Fear Falling Short of Entering God’s Promised Rest
4 Therefore, let us fear that at any time while a promise to enter into His rest is left-remaining [open], any of you should seem to have come-short[a]— 2 for indeed, we have had-good-news-announced[b], just as those[c] also.
In Moses’ Day Only Those Who Believed Entered The Promised Physical Rest
But the word[d] of hearing did not profit those ones, they[e] not having been united in faith with the ones[f] having heard. 3 For we, the ones having believed[g], enter into the rest, just as He has said: “As I swore in My wrath, they shall never enter into My rest” [Ps 95:11].
And Yet God’s Rest Began On The Seventh Day, Not In Moses’ Day
And-yet, His works have been done since the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken somewhere about the seventh day as follows: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works” [Gen 2:2], 5 and in this [Ps 95:11] again: “They shall never enter into My rest”.
And David Still Calls Us To Enter God’s Rest “Today”
6 Since then it remains that some may enter into it, and the ones formerly having had-good-news-announced to them did not enter because of disobedience, 7 He again designates a certain day— “Today”— saying by[h] David after so much time just as it has been said-before: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” [Ps 95:7-8]. 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not be speaking after these things about another day[i].
So God’s Spiritual Rest Remains Open For Us To Enter
9 Therefore a Sabbath-rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one having entered into His rest also himself rested from his works, just as God did from His own.
Be Diligent To Enter His Rest, For God Knows Your Heart
11 Therefore, let us be diligent to enter into that[j] rest, in order that no one may fall in the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and effective[k] and sharper than any double-edged sword, and piercing as-far-as the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrows, and able-to-judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart[l]. 13 And there is no creation[m] hidden in His sight, but all things are naked and having been laid-open[n] to His eyes to Whom the account will be given by us.
Jesus The Son of God Is Our Great High Priest
14 Therefore, having a great High Priest having gone through the heavens[o]— Jesus, the Son of God— let us be holding-on-to the confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest not being able to sympathize-with our weaknesses, but One having been tempted[p] in all things[q] in accordance with our likeness, without sin. 16 So let us be approaching the throne of grace with confidence[r], in order that we may receive mercy and find grace for well-timed[s] help.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 4:1 That is, due to unbelief. What is said negatively here is said positively in v 11.
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, the word spoken by God about His Son (1:2), to which we must pay more attention (2:1).
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, those in Moses’ day.
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, their subjective hearing of the message. Or, the objective message itself which they heard.
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, Moses’ generation.
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, heard in faith; Moses, Joshua, and Caleb.
- Hebrews 4:3 Then as now, we enter by faith; we are excluded by unbelief.
- Hebrews 4:7 Or, in David; in the Psalms.
- Hebrews 4:8 If the rest was merely a physical rest in Moses’ day, David would not be offering it ‘Today’ in the psalm.
- Hebrews 4:11 That is, the rest mentioned in v 1 and proven to exist in v 3-10.
- Hebrews 4:12 Or, at-work, in-operation.
- Hebrews 4:12 Thus, God can distinguish between unbelief and genuine faith.
- Hebrews 4:13 Or, creature.
- Hebrews 4:13 Or, laid-bare, exposed.
- Hebrews 4:14 That is, back to His throne, 1:3.
- Hebrews 4:15 Or, tested.
- Hebrews 4:15 Or, respects.
- Hebrews 4:16 Or, boldness, freedom of speech.
- Hebrews 4:16 Or, opportune, seasonable, strategic.