Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:1

That thou keep [this] commandment. Not one only, but the will of Christ. Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. The language seems to imply a feeling that Christ would come in Timothy’s time; at any rate Timothy is to keep that in view.

Hebrews 4:2

Which in his time he shall shew. In God’s own times. Man knows not the day or hour (Matthew 24:36). The blessed and only Potentate. All power in heaven and earth had been placed in Jesus Christ’s hands (Matthew 28:18 Revelation 17:14 19:16).

Hebrews 4:3

Who only hath immortality. See John 5:26. He is the source from whence there comes to man eternal life. Dwelling in the light. Surrounded by the divine splendors which no mortal can gaze upon.

Hebrews 4:4

Charge them that are rich in this world. Some in Ephesus had riches. These must be humble and “condescend to men of low estate” (Romans 12:16). Their trust must be in God, rather than in uncertain riches.

Hebrews 4:5

That they do good. The right use of wealth is given. Let it be a means of doing good so that they may be rich in good works.

Hebrews 4:6

Laying up in store for themselves. Treasure in heaven by giving for good purposes. See close of 1 Timothy 6:18.

Hebrews 4:7

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust. A final exhortation to faithfully discharge his trust. Oppositions of science. The wild speculations which were already taught by dreamers and which were probably derived from Jewish sources. These speculations and departed from the faith. There are allusions in the Epistles to Ephesus and Colosse to the germs of the same false teaching.

Hebrews 4:11

Timothy’s Preparation for His Work SUMMARY OF II TIMOTHY 1: Paul’s Affection for Timothy. Timothy’s Early Training in the Scriptures. Paul’s Suffering for Christ. The Charge to Hold Fast Sound Words. Phygellus and Hermogenes. Paul, an apostle. See PNT 1 Timothy 1:1.

Hebrews 4:12

To Timothy. For sketch of the public life of Timothy see topic 9209.

Hebrews 4:13

Whom I serve from [my] forefathers. Like Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5), he had been taught by his parents to fear and serve the Lord. Even before he became a Christian, he verily thought he served God. See Acts 23:1 24:14 Romans 11:23,24,28.

Hebrews 4:14

Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears. There is something pathetic in this language. The lonely prisoner calls to him the tears of Timothy at their last parting, and feels a yearning desire to see and counsel him face to face once more.

Hebrews 4:15

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee. As he looked back he saw Timothy from his youth up a believer. Which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice. His grandmother and mother had been converted before him, and he had followed them into the kingdom. See Acts 16:1.

Hebrews 4:16

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance. From the earnestness with which he stirs up Timothy in both Epistles, it seems likely that he did not possess the rugged, restless energy of Paul. That thou stir up the gift of God. The supernatural gift which he received by the imposition of the apostolic hands. The gift of office was conferred by ordination at the hands of the presbytery; the gift of miraculous powers, by the imposition of the hands of an apostle.