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 4:12

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

In the next place, lest hearing the words "after the same example," thou shouldest think that the punishment is the same, hear what he adds; "For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and pierceth 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." In these words he shows that He, the Word of God, wrought the former things also, and lives, and has not been quenched. …

Homily on Hebrews 7 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Just as then, he says, it was not war, not the sword that destroyed them, but the word of God—for they fell of their own accord—so it will be with us as well. For the same word that punished them will also punish us: it always lives and has not perished. And in yet another sense he said "living," so that you, upon hearing "word," would not consider it an empty utterance; he says "living," that is, substantial and effective, and upon whatever soul it falls, it inflicts blows. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"For the word of God is living." It gradually shows that Christ alone was the one who acted in what happened concerning the children of Israel. For it is living, he says, and will live forever. But lest they think that those who sin and provoke Christ are only frustrated by the earth as the ancients were, he adds a more terrible deed. …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

He did not come "to bring peace on earth … but a sword," and Scripture calls the Word of God a "two-edged sword" because of the two Testaments.

City of God 20.21 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

For God says, 'I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God.' So when the fear of divine power returns to the perception of the soul, then we blush, then we desire to hide, then being placed in the thoughts of our sins, we are found in the midst of the tree of paradise where we sinned, desiring to hide, and thinking that God does not seek the hidden things. But the searcher of hearts and thoughts, penetrating even to the division of the soul, says, 'Adam, where are you?' ... …

On Paradise 14.68, 70 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then (v. 12) he gives the reason for this advice, and especially in regard to the danger. But this reason is taken on the part of Christ in Whom there are two natures: one is the divine according to which he is the Word of the Father; the other is the human according to which He is the high priest offering Himself on the Cross. First, therefore, he gives the reason based on the divinity; secondly, the reason based on the humanity (v. 14). …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