College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 4:11-13
Exhortation and warnings. Hebrews 4:11-13.
Text
Hebrews 4:11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:12 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 quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 4:11 Since there remaineth such a happy rest to the people of God, let us carefully strive to enter into that rest, by obeying Jesus, lest any of us should fall, after the example of the Israelites, through unbelief.
Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God, the preached Gospel whereby we are now called to enter into God's rest, and are to be judged hereafter, is a living and powerful principle, and more cutting than any two-edged sword, piercing not into the body but into the mind, even to the separating between both soul and spirit; showing which of the passions are animal and which spiritual: and to the separating of the joints also and marrows, laying open the most concealed parts of the animal constitution; and discerner of the devices and purposes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:13 But, not to insist farther on the rule of judgment, consider the omniscience of the Judge himself: there is no creature un-apparent in His sight, for all things, the most secret recesses of the heart, and stripped of every covering, both outwardly and inwardly, before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
Comment
Let its therefore give diligence to enter into that rest
Here is an exhortation to labor:
a.
Exertion of mind and body is a requirement of salvation.
b.
This is a lawful work, in a world where men try other methods.
1.
2 Timothy 2:5: strive lawfully.
2.
John 10:1; Some will be like thieves and robbers.
There is no room for predestination here, but there is an appeal to work.
that no man fall after the same example of disobedience
This does not sound like the position of some who say men are saved, not in spite of apostasy but from apostasy:
a.
A person may make shipwreck of his faith, for God leaves man free to choose.
b.
We are no different from the Israelites.
c.
There are some who put people on probation for church membership, but refuse God the privilege of allowing man to prove his worthiness for eternal life.
The example of disobedience is recorded in Numbers 26:65.
for the Word of God is living
Living is also translated quick:
Some dispute whether the word is referring to Christ or the scripture:
a.
It is not the Old Testament law. See 2 Corinthians 3:7. It was a ministration of death. Romans 4:15: worketh wrath.
b.
The word is probably not the personal word, but the word of the Personthe Gospel.
The Word of God does not beat the air with emptiness:
a.
It leads some to triumph: 2 Corinthians 2:14: But thanks be to God Who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ.
b.
It has the power of binding and loosing. Matthew 18:18 :
1.
Some, it draws to salvation; others, are driven to ruin.
2.
It promises salvation to some, but pronounces vengeance on others.
c.
It has the power of God in it. Romans 1:16.
It is a living Word because it is backed by a living God and a living Christ.
and active
It is also translated powerful:
a.
Romans 1:16the power of God is the Gospel:
1.
A person uses dynamite to move obstacles. The Word is God's means of action.
2.
It is God's way to move man today.
b.
No power or action is equal to it.
God deals with men not by mere influences, but through His Word, whether written or preached.
and sharper than any two-edged sword
The sword is a metaphorical word, military expression used to illustrate the character of the Word:
a.
It is a part of the Christian's armor. Ephesians 6:17.
b.
It goes out of the mouth of the Rider, with which He smites the nations. Revelation 19:15.
Two-edged sword:
a.
It does double duty with one preaching or writing the Word.
b.
This is simply to say that it is tremendously sharp.
and piercing
The meaning is that it examines a man thoroughly:
a.
It searches his thoughts and scrutinizes his will, with all of its desires.
b.
Calvin insists that its character is to he confined to the faithful only, as they alone are thus searched to the quick.
It is piercing for all, Christian and non-Christian:
Titus 1:9: to convict the gainsayers.
Jude 1:15: to convict all that are ungodly.
John 16:8: He will convict the world.
even to the dividing of soul and spirit
Some claim only the Christian has a spirit, hence the word only deals with them.
The Word is for all, and is active toward all:
a.
John 16:8: when the Spirit is come He shall reprove the world of sin.
b.
Romans 1:16: Jew and Gentile.
What is the difference between the soul and spirit? Views differ.
a.
Soul means all the affection; spirit, the intellectual faculty, according to Calvin, He quotes two passages to prove it:
1.
1 Thessalonians 5:23: May your soul, body and spirit be preserved.
2.
Isaiah 26:9: My soul desired Thee in the night; I sought Thee with my spirit.
b.
Soul is life, and spirit is personality, say others:
1.
We do not know whether Paul was speaking of man as he really was or using a current phraseology, says Milligan.
2.
The inner man is emphasized to show how discerning the word is.
c.
Greek words involved:
Bodyphysical.
Soulanimal soul or life.
Spiritimmortal.
of both joints and marrow
Indicating that there is nothing so hard or strong in man that it can be hidden.
With a sword, man is content to pierce the heart, but God's word can delve into the inner man.
a.
A sword can glance off the bone of an enemy, but nothing can resist the power of God's word.
b.
Milligan thinks this is a proverbial saying indicative of the inmost parts of a person.
and quick to discern the thoughts
In the thick darkness of unbelief and hypocrisy is a horrible blindness, but God scatters this away.
Vices hidden under the false appearances of virtue are known by God:
a.
