Rest in Hebrews 3 & 4

Rest in Hebrews Three and Four

The term rest is used no less than eleven times from Hebrews 3:11-4:11 {Net Bible}.  There are many varied interpretations of this term, and its meaning for Christians today.  It is this author’s contention that the term rest is an corresponding term to inheritance.  The teaching of this passage is that while we as believers will enter into God’s rest, but we must remain obedient so that we may enter into all that God has made available to us.

Two Main Views

As mentioned previously, there are numerous interpretations of the term “rest” in Hebrews three and four.  Only the two most popular will be brought forth here.

The first main view is that “rest” refers to the opportunity for a believer to enter into a life of rest (full of peace and faith) in this life – here and now.  This view would take “rest” to be synonymous with a life being lived “in Christ.”  “The ‘rest’ in this passage must refer to what we would call a faith/life rest, a rest appropriated by faith and enjoyed even in the midst of the conflicts, obstacles, and opposition of life.”( Pentecost, J. Dwight.  Faith That Endures.  Kregel Publications.  Grand Rapids, MI. 1992) p. 83)

The second main view is that “rest” refers to the “blessings that God’s people could anticipate in the next stage of their lives if they followed Him faithfully in the present stage of their lives.” (Constable, Thomas.  Expository Notes on Hebrews.  p. 39)  This view would take rest to be synonymous with a believer’s coming into all the inheritance promised by God through obedience.  While this view is eschatological in focus it is focused on the believer’s obedience in the here and now.

Defense of a View

This author holds to the second view, that “rest” refers a believer’s future inheritance determined by present-day obedience.  There are two main reasons to prefer this interpretation.

First, the view that “rest” refers to a believer’s inheritance is more closely associated to the Old Testament illustration being given in these chapters.  “The writer’s concept of ‘rest’ must not be separated from its Old Testament roots…Moses showed clearly (Deut. 3:18-20, 12:9-11) that for Israel their rest was their inheritance.  In the same way it is natural to suppose that the term ‘rest’ for the writer of Hebrews was a functional equivalent for a Christian’s inheritance” (Hodges, Zane.  The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Hebrews.  Victor Books, 1983 p.788)  The Old Testament illustration is the most convincing argument because it directly contradicts interpreting the passage to refer to a believer’s life of peace.  “This passage is not talking about living a peaceful life here and now.  That is not the rest in view.  This should be clear from the context.  Throughout this epistle the writer used the terms ‘rest’ and ‘inheritance’ as the Old Testament used them when speaking of what Israelites in the wilderness anticipated.” (Constable, p. 39)

Second, the view that “rest” refers to a believer’s inheritance is more consistent with the author of Hebrews contention that not only have believers entered that rest {4:3}, but that they “must make every effort to enter that rest” {4:11).  “The writer assumes for himself and for his readers that some kind of rest is attainable.” (Guthrie, Donald.  Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Hebrews. Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester, England. 1983.  p. 113)  A believer’s obedience here and now determines the amount of “rest” (inheritance) to which he attains.  The writer of Hebrews was concerned that “they [the recipients of the letter] might fail to enter their rest in the sense of losing part of their inheritance if they apostatized.  Losing part of one’s inheritance means losing the privilege of reigning with Christ in a position of responsibility.” (Constable, p. 38)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Constable, Thomas.  Expository Notes on Hebrews.

Guthrie, Donald.  Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Hebrews. (Inter-Varsity Press,

Leicester, England. 1983).

Hodges, Zane.  The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Hebrews.  (Victor Books, 1983)

Pentecost, J. Dwight.  Faith That Endures.  (Kregel Publications.  Grand Rapids, MI. 1992)