Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:1

Ephrem the Syrian: We also had the promise to enter into the kingdom through our faith and spiritual way of life, as well as those who accepted the command through the law so that … they might possess the land granted to them. “But the message” of the law “which they heard did not benefit them because it did not meet with faith” in the hearers. “We who have believed” in Christ and his gifts “enter” faithfully “that rest.” They, on the other hand, did not enter into that rest in consequence of the vow made through David, who said, “I swore in my anger that they should not enter my rest.” — COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4

John Chrysostom: “Let us fear lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it; for to us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them when it is said, To-day if ye hear His voice” (for “To-day” is “at every time”).

Then he adds “but the word of hearing did not profit them, as they were not mixed by faith with them that heard.” How did it not profit? Then wishing to alarm them, he shows the same thing by what he says. — Homily on Hebrews 6

John Chrysostom: Then, again, from gloomy ones, “Let us fear, lest at any time a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” For that is manifest and confessed. — Homily on Hebrews 6

Oecumenius: “Let us therefore fear.” In the saying, he says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion (Heb. 3:15), let us therefore fear.” And the “therefore” has been added. For the sake of being lengthy, so that the construction may not seem incoherent, the “therefore” has been placed. Let us fear, he says, lest any of you should seem to come short of entering into his rest. For the promise of entering into his rest still remains for those who wish. And this is the kingdom of heaven. “lestany one of you may seem to have come short of it.” They are lacking in entering. However, he did not say, “They have come short,” but rather, “may seem to have come short.” “For we are also evangelized just as they were.” We have been evangelized about the good things to come, just as they were in a symbolic way about the earth. “but the word which they heard did not profit them.” You see that this is what he says, that nothing will profit you from becoming hearers of the preaching, if you do not also bring in what is from yourselves, namely faith; for the word which you heard by itself has not benefited even those in the past. But see how on our part the matter was called the gospel, as a promise of true goods, and as given from a crown and victory; but on their part, a matter of hearing. “not being mixed with faith.” That is to say, do not be mixed with it [the word]. From this, the idea of believing without hesitation is hinted at. And he says that those who believed heard. For they truly heard, those who also believed. Paul speaks about Joshua and Caleb. And this he says: The word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed and as if blended and united with faith in those who heard it, namely, those who believed concerning Jesus. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Oecumenius: He says, not being mixed, that is, with those who have believed. How were they to be united? With faith, he says, that is, through faith. For if these had believed just as those did, they would have been gathered into one, as if by a kind of glue of faith, uniting them. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Theodore of Mopsuestia: It was fitting for them to be afraid, he says so that they might not be found lacking because of the depravity of their opinion, when they themselves had received the promise of access into the rest. For let no one suppose that the promise of the things to come are sufficient for him, just as it was not sufficient for them. For they were not joined to the things promised in accordance with faith. Therefore, one ought to read as follows, “They did not attach themselves in faith to the things that they heard,” namely, the promises that were made to them from God through Moses. — FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4.1-2

Theodore of Mopsuestia: We ought to be afraid … lest we, too, who have received the promise of the entrance into the rest, may be found lacking through a wickedness of purpose. For let no one think that the promise of things to come suffices him any more than it did them. Indeed, they did not understand in faith what had been promised. — COMMENTARY ON Hebrews 4.1-2

Theodoret of Cyrus: After making this digression to scare them and to cause them to look forward to the hope given them, he then gives attention to the “rest,” bringing out that in times past the inspired David foretold it to us. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:2

Photios I of Constantinople: He says, “Not having joined themselves to the things they heard,” that is, the things they believed. How was it possible for them to be joined to those things? “By faith,” he says, that is, through faith. For if the latter had believed as the former had, they would have been joined together into one, since their faith would have joined them together and blended them together. — FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4.2

Theodoret of Cyrus: Hearing the words does not suffice for salvation; accepting it in faith is necessary, and holding it firm. After all, what benefit was God’s promise to those who received it, but did not receive it faithfully, trust in the power of God or, as it were, associate closely with God’s words? — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:3

John Chrysostom: For “we who have believed,” he says, “do enter into rest.” From what this is evident, he adds: “as He said, as I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” This indeed, is not evidence that we shall enter in, but that they did not enter in. What then? Thus far he aims to show that as that rest does not hinder the speaking of another rest, so neither does this exclude that of Heaven. Up to this point then, he wishes to show that they the Israelites did not attain to the rest. — Homily on Hebrews 6

Oecumenius: The testimony also judges from which it makes that apparent. And see how it establishes that. In any case, he says, it is necessary that some enter into the rest of God, lest the promise be made in vain and rashly. Therefore, since they did not enter (for he swore that they shall not enter), it is necessary for us, as long as we wish, to enter, not now into a figurative rest, but into the true kingdom of heaven. For although their children entered the promised land, now another rest is defined through David. For what else does it mean: “Today, if you hear his voice”? (Heb. 3:15) As I swore in my wrath. But this testimony is not meant for those of us who have believed, who enter into the rest of God, but for those who do not enter: indeed, he says, since they did not enter, we must enter. For he speaks more openly in this progression. Now, indeed, besides this, he wishes to show that just as the rest of the Sabbath does not prevent another rest of the promised land from being called rest, so neither does the rest of the promised land prevent the kingdom of heaven from being called rest. Therefore, he also adds: although his works were finished from the foundation of the world, from which God rested, did not prevent the land of promise from being called rest. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Theodoret of Cyrus: He wants to make clear three rests mentioned in the divine Scripture: first, the seventh day, on which God finished creating; second, the land of promise; and third, the kingdom of heaven. He provides proof of this from the inspired testimony: If there is no other rest (he is saying), why on earth does he also urge those in receipt of the second kind not to harden their hearts, threaten punishment and make mention of those who spurned the second kind? He cites them in order, and firstly the rest on the seventh day. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:4

John Chrysostom: For because he means this, he says, “For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest.” Thou seest how that doth not hinder this from being a rest? — Homily on Hebrews 6