Men may have good reputations, yet harbor evil thoughts, and God knows it.
b.
God is all-wise, so we have no secrets.
and intents of the heart
Some people are evil, but lack the courage to act:
a.
Many embryo Hitlers exist in the world, but they lack his initiative.
Some people have evil intents, but appear to work from good motives:
1.
Romans 16:18: by fair speech deceive.
2.
Galatians 6:12: make fair show in the flesh.
3.
2 Peter 2:13: sporting while they feast.
And there is no creature that is not manifest in His sight
No creature can escape God:
a.
Some have tried:
1.
Adam and Eve hid.
2.
Cain said he wasn-'t his brother's keeper.
3.
Jonah ran away, but he wasn-'t away from God.
b.
Some will try again, says Revelation 6:16, when they want rocks and mountains to hide them from God's wrath.
God knows us as we really are.
Manifest in His sight means to be made known:
a.
Evil is manifested. Galatians 5:19: Works of the flesh are manifest.
b.
Good is manifested. 1 Timothy 5:25: The good words of some are manifest. 1 John 3:10: Children of God are manifest.
but all things are naked
There is no covering, camouflaging, or deceit before God.
This may refer to a sacrificial term, says Clarke:
a.
An animal prepared for sacrifice was slain, then cut open so that its intestines were exposed to view.
b.
It was carefully examined for imperfections.
c.
It was divided exactly in two, so that the spinal marrow was cloven down the center.
Adam and Eve were told by the serpent that when they ate of the tree they would be as God. Genesis 3:5 :
a.
Note that when they ate they saw their nakedness.
b.
God has tried to cover man's sin since that time.
laid open before the eyes
It may mean as a criminal has his neck bent back so as to expose the face to full view so that every feature might be seen.
of Him with Whom we have to do
All men must give an account of themselves:
a.
The wicked cannot die and go without judgment.
Hebrews 9:27; Romans 2:6: Render to every man according to his deeds.
b.
Death does not end all; the skeptic cannot get by. We have to face God:
1.
Vengeance is His. Romans 12:19; Nahum 1:2.
2.
Judgment is His. Hebrews 10:27-31.
3.
We must someday confess His Son. Philippians 2:10-11.
Study Questions
613.
What is meant by give diligence?
614.
If man is saved regardless of what he does, would this exhortation to diligence be in order?
615.
Compare the idea of diligence with 2 Timothy 2:15.
616.
Does this eliminate the doctrine of predestination?
617.
Is man saved in spite of his apostasy according to this verse?
618.
Why should Baptists put people on probation if they believe once saved, always saved? Is it consistent?
619.
If they can put people on probation, why not extend God the same right?
620.
What example of disobedience is referred to in Hebrews 4:11? Cf. Numbers 26:65.
621.
Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God as living. Is this a reference to Christ living?
622.
Is the word referred to here an Old Testament word, or the Word of Christ?
623.
What scripture would teach that it is not the Old Testament word? Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:7; Romans 4:15.
624.
If it is not Christ, then how can it be spoken of as living?
625.
Quote a verse that shows that the word makes alive.
626.
How can the Word be spoken of as being active? What other word could be used? Cf. Romans 1:16.
627.
On what does it act?
628.
Explain the significance of the expression, sharper than any two-edged sword.
629.
Who wields this sword? Is it active without people to wield it?
630.
Is it a part of a Christian's armor? Cf. Ephesians 6:17.
631.
Compare Revelation 19:15 for its use as judgment.
632.
What other words could describe the idea of piercing?
633.
How can the word of God be considered piercing? Cf. Titus 1:9; Jude 1:15; John 16:8.
634.
Is the piercing of the spirit limited to the believers only, according to Jude 1:15; John 16:8?
635.
Explain the expression, dividing of soul and spirit.
636.
Are soul and spirit different, or is this just a current phraseology of Paul's day?
637.
Could the word dividing refer to a practice of the altar in dissecting the animals?
638.
How can the word enter joints and marrow?
639.
Is a real sword of man likely to pierce joints and marrow?
640.
If not, what is meant?
641.
How can the Bible discern man's thoughts and intents?
642.
Does man always know his own intents?
643.
Do we know the intent of others?
644.
Do we ever misjudge intents?
645.
Are there embryo Hitlers who lack the initiative to be tyrants?
646.
Do false teachers have evil intents? Cf. Romans 16:18; Galatians 6:2-4; 2 Peter 2:1.
647.
What is meant by no creature that is not manifest in His sight? What is meant by manifest?
648.
Have some tried to escape His sight? Who?
649.
Will they try it again, according to Revelation 6:16?
650.
Does this word, creature, include animals?
651.
What is meant by, all things are naked?
652.
Could this refer to the sacrifice being examined for flaws?
653.
Who felt naked in God's presence because of sin?
654.
Laid open would refer to what?
655.
Who is the person with Whom we have to doGodChrist? Cf. Hebrews 9:24; Romans 2:6; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:27-31.