Hebrews 4:10
Verse
Context
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For he that is entered into his rest - The man who has believed in Christ Jesus has entered into his rest; the state of happiness which he has provided, and which is the forerunner of eternal glory. Hath ceased from his own works - No longer depends on the observance of Mosaic rites and ceremonies for his justification and final happiness. He rests from all these works of the law as fully as God has rested from his works of creation. Those who restrain the word rest to the signification of eternal glory, say, that ceasing from our own works relates to the sufferings, tribulations, afflictions, etc., of this life; as in Rev 14:13. I understand it as including both. In speaking of the Sabbath, as typifying a state of blessedness in the other world, the apostle follows the opinions of the Jews of his own and after times. The phrase שבת עלאה ושבת התאה shabbath illaah, veshabbath tethaah, the sabbath above, and the sabbath below, is common among the Jewish writers; and they think that where the plural number is used, as in Lev 19:30 : Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, that the lower and higher sabbaths are intended, and that the one is prefigured by the other. See many examples in Schoettgen.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For--justifying and explaining the word "rest," or "Sabbatism," just used (see on Heb 4:9). he that is entered--whosoever once enters. his rest--God's rest: the rest prepared by God for His people [ESTIUS]. Rather, "His rest": the man's rest: that assigned to him by God as his. The Greek is the same as that for "his own" immediately after. hath ceased--The Greek aorist is used of indefinite time, "is wont to cease," or rather, "rest": rests. The past tense implies at the same time the certainty of it, as also that in this life a kind of foretaste in Christ is already given [GROTIUS] (Jer 6:16; Mat 11:28-29). Our highest happiness shall, according to this verse, consist in our being united in one with God, and moulded into conformity with Him as our archetype [CALVIN]. from his own works--even from those that were good and suitable to the time of doing work. Labor was followed by rest even in Paradise (Gen 2:3, Gen 2:15). The work and subsequent rest of God are the archetype to which we should be conformed. The argument is: He who once enters rest, rests from labors; but God's people have not yet rested from them, therefore they have not yet entered the rest, and so it must be still future. ALFORD translates, "He that entered into his (or else God's, but rather 'his'; Isa 11:10, 'His rest': 'the joy of the Lord,' Mat 25:21, Mat 25:23) rest (namely, Jesus, our Forerunner, Heb 4:14; Heb 6:20, 'The Son of God that is passed through the heavens': in contrast to Joshua the type, who did not bring God's people into the heavenly rest), he himself (emphatical) rested from his works (Heb 4:4), as God (did) from His own" (so the Greek, "works"). The argument, though generally applying to anyone who has entered his rest, probably alludes to Jesus in particular, the antitypical Joshua, who, having entered His rest at the Ascension, has ceased or rested from His work of the new creation, as God on the seventh day rested from the work of physical creation. Not that He has ceased to carry on the work of redemption, nay, He upholds it by His mediation; but He has ceased from those portions of the work which constitute the foundation; the sacrifice has been once for all accomplished. Compare as to God's creation rest, once for all completed, and rested from, but now still upheld (see on Heb 4:4).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest,.... Not eternal rest; this is not to be entered into now; nor is an entrance into it to be obtained by labour; salvation is not by works; eternal life is a free gift; good works do not go before to prepare heaven for the saints, but follow after: nor is the saints' entrance into it a precarious thing; God has promised it, and provided it for his people; Christ is in the possession of it, and is preparing it for them; and the Spirit of God is working them up for the self same thing, and Christ will give them an abundant entrance into it: but the Gospel rest is here meant, that rest which believers now enter into, and is at this present time for them, Heb 4:3 and though true believers are entered into it, yet their rest, peace, and joy in Christ, is not full; they enter by degrees into it, and by believing enjoy more of it: and this is to be laboured for by prayer, hearing the word, and attendance on ordinances; and this requires strength, diligence, and industry; and supposes difficulties and discouragements, through the corruptions of the heart, and the temptations of Satan; and this is designed to quicken and awaken a godly jealousy in God's people, over themselves: lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief; into the sin of unbelief, and into punishment through it, as the Israelites did; who sinning, their carcasses fell in the wilderness, and they entered not into God's rest, as he swore they should not: true believers may fall into sin, and from a degree of the exercise of grace, and of the steadfastness of the Gospel; but they cannot finally and totally fall away, because they are kept by the power of God; yet they may so fall, as to come short, or at least seem to come short of enjoying the rest and peace of the Gospel state: external professors may fall from the Gospel, and the religion they have professed, and come short of the glory they expected; and fall into just and deserved punishment, in like manner as the unbelieving Israelites did.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:10 have rested from their labors: See Exod 20:8-11. • just as God did: Gen 2:2.
