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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:3

For we which have believed do enter into rest - That is, it is a certain fact that believers “will” enter into rest. That promise is made to “believers;” and as we have evidence that “we” come under the denomination of believers, it will follow that we have the offer of rest as well as they. That this is so, the apostle proceeds to prove; that is, he proceeds to show from the Old Testament that there was a promise to “believers” that they would enter into rest. Since there was such a promise,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:4

For he spake - Genesis 2:2. “And God did rest.” “At the close of the work of creation he rested. The work was done. “That” was the rest of God. He was happy in the contemplation of his own works; and he instituted that day to be observed as a memorial of “his” resting from his works, and as a “type” of the eternal rest which remained for man.” The idea is this, that the notion of “rest” of some kind runs through all dispensations. It was seen in the finishing of the work of creation; seen in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:5

And in this place again - Psalms 95:11.If they shall enter - That is, they shall not enter; see the notes at Hebrews 3:11. The object of quoting this here seems to be two-fold:To show that even in this Psalm God spoke of “his” rest, and said that they should not enter into it; and, (2)It is connected with Hebrews 4:6, and is designed to show that it was implied that a rest yet remained. “That which deserves to be called “the divine rest” is spoken of in the Scriptures, and as “they” did not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:6

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein - That is, “Since there is a rest spoken of in the Scriptures, implying that it is to be enjoyed by some, and since they to whom it was first promised did not inherit it, it follows that it must still be in reserve.” This is the conclusion which the apostle draws from the argument in the previous verses, and is connected with Hebrews 4:9, where he says that “there remaineth a rest to the people of God” - the point to which the whole... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:7

Again, he limiteth - He designates, or definitely mentions. The word rendered “limiteth” - ὁρίζει horizei - means to “bound,” to set a boundary - as of a field or farm; and then to determine or fix definitely, to designate, appoint. Here it means, that he specifies particularly, or mentions expressly.A certain day - A particular time; he mentions today particularly. That is, in the time of David, he uses the word “today,” as if time was “then” an offer of rest, and as if it were then possible... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:8

For if Jesus - Margin, “That is, Joshua.” The Syriac renders it, “Joshua the son of Nun.” “Jesus” is the Greek mode of writing “Joshua,” and there can be no doubt that Joshua is here intended. The object is to prove that Joshua did” not” give the people of God such a rest as to make it improper to speak of a “rest” after that time. “If Joshua had given them a complete and final rest; if by his conducting them to the promised land all had been done which had been contemplated by the promise,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:9

There remaineth, therefore, a rest - This is the conclusion to which the apostle comes. The meaning is this, that according to the Scriptures there is “now” a promise of rest made to the people of God. It did not pertain merely to those who were called to go to the promised land, nor to those who lived in the time of David, but it is “still” true that the promise of rest pertains to “all” the people of God of every generation. The “reasoning” by which the apostle comes to this conclusion is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:10

For he that is entered into rest - That is, the man who is so happy as to reach heaven, will enjoy a rest similar to what God had when he finished the work of creation. It will be:(1)A cessation from toil; and,(2)It will be a rest similar to that of God - the same kind of enjoyment, the same freedom from care, anxiety, and labor.How happy then are they who have entered into heaven! Their toils are over. Their labors are done. Never again will they know fatigue. Never more will they feel anxious... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:11

Let us therefore labour - Let us earnestly strive. Since there is a rest whose attainment is worth all our efforts; since so many have failed of reaching it by their unbelief, and since there is so much danger that we may fail of it also, let us give all diligence that we may enter into it. Heaven is never obtained but by diligence; and no one enters there who does not earnestly desire it, and who does not make a sincere effort to reach it.Of unbelief - Margin, “disobedience.” The word... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God - The design of this and the following verse is obvious. It is to show that we cannot escape the notice of God; that all insincerity, unbelief, hypocrisy, will be detected by him; and that since our hearts are perfectly open before him, we should be sincere and should not attempt to deceive him. The sense is, that the truth of God is all-penetrating and searching, and that the real thoughts and intents of the heart will be brought to light, and that if there is insincerity... read more

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