Oecumenius: “from all his works.” Then, since he had called it rest (it was said, however, to be the rest of the Sabbath), he himself resolves that and says: Now that the rest of the works is made, he also calls this rest, namely the land of promise. “And God rested.” You see, he says, that there are two rests? One on the seventh day, in which God rested from his works: and one of the land of promise, about which David is now speaking. Therefore, he says: Just as the first rest did not prevent the second from being called rest: so neither will the second prevent the third, namely the kingdom of heaven. This, however, he asserts, because he will say that we can enter into his rest. Let him not hear: But they have entered: and finally, he says that there is another rest. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Theodore of Mopsuestia: This is the work of true “rest,” namely, not having to run again to the old things, while enduring transition and change. For just as God is said to rest from his creation of the world, having completed its foundation, so it is fitting that also the one who has entered “into rest” not run back again to the old things, viewing with contempt the labors required by the law’s virtuous ordinances to restrain transgression. For out of necessity change and a removal from the old institution follows these things. — FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4.4-7

Hebrews 4:5

Oecumenius: Indeed, he says, “the third rest is the kingdom of heaven. And there again, “If they shall enter into my rest.” Behold, therefore, two works, the other indeed of which David said: “If they shall enter into my rest.” — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Hebrews 4:6

John Chrysostom: “Seeing therefore it remaineth” (he says) “that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: again he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time; as it has been said before.” But what is it that he means? “Seeing then” (he means) that “some must” certainly “enter in,” and “they did not enter in.” And that an entrance is proclaimed, and that “some must enter in,” let us hear from what this is clear. Because after so many years (he says) David again says: “To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” “For if Joshua had given them rest he would not afterward have spoken of another day.” It is evident, that he says these things, as of persons who are to attain some recompense. — Homily on Hebrews 6

Oecumenius: For if some must enter, and those who entered have not entered into the rest of the promised land, it again defines a third rest, so that, as he says, some may enter into it. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Hebrews 4:7

Oecumenius: For if God did not have a third rest, He would not have said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts,” so that there may be a rest into which those should enter who do not harden their hearts. Since obedience would be completely useless if there were neither rest nor reward. You have seen how he confirms it? “Do not harden your hearts so that you may enter into the rest,” he says. For by saying that those who hardened their hearts did not enter into the rest, he implies that those who do not harden their hearts will enter. For every command of God has also a future reckoning. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Theodore of Mopsuestia: “Today” is neither an indefinite period of time, nor can it be predicated of an interval outside of “days” as if “today” were joined with each day. This should be stated not only for the sake of apostolic perspicuity but also for the sake of those who wish to understand, in the matter of the origin of the Only Begotten, the “I have begotten you today” by flatly asserting that the “today” is an indefinite period of time. They cannot perceive that if this were the case one would not be able to speak of a “today” since there was then not yet a day. The apostle has made clear that he would not say that “today” is an indefinite period of time when he said, “Again speaking in David he marks off a day.” Also in another passage, “Comfort them every day until it will be called ’the Day.’ " First he showed that the “today” is not being spoken of outside of “days,” by his saying “every day,” and so appending “until it will be called ’the Day.’ " Then in the matter of the “day” it does not appear as if he were talking about an indefinite period of time which might be applied both to the time that has already passed and the time that is about to come. For what does he say? Deeming “each day” to be “the Day” which is spoken to we should give heed to remaining in the faith. For as “the Day” indicates the present day, he advises them to make full use of the day for that which is useful for exhortation. — FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4.4-7

Hebrews 4:8

Ephrem the Syrian: In fact, if Joshua, the son of Nun, who allowed them to inherit the land, had settled them and given them rest, they still would not speak at all about the “other day of rest.” Indeed, Joshua made them rest, because he gave them the land as an inheritance, but they did not rest in it perfectly, as God perfectly rested from God’s works, for they lived in toils and wars. If that rest was not a true rest, since Joshua himself, the giver of their rest, was urged by the wars, if this is their condition, I say, there still remains the sabbath of God, who gives rest to those who enter there, as God rested from God’s works, that is, from all the works which God made. — COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4

John Chrysostom: “For if Joshua had given them rest he would not afterward have spoken of another day.” It is evident, that he says these things, as of persons who are to attain some recompense. — Homily on Hebrews 6

Justin Martyr: “I shall give you another testimony, my friends,” said I, “from the Scriptures, that God begat before all creatures a Beginning, [who was] a certain rational power [proceeding] from Himself, who is called by the Holy Spirit, now the Glory of the Lord, now the Son, again Wisdom, again an Angel, then God, and then Lord and Logos; and on another occasion He calls Himself Captain, when He appeared in human form to Joshua the son of Nave (Nun). For He can be called by all those names, since He ministers to the Father’s will, and since He was begotten of the Father by an act of will; just as we see happening among ourselves: for when we give out some word, we beget the word; yet not by abscission, so as to lessen the word [which remains] in us, when we give it out: and just as we see also happening in the case of a fire, which is not lessened when it has kindled [another], but remains the same; and that which has been kindled by it likewise appears to exist by itself, not diminishing that from which it was kindled. — Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter LXI

Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius: But who this was about to be, to whom God promised an everlasting priesthood, Zechariah most plainly teaches, even mentioning His name: “And the Lord God showed me Jesus the great Priest standing before the face of the angel of the Lord, and the adversary was standing at His right hand to resist Him. And the Lord said unto the adversary, The Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee; and lo, a brand plucked out of the fire. And Jesus was clothed with filthy garments, and He was standing before the face of the angel. And He answered and spake unto those that stood around before His face, saying, Take away the filthy garments from Him, and clothe Him with a flowing garment, and place a fair mitre upon His head; and they clothed Him with a garment, and placed a fair mitre upon His head. And the angel of the Lord stood, and protested, saying to Jesus: Thus saith the Lord of hosts, If Thou wilt walk in my ways, and keep my precepts, Thou shalt judge my house, and I will give Thee those that may walk with Thee in the midst of these that stand by. Hear, therefore, O Jesus, Thou great Priest.” — The Divine Institutes Book 4, Chapter XIV

Oecumenius: “For if Joshua had given them rest.” For if that were the only rest, namely the promised land into which they entered under the leadership of Joshua, he would not have spoken of another day of rest through David. But therefore, he mentions it, saying: Today, and he gave a command, saying: Do not harden your hearts: as if there exists a third rest into which it is necessary for those who are obedient to enter. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Hebrews 4:9

Augustine of Hippo: Our heart is restless until it rests in you. — Confessions 1.1

John Chrysostom: “There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God.” Whence does this appear? From the exhortation, “Harden not your hearts”: for if there were no rest, these exhortations would not have been given. Neither would they have been exhorted not to do the same things with the Jews lest they should suffer the same things, unless they were about to suffer the same. But how were they who were in possession of Palestine about to suffer the same things (i.e. exclusion from the rest) unless there were some other rest?

