Hebrews 4

2. For unto us was the gospel preached. Rather, “For unto us have glad tidings been proclaimed.”

the words preached did not profit them, etc. Of two possible readings, Nestle’s Greek Testament adopts, in preference to that of the R.V., the reading of the A.V., which may be translated: “the word which they heard did not benefit them, because it was not united with faith on the part of those who heard.”

3 do enter into rest. Or, “are entering into rest.” God speaks of this rest as future, “although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.” This rest, again, was not reached by the generation in the wilderness; nor even did the entrance into Canaan exhaust the promise; for the exhortation is repeated “in David.” A rest then still “remaineth.”

if they shall enter, etc. A strong mode of asserting, “they shall not enter,” etc., as the same phrase is rendered in iii. 11.

6 unbelief. Rather, “disobedience.” The word in iii. 12, 19, “unbelief,” is different.

7 limiteth. Or, as R.V., “defineth.” “Moving forward the horizon of His invitation so as to include a later generation in it” (Speaker’s Commentary).

saying in David, etc. Rather, “saying, To-day, in David”; i.e., in the Psalter: without necessarily attributing this Psalm to David himself.

after so long a time. More than four hundred years after the former occasion.

8. Jesus. Joshua.

9. There remaineth therefore a rest (a “sabbath rest”). The word for “rest” is changed, suggesting more directly the rest of God after His works. Yet after this, after the possession of Canaan, the true fulfilment of the promise has been shown, by the Scriptures quoted, to “remain”: a blessing to be attained in Christ. The Christian life possesses a higher blessedness even than the ancient heritage of God’s people. The words include in their meaning the present privilege of believers.

10. For he that is entered into His rest, etc. The believer, who has entered into God’s rest; ceasing to labour for salvation, but accepting it as God’s free gift in Christ—a doctrine eminently Pauline.

11 labour. “giving diligence.”

unbelief. See note on iii. 18.

12 the word of God. i.e., in revelation.

quick. That is, “living.”

14 into the heavens. Rather, “through the heavens,” as the high priest passed through the temple courts into the Holy of Holies: see Lev. xvi. 12-15; Eph. iv. 10, “far above all the heavens.”

15 a High Priest which cannot be touched, etc. See note on ii. 17.

16 boldly. Or, “with confidence”: as in iii. 6. Luther has “mit Frendigkeit” (with joyfulness).

the throne of grace. An allusion to “the mercy seat”: see Exod. xxv. 17, and note.

that we may obtain, etc. Or, “that we may receive mercy, and find grace.” The twofold aim corresponds with the twofold necessity of life. Man needs mercy for past failure, and grace for present and future work. Mercy, again, is to be “taken” as it is extended to man in his weakness; grace is to be “sought” by man according to his necessity (Westcott).