信的人得享安息

因此,上帝既然仍旧应许让人进入祂的安息,我们就该战战兢兢,免得有人失去这福分。 因为我们和他们一样听到了福音,只是他们听了道后没有凭信心领受,结果没有得到益处。 正如上帝曾说:

“我在愤怒中起誓说,
‘他们绝不可进入我的安息。’”

但我们这些已经信的人能够进入祂的安息。其实造物之工自创世以来就已经完成了, 因为圣经论到第七日时说:“第七日,上帝歇了一切的工。” 又说:“他们绝不可进入我的安息。” 既然最终会有人进入安息,而那些从前听过福音的人因为不信没能进去, 上帝就另定了一个日子,称之为“今日”。正如多年后,祂借着大卫说:

“你们今日若听见祂的声音,
不可心里顽固。”

如果当初约书亚已经让他们得到了安息,上帝就不必另定一个日子了。 这样说来,必定另有一个安息日为上帝的子民存留,使他们可以真正安歇。 10 因为人进入上帝的安息,就是歇了自己的工作,好像上帝歇了祂的工作一样。 11 因此,我们要竭力进入那安息,免得重蹈他们的覆辙,因不顺服而倒毙。

12 上帝的话有生命、有功效,锋利无比,胜过一切两刃的利剑,甚至能够剌入并分开魂与灵、关节与骨髓,辨明人一切的思想和动机。 13 受造物在上帝面前都无法隐藏,因为万物都是赤裸裸地暴露在上帝眼前,我们必须向祂交账。

大祭司耶稣

14 我们既然有一位已经升上高天的尊贵大祭司——上帝的儿子耶稣,就应当持守我们所认定的信仰。 15 因为我们这位大祭司并非不能体恤我们的软弱,祂与我们一样曾经面对各样的试探,却从来没有犯罪。 16 所以,让我们坦然无惧地到祂赐恩的宝座前,好领受怜悯和恩典,作随时的帮助。

The Promise of Rest

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, (A)let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, [a]not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:

(B)“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ”

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: (C)“And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this place: (D)“They shall not enter My rest.”

Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

(E)“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

For if [b]Joshua had (F)given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

The Word Discovers Our Condition

11 (G)Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is (H)living and powerful, and (I)sharper than any (J)two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is (K)a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 (L)And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are (M)naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Our Compassionate High Priest

14 Seeing then that we have a great (N)High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, (O)let us hold fast our confession. 15 For (P)we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but (Q)was in all points tempted as we are, (R)yet without sin. 16 (S)Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:2 NU, M since they were not united by faith with those who heeded it
  2. Hebrews 4:8 Gr. Jesus, same as Heb. Joshua

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing 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.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.