Hebrews 4:9

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

There remaineth {G620} therefore {G686} a rest {G4520} to the people {G2992} of God {G2316}.

So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God’s people.

There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.

Commentary

Hebrews 4:9 KJV states, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." This profound verse serves as a crucial summary and promise within the author's extended argument about God's promised rest.

Context of Hebrews 4:9

The book of Hebrews addresses Jewish Christians, encouraging them to persevere in their faith in Jesus Christ and not revert to Judaism. Chapters 3 and 4 delve deeply into the concept of "rest," drawing parallels from Israel's history. The author recounts how the generation delivered from Egypt failed to enter God's promised land (Canaan) due to their unbelief and disobedience (Hebrews 3:19). This historical failure serves as a solemn warning. The author argues that Joshua's leading Israel into Canaan was not the ultimate "rest" God intended, nor was the weekly Sabbath alone. Therefore, a deeper, spiritual, and ultimate rest still awaits God's true people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Nature of God's Rest: The verse clarifies that the "rest" is not merely physical cessation from labor or a geographical location like Canaan. It points to a spiritual and eternal state of peace and fellowship with God, a fulfillment of the Sabbath principle.
  • A Promise for God's People: The phrase "the people of God" refers to all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. This rest is a certain promise for believers, contrasting with the unbelief that kept the Israelites out of Canaan.
  • Continuity and Fulfillment: This verse connects the Old Testament concept of Sabbath and the Promised Land with a New Testament, eschatological reality. It suggests that God's plan for rest was not fully realized in ancient Israel but finds its ultimate expression in Christ and His kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "rest" in Hebrews 4:9 is sabbatismos (σαββατισμός). This is a unique term in the New Testament, appearing only here. While other verses in Hebrews 3-4 use katapausis (κατάπαυσις) for "rest" (meaning cessation from labor or repose), sabbatismos specifically evokes the idea of a "Sabbath-keeping" or "Sabbath rest." It implies a spiritual fulfillment of the Sabbath, a final, blessed state of peace and communion that God's people will enter. This highlights the profound spiritual significance of the promised rest, going beyond mere physical rest.

Practical Application

Hebrews 4:9 offers immense encouragement and a call to steadfast faith for believers today:

  • Assurance of Hope: It provides a powerful assurance that despite life's trials and tribulations, a certain and glorious rest awaits those who trust in God. This future hope should motivate perseverance.
  • Present Rest in Christ: While the ultimate rest is future, believers can experience a foretaste of this rest even now by finding peace and solace in Christ, as Jesus Himself invited, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
  • Warning Against Unbelief: The preceding verses serve as a sober reminder that unbelief is a serious impediment to entering God's rest. Believers are called to hold fast to their confession and not harden their hearts.
  • Eternal Perspective: This verse points to the ultimate eternal rest promised in the new heaven and new earth, where God will wipe away every tear.

Ultimately, Hebrews 4:9 is a cornerstone verse affirming the certain hope of a spiritual, eternal rest for all who are truly God's people through faith in Jesus Christ.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 2:10 (10 votes)

    Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

  • Revelation 21:4 (8 votes)

    And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

  • Revelation 7:14 (7 votes)

    And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

  • Revelation 7:17 (7 votes)

    For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

  • Isaiah 11:10 (5 votes)

    ¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

  • Hebrews 4:3 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Hebrews 4:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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.