Hebrews 4:10
The Sabbath Rest
9There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.10For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(The Word for Today) Isaiah 11:5 - Part 2
By Chuck Smith5.1K25:57ExpositionalISA 11:5MAT 25:34HEB 4:10REV 1:5REV 5:9In this sermon, the preacher discusses two parables from the Bible. The first parable is about the separation of the righteous and the wicked, where Jesus tells the workers of iniquity to depart from him. The second parable is about the Lord entrusting different amounts of money to his servants, and rewarding them based on their faithfulness in using what they were given. The preacher emphasizes that only Jesus has the power to bring about the changes described in the Bible, including the restoration of peace and harmony in nature. He also highlights the importance of using what God has given us faithfully, as it will determine our reign in the kingdom age.
Being Clean Before God
By Andrew Strom2.5K36:27ROM 5:1ROM 8:12CO 5:17GAL 2:20EPH 5:26COL 3:10HEB 4:10JAS 4:81JN 1:9This sermon emphasizes the importance of experiencing true repentance and faith in Christ to come into a place of cleanness before God, enabling believers to have close communion with Him. It highlights the need to trust in Jesus for righteousness, rather than striving in our own efforts, and to walk in the Spirit to maintain a clean conscience. The speaker urges for a transformation in the church by preaching and living out the reality of being clean before God through faith in Jesus.
Their Strength Is to Sit Still
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.5K27:11Waiting On GodPSA 37:7PSA 46:10PSA 62:1ISA 30:15MAT 6:25PHP 4:6HEB 4:10In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of relying on God's guidance and power in our lives. He highlights that God orchestrates every joy and trial we experience and wants us to trust Him fully. The speaker warns against trying to accomplish things in our own strength, as it leads to dissipation of power and ineffective results. Instead, he encourages us to wait upon the Lord and seek His direction, knowing that without Him, we can do nothing.
What Makes a Man of God
By George Verwer1.3K43:38Man Of GodNEH 1:4NEH 2:4NEH 4:3NEH 4:6NEH 4:15NEH 6:16HEB 4:10In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the dedication and hard work of mechanics who work tirelessly for a meager wage, contrasting it with the lack of commitment shown by some Christians towards serving Jesus. The speaker highlights the challenges faced by Nehemiah and his team as they faced opposition and mockery while rebuilding the wall. Despite the mocking, Nehemiah responds by praying to God for strength and guidance. The sermon concludes by reminding listeners of the power and sufficiency of Christ in their lives, encouraging them to trust in God's ability to fight for them and overcome any obstacles they may face.
(Colossians) Staying Connected to the Head
By Brian Brodersen97256:21EXO 20:16MAT 5:17COL 2:8HEB 4:10In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of staying connected to God and not getting caught up in man-made regulations. He references verses 20-23 from the Bible, which question why people subject themselves to worldly regulations when they have died with Christ. The speaker emphasizes that religious entities with lists of rules and regulations are not of the Lord, but rather the mark of man. He encourages listeners to walk in the Spirit, stay in the Word, and do what God tells them to do in order to conquer the flesh and live a victorious life.
The Rest Versus Babylon
By Robert B. Thompson6481:18:58GEN 1:2MAT 5:14MAT 23:24ACT 9:15ROM 8:19HEB 4:2HEB 4:10In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of rest in the context of the Bible. He compares the rest of God to various analogies, including Joshua bringing Israel into the land. The preacher emphasizes that the devil is not afraid of large prayer meetings or assertive actions by the church, but rather fears when individuals interact with Jesus. He also highlights the importance of ceasing from our own works and entering into the vision that God has for us through faith and obedience.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 68
By Don Courville37732:39Radio ShowEXO 14:13DEU 34:5ISA 48:21MAT 6:33JHN 7:38EPH 4:14HEB 4:10The video is titled "Desert Survival Series" and is based on the life of Moses. The pastor expresses a burden for the church, stating that it is currently in a subnormal state and needs to be saved in order to save the world. He discusses the possibility of revival breaking out through a crisis, such as coffins rolling in from the Mideast. The pastor emphasizes the need for believers to awaken to their high calling in Christ, their responsibility as Christian stewards, and to possess their blood-bought possessions in the risen Lord. He introduces the Desert Survival Series, which teaches how to walk by faith, develop discernment, and be desert dwellers, using examples from the life of Moses.
