08 The Living Word

The second half of Hebrews chapter 4, while primarily focusing on God’s Word, still does so in context of what we saw in the first half, and that is the need to mix the Word with our faith.

1 Connecting Faith and the Word

Hebrews 4:11 

“Therefore” brings us back to what the author had previously shown, that “rest” for the believer means and end to attempting to work to make ourselves pleasing to God:

Hebrews 4:9-10

As seen previously in the chapter, our rest can only come about if God’s Word is mixed with faith:

Hebrews 4:2

• In verse 11 we’re given the exhortation to be diligent to enter that rest.

The reason is based upon what we saw in verse 2 – that we have the free will to either accept or reject the Word.

• The word “diligent” shows that we must be active since faith itself is active.

The author makes the point, that when we aren’t diligent in our faith, we will indeed “fall short” of God’s rest. Just as the Israelites in the Wilderness (Hebrews 4:2).

2 The Living Word

Hebrews 4:12-13

• Here we find one of the great doctrinal statements in Scripture, that the Word of God is alive and powerful.

It’s alive because all Scripture was inspired by God:

2 Timothy 3:16

The Greek word for “living” is the word zōn, which speaks of both having life, and of being life-giving.

The word translated as “powerful” in the NKJV, is somewhat of an incomplete translation. The original Greek used the word energēs, from which comes our word energy. But in Greek it speaks of being “active” and with “penetrating power”.

We see both of those attributes in play, when the apostle Paul spoke of the Word working effectively within us:

1 Thessalonians 2:13

On another occasion, Paul spoke of the power associated with God’s Word:

1 Corinthians 2:4-5

• So, we see by not spending time in God’s Word, we’re not availing ourselves of its power.
• Next the author addressed the sharpness of God’s Word:

Hebrews 4:12b

It recalls, how Paul referred to God’s Word as the “sword of the Spirit”: (Ephesians 6:17).

It speaks of an extremely sharp, double-edged sword, which cuts evenly on both sides.

But what set’s the sword of the Spirit apart, is that it penetrates every aspect of man, not only our flesh, but to divide even between the soul and spirit.

• This affects the trichotomy of man: body, soul (the mind), and spirit (which when given life by God, is able to communicate and interact with Him).
• God uses the sword of the Spirit (His Word), much like a skillful surgeon uses a scalpel.

Verse 13 shows that no one in hidden from the Lord’s sight.

In the original Greek, the word translated as “naked” was used when wrestlers would submit to a choke hold.

• This speaks of how every creature must submit to the Lord who sees all.

3 Our Compassionate High Priest

The chapter concludes with the author further developing the idea of Jesus as High Priest:

Hebrews 4:14-15

He shows the unique character of Jesus as a High Priest which sets Him apart from all other high priests:

• Jesus is the only High Priest ever referred to as “great”.
• Jesus is the only High Priest to have passed through the heavens
• Most of all, only Jesus is both High Priest and Son of God

Because of Christ’s qualifications, the believer should therefore “hold fast” or literally hold firmly onto their faith.

Because the high priest represented the people before God, Jesus being perfectly sinless is the perfect High Priest.

The chapter concludes with a great promise and encouragement:

Hebrews 4:16

The word we have translated as “boldly” is the Greek word parrēsias which is defined as extreme confidence.

Therefore, no matter what the believer is going through, they may approach the throne of God with extreme confidence, all because of their relationship with Christ.

The Lord then provides the necessary measures of mercy and grace for our time of need.

In addition, He has a ready supply for us each day:

Lamentations 3:22-23