1.

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Verse 1
Into his rest. The term rest is now evidently used to denote the spiritual rest of the kingdom of Christ; and the object of the discussion which follows, occupying a considerable portion of this chapter, seems to be to show that the rest promised, on condition of obedience, to the Jews of old, did not refer either to the rest which God is spoken of as having taken on the seventh day of the creation, nor exclusively to the quiet possession of Canaan; but that it included a spiritual rest in heaven. It is to be observed that the apostle's object, in this argument, is, not to prove that there actually is a spiritual rest to come, but that this truth was recognized by the inspired writers of the Old Testament.--Should seem to come short of it; should be found to come short of it.

2.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Verse 2
The gospel; the offer of rest. The word gospel means any message or offer of kindness and favor.--The word preached; the offer made.--Mixed with faith; accompanied by faith.
Hebrews 4:3,Hebrews 4:4. This passage is somewhat obscure. The meaning may perhaps be, that the rest which God promised that his people should share with him, could not have been the rest after the creation, spoken of in the passage quoted in Hebrews 4:4, for his threatening that they should not enter into his rest was made in the time of Moses, although his rest from the work of creation had been long since past, having taken place when the works were finished at the foundation of the world.

3.

For we which have believed do enter into rest, 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.

4.

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.

5.

And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

Verse 5
And in this place again; that is, this is another instance of his speaking of a rest as future, after the sabbatical rest had long been past.

6.

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

7.

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Verse 7
In the parenthesis, Hebrews 4:7-10, the writer shows that the rest spoken of was not merely rest in the land of Canaan, as he had before shown that it was not the sabbatical rest of God.

8.

For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

Verse 8
Jesus; Joshua, who led the children of Israel into the land of Canaan.--Then would he not; that is, the Holy Spirit, speaking in David, as it is expressed above.

9.

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Verse 9
There remaineth therefore, &c. that is, a rest is yet to come.

10.

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Verse 10
The meaning is, that, as God ceased from his works when he entered into his rest, so shall the believer, when the time for his rest shall come, reach the termination of all his labors and sufferings.

11.

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Verse 11
The same example; the example of the ancient Israelites, (Hebrews 3:16-19.)

12.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing 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.

Verse 12
Sharper, &c.; that is, in respect to the terrible energy with which its threatenings will be fulfilled.

13.

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Verse 14
The writer now proceeds to consider Christ under the figure of the High Priest of the new dispensation, as he had proposed at the commencement of the last chapter.

15.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Verse 15
Tempted; tried; exposed to pain and suffering. The phrase in all points is not to be understood to mean that he suffered in every conceivable way in which any man can suffer; but only that, in a general sense, he fully participated in the trials and sufferings of humanity.

16.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.