信的人得享安息

因此,上帝既然仍舊應許讓人進入祂的安息,我們就該戰戰兢兢,免得有人失去這福分。 因為我們和他們一樣聽到了福音,只是他們聽了道後沒有憑信心領受,結果沒有得到益處。 正如上帝曾說:

「我在憤怒中起誓說,
『他們絕不可進入我的安息。』」

但我們這些已經信的人能夠進入祂的安息。其實造物之工自創世以來就已經完成了, 因為聖經論到第七日時說:「第七日,上帝歇了一切的工。」 又說:「他們絕不可進入我的安息。」 既然最終會有人進入安息,而那些從前聽過福音的人因為不信沒能進去, 上帝就另定了一個日子,稱之為「今日」。正如多年後,祂藉著大衛說:

「你們今日若聽見祂的聲音,
不可心裡頑固。」

如果當初約書亞已經讓他們得到了安息,上帝就不必另定一個日子了。 這樣說來,必定另有一個安息日為上帝的子民存留,使他們可以真正安歇。 10 因為人進入上帝的安息,就是歇了自己的工作,好像上帝歇了祂的工作一樣。 11 因此,我們要竭力進入那安息,免得重蹈他們的覆轍,因不順服而倒斃。

12 上帝的話有生命、有功效,鋒利無比,勝過一切兩刃的利劍,甚至能夠剌入並分開魂與靈、關節與骨髓,辨明人一切的思想和動機。 13 受造物在上帝面前都無法隱藏,因為萬物都是赤裸裸地暴露在上帝眼前,我們必須向祂交帳。

大祭司耶穌

14 我們既然有一位已經升上高天的尊貴大祭司——上帝的兒子耶穌,就應當持守我們所認定的信仰。 15 因為我們這位大祭司並非不能體恤我們的軟弱,祂與我們一樣曾經面對各樣的試探,卻從來沒有犯罪。 16 所以,讓我們坦然無懼地到祂賜恩的寶座前,好領受憐憫和恩典,作隨時的幫助。

信的人可以进入安息

所以,那进入安息的应许,既然还给我们留着,我们就应该战战兢兢,恐怕我们中间有人像是被淘汰了。 因为有福音传给我们,像传给他们一样,只是他们所听见的道,对他们没有益处,因为他们没有用信心与所听见的打成一片(“没有用信心与所听见的打成一片”,有古卷作“没有用信心与听从这道的人打成一片”)。 然而我们信了的人,就可以进入那安息。正如 神所说:

“我在烈怒中起誓说,

他们绝不可进入我的安息!”

其实 神的工作,从创立世界以来已经完成了。 因为论到第七日,他在圣经某一处说:“在第七日 神歇了他的一切工作。” 但在这里又说:“他们绝不可进入我的安息。” 既然这安息还留着要让一些人进去,但那些以前听过福音的人,因为不顺从不得进去; 所以 神就再定一个日子,就是过了很久以后,借着大卫所说的“今天”,就像前面引用过的:

“如果你们今天听从他的声音,

就不要硬着心。”

如果约书亚已经使他们享受了安息, 神后来就不会再提到别的日子了。 这样看来,为了 神的子民,必定另外有一个“安息日”的安息保留下来。 10 因为那进入 神安息的人,就歇了自己的工作,好象 神歇了自己的工作一样。 11 所以,我们要竭力进入那安息,免得有人随着那不顺从的样子就跌倒了。 12 因为 神的道是活的,是有效的,比一切两刃的剑更锋利,甚至可以刺入剖开魂与灵,关节与骨髓,并且能够辨明心中的思想和意念。 13 被造的在 神面前没有一样不是显明的,万有在他的眼前都是赤露敞开的;我们必须向他交帐。

我们的大祭司耶稣

14 我们既然有一位伟大的、经过了众天的大祭司,就是 神的儿子耶稣,就应该坚持所宣认的信仰。 15 因为我们的大祭司并不是不能同情我们的软弱,他像我们一样,也曾在各方面受过试探,只是他没有犯罪。 16 所以,我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前,为的是要领受怜悯,得到恩惠,作为及时的帮助。

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.(A) For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a](B) Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[b](C)

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[c](D) And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”(E)

Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,(F) God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts.”[d](G)

For if Joshua had given them rest,(H) God would not have spoken(I) later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e](J) just as God did from his.(K) 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.(L)

12 For the word of God(M) is alive(N) and active.(O) Sharper than any double-edged sword,(P) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.(Q) 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.(R) Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest(S) who has ascended into heaven,[f](T) Jesus the Son of God,(U) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.(V) 15 For we do not have a high priest(W) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are(X)—yet he did not sin.(Y) 16 Let us then approach(Z) God’s throne of grace with confidence,(AA) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts because those who heard did not combine it with faith
  2. Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
  3. Hebrews 4:4 Gen. 2:2
  4. Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7,8
  5. Hebrews 4:10 Or labor
  6. Hebrews 4:14 Greek has gone through the heavens

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;”(A) 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;”(B) and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.”(C)

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.”(D)

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. 10 For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 11 Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. 12 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. 13 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.

14 Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15 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. 16 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.