Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:1

THerefore fear] Phil. 2. 12.

any of you] Chap. 12. 15.

seem] That is, should come short. So Luke 8:18. compared with Luke 19. & 26. & 25. 29. 1 Corinthians 11:16.

come short] As those who run in a race, and yet come not to the goal, and so receve not the price, 1 Corinthians 9:24. Or come late, as the foolish virgins, Matthew 23:10.

Hebrews 4:2

the word preached] Gr. the word of hearing. Romans 10:17.

not being mixed with fai] Or, because they were not united by faith to. That is, not being joyned or accompanied with, or received by faith. It is thought that herein the Apostle alludes unto a potion not well mingled, which rather hurts then doth any good.

Hebrews 4:3

rest] That is, that spirituall rest, whereof David speaks, Psalms 95:11. which is begun in this life in the joy of the Holy Ghost, and in the peace of a good conscience, and shall be perfected hereafter in the joyes of heaven.

said] Not in expresse terms, but by necessary consequence; for where God swears, that unbeleevers shall not enter into his rest, there he doth implicitely promise, that beleevers shall entr thereunto.

As I have sworn] Psalms 95:11.

although] At this clause the Apostle begins to shw, what that rest was whereof the Psalmist spake, Psal 95. and of which he had exhorted them not to come short, vers. 1. viz. not the rest of the seventh day, spoken of Gen 2:2. which he sheweth to verse 7. neither that rest whereunto Joshua brought the children of Israel, that is, their rest in the land of Canaan, this from the seventh verse to the tenth; but of another rest, whereof the former were but types and shadows, which the Psalmist chiefly intends.

Hebrews 4:4

And God did rest] Genesis 2:2. Exodus 20:11.

works] That is, of creation, not of continuall preservation; or, making of the world then.

Hebrews 4:6

Seeing] Because the Psalmist speaks of a rest, which was to be long after that rest in Canaan; hence the Apostle inferreth in this and the two following verses, that the Psalmist intends another rest then that corporall and civill rest.

it was first preached] Or, the gospell was first preached.

Hebrews 4:8

Jesus] That is, Joshua.

Hebrews 4:9

There] Seeing that the Psalmist cannot be understood onely of the two former rests, hence the Apostle concludeth, that there remaineth another kinde of rest; now what that rest is he sheweth in the verse following.

rest to the people of God] Or, keeping of a sabbath.

Hebrews 4:10

own works] From those afflictions and sorrows, which he suffers in this life, Revelation 14:13. & Revelation 21:4. Thereby the Apostle intends the happinesse of the Saints in heaven, where all tears shall be wiped from their eyes, Esa. 25. 8. Revelation 7:17. and whereof we receive the first fruits and pledge, even in this life. See vers. 3.

Hebrews 4:11

labour] That is, diligently, or with all our might; or let us study and use our best endeavour. Luke 13:24.

unbelief] Or, disobedience.

Hebrews 4:12

Word of God] Some understand it of the Word written or spoken, and of the great power thereof; whereof S. Paul speaks, 1 Corinthians 14:24. But with more probability, if observe both the antecedents and consequents of the place, we may understand it of Christ, who is called the Word, John 1. 1. Revelation 19:13. because he was to reveal the counsell and will of God his Father unto his people.

quick] living. Whereby he is opposed to the Idols of the Heathen, who had eyes and saw not, and ears and heard not, &c. but Christ the Word of God is living, beholding all the thoughts and actions of men, that so he might give to every man according to his deeds.

powerfull] He is not onely omniscient, but also full of power to execute his wrath upon those that are disobedient.

sharper] By this similitude is likewise expressed the Omniscience of Christ, unto whom nothing is secret, no not the thoughts and intentions of our hearts: A two-edged sword easily enters, it makes way for it selfe.

Hebrews 4:13

opened] As it were anatomized and cleft asunder.

with whom] That is, say some, unto whom we must give an account, Romans 2:16. & Romans 14:10. but it ought rather to be translated; of whom is our speech; or, of whom we speake: So the Greek proposition is often used. See Chap. 1. 7. Luke 20:19. Romans 10:21.

Hebrews 4:14

great high] Chap. 3. 1. Who both knowes the deepest and most secret thoughts and intentions of our hearts, and is likewise able to punish us for them.

passed into the heavens] Chap. 7. 26. 12. 24. Whereby Christ is preferred unto the Leviticall High Priests, who entred onely into the Holy of Holiest.

hold fast] Chap. 10 23. That is, stedfastly without wavering cleave and adhere to the doctrine of Christ, which we professe, and not suffer our selves to be drawn from it by any temptations or persecutions, chap. 10. 23.

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not] Chap. 2. 17, 18.

infirmities] Both of body and soule; he meanes not onely the miseries of this life, but likewise all those afflictions whereby we are usually tempted unto sin, and tryed.

tempted] See Chap. 2. 17. Luke 22:28.

without sinne] 1 Peter 2:22.

Hebrews 4:16

therefore] Knowing that we have such a high Priest, who is both able and willing 〈◊〉 succour us when wee are tempted.

come] By faithfull and fervent prayer.

boldly] Or, freely. Chap. 10. 19. Eph. 2. 28.

throne] That is, God reconciled unto us in Christ, typified by Gods sitting between the Cherubims upon the Mercy-Seat, Exodus 25:22.

to help in time of need] Gr. for seasonable help.