And well did he conclude the argument. For he said not rest but “Sabbath-keeping”; calling the kingdom “Sabbath-keeping,” by the appropriate name, and that which they rejoiced in and were attracted by. For as, on the Sabbath He commands to abstain from all evil things; and that those things only which relate to the Service of God should be done, which things the Priests were wont to accomplish, and whatsoever profits the soul, and nothing else; so also will it be then. — Homily on Hebrews 6

John Chrysostom: What then does he say? “There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God.” And see how he has summed up the whole argument. “He sware,” saith he, to those former ones, “that they should not enter into” the “rest,” and they did not enter in. Then long after their time discoursing to the Jews, he says, “Harden not your hearts,” as your fathers, showing that there is another rest. For of Palestine we have not to speak: for they were already in possession of it. Nor can he be speaking of the seventh day; for surely he was not discoursing about that which had taken place long before. It follows therefore that he hints at some other, that which is rest indeed. — Homily on Hebrews 6

Oecumenius: “Therefore, a Sabbath-keepingremains.” Sabbath-keeping or rest. For sabbaths are interpreted as rest. Therefore, a certain third rest remains, which is the kingdom of heaven. However, he called it Sabbath-keeping, from the primary rest which was of the Sabbath-keeping. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Oecumenius: “for the people of God.” He says to the faithful. And how is this evident? From the fact that David commands, saying: Do not harden your hearts. For he would not command this if there were no sabbath and rest. (What benefit would there be for those who obeyed?) Nor would it be commanded to us, not to do the same as the Jews who were in the desert, lest we too be deprived of rest in the same way. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Photios I of Constantinople: Just as the first “rest” did not prevent there being a second rest, so neither does the existence of a second rest prevent the existence of a third and more perfect rest.… Then it is clear that there is a certain other rest beyond those rests which have been spoken of, and that this rest is hallowed not for any who happen to chance upon it, but rather “for the people of God.” But truly the people of God are “those who believe” in him and who keep his commandments. — FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4.3-11

Hebrews 4:10

Isaac of Nineveh: I am speaking of that order of tears which belongs to those who shed tears unceasingly both night and day. Whoever has found the reality of these things truly and accurately has found it in stillness. The eyes of such a man become like fountains of water for two years’ time or even more, that is, during the time of transition: I mean, of mystical transition. But afterwards you enter into peace of thought; and from this peace of thought you enter into the rest of which St. Paul has spoken, but only in part and to the extent that nature can contain it. From that peaceful rest his intellect begins to behold mysteries. And thereupon the Holy Spirit begins to reveal heavenly things to you, and God dwells within him and raises up the fruit of the Spirit in you. And from this he perceive dimly … the change nature is going to undergo at the renewal of all things.… When you enter into that region which is peace of the thought, then the multitude of tears is taken away from you, and afterwards tears come to you in due measure and at the appropriate time. This is, in all exactness, the truth of the matter as told in brief, and it is believed by the whole church. — ASCETICAL HOMILIES 14

John Chrysostom: However it is not he who spoke thus, but what? “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.” As God ceased from His works, he says, so he that hath entered into His rest hath ceased. For since his discourse to them was concerning rest, and they were desirous to hear when this would be, he concluded the argument with this. — Homily on Hebrews 6

Oecumenius: “who has entered.“Since they were weary from evils, there was no mention made of the countless goods that were to come, he comforts them by saying that he who has entered into the third rest, which is the rest of the kingdom of heaven, rests from his works, that is, from persecutions, temptations, afflictions, just as indeed God rested from the works He had done in the first rest. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Oecumenius: In another way. “rested from his works, as God did from his own.” As if, he rested. Since he has demonstrated that there is a third rest, and that some will enter into it, he comes to the conclusion and says: “From what has been said, it is certainly evident that there is another rest besides the aforementioned, and this is not for everyone, but dedicated to the people of God.” Truly, the people of God are those who have believed in Him and keep His commandments. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Oecumenius: “And he himself rested.” As if he had rested. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Theodoret of Cyrus: As the God of all on the sixth day completed the whole of creation, and on the seventh he rested from creating, so those departing this life and moving to that one will be rid of the present labors. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:11

Cosmas Indicopleustes: Let us be eager to enter into that rest; speaking of that rest as if there is no other after it, but a kingdom that cannot be shaken, meaning one that has no successor. — The Christian Topography, Book 5

Cosmas Indicopleustes: Let us give diligence to enter into that rest; calling it a rest as not admitting of succession, and because when we are there, we shall not be transferred thence, but shall for ever rest in heaven itself. — The Christian Topography, Book 7

John Chrysostom: Faith is indeed great and bringeth salvation, and without it, it is not possible ever to be saved. It suffices not however of itself to accomplish this, but there is need of a right conversation also. So that on this account Paul also exhorts those who had already been counted worthy of the mysteries; saying, “Let us labor to enter into that rest.” “Let us labor” (he says), Faith not sufficing, the life also ought to be added thereto, and our earnestness to be great; for truly there is need of much earnestness too, in order to go up into Heaven. For if they who suffered so great distress in the Wilderness, were not counted worthy of the promised land, and were not able to attain that land, because they murmured and because they committed fornication: how shall we be counted worthy of Heaven, if we live carelessly and indolently? We then have need of much earnestness.

And observe, the punishment does not extend to this only, the not entering in (for he said not, “Let us labor to enter into the rest,” lest we fail of so great blessings), but he added what most of all arouses men. What then is this? “Lest any man fall, after the same example of unbelief.” What means this? It means that we should have our mind, our hope, our expectation, yonder, lest we should fail. For that otherwise we shall fail, the example shows, “lest etc. after the same,” he says. — Homily on Hebrews 7

John Chrysostom: But what is, “after the same example of unbelief”? As if one should say, why did they of old not see the land? They had received an earnest of the power of God; they ought to have believed, but yielding too much to fear and imagining nothing great concerning God, and being faint-hearted,-so they perished. And there is also something more to be said, as, that after they had accomplished the most part of the journey, when they were at the very doors, at the haven itself, they were sunk into the sea. This I fear (he says) for you also. This is the meaning of “after the same example of unbelief.”

