IV. This chapter is manifestly a continuation of the last, and should not have been detached from it. As with the exhortation of Hebrews 3:12, are interwoven some of the early words of the quotation from Psalms 95, so here the later thoughts of the same passage are taken up and applied.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US THEREFORE FEAR. — The emphasis rests upon “fear,” not upon “us.” It is noteworthy that the writer begins with “Let us,” though about to write “lest any of _you;”_ he will have gained his object if he brings his readers to share his fear. LEST, A PROMISE BEING LEFT US. — Rather, _lest haply, a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR UNTO US WAS. — Rather, _for we have had glad tidings preached unto us, even as they had._ The object of these words is to support Hebrews 4:1, “a promise being left.” How fitly the good news of the promise might, alike in their case and in ours, be designated by the same word as the “gospel,” wi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE WHICH HAVE BELIEVED. — The emphasis is two-fold, resting both on “believed” and on “we enter.” The former looks back to Hebrews 4:2, “by faith”_ — “for_ it is we who believed that enter.”... The latter looks forward to the remainder of the verse, the purport of which is that the rest exists,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SPAKE IN A CERTAIN PLACE. — Better, _For he hath spoken somewhere,_ another example of indefiniteness of citation. (See Note on Hebrews 2:6.)... [ Continue Reading ]
The substance of the preceding verses may be thus expressed: There is a rest of God, into which some are to enter with God, — a rest not yet entered at the time of the wandering in the wilderness, and therefore not that which followed the work of creation, — a rest from which some were excluded beca... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN, HE LIMITETH. — Better, _He again marketh out_ (or, _defineth_). The next step taken (see the last Note) is to point out that, long after the occupation of Canaan, the Psalmist — God speaking in the Psalm — says “To-day,” in pleading with Israel. The implied meaning is as if He said, “Harden n... [ Continue Reading ]
For, had the promise been fulfilled in Joshua’s conquest, the Psalm (God in the Psalm) would not be speaking of another day, saying “To-day” (Hebrews 4:7). (In one other place in the New Testament the Greek form of the name of Joshua is preserved. See the Note on Acts 7:45.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE. — Or, _therefore there is_ (still) _left:_ the word is the same as in Hebrews 4:6. It is tacitly assumed that no subsequent fulfilment has altered the relation of the promise. Few things in the Epistle are more striking than the constant presentation of the thought that Sc... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO HIS REST. — That is, _into God’s rest._ HATH CEASED. — Rather, _hath rested from his works as God did from His own_ (works). This verse is added to explain and justify the reference to a “sabbath” in Hebrews 4:9. Man’s sabbath-rest begins when he enters into God’s rest (Genesis 2:2); as that w... [ Continue Reading ]
LABOUR. — Rather, _give diligence, strive earnestly._ It is the necessity of watchful and constant faithfulness that is enforced. Hence the words that follow: “Lest any one fall into (or, _after_) the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:6; Hebrews 3:18).... [ Continue Reading ]
As in Hebrews 3:12 the warning against the “evil heart of unbelief” is solemnly enforced by the mention of the “Living God,” so here, in pointing to the peril of disobedience, it is to the living power of the word of God that the writer makes appeal. But in what sense? Does he bring before us again... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HIS SIGHT. — Still the proper subject is “the word of God”; but, as explained above, it has assumed the meaning, _God speaking and present in His word._ Touched by this word, every creature “returns of force to its own likeness” — shows itself as it is. OPENED. — Better, _exposed, laid bare._ The... [ Continue Reading ]
All the chief points of the earlier Chapter s are brought together in this verse and the next: — the High Priest (Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 3:1); His exaltation (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 2:9); His divine Sonship (Hebrews 1; Hebrews 3:6); His compassion towards the brethren whose lot He came to... [ Continue Reading ]
We cannot but note again how the power of the exhortation (especially to those immediately addressed) lay in the combination of the two thoughts — the greatness and the tender compassion of the High Priest of our confession. The two are united in the words of Hebrews 4:16, “the _throne_ of _grace._”... [ Continue Reading ]
OBTAIN MERCY. — The real meaning is, _receive compassion_ (Hebrews 2:17) in our weakness and trials. The thought of obtaining _mercy_ for guilt is not in these words, taken by themselves; but “grace” meets every need. If the last verse brought evidence that our High Priest has perfect knowledge of t... [ Continue Reading ]