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| HEBREWS |
| Explanatory Footnotes |
| 2:17 Like Us in Every Way Hebrews goes further than any other New Testament book in explaining Jesus' human nature. Why was it so important that Jesus share our humanity? Hebrews stresses three reasons: (1) so that, in dying, he could free us from the power of death (verses 14-15); (2) so that, by becoming the final sacrifice for sin, he could reconcile us to God (5:8, 9); and (3) so that, in experiencing temptation, he can better help us with our own temptations (verse 18). 4:9 A Future Rest Although chapter 4 does not define it, "Sabbath rest" seems to represent a time of great peace and happiness. The Israelites may have dreamed of a promised land of peace when they left Egypt, but their disobedience ruined those dreams. A final "rest" does remain available to all who do not waver in faith. To underscore his point, the author quotes from the very same passage (Psalm 95:7-11) in three different places (3:7-11, 15; 4:3-7). 6:4 Can a Believer Fall Away? This passage has caused interpreters great difficulty. People who don't believe in "eternal security" think the passage refers to Christians who fall away from the faith. Others, such as John Calvin, insist that the author of Hebrews must be referring to people who never fully became Christians, because other verses seem to teach the eternal security of those in Christ (see John 5:24; 6:37; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 8:12). Regardless, the author is writing about a hypothetical situation. He is not describing what happened, but only what could happen: if such a falling away ever did occur, it would be impossible to rescue such people again. A somewhat similar argument appears at the end of chapter 10. 7:1 Who Is Melchizedek? This mysterious person appears in only two places in the Old Testament: Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. Although a Gentile, |