For that these also to whom he is writing had suffered much, he afterwards testifies, saying, “Call to mind the former days, in which after that ye had been enlightened, ye endured a great fight of afflictions.” (c. x. 32.) Let no man then be faint-hearted, nor fall down near the end through weariness. For there are, there are those who at the beginning engage in the fight with the full vigor of zeal; but a little after, not being willing to add to all, they lose all. Your forefathers (he says) are sufficient to instruct you not to fall into the same sins, not to suffer the same things which they suffered. This is, “After the same example of unbelief.” Let us not faint, he means (which he says also near the end of the Epistle. “Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees”): “lest any man,” he says, “fall after the same example.” (c. xii. 12.) For this is to fall indeed.

Then, lest when thou hearest, “any man fall after the same example,” thou shouldest conceive of the same death which they also underwent, see what he says: “For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.” For the Word falls upon the souls of these men more severely than any sword, causing grievous wounds; and inflicts fatal blows. And of these things he need not give the proof, nor establish them by argument, having a history so fearful. For (he would say) what kind of war destroyed them? What sort of sword? Did they not fall simply of themselves? For let us not be careless because we have not suffered the same things. While “it is called. To-day,” it is in our power to recover ourselves. — Homily on Hebrews 7

Oecumenius: Where it has been shown that there is a third rest, he consequently encourages them to enter into it. And he rightly says: Let us strive. For faith alone is not sufficient to enter into it, unless there is also unless there is also good behavior. “lest anyone fall according to the same example.” By the same, as with the Israelites. For just as they, after having crossed a greater part of the way in the desert, had fallen from all comfort through unbelief, let no one among you fall in the same way or by example, after so many trials, not acting courageously until the end. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Hebrews 4:12

Ambrose of Milan: For God says, ‘I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God.’ So when the fear of divine power returns to the perception of the soul, then we blush, then we desire to hide, then being placed in the thoughts of our sins, we are found in the midst of the tree of paradise where we sinned, desiring to hide, and thinking that God does not seek the hidden things. But the searcher of hearts and thoughts, penetrating even to the division of the soul, says, ‘Adam, where are you?’ … But when He said, ‘Where are you?’ He is not seeking the place which knew His secret, for God does not have closed eyes so as not to see what is hidden. But God sees the faults of all and knows the offenses of all: he has eyes over every soul, over all hidden things. So, where are you, Adam? That is, not in what place, but in what state are you. Therefore, it is not an inquiry, but a rebuke. — On Paradise 14.68, 70

Augustine of Hippo: He did not come “to bring peace on earth … but a sword,” and Scripture calls the Word of God a “two-edged sword” because of the two Testaments. — City of God 20.21

Basil of Caesarea: And Scripture calls by the name of “sword” the Word which has the power of trying and of discerning thoughts and which “extends even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow.” … Every soul at the time of the passion was subjected to a sort of test, as it were, according to the words of the Lord, who said, “You will all fall away because of me.” Simeon prophesies concerning Mary that, standing beside the cross and looking at what was happening and hearing his words—even after the testimony of Gabriel, after the secret knowledge of her divine conception, after the great showing of miracles—“Even you will flee,” he says, “a certain perplexity about your soul.” For the Lord must taste of death for the sake of all, and, being made a propitiation for the world, he must justify all people in his blood. Therefore, some doubt will touch even you yourself who have been taught from above concerning the Lord. That is the sword. “That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed,” meaning that, after the scandal which happened at the cross of Christ to both the disciples and to Mary herself, some swift healing will follow from the Lord, confirming their hearts in their faith in him. Thus we see that even Peter, after having stumbled, clung more firmly to his faith in Christ. What was human, therefore, was proved unsound in order that the power of the Lord might be manifested. — LETTER 260

Cassiodorus: “The word of God is … sharper than any two-edged sword.” Now the holy depth of divine Scripture is expressed in such common language that everyone immediately takes it in. But buried within it are hidden senses of truth, so that the vital meaning must be most carefully sought out. What contributes most of all to our understanding that it is really divine is the fact that ignorant persons are known to have been able to explain most subtle things, and mortal humans eternal things, but only when filled with the divine Spirit. — EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS, PREFACE 15

Desert Fathers: John who had been exiled by the Emperor Marcion, said, ‘One day we went into Syria to see Poemen for we wanted to ask him about hardness of heart. But he did not know Greek and we did not have an interpreter. When he saw we were embarrassed, he began to speak in Greek saying, ‘The nature of water is soft, the nature of stone is hard; but if a bottle is hung above a stone letting water drip down, it wears away the stone. It is like that with the word of God; it is soft and our heart is hard, but if a man hears the word of God often, it will break open his heart to the fear of God.’ — The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks

John Chrysostom: In the next place, lest hearing the words “after the same example,” thou shouldest think that the punishment is the same, hear what he adds; “For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and pierceth even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” In these words he shows that He, the Word of God, wrought the former things also, and lives, and has not been quenched.

Do not then when hearing the Word, think of it lightly. For “He is sharper,” he says, “than a sword.” Observe His condescension; and hence consider why the prophets also needed to speak of saber and bow and sword. “If ye turn not,” it is said, “He will whet His sword, He hath bent His bow and made it ready.” (Ps. vii. 12.) For if now, after so long a time, and after their being perfected, He cannot smite down by the name of the Word alone, but needs these expressions in order to show the superiority arising from the comparison of the Gospel with the law: much more then of old.

“Piercing,” he says, “even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” What is this? He hinted at something more fearful. Either that He divides the spirit from the soul, or that He pierces even through them disembodied, not as a sword through bodies only. Here he shows, that the soul also is punished, and that it thoroughly searches out the most inward things, piercing wholly through the whole man.

