A Sabbath-Rest for God's People
(Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 16:22-36)
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For 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.
3For 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.
4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7Again, 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.
8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
God's Word is Living and Active
12For 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. 13Neither 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.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14Seeing 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. 15For 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. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
The Sabbath Rest
(Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 16:22–30)
1 Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. 2 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.
3 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.
4 For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all his works;” 5 and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.” 6 Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news was before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,
7 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.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 9 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 us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.
The Living Word
(2 Timothy 3:10–17)
12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and 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 with whom we have to do.
14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us 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 us 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.
The Sabbath Rest
(Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 16:22–30)
1 Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it. a
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said:
“So I swore on oath in My anger,
‘They shall never enter My rest.’ ” b
And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world. 4 For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.” c 5 And again, as He says in the passage above: “They shall never enter My rest.”
6 Since, then, it remains for some to enter His rest, and since those who formerly heard the good news did not enter because of their disobedience, 7 God again designated a certain day as “Today,” when a long time later He spoke through David as was just stated: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” d
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
The Living Word
(2 Timothy 3:10–17)
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. 16 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.
Footnotes:
2 a Literally not having been united in the faith of those who heard
3 b Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
4 c Genesis 2:2
7 d Psalm 95:7–8
A Sabbath-Rest for God's People
(Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 16:22-36)
1We may fear, then, lest a promise being left of entering into His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short, 2for we also are having good news proclaimed, even as they, but the word heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard,
3for we do enter into the rest -- we who did believe, as He said, 'So I sware in My anger, If they shall enter into My rest -- ;' and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world,
4for He spake in a certain place concerning the seventh day thus: 'And God did rest in the seventh day from all His works;' 5and in this place again, 'If they shall enter into My rest -- ;' 6since then, it remaineth for certain to enter into it, and those who did first hear good news entered not in because of unbelief --
7again He doth limit a certain day, 'To-day,' (in David saying, after so long a time,) as it hath been said, 'To-day, if His voice ye may hear, ye may not harden your hearts,'
8for if Joshua had given them rest, He would not concerning another day have spoken after these things; 9there doth remain, then, a sabbatic rest to the people of God, 10for he who did enter into his rest, he also rested from his works, as God from His own. 11May we be diligent, then, to enter into that rest, that no one in the same example of the unbelief may fall,
God's Word is Living and Active
12for the reckoning of God is living, and working, and sharp above every two-edged sword, and piercing unto the dividing asunder both of soul and spirit, of joints also and marrow, and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart; 13and there is not a created thing not manifest before Him, but all things are naked and open to His eyes -- with whom is our reckoning.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14Having, then, a great chief priest passed through the heavens -- Jesus the Son of God -- may we hold fast the profession, 15for we have not a chief priest unable to sympathise with our infirmities, but one tempted in all things in like manner -- apart from sin; 16we may come near, then, with freedom, to the throne of the grace, that we may receive kindness, and find grace -- for seasonable help.
The Favor of God paraphrase
A Promise of Rest for God’s People
¹ So then, 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. ² 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 combine it with faith. ³ 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.’” And yet His works have been finished since the creation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all His works.” ⁵ And again in the passage above He says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
⁶ 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, ⁷ 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.”
⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; ¹⁰ for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His. ¹¹ Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
The Power of God’s Word
¹² For the word of God is alive and active! Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Jesus, Our Great High Priest
¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin! ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Footnotes:
1.“Enter His rest” (verse 1) refers to the spiritual rest found in trusting God, symbolizing both present peace and the ultimate fulfillment in eternal life.
2.“Good news proclaimed” (verse 2) refers to the gospel message that both the ancient Israelites and modern believers receive, but its effect depends on faith.
3.“Joshua” (verse 8) refers to the leader who brought Israel into the Promised Land, but the writer emphasizes that a deeper, spiritual rest remains available through faith in Christ.
4.“Sabbath-rest” (verse 9) symbolizes the ultimate rest believers will experience, a rest from laboring under sin and a promise of eternal life with God.
5.“Double-edged sword” (verse 12) is a metaphor for the penetrating and revealing power of God’s word, which discerns inner thoughts and attitudes.
6.“Empathize with our weaknesses” (verse 15) highlights Jesus’ humanity and His ability to understand our struggles, having faced temptation Himself.
7.“Throne of grace” (verse 16) emphasizes God’s mercy and the privilege believers have in approaching Him confidently, trusting in His grace and forgiveness.
