Hebrews 4:14–16

Context

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews is not identified. It was traditionally attributed to Paul, but many scholars today hold that Paul did not write it. It is generally understood to have been addressed to Christians who, amid persecution and discouragement, were tempted to return to the old Jewish sacrificial system.

This passage stands at the junction of two sections. The preceding section (3:7–4:13) deals with "rest" and closes with a warning that all things are laid bare before the word of God (4:12–13). This passage follows immediately with a word of comfort, and the long section after it (4:14–10:18) develops Jesus' high priesthood in full.

• "Passed into the heavens": The Greek literally reads "having passed through the heavens." The phrase recalls the Old Testament high priest's entry into the Most Holy Place once a year.
• "Touched with the feeling": The expression conveys understanding another's situation by experiencing it oneself. Among Korean translations, the older Korean Revised Version uses a term with this sense, while the New Korean Revised Version renders it "to sympathize."

The expressions "boldness" and "hold fast" reappear in 10:19–23. For this reason, the two passages are sometimes read as a matching pair that frames the high-priestly section at its beginning and end.

Interpretation

• Christological reading: Verse 15 states that Jesus, as a true human being, actually experienced temptation, yet was without sin. The verse is therefore frequently cited as a biblical basis for the confession, formulated by the Council of Chalcedon, that Christ is "truly God and truly man" (see Christology).
• Reformation reading: Protestants, including Lutheran and Reformed churches, read this passage as grounds for affirming that Christ is the sole mediator, the one who joins God and humanity. They also connect it with the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, which holds that believers may approach God directly without other human intermediaries. The Catholic Church likewise affirms Christ's unique high priesthood but differs from Protestants in understanding the ministerial priesthood as a participation in that high priesthood.
• Devotional and spiritual reading: The "throne of grace" recalls the mercy seat (the cover of the ark of the covenant) in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle. It is accordingly interpreted as a place where one receives mercy rather than condemnation. Many churches, including those of the Pentecostal and charismatic traditions, emphasize this passage as a basis for bold and confident prayer.

Debates and Issues

• Could Jesus have sinned?: Traditionally, many theologians have held that although Christ was tempted, he could not sin (the doctrine of impeccability). Others maintain that for the temptation to be genuine, the possibility of sin must have existed. Both positions agree that he was "without sin."
• "Hold fast" and the warnings against apostasy: Hebrews contains several warnings against falling away from the faith (apostasy). The Calvinist tradition reads these warnings as a means by which the perseverance of the saints (the doctrine that true believers will keep the faith to the end) is accomplished. The Arminian and Wesleyan traditions tend to read them as warnings that a believer can in fact fall away from the faith.

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean churches, the expression "coming before the throne of grace" is often used in sermons on prayer. It is also a common set phrase in the representative prayer offered on behalf of the congregation during worship.

Related Passages

• Hebrews 2:17–18
• Hebrews 5:7–9
• Hebrews 10:19–23
• 1 Timothy 2:5–6