“And is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight.” In these words most of all he terrified them. For do not (he says) be confident if ye still stand fast in the Faith, but without full assurance. He judges the inner heart, for there He passes through, both punishing and searching out. — Homily on Hebrews 7

John Chrysostom: For lest on hearing the things that belong to the soul we should grow negligent, he adds also what concerns the body. For then it is as a king, when his officers are guilty of some great fault, first strips them (say) of their command, and after depriving them of their belt, and their rank, and their herald, then punishes them: so also in this case the sword of the Spirit works. — Homily on Hebrews 7

John Chrysostom: Then, lest any think that they will simply be deprived of rest only, he adds also the punishment, saying, “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful; and sharper than any two-edged sword, and pierceth even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow: and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Here he is speaking of Hell and of punishment. “It pierceth” (he says) into the secrets of our heart, and cutteth asunder the soul. Here it is not the failing of carcasses nor, as there, the being deprived of a country, but of a heavenly kingdom; and being delivered to an everlasting hell, and to undying punishment and vengeance. — Homily on Hebrews 6

Oecumenius: “For the word of God is living.” It gradually shows that Christ alone was the one who acted in what happened concerning the children of Israel. For it is living, he says, and will live forever. But lest they think that those who sin and provoke Christ are only frustrated by the earth as the ancients were, he adds a more terrible deed. “sharper than any two-edged sword.” As those who did not hear the speech might fear something more terrible, it expresses what has been said, adapting examples that are among us: for it could not be understood in any other way than what is said, cutting from both sides with any sword. “piercing to the division of soul and spirit.” He says something fearful: either that the spirit separates from the soul, and leaves it desolate of the holiness that the Lord in the gospel called division; (for just as a king, when a ruler sins, is stripped of his belt and his office beforehand, and then punished; so here too the spiritual dignity is first taken away from the person, then he is punished;) or that it even reaches the incorporeal themselves. The holy Cyril certainly received in a certain place: piercing to the division of soul and spirit: He says that the preaching concerning God divides and distinguishes the parts of the soul, making them receptive and capable of the things heard. That it also reaches them, he says, of the incorporeal beings, and punishes the soul. That it works a division of soul and spirit. It is indeed fearful. In another way. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Oecumenius: The division that the Gospels threaten, the Fathers understood as the complete abandonment of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I think it is now a day that causes the separation of the Holy Spirit, and it removes itself from the soul, after which all good things will subsequently follow and be taken away. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Oecumenius: “of joints and marrow.” So that, having heard the things of the soul, they do not become careless, as if the punishment were unclear, having spoken of the incorporeal, he also speaks of the corporeal; for the more visible things strike with greater fear. “and discerning the thoughts.” To distinguish and examine the very thoughts themselves, and the invisible concepts of the heart. Here the divinity of the Word is shown; for it is God who examines, that is, who tests and knows the thoughts; he says “God searches the hearts and kidneys.” (Jer. 17:10). — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Origen of Alexandria: The texts of the New Testament, which we have discussed, are things said by Himself about Himself. Isaiah, however, He said that His mouth had been set by His Father as a sharp sword, and that He was hidden under the shadow of His hand, made like to a chosen shaft and kept close in the Father’s quiver, called His servant by the God of all things, and Israel, and Light of the Gentiles. The mouth of the Son of God is a sharp sword, for “The word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” And indeed He came not to bring peace on the earth, that is, to corporeal and sensible things, but a sword, and to cut through, if I may say so, the disastrous friendship of soul and body, so that the soul, committing herself to the spirit which was against the flesh, may enter into friendship with God. Hence, according to the prophetic word, He made His mouth as a sword, as a sharp sword. Can any one behold so many wounded by the divine love, like her in the Song of Songs, who complained that she was wounded: “I am wounded with love,” and find the dart that wounded so many souls for the love of God, in any but Him who said, “He hath made Me as a chosen shaft.” — COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF John 1.229

Origen of Alexandria: Jesus endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and therefore is seated at the right hand of God. And those who imitate him by disregarding the shame shall sit with him and rule in the heavens with him, who came not to bring peace upon the earth but upon the souls of his followers and to bring a sword upon the earth. Since “the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” this word above all now bestows on our souls the prize of that peace which surpasses all understanding, which he left to his apostles. And it brings a sword between the earthly image and the heavenly in order that when he receives our heavenly image we may be made fully heavenly, if we are worthy not to be cut in two. — EXHORTATION TO MARTYRDOM 37

Severian of Gabala: He says, “division of soul and spirit.” The soul has a special feeling for the body, but the grace of the Holy Spirit draws against the body to the heavenly things. — FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4.12

Symeon the New Theologian: Do you not shudder when you hear God each day saying to you through the whole of the divine Scripture, “Let no evil speech come out of your mouth”? For truly I say to you for any idle word you will give an account, and for every cup of cold water you will receive a reward. Have you not heard that God is the judge of the “thoughts and intentions of the heart”? What does it say? “He who looks at a woman with desire has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Do you not see how he who looks with desire upon someone is considered an adulterer? Know then, surely, that those who strongly desire wealth are considered greedy, even if they have acquired nothing at all. Those who strive for many costly foods are gluttons, even if because of poverty they survive on only bread and water. They are sexually immoral who imagine many defiling encounters, even if they never look at another person. So too is it with those who say in their heart, “This has gone badly and become unreasonable” and “Why has this happened?” or “Why has that not happened?” Let them not be deceived, they are slanderers and will be judged as those who condemn, even though not a word comes out of their mouths nor does anyone hear them. — DISCOURSE 3.6

Theodoret of Cyrus: He used the phrase “laid bare to the eyes of him” as a metaphor from sacrificed beasts, which lie completely mute, the slaughter doing away with their life, and along with their life their cries. In similar manner, he is saying, when we also are judged, we behold everything done by us in ungodly or lawless fashion, whereas we receive the sentence of punishment in silence, realizing as we do its justice. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:13

John Chrysostom: And why speak I of men? he says. For even if thou speak of Angels, of Archangels, of the Cherubim, of the Seraphim, even of any “creature” whatsoever: all things are laid open to that Eye, all things are clear and manifest; there is nothing able to escape it; “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him, with whom we have to do.”

But what is “opened”? It is a metaphor from the skins which are drawn off from the victims. For as in that case, when a man has killed them, and has drawn aside the skin from the flesh, he lays open all the inward parts, and makes them manifest to our eyes; so also do all things lie open before God. And observe, I pray thee, how he constantly needs bodily images; which arose from the weakness of the hearers. For that they were weak, he made plain, when he said that they were “dull,” and “had need of milk, not of strong meat.” “All things are naked,” he says, “and opened unto the eyes of Him, with whom we have to do.” (c. v. 11, v. 12.)

