Matthew Henry Commentary Hebrews 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hebrews 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hebrews 4
"Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he hath said somewhere of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works; and in this [place] again, They shall not enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts. For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his." — Hebrews 4:1-10 (ASV)
The privileges we have under the gospel, are greater than any had under the law of Moses, though the same gospel in substance was preached under both Testaments. There have been in all ages many unprofitable hearers; and unbelief is at the root of all unfruitfulness under the word. Faith in the hearer is the life of the word. But it is a painful consequence of partial neglect, and of a loose and wavering profession, that they often cause people to seem to come short.
Let us then be diligent, that we may have a clear entrance into the kingdom of God. As God finished his work, and then rested from it, so he will cause those who believe, to finish their work, and then to enjoy their rest. It is evident, that there is a more spiritual and excellent sabbath remaining for the people of God, than that of the seventh day, or that into which Joshua led the Jews. This rest is a rest of grace, and comfort, and holiness, in the gospel state.
And a rest in glory, where the people of God will enjoy the end of their faith, and the object of all their desires. The rest, or sabbatism, which is the subject of the apostle's reasoning, and about which he concludes that it remains to be enjoyed, is undoubtedly the heavenly rest, which remains to the people of God, and is opposed to a state of labour and trouble in this world. It is the rest they will obtain when the Lord Jesus will appear from heaven.
But those who do not believe, will never enter into this spiritual rest, either of grace here or glory hereafter. God has always declared humanity's rest to be in him, and his love to be the only real happiness of the soul; and faith in his promises, through his Son, to be the only way of entering that rest.
"Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help [us] in time of need." — Hebrews 4:11-16 (ASV)
Observe the proposed end: spiritual and eternal rest; the rest of grace here, and glory hereafter; in Christ on earth, with Christ in heaven. After due and diligent labor, sweet and satisfying rest will follow; and labor now will make that rest more pleasant when it comes. Let us labor, and encourage each other to be diligent in duty. The Holy Scriptures are the word of God.
When God applies it to the heart through His Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It makes a soul that has long been proud become humble, and a perverse spirit become meek and obedient. Sinful habits that have, so to speak, become natural to the soul and are deeply rooted in it, are separated and cut off by this sword. It will reveal to people their thoughts and purposes, the vileness of many of them, the bad principles that motivate them, and the sinful ends for which they act.
The word will show the sinner all that is in his heart. Let us hold fast the doctrines of Christian faith in our heads, its enlivening principles in our hearts, the open profession of it in our lips, and be subject to it in our lives.
Christ executed one part of His priesthood on earth in dying for us; the other He executes in heaven, pleading the cause and presenting the offerings of His people. In the sight of Infinite Wisdom, it was necessary that the Savior of humanity should be one who has the sympathy that no being except a fellow creature could possibly have. Therefore, it was necessary that He should have actual experience of all the effects of sin that could be separated from its actual guilt.
God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3); but the more holy and pure He was, the more He must have been unwilling in His nature to sin and must have had a deeper impression of its evil. Consequently, the more He must have been concerned to deliver His people from its guilt and power.
We should encourage ourselves by the excellence of our High Priest to come boldly to the throne of grace. Mercy and grace are the things we need: mercy to pardon all our sins, and grace to purify our souls.
Besides our daily dependence upon God for present supplies, there are seasons for which we should make provision in our prayers: times of temptation, whether through adversity or prosperity, and especially the time of our death. We are to come with reverence and godly fear, yet not as if dragged to the seat of justice, but as kindly invited to the mercy-seat, where grace reigns. We have boldness to enter into the holiest only by the blood of Jesus; He is our Advocate and has purchased all that our souls need or can desire.
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