Gv in Holland Overlevingskansen (2) (Eng to Dutch)
By George Verwer15738:26DutchPSA 37:4HAB 3:17MAT 6:33ROM 8:28PHP 4:61TH 5:16HEB 4:10In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances, even when everything seems to be going wrong. He refers to the book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament, specifically chapter 3, verses 17-19, which highlight the need to praise God despite difficult circumstances. The speaker also discusses the concept of the "rest of faith" mentioned in the book of Hebrews, chapter 4, emphasizing the importance of stepping out and serving the Lord in order to experience true fellowship and survive the attacks of the enemy. The sermon concludes with the speaker encouraging the audience to develop a positive attitude, remain constant in the word and prayer, and actively engage in the work of God.
Naked and Unashamed
By Phil Beach Jr.1243:35Christian LifeIntimacy With GodSpiritual VulnerabilityHEB 4:10Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the necessity of being spiritually naked and unashamed before God, highlighting that true intimacy with Him requires honesty and vulnerability. He explains that the wisdom of God, embodied in Christ and the cross, calls us to cease from our own works and embrace a life of humility and surrender. The sermon stresses that God desires a glorious church, free from pride and pretense, where believers can openly acknowledge their shortcomings and rely solely on the righteousness of Christ. Beach Jr. encourages the congregation to resist the temptation to cover their sins and instead embrace the purging and cleansing power of God's Word, which reveals the depths of our hearts. Ultimately, he calls for a community that reflects the organic unity of Christ's life, living in a way that demonstrates His glory to the world.
How Do We Develop Trust in God?
By David Wilkerson0Spiritual WarfareTrust in GodPHP 4:6HEB 4:3HEB 4:10David Wilkerson emphasizes that to develop trust in God and enter His rest, we must renounce our own efforts and rely solely on faith. He explains that true rest comes when we cease from our works and trust in God's faithfulness, regardless of our circumstances. Developing this trust involves seeking the Lord through prayer, meditation on His Word, and obedience, which are acts of faith rather than mere works. Wilkerson warns that spiritual warfare is inevitable, and we must be prepared by building up our spiritual resources through diligent seeking of God. Ultimately, our strength in trials comes from the Holy Spirit, who equips us for the battles we face.
Focused Faith
By David Wilkerson0Acceptance in ChristFaithJHN 17:10JHN 20:17ROM 5:1EPH 2:6PHP 3:9COL 3:3HEB 3:12HEB 4:3HEB 4:101JN 4:17David Wilkerson emphasizes the concept of 'focused faith,' explaining that our relationship with God is rooted in our unity with Christ, which allows us to experience the same love from the Father that Jesus does. He challenges believers to prioritize faith over feelings, asserting that God's delight in us is not contingent on our actions or emotions but on our faith in Christ. Wilkerson warns against the dangers of unbelief and encourages believers to rest in the assurance of their acceptance in Christ, which leads to true peace and freedom from striving. He highlights that true faith results in a state of rest, where we recognize our position in Christ as accepted and loved by God.
Hiding (The Call to Find Our Place: United to Christ)
By Hans R. Waldvogel0Hiding in ChristIdentity in ChristPSA 91:1JHN 14:3ROM 8:11CO 12:27GAL 2:20EPH 5:30PHP 3:20COL 3:3HEB 4:101JN 3:2Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the necessity of finding our true place in Christ, highlighting that true salvation involves hiding in Him and being united with His body. He warns against the dangers of self-admiration and discouragement, urging believers to recognize their identity as members of Christ's body, where they find their true purpose and rest. Waldvogel illustrates that this hiding is not merely a passive state but an active choice to cease from our own works and allow Christ to control our lives. He calls the church to embrace this divine hiding place, where we are safe and fulfilled in God's presence, and to understand that our true calling is to be united with Him. Ultimately, he reminds us that our satisfaction comes from being transformed into His likeness.
Life in the Spirit
By Smith Wigglesworth0Transformation through the Holy SpiritLife in the SpiritJHN 3:9ROM 8:12CO 3:62CO 5:17GAL 5:16PHP 2:13HEB 4:10HEB 6:11JN 3:91JN 4:4Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the transformative power of living a life in the Spirit, urging believers to move beyond the foundational principles of faith and embrace the fullness of God's grace and liberty. He warns against reverting to legalism and encourages repentance and reliance on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. Wigglesworth highlights that true salvation and divine life flow from recognizing our identity as children of God, filled with the Spirit, which empowers us to overcome sin and temptation. He illustrates that the life in the Spirit is characterized by love, purity, and a continuous transformation into Christ's image, enabling believers to shine as lights in a dark world. Ultimately, he calls for a complete surrender to the Spirit's leading, assuring that this new life is a joyous and eternal journey.