Next he discourses of the Son, “with whom we have to do,” he says. What is “with whom we have to do”? To Him (he would say) we have to render account for the things we have done? Even so. How then must we act that we fall not, nor be faint-hearted? — Homily on Hebrews 7

Oecumenius: “And no creature is hidden from his sight.” But what do I say about men, he says? Nor can any other creature hide or be concealed from that watchful eye, whether you speak of angels, or Cherubim, or Seraphim. “but all are naked.” Nothing can be hidden from the inspecting power of Christ. All things are bare before Him, and no covering or character can allow anyone to conceal themselves from those eyes. “exposed to the eyes.” To make it clearer how all things are naked and visible before the Word of God, He used a metaphor from the flayed sheep. For just as those sheep, having been flayed, that is, having had the knife taken to their neck and been slaughtered, after the skin is removed, everything inside is exposed; so it is with God, everything is evident. Or, flayed, He says naked, by metaphor from the sheep hung by the neck and stripped of their skin. Or, the term flayed, instead of those bowing down and stooping necks, because they cannot look upon the glory of that judge and God, our Jesus Christ. But you accept the first. “to whom we must give account.” To Him, he says, we must give an account of our actions, and we must respond to Him, to whom we also have the word [ὁ λόγος]. Do you see where the matter concluded? For in order that, having heard, you should not think that the same punishment is for us and for the Israelites on the same pattern of disobedience, he shows through these things that ours are much more terrible. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Tertullian: “Thine arrows,” he says, “are sharp,” -God’s everywhere-flying precepts (arrows) threatening the exposure of every heart, and carrying compunction and transfixion to each conscience: “peoples shall fall beneath thee,” -of course, in adoration. — An Answer to the Jews

Hebrews 4:14

Clement of Alexandria: The greatest possible likeness to the Logos, the hope of being established fully as adopted sons of the Father—this is our goal, a sonship that constantly glorifies the Father through “the great high priest” who deigned to call us “brothers” and “fellow heirs.” — The Stromata Book 2

Cosmas Indicopleustes: Having therefore a great high priest who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession —the expression who hath passed through the heavens, that is heaven, according to the idiom of the language, means that He is within the two heavens, as in a Tabernacle not made with hands. — The Christian Topography, Book 7

John Chrysostom: These things indeed (he would say) are sufficient to instruct us. But we have also “a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.” Because he added it, for this reason he went on, “For we have not an High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Therefore he said above, “In that He hath suffered Himself being tempted, He is able to succor them which are tempted.” See then how here also he does the same. And what he says is to this effect: He went (he says) the road which we also are going now, or rather even a more rugged one. For He had experience of all human sufferings.

He had said above “There is no creature that is not manifest in His sight,” intimating His Godhead; then, since he had touched on the flesh, he again discourses more condescendingly, saying (ver. 14), “Having then a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens”: and shows that His care is greater and that He protects them as His own, and would not have them fall away. For Moses indeed (he says) did not enter into the rest, while He Christ did enter in. And it is wonderful how he has nowhere stated the same, lest they might seem to find an excuse; he however implied it, but that he might not appear to bring an accusation against the man, he did not say it openly. For if, when none of these things had been said, they yet brought forward these charges, saying, This man hath spoken against Moses and against the law (see Acts xxi. 21, Acts xxi. 28); much more, if he had said, It is not Palestine but Heaven, would they have said stronger things than these.

But he attributes not all to the Priest, but requires also what is to come from us, I mean our profession. For “having,” he says, “a great High Priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession” or “confession”. What sort of profession does he mean? That there is a Resurrection, that there is a retribution: that there are good things innumerable; that Christ is God, that the Faith is right. These things let us profess, these things let us hold fast. For that they are true, is manifest from the fact, that the High Priest is within. We have not failed of our hopes, let us confess; although the realities are not present, yet let us confess: if already they were present they were but a lie. So that this also is true, that our good things are deferred. For our High Priest also is Great. — Homily on Hebrews 7

Methodius of Olympus: For I also, taking my journey, and going forth from the Egypt of this life, came first to the resurrection, which is the true Feast of the Tabernacles, and there having set up my tabernacle, adorned with the fruits of virtue, on the first day of the resurrection, which is the day of judgment, celebrate with Christ the millennium of rest, which is called the seventh day, even the true Sabbath. Then again from thence I, a follower of Jesus, “who hath entered into the heavens” — Methodius Discourse IX. Tusiane

Oecumenius: Therefore, let us not be subjected to those tremendous punishments, since we have a great high priest, let us hold fast our profession, that is, let us not abandon the faith which is in Him, but let us firmly hold it within ourselves. What is it, then? Who has passed through the heavens? He is not, he says, like Moses who could not enter the land of promise, nor did he introduce the people, but Christ has also passed through the heavens and sits on the throne of the Father; therefore, He can also introduce us. He calls Himself a priest because He offered Himself as a victim to God the Father. For it is proper for a priest to offer sacrifices for the people. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Origen of Alexandria: I think that the saints, as they depart from this life, will remain in some place situated on the earth that the divine scripture calls “paradise.” This will be a place of instruction and, so to speak, a lecture room or school for souls, in which they may be taught about all that they had seen on earth. They may also receive some indications of what is to follow in the future, just as … in this life they had obtained certain indications of the future, seen indeed “through a glass darkly” and truly “in part,” which are revealed more clearly and brightly to the saints in their proper times and places. If any are “pure in heart” and of unpolluted mind and well-trained understanding, they will make swifter progress and quickly ascend to the region of the air until they reach the kingdom of the heavens, passing through the series of those “rooms,” if I may so call them, which the Greeks have termed spheres, that is, globes, but which the divine Scripture calls heavens. In each of these they will first observe all that happens there and then learn the reason why it happens; and thus they will proceed in order through each stage, following him who has “passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,” and who has said, “I desire that they also may be with me where I am.” Further, he alludes to this diversity of places when he says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms.” He himself, however, is everywhere and runs through all things. And we are no longer to think of him as being confined within those narrow limits in which he once lived for our sakes, that is, in that circumscribed condition which was his when he dwelt on earth among humans in a body like ours, so that it was then possible to think of him as being enclosed in some one place. — ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.11.6

