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE PROMISE OF GOD'S REST IS FULLY REALIZED THROUGH CHRIST: LET US STRIVE TO OBTAIN IT BY HIM, OUR SYMPATHIZING HIGH PRIEST. (Heb. 4:1-16) Let us . . . fear--not with slavish terror, but godly "fear and trembling" (Phi 2:12). Since so many have fallen, we have cause to fear (Heb 3:17-19). being left us--still remaining to us after the others have, by neglect, lost it. his rest--God's heavenly rest, of which Canaan is the type. "To-day" still continues, during which there is the danger of failing to reach the rest. "To-day," rightly used, terminates in the rest which, when once obtained, is never lost (Rev 3:12).…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Let us therefore fear - Let us be apprehensive that we may possibly fall of that rest. The kind of “fear” which is recommended here is what leads to caution and care. A man who is in danger of losing his life or health should be watchful; a seaman that is in danger of running on a lee-shore should be on his guard. So we who have the offer of heaven, and who yet are in danger of losing it, should take all possible precautions lest we fail of it. Lest a promise being left us - Paul assumes here that there is such a promise. In the subsequent part of the chapter, he goes more into the subject, and proves from the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“But the word which they heard did not profit them - So far from it, that it increased their damnation. It is then only when it is mixed with faith, that it exerts its saving power. Hebrews 4:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“4:1-2 The author transitions to the promise that the faithful will enter God’s rest and exhorts his listeners to take this promise seriously. Hearing is not enough: It must be combined with faith. 4:1 To fear God means to experience an appropriate reverence, even awe, for God and his will. It would be the worst of tragedies to fail to experience what God has promised.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“us therefore: Heb 4:11, Heb 2:1-3, Heb 12:15, Heb 12:25, Heb 13:7; Pro 14:16, Pro 28:14; Jer 32:40; Rom 11:20; Co1 10:12 a promise: Heb 4:9; Num 14:34; Sa1 2:30; Rom 3:3, Rom 3:4; Ti2 2:13 his: Heb 4:3-5, Heb 3:11 any: Mat 7:21-23, Mat 7:26, Mat 7:27, Mat 24:48-51, Mat 25:1-3; Luk 12:45, Luk 12:46, Luk 13:25-30; Rom 3:23; Co1 9:26, Co1 9:27 Hebrews 4:2”
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