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Hebrews 4 Commentary

Please choose a passage:

Hebrews 4:1-2

We can miss out on entering God’s rest (receiving our inheritance); hearing God’s word must be united with faith in order to possess the greatest rewards of life.

Hebrews 4:3-5

Faith and obedience will allow us to enter God’s rest. God rested on the seventh day when he finished His works; this is a picture of our opportunity to complete the work God has given us.

Hebrews 4:6-9

The second generation entered God’s rest when they crossed over and possessed the land. But there remains a rest (inheritance) other than the one that was available to the Israelites.

Believers should be diligent to be obedient so that they enter God’s rest (receive the reward of their inheritance). God will judge our faithfulness based on our intent; He is able to discern all, even the thoughts and intentions of our hearts.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Our high priest is sympathetic and available to help us persevere in our faith. We can have confidence to approach God because He is for us.

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Chapter Context

In chapter 3, Paul used the Israelites as an example of a group that did not obey God and did not believe His promises, so they failed to enter His rest (finish the work and receive their inheritance). Similarly, we see in this chapter that we also can miss out on God’s rest if we are not obedient. This does not refer to believers losing their salvation of being justified in the presence of God, but rather the opportunity we have to share in Christ’s inheritance if we hold fast.