Origen of Alexandria: You will ascertain a right understanding of this Scripture and others if in Christ you are fond of learning and you rise above learning “through a mirror” and “in an enigma,” desiring to rush to him who calls. And you will approach knowing “face to face,” as friends of your Father and teacher in heaven. For friends learn not through enigmas but by what is seen or by wisdom stripped of sounds, speech, symbols and types, attending to the nature of things perceived and the beauty of truth. If you believe that Paul was caught up to the third heaven and was caught up in paradise and heard what cannot be expressed, which no one may utter, you will then know the unexpressed things which were revealed to Paul when he descended from the third heaven. At once you will know more and greater things, after the revealing and descent, if you take up the cross and follow after Jesus, in whom we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens. And you yourselves will pass through the heavens if you do not fail to follow him, rising above not only the earth and the mysteries of earth, but also heaven and its mysteries. For in God there are many greater things treasured up than these visions, which no bodily nature can attain unless it first is set free from all that is corporeal. For I am persuaded that God has stored up and keeps for himself many greater things than these, which the sun and moon and company of stars and even the holy angels know of, which God made by wind and flame of fire. He has done this so that he may reveal them, when all creation is set free from slavery to the enemy and obtains the glorious freedom of the children of God. — EXHORTATION TO MARTYRDOM 13

Theodoret of Cyrus: In what has been commented on before, he made the comparison of the different kinds of rest and brought out that the rest promised to us is better than that pledged to Jews: to them he pledged the land of promise, whereas to us heaven. Here on the other hand he now develops the contrast of high priesthood and brings out that the high priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek is far better and greater than the levitical kind. Adopting once again exhortatory mode, he makes the comparison lest he seem to those still embracing the way of life according to the law to be hostile to the law and not rather defending the truth.… The apostolic verses also teach us this: they present him as having passed through the heavens, whereas the divinity of Christ the Lord has an uncircumscribed nature, is present everywhere and is near to everyone. The Lord himself also taught us this, “No one has ascended to heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of man, who is in heaven.” Though being here below and conversing with human beings, he claimed also to be on high. It is therefore necessary for us to realize that some names are appropriate to the divinity, some to the incarnation. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:15

Hippolytus of Rome: So let us in the future believe, blessed brethren, in accordance with the tradition of the apostles, that God the Word came down from the heaven into the holy virgin Mary.… Once he had taken flesh out of her and taken a soul of the human kind—a rational one, I mean—and had become everything that a human is, sin excepted, he might save fallen Adam and procure incorruption for such as believe in his name. — AGAINST NOETUS 17.2

John Chrysostom: “For we have not an High Priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” He is not (he means) ignorant of what concerns us, as many of the High Priests, who know not those in tribulations, nor that there is tribulation at any time. For in the case of men it is impossible that one should know the affliction of the afflicted who has not had experience, and gone through the actual sensations. Our High Priest endured all things. Therefore He endured first and then ascended, that He might be able to sympathize with us.

But was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Observe how both above he has used the word “in like manner,” and here “after the likeness.” (c. ii. 14.) That is, He was persecuted, was spit upon, was accused, was mocked at, was falsely informed against, was driven out, at last was crucified.

“After our likeness, without sin.” In these words another thing also is suggested, that it is possible even for one in afflictions to go through them without sin. So that when he says also “in the likeness of flesh” (Rom. viii. 3), he means not that He took on Him merely “the likeness of flesh,” but “flesh.” Why then did he say “in the likeness”? Because he was speaking about “sinful flesh”: for it was “like” our flesh, since in nature it was the same with us, but in sin no longer the same. — Homily on Hebrews 7

Leo the Great: By the saving cooperation of the indivisible divinity, whatever the Father, whatever the Son, whatever the Holy Spirit accomplishes in a particular way is the plan of our redemption. It is the order of our salvation. For if human beings, made in the image and likeness of God, had remained in the honor of their own nature and, undeceived by the devil’s lies, had not deviated from the law placed over them for their lusts, the Creator of the world would not have become a creature. The eternal would not have undergone temporality, and God the Son, equal to God the Father, would not have assumed the “form of a servant” and the “likeness of sinful flesh.“19Since, however, “through the devil’s envy death entered the world” and because captive humanity could only be freed in one way, namely, if that one would undertake our cause who, without the loss of his majesty, would become true man, and who alone had no contagion of sin, the mercy of the Trinity divided for itself the work of our restoration so that the Father was appeased, the Son was the appeaser, and the Holy Spirit enkindled the process. It was right that those to be saved should do something for themselves, and, when their hearts were turned to the Redeemer, that they should cut themselves off from the domination of the enemy. In regard to this, the apostle says, “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ " “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” — SERMON 77

Leo the Great: What has been instilled in our hearts, if not that we should be “renewed” through them all “after the image” of that one who, remaining “in the form of God,” condescended to become “the form of sinful flesh”? He assumed all those weaknesses of ours that come as a result of sin, though “without” any part in “sin.” Consequently, he lacked none of the afflictions due to hunger and thirst, sleep and weariness, sadness and tears. He endured grievous sorrows even to the point of death. No one could be released from the fetters of mortality unless he, in whom alone the nature of all people was innocent, should allow himself to be killed by the hands of wicked persons.Our Savior, the Son of God, gave both a mystery and an example to all who believe in him, so that they might attain to the one by being reborn and arrive at the other by imitation. Blessed Peter the apostle teaches this, saying, “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” — SERMON 63

Oecumenius: “For we do not have a high priest.” Let us therefore hold fast our profession and faith in Him: For we do not have a high priest who cannot have compassion with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows, he says, that because of many afflictions you are weak and feeble: therefore He can sympathize with us. For He was tempted and afflicted in all things just as we are. He suffered persecution and was mocked and spat upon, and finally was even crucified. Yet He, having suffered these things, did not sin. By saying this, He signifies that they have fallen into sin because of afflictions, in that they have been overly weakened and frail. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Oecumenius: He proves in two ways that He has compassion with the feeling of our infirmities. In one way, because he is great and powerful, as the Son of God and God; in another way, because he himself, as a man, suffered and has experience of afflictions, and of the weakness that follows the flesh. And because of both of these, he will certainly be sympathetic to our weaknesses. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Oecumenius: “yet without sin.” Because he did not sin, he suffered, saying that he was enduring this punishment. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Photios I of Constantinople: From both ways he establishes that “he will sympathize with our weaknesses”: first, because he is great and mighty, being the Son of God and very God himself, and, second, because he also as very man suffered and endured the testing of afflictions and the weakness of the flesh. For both these reasons he is in every respect made a partaker of our weaknesses. — FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4.15

