The Rest that Remains for the People of God

¹ Therefore let us fear, while there¹ remains a promise of entering into his rest, that none of you appear to fall short of it.

1. *Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“remains”) which is understood as temporal

² ⌞For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us⌟¹, just as those also did, but the message ⌞they heard⌟² did not benefit them, because they³ were not united with those who heard it in faith.

1. Literally “for we are also having had the good news proclaimed”
2. Literally “of hearing”
3. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“united”) which is understood as causal

³ For we who have believed enter into rest,¹ just as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘⌞They will never enter⌟² into my rest.’ ”³ And yet these works have been accomplished from the foundation of the world.

1. Some manuscripts have “that rest”
2. Literally “if they will enter”
3. A quotation from Ps 95:11

⁴ For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,”¹

1. A quotation from Gen 2:2

⁵ and in this passage again, ‘⌞They will never enter⌟¹ into my rest.’ ”²

1. Literally “if they will enter”
2. A quotation from Ps 95:11

⁶ Since therefore it remains for some to enter into it, and the ones to whom the good news was proclaimed previously did not enter because of disobedience,

⁷ again he ordains a certain day, today, speaking by David after so long a time, just as had been said before, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”¹

1. A quotation from Ps 95:7b-8 (see also Heb 3:7–8, 15)

⁸ For if Joshua had caused them to rest, he would not have spoken about another day after these things.

⁹ Consequently a sabbath rest remains for the people of God.

¹⁰ For the one who has entered into his rest has also himself rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.

¹¹ Therefore, let us make every effort to enter into that rest, in order that no one may fall in the same pattern of disobedience.

¹² For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, both joints and marrow, and able to judge the reflections and thoughts of the heart.

¹³ And no creature is hidden in the sight of him, but all things are naked and laid bare to the eyes of him to whom ⌞we must give our account⌟¹.

1. Literally “our account”

Jesus Our Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, because we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but who has been tempted in all things in the same way, without sin.

¹⁶ Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.