Power of Faith
By Phoebe Palmer0PSA 119:105PRO 3:5MAT 5:48COL 3:3HEB 4:10Phoebe Palmer emphasizes the journey of surrendering to God and experiencing divine transformation through faith and obedience. She shares a personal testimony of seeking holiness and guidance, ultimately finding clarity and conviction through the Word of God. Palmer highlights the importance of having a 'Bible experience' where the Scriptures become a source of profound knowledge, truth, and instruction, leading to a deeper relationship with God. She also delves into the concept of 'the rest of faith,' a state of ceasing from personal efforts and fully relying on God's work within us. Furthermore, Palmer explores the limitless nature of holiness, portraying it as a life hidden in God and a continuous surrender to His will.
John 4:54-5:3
By St. John Chrysostom0PSA 103:20MAT 19:12JHN 5:2JHN 5:17ROM 5:5HEB 4:10John Chrysostom preaches on the second miracle of Jesus in Galilee, emphasizing the importance of not overlooking any detail in the Scriptures as they are all inspired by the Holy Spirit. He delves into the significance of the healing at the pool of Bethesda, highlighting how it foreshadows the power of baptism to cleanse sins and make individuals spiritually whole. Chrysostom challenges his audience to reflect on the perseverance of the paralytic man who waited 38 years for healing, contrasting it with the tendency for modern believers to give up quickly on prayer and spiritual pursuits due to slothfulness. He urges listeners to embrace the laborious path of virtue, noting that while vice may offer temporary pleasure, true joy and lasting rewards come from diligently pursuing righteousness.
Homily 23 on Ephesians
By St. John Chrysostom0JOB 38:3PSA 108:1LUK 12:351CO 10:121CO 16:13GAL 6:9EPH 6:13PHP 4:1HEB 4:10John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of spiritual warfare and being well-equipped with the armor of God. He highlights the significance of standing firm in the faith, symbolized by girding one's loins with truth, to withstand the challenges and temptations of life. Chrysostom draws parallels between the physical and spiritual aspects of standing upright and being girded with truth, emphasizing the need for spiritual vigilance and readiness for the journey towards Heaven. He encourages believers to focus on heavenly treasures, remain steadfast in faith, and be prepared for the ultimate departure to the promised land.
Their Strength Is to Sit Still (Don't Dissipate Power, but Wait on the lord.)
By Hans R. Waldvogel0Waiting On GodSpiritual StrengthPSA 37:7PSA 46:10PSA 91:1ISA 30:7ISA 40:31LAM 3:25MAT 6:6JHN 15:5PHP 4:6HEB 4:10Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the profound strength found in stillness and waiting on the Lord, contrasting it with the futility of relying on human efforts. He reflects on the importance of dwelling in God's presence, where true security and strength are found, and shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the power of resting in God. Waldvogel encourages believers to cease from their own works and allow God to work through them, highlighting that effective service comes from a place of quietness and trust in God. He reminds us that spiritual strength is often realized in moments of stillness, where we can truly connect with the Almighty.
(New Wine in New Wineskins) 6. the New Covenant - a Partnership With Jesus
By Zac Poonen0PSA 16:11MAT 11:28JHN 1:18JHN 14:16JHN 17:6JHN 17:11PHP 2:12HEB 4:10HEB 4:161JN 5:3Zac Poonen preaches on the revelation of God as a loving Father through Jesus, contrasting the false portrayals of God by the Pharisees and Satan. He emphasizes the importance of knowing God as a Father to experience the fullness of the new covenant, where God provides grace and help through the Holy Spirit. Poonen highlights the difference between the old and new covenants, where under grace, God enables believers to keep His commandments through Jesus as an Example and the Holy Spirit as a Helper. He warns against falling into legalism or false grace, stressing the need for partnership with Jesus in every aspect of life.
