Fathers

Hebrews 4

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard. For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all his works;” and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.” Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience, he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

Hebrews 4:10

Eastern Fathers

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 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He explains in what sense he called such rest "a sabbath." Because, he says, we too rest from our works, just as God, having rested from His works after the creation of the world, called that day the Sabbath. For here there is much toil for the righteous as well, and struggle, and every kind of effort in virtue; but there, there is no care or moral striving, there is immeasurable delight in God. …

Commentary 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 ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Hence, he adds, For whoever enters God's rest also ceases from his works: because just as God worked six days and rested on the seventh, so by the six days the present time is signified, because it is a perfect number. Therefore, one who works perfectly, rests from his works on the seventh day, as God did from His; but not from all works, because there are certain works, for example, to see, to love and to praise: 'And they rested not day and night saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty' (Rev. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