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Hebrews 4

World English Bible

WEB

1Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. 2For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard. 3For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all his works;” 5and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.” 6Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7he again defines a certain day, “today”, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” 8For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 9There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 11Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. 14Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Hebrews Chapter 4 emphasizes the theme of rest, drawing a parallel between the rest that God provided to His people in the Old Testament and the spiritual rest available through faith in Jesus Christ. The chapter begins by warning believers not to miss out on this rest, as the Israelites did during their wilderness journey due to unbelief. The author references #Psalm 95, reminding readers of God's promise of rest, which remains open for those who believe. This rest is not merely a physical cessation from work but a deeper, spiritual rest found in a relationship with Christ, who is our ultimate rest and refuge.

The chapter further explains that God's Word is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. This underscores the importance of approaching God with confidence, knowing that we are fully known and can find mercy and grace in our time of need. The chapter concludes by affirming that Jesus, our great high priest, has passed through the heavens and is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Therefore, we are encouraged to draw near to the throne of grace, where we can receive help and find the rest our souls long for. This chapter beautifully illustrates the transition from the old covenant to the new, highlighting the sufficiency of Christ for our salvation and rest. #Hebrews #Rest #Jesus #Faith

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 20:8v9Exodus 20:8 commands the observance of the Sabbath, which Hebrews 4:9-10 interprets as a foreshadowing of the spiritual rest found in Christ.
  2. Leviticus 21:17-23v14Leviticus 21:17-23 outlines physical requirements for priests, highlighting the need for perfection, which contrasts with Hebrews 4:14-16 where Jesus, the perfect high priest, sympathizes with human weaknesses.
  3. Psalms 5:7v16Psalm 5:7 speaks of entering God's house through His mercy, which is echoed in Hebrews 4:16 where believers are encouraged to approach God's throne of grace with confidence.
  4. Psalms 29:4v12Psalm 29:4 describes the voice of the Lord as powerful and full of majesty, similar to Hebrews 4:12 which speaks of the word of God as living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.
  5. Psalms 95:11v3Psalm 95:11 speaks of God's oath that the disobedient shall not enter His rest, which is referenced in Hebrews 4:3 to discuss the rest available to believers through faith.
  6. Psalms 139:1v13Psalm 139:1 speaks of God's complete knowledge of the psalmist, which is echoed in Hebrews 4:13, where it is stated that nothing is hidden from God's sight.
  7. Proverbs 5:21v13Proverbs 5:21 emphasizes that the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, which is echoed in Hebrews 4:13, where it is stated that nothing is hidden from God's sight.
  8. Proverbs 15:3v13Proverbs 15:3 states that the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good, which is echoed in Hebrews 4:13, where nothing is hidden from God's sight.
  9. Isaiah 55:10-11v12Isaiah 55:10-11 describes God's word as effective and purposeful, similar to Hebrews 4:12, which speaks of the word of God as living and active, accomplishing its intended purpose.
  10. Jeremiah 5:14v12Jeremiah 5:14 speaks of God's word being like fire, consuming the people, which resonates with Hebrews 4:12, describing the word of God as living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.
  11. Jeremiah 23:29v12Jeremiah 23:29 compares God's word to a fire and a hammer, similar to Hebrews 4:12, which describes the word of God as living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.
  12. Matthew 4:1v15Matthew 4:1 describes Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Hebrews 4:15 emphasizes that Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin, highlighting His role as the perfect high priest.
  13. John 11:35v15John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible, 'Jesus wept,' shows Jesus' compassion and empathy, which is echoed in Hebrews 4:15 where it describes Jesus as a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.
  14. 2 Corinthians 10:4v122 Corinthians 10:4 discusses the divine power of spiritual weapons, which is echoed in Hebrews 4:12 where the Word of God is described as living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword.
  15. Ephesians 3:12v16Ephesians 3:12 speaks of the boldness and access with confidence through faith in Christ. Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that they may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
  16. Ephesians 6:17v12Ephesians 6:17 mentions the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, similar to Hebrews 4:12 where the word of God is described as living, active, and sharper than any double-edged sword.
  17. 1 Thessalonians 2:13v121 Thessalonians 2:13 speaks of the Word of God at work in believers, which resonates with Hebrews 4:12 that describes the Word of God as living and active.
  18. 2 Timothy 3:16v122 Timothy 3:16 emphasizes that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, which is complemented by Hebrews 4:12, describing the Word of God as living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.
  19. Hebrews 6:19v14Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as an anchor for the soul, which is connected to the high priestly role of Jesus mentioned in Hebrews 4:14, emphasizing the security and steadfastness found in Christ.
  20. Hebrews 7:26v15Hebrews 7:26 describes Jesus as a high priest who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Hebrews 4:15 also emphasizes His sinlessness, stating that He was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.
  21. Hebrews 8:1v14Hebrews 8:1 emphasizes Jesus as the high priest seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, which is introduced in Hebrews 4:14 as Jesus being the great high priest who has passed through the heavens.

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