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Hebrews 4:16

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Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 16

come--rather as Greek, "approach," "draw near." boldly--Greek, "with confidence," or "freedom of speech" (Eph 6:19). the throne of grace--God's throne is become to us a throne of grace through the mediation of our High Priest at God's right hand (Heb 8:1; Heb 12:2). Pleading our High Priest Jesus' meritorious death, we shall always find God on a throne of grace. Contrast Job's complaint (Job 23:3-8) and Elihu's " IF," &c. (Job 33:23-28). obtain--rather, "receive." mercy--"Compassion," by its derivation (literally, fellow feeling from community of suffering), corresponds to the character of our High Priest "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb 4:15). find grace--corresponding to "throne of grace." Mercy especially refers to the remission and removal of sins; grace, to the saving bestowal of spiritual gifts [ESTIUS]. Compare "Come unto Me . . . and I will give you rest (the rest received on first believing). Take My yoke on you . . . and ye shall find rest (the continuing rest and peace found in daily submitting to Christ's easy yoke; the former answers to "receive mercy" here; the latter, to "find grace," Mat 11:28-29). in time of need--Greek, "seasonably." Before we are overwhelmed by the temptation; when we most need it, in temptations and persecutions; such as is suitable to the time, persons, and end designed (Psa 104:27). A supply of grace is in store for believers against all exigencies; but they are only supplied with it according as the need arises. Compare "in due time," Rom 5:6. Not, as ALFORD explains, "help in time," that is, to-day, while it is yet open to us; the accepted time (Co2 6:2). help--Compare Heb 2:18, "He is able to succor them that are tempted." Next: Hebrews Chapter 5

Open source ↗
Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 16

The apostle, having in the foregoing chapter set forth the sin and punishment of the ancient Jews, proceeds in this, I. To declare that our privileges by Christ under the gospel exceed the privileges of the Jewish church under Moses, as a reason why we should make a right improvement of them (Heb 4:1-4). II. He assigns the cause why the ancient Hebrews did not profit by their religious privileges (Heb 4:2). Then, II. Confirms the privileges of those who believe, and the misery of those who continue in unbelief (Heb 4:3-10). IV. Concludes with proper and powerful arguments and motives to faith and obedience.

Open source ↗
Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 16

4:16 The verb translated let us come could be translated to indicate ongoing action: let us continually come. • As our compassionate High Priest, Jesus has opened the way for people to enter God’s presence boldly (see 6:19-20; 10:19-23), where we can obtain his mercy and grace to help us when we need it most.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Cross-references

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Ephesians 3:12rank 129

In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.

Hebrews 7:25rank 91

Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 13:6rank 67

So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Ephesians 2:18rank 41

For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

I Peter 2:10rank 39

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Hebrews 7:19rank 20

(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Leviticus 16:2rank 17

And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

Hebrews 9:5rank 11

Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

I Chronicles 28:11rank 6

Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, storehouses, upper rooms, inner rooms, and the room for the mercy seat.

Isaiah 27:11rank 4

When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.

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