Beliefs
By Norman Grubb0EXO 33:14PSA 62:1ISA 26:3MAT 11:28HEB 4:10Norman Grubb emphasizes the importance of entering into God's rest, highlighting that true rest is found in ceasing from our own works and allowing God to work through us. He points out that many physical ailments and struggles can be traced back to unresolved spiritual turmoil and a lack of entering into God's rest. Grubb explains that God, as a never-ending worker, operates from a place of absolute rest, and works that stem from this rest are sustainable and fruitful, unlike those driven by restlessness. He encourages believers to experience a life where they do not grow weary, as God's life works through them and impacts others.
God Is Honest
By Allan Halton0GEN 32:10PSA 27:8HAB 1:2ACT 26:192CO 3:18EPH 4:22PHP 4:6TIT 1:2HEB 4:10HEB 6:18Allan Halton reflects on a profound experience in prayer where he encountered the sincere, faithful, and honest nature of God, realizing the depth of God's truthfulness beyond words. Through Bible verses like Hebrews 6:18 and Titus 1:2, he explores the impossibility of God lying and the human struggle to trust in God's promises. This encounter stirs a longing to see God's beauty, a desire for character transformation, and a personal commitment to trust in God's faithfulness despite doubts and fears.
Righteousness
By Thomas Bradbury0PSA 85:13PSA 145:17ISA 40:1ZEC 13:7ROM 10:17EPH 1:13HEB 4:101PE 2:211JN 1:9Thomas Bradbury preaches on the righteousness that goes before God, leading His people in the way of His steps. The Psalmist's declaration in Psalms 85:13 reflects the Church's confidence in God's grace and the acknowledgment of His works in His people. The forgiveness of iniquities, the covering of sins, and the turning away of God's wrath are all manifestations of God's mercy and grace towards His chosen ones. The righteousness of Christ, seen in His obedience and sacrificial death, provides the perfect righteousness demanded by God for His people to enter His kingdom and enjoy communion with Him.
Justice for the Nations
By Robert B. Thompson0GEN 22:182CH 7:14ISA 42:1ISA 42:3ROM 6:23ROM 12:4GAL 3:29EPH 4:13HEB 4:10JAS 1:221PE 2:92PE 3:13Robert B. Thompson preaches about the importance of Christ, the Servant of the Lord, who will bring justice to the nations at His return. The sermon emphasizes that all members of the Body of Christ are called to participate in bringing justice to the world. It highlights the urgency for Christians to discover and utilize their spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ and prepare for the coming of Jesus. The sermon also stresses the need for believers to focus on unity of faith, deepening knowledge of Christ, developing His moral image, and finding rest in God.
Fellow With Christ in the Yoke
By John Follette0PSA 55:22PRO 3:5ISA 30:21MAT 11:281CO 1:9PHP 2:13HEB 4:10John Wright Follette preaches about the deep work of God's plow in our hearts, turning us from self-hood to a field set free, and the joy of surrendering all to Him. He emphasizes the call from God to move from the natural to a life of the Spirit, developing intimate fellowship and communion with Jesus Christ. Follette discusses the phases of fellowship as a matter of growth, starting with a common basis in creation and deepening through the new birth and subsequent experiences.
The Beauty of Holiness Is the Beauty of Divine Union
By George Ridout0PSA 139:23ISA 32:17JHN 14:23GAL 1:15HEB 4:10George Ridout preaches on the profound experience of Divine Union, where the soul is brought into a sweet and mysterious nearness and union with God, akin to changing its locality and experiencing a mystical reunion with the divine nature. The journey towards Divine Union involves various degrees such as Conversion, Effectual Touch of the Will, Passivity, Naked Faith, Mystical Death, and ultimately Union with God, leading to a complete absorption in God. Saints like St. Bernard and Madame Guyon exemplify the joy and depth of Divine Union, where the soul lives in God and experiences a transformative union with the divine.
