Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Hebrews 4:16

Eastern Fathers

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. …

Homily on Hebrews 7 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since, he says, we have a sinless High Priest Who conquered the world, Who said: "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world" (John 16:33), we ought to approach with boldness, that is, not with a burdensome conscience, without wavering, but with full faith in the High Priest. For even if we have sins, He is sinless. And His throne is a throne of grace, not of judgment; therefore we ought to approach with boldness, in the hope that He will grant us all that we desire. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

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. …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace, he urges us to have confidence in him. As if to say: Since He can have compassion, let us go with confidence: 'Behold, God is my savior; I will deal confidently and will not fear' (Is. 12:2). Let us go, I say, to the throne. The king's seat is called a throne. But Christ is king: 'The king will reign and he will be wise' (Jer. 23:5). But this throne has a twofold state: one, of justice in the future: 'You have sat on the throne, who judge justice' (Ps. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Bonaventure

The Apostle Paul urges those wishing to obtain grace to approach the throne of grace, that is, the glorious Virgin. "Let us approach," he says, "with confidence to the throne of his grace."

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 1 ↗