Symeon the New Theologian: Almost everyone views those who are weak and poor as disgusting. An earthly king does not put up with seeing them, rulers turn away, wealthy people disregard them as not worthy of their notice, and when they encounter them they pass by them as if they did not exist. No one thinks it is a blessing to live among them. But God, who is served by innumerable millions of powers, who “upholds the universe by his word of power,” whose magnificence no one is able to endure, this God did not shun becoming father and friend and brother of these outcasts. Rather, in fact, he wanted to become incarnate, so that he might be identified as like us in every way, apart from sin, and might make us sharers in his glory and kingdom. O the depths of the wealth of his great goodness! O the depths of the unspeakable lowering of himself by our Master and God! — DISCOURSE 2.4

Tertullian: For to the Son of God alone was it reserved to persevere to the last without sin. But what if a bishop, if a deacon, if a widow, if a virgin, if a doctor, if even a martyr, have fallen from the rule (of faith), will heresies on that account appear to possess the truth? Do we prove the faith by the persons, or the persons by the faith? No one is wise, no one is faithful, no one excels in dignity, but the Christian; and no one is a Christian but he who perseveres even to the end. — The Prescription Against Heretics

Theodoret of Cyrus: It was the nature assumed from us for our sake that experienced our passions without sinning, not the one who took our nature for our salvation. And in the beginning of this section Paul teaches us by saying, “Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, faithful to him who made him.” … No one of orthodox conviction would call a creature the uncreated and unmade, God the Word, coeternal with the Father. Rather the one from the seed of David, who existed free from all sin, became our high priest and sacrifice by offering himself to God for us, having the Word … united to himself and joined inseparably. — IN CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA’S LETTER TO EUOPTIUS, ANATHEMA 10

Theodoret of Cyrus: The believers at that time were subjected to constant billowing by trials; so he consoles them by bringing out that our high priest not only knows as God the weakness of our nature but also as man had experience of our sufferings, remaining unfamiliar with sin alone. Understanding this weakness of ours, he is saying, he both extends us appropriate help and when judging us he will take our weakness into account in delivering sentence. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:16

Ephrem the Syrian: Let us imitate him so that we may be “without sin” like him, so that “we may approach with confidence the throne of his grace” in the hour of retribution. “Let us obtain his mercy,” for instance, through prayers, so that he may be with us in the hour of our fight with the devil. — COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 4

John Chrysostom: “Let us come then boldly with confidence unto the throne of His grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

What “throne of grace” is he speaking of? that royal throne concerning which it is said, “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand.” (Ps. cx. 1.)

What is “let us come boldly”? Because “we have a sinless High Priest” contending with the world. For, saith He, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John xvi. 33.); for, this is to suffer all things, and yet to be pure from sins. Although we (he means) are under sin, yet He is sinless.

How is it that we should “approach boldly”? Because now it is a throne of Grace, not a throne of Judgment. Therefore boldly, “that we may obtain mercy,” even such as we are seeking. For the affair is one of munificence, a royal largess.

“And may find grace to help in time of need [for help in due season].” He well said, “for help in time of need.” If thou approach now (he means) thou wilt receive both grace and mercy, for thou approachest “in due season”; but if thou approach then, no longer wilt thou receive it. For then the approach is unseasonable, for it is not “then a throne of Grace.” Till that time He sitteth granting pardon, but when the end is come, then He riseth up to judgment. For it is said, “Arise, O God, judge the earth.” (Ps. lxxxii. 8.) (“Let us come boldly,” or he says again having no “evil conscience,” that is, not being in doubt, for such an one cannot “come with boldness.”) On this account it is said, “I have heard thee in an accepted time and in a day of salvation have I succored thee.” (2 Cor. vi. 2.) Since even now for those to find repentance who sin after baptism is of grace.

But lest when thou hearest of an High Priest, thou shouldst think that He standeth, he forthwith leads to the throne. But a Priest doth not sit, but stands. Seest thou that for Him to be made High Priest, is not of nature, but of grace and condescension, and humiliation?

This is it seasonable for us also now to say, “Let us draw near” asking “boldly”: let us only bring Faith and He gives all things. Now is the time of the gift; let no man despair of himself. Then will be the time of despairing, when the bride-chamber is shut, when the King is come in to see the guests, when they who shall be accounted worthy thereof, shall have received as their portion the Patriarch’s bosom: but now it is not as yet so. For still are the spectators assembled, still is the contest, still is the prize in suspense. — Homily on Hebrews 7

Oecumenius: “Let us therefore come with confidence.” Let us approach, He says, to the throne of His Father, in which He sits. With confidence, or not hesitating in faith, or because He has overcome the world. Therefore, it is evident that He will also conquer those who now afflict us. Or because the throne is not now a throne of judgment, but of grace: therefore, approach even if you are a sinner. “to the throne of grace.” The throne of grace refers to the royal throne, of which David says: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand.’” (Ps. 110:1)For the throne is now the throne of grace, not of judgment. Therefore, with confidence, he says. “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” He rightly says: to help in time. If now, he says, you approach, you will receive grace and mercy; for you approach at the right time; but if you approach then, it will not be so, for it will be an untimely approach. For where there will be completion, then there will arise for judgment. “to help in time.” For whoever now approaches receives mercy and grace, because the approach and request for help is timely and appropriate: just as in judgment, the approach for help is demanding. For then it will not provide help out of grace as it does now, but judgment. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews

Theodoret of Cyrus: As God, Christ the Lord has kingship by nature, an eternal throne: “Your throne, O God, is forever,” Scripture says, remember. But as man, high priest and apostle of our confession he hears the words “Sit at my right hand”; it is to this the divine apostle referred by “throne of grace.” In my view he hints also at the lovingkindness he will employ in judging, adding the comment, “so as to receive mercy and find grace by way of timely assistance”: making our approach in the present life and giving evidence of unalloyed and sincere faith, we shall on the day of judgment attain lovingkindness. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 4