Kingdom of God & Missions
By George Ladd0JER 6:16MAT 11:29PHP 4:19HEB 4:10REV 14:13The preacher delves into the concept of 'Rest' (anapausis) as described in the Bible, emphasizing that it is not merely the cessation of work but the restoration of lost strength and inner tranquility experienced simultaneously in labor. Jesus promises this spiritual rest in Matthew 11:29, focusing on the restorative character of rest rather than just stopping activity. Believers are encouraged to find rest in Christ, who offers freedom from guilt, fear, and the power of sin, providing a working rest that comes from completing a great work. The sermon highlights the importance of coming to Jesus to experience true rest for our souls, finding refreshment and peace in Him.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For he that is entered into his rest - The man who has believed in Christ Jesus has entered into his rest; the state of happiness which he has provided, and which is the forerunner of eternal glory. Hath ceased from his own works - No longer depends on the observance of Mosaic rites and ceremonies for his justification and final happiness. He rests from all these works of the law as fully as God has rested from his works of creation. Those who restrain the word rest to the signification of eternal glory, say, that ceasing from our own works relates to the sufferings, tribulations, afflictions, etc., of this life; as in Rev 14:13. I understand it as including both. In speaking of the Sabbath, as typifying a state of blessedness in the other world, the apostle follows the opinions of the Jews of his own and after times. The phrase שבת עלאה ושבת התאה shabbath illaah, veshabbath tethaah, the sabbath above, and the sabbath below, is common among the Jewish writers; and they think that where the plural number is used, as in Lev 19:30 : Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, that the lower and higher sabbaths are intended, and that the one is prefigured by the other. See many examples in Schoettgen.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For--justifying and explaining the word "rest," or "Sabbatism," just used (see on Heb 4:9). he that is entered--whosoever once enters. his rest--God's rest: the rest prepared by God for His people [ESTIUS]. Rather, "His rest": the man's rest: that assigned to him by God as his. The Greek is the same as that for "his own" immediately after. hath ceased--The Greek aorist is used of indefinite time, "is wont to cease," or rather, "rest": rests. The past tense implies at the same time the certainty of it, as also that in this life a kind of foretaste in Christ is already given [GROTIUS] (Jer 6:16; Mat 11:28-29). Our highest happiness shall, according to this verse, consist in our being united in one with God, and moulded into conformity with Him as our archetype [CALVIN]. from his own works--even from those that were good and suitable to the time of doing work. Labor was followed by rest even in Paradise (Gen 2:3, Gen 2:15). The work and subsequent rest of God are the archetype to which we should be conformed. The argument is: He who once enters rest, rests from labors; but God's people have not yet rested from them, therefore they have not yet entered the rest, and so it must be still future. ALFORD translates, "He that entered into his (or else God's, but rather 'his'; Isa 11:10, 'His rest': 'the joy of the Lord,' Mat 25:21, Mat 25:23) rest (namely, Jesus, our Forerunner, Heb 4:14; Heb 6:20, 'The Son of God that is passed through the heavens': in contrast to Joshua the type, who did not bring God's people into the heavenly rest), he himself (emphatical) rested from his works (Heb 4:4), as God (did) from His own" (so the Greek, "works"). The argument, though generally applying to anyone who has entered his rest, probably alludes to Jesus in particular, the antitypical Joshua, who, having entered His rest at the Ascension, has ceased or rested from His work of the new creation, as God on the seventh day rested from the work of physical creation. Not that He has ceased to carry on the work of redemption, nay, He upholds it by His mediation; but He has ceased from those portions of the work which constitute the foundation; the sacrifice has been once for all accomplished. Compare as to God's creation rest, once for all completed, and rested from, but now still upheld (see on Heb 4:4).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest,.... Not eternal rest; this is not to be entered into now; nor is an entrance into it to be obtained by labour; salvation is not by works; eternal life is a free gift; good works do not go before to prepare heaven for the saints, but follow after: nor is the saints' entrance into it a precarious thing; God has promised it, and provided it for his people; Christ is in the possession of it, and is preparing it for them; and the Spirit of God is working them up for the self same thing, and Christ will give them an abundant entrance into it: but the Gospel rest is here meant, that rest which believers now enter into, and is at this present time for them, Heb 4:3 and though true believers are entered into it, yet their rest, peace, and joy in Christ, is not full; they enter by degrees into it, and by believing enjoy more of it: and this is to be laboured for by prayer, hearing the word, and attendance on ordinances; and this requires strength, diligence, and industry; and supposes difficulties and discouragements, through the corruptions of the heart, and the temptations of Satan; and this is designed to quicken and awaken a godly jealousy in God's people, over themselves: lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief; into the sin of unbelief, and into punishment through it, as the Israelites did; who sinning, their carcasses fell in the wilderness, and they entered not into God's rest, as he swore they should not: true believers may fall into sin, and from a degree of the exercise of grace, and of the steadfastness of the Gospel; but they cannot finally and totally fall away, because they are kept by the power of God; yet they may so fall, as to come short, or at least seem to come short of enjoying the rest and peace of the Gospel state: external professors may fall from the Gospel, and the religion they have professed, and come short of the glory they expected; and fall into just and deserved punishment, in like manner as the unbelieving Israelites did.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:10 have rested from their labors: See Exod 20:8-11. • just as God did: Gen 2:2.