Page 43 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

TEV "Let us do our best to receive that rest"
NJB "Let us press forward to enter this place of rest"

In English this seems to advocate human performance in attaining God's rest, but the Greek word means
"to be eager," "to make haste" (cf. 2 Thess. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:9).

4:12 "word of God" Verses 12 and 13 form one sentence in Greek. Here Uttly makes an interesting
comment that, “The term word (logos) does not refer personally to Jesus, as it does in John 1:1, but to
God's spoken (cf. 13:7) or written message either through the Old Testament Scriptures or New
Testament revelation. God's self-revelation is described in three ways:
1. It is personified as having a life of its own
2. It is like the penetrating power of a sword
3. It is like an all-knowing judge (cf. v. 13)”
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However, H. E. Dana makes the suggestion based on Egyptian papyri usage that "word" (logos) means
"reckoning" or "calling into account." He asserts this fits the original author's overall argument, that
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there will be a divine reckoning through examination, using the metaphor of a surgeon. Therefore, this
text is not a description of the revealed word of God, but the discerning judgment of God. This is
interesting, but the author of Hebrews used logos often for God's word (cf. 2:2; 4:2; 5:13; 7:28; 13:7)
and also the Greek term for the spoken word, rhēma (cf. 6:5; 11:3).

"soul and spirit" This is not an ontological dichotomy in mankind, but could be a dual relationship to
both this planet and to God. The Hebrew word nephesh is used of both mankind and the animals in
Genesis, while "spirit" (ruah) is used uniquely of mankind. God's word penetrates mankind's inner self.
This is not a proof-text on the nature of mankind as a two-part (dichotomous) or three-part
(trichotomous) being (cf. 1 Thess 5:23). Mankind is primarily represented in the Bible as a unity (cf. Gen.
2:7). For a good summary of the theories of mankind as trichotomous, dichotomous, or a unity, see
Millard J. Erickson's Christian Theology (second edition) pp. 538-557 and Frank Stagg's Polarities of
Man's Existence in Biblical Perspective.

"and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" In Hebrew thought the "heart" represents
the entire person and their inner motivation. God knows true faith and fake faith.

"who has passed through the heavens" This is in the PERFECT TENSE. Jesus has passed through the
heavens (whether there are 3 or 7), He returned to the Father's presence, and the result of His coming
(incarnation) and going (ascension) remains. Therefore, believers can now, through His agency, also pass
through the heavens. In Gnostic thought, the heavens are angelic barriers (aeons), but in the OT they
are
1. The atmosphere where birds fly
2. The windows of heaven where rain comes from
3. The starry heavens of the sun and moon
4. The very presence of God

39 Uttly, (Hebres 4:12-13).
40 Dana H. E., Jewish Christianity, (p. 227).
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