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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Hebrews 4:16 - 4:16
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
come - rather as Greek, “approach,” “draw near.”
boldly - Greek, “with confidence,” or “freedom of speech” (Eph 6:19).
the throne of grace - God’s throne is become to us a throne of grace through the mediation of our High Priest at God’s right hand (Heb 8:1; Heb 12:2). Pleading our High Priest Jesus’ meritorious death, we shall always find God on a throne of grace. Contrast Job’s complaint (Job 23:3-8) and Elihu’s “IF,” etc. (Job 33:23-28).
obtain - rather, “receive.”
mercy - “Compassion,” by its derivation (literally, fellow feeling from community of suffering), corresponds to the character of our High Priest “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb 4:15).
find grace - corresponding to “throne of grace.” Mercy especially refers to the remission and removal of sins; grace, to the saving bestowal of spiritual gifts [Estius]. Compare “Come unto Me ... and I will give you rest (the rest received on first believing). Take My yoke on you ... and ye shall find rest (the continuing rest and peace found in daily submitting to Christ’s easy yoke; the former answers to “receive mercy” here; the latter, to “find grace,” Mat 11:28, Mat 11:29).
in time of need - Greek, “seasonably.” Before we are overwhelmed by the temptation; when we most need it, in temptations and persecutions; such as is suitable to the time, persons, and end designed (Psa 104:27). A supply of grace is in store for believers against all exigencies; but they are only supplied with it according as the need arises. Compare “in due time,” Rom 5:6. Not, as Alford explains, “help in time,” that is, to-day, while it is yet open to us; the accepted time (2Co 6:2).
help - Compare Heb 2:18, “He is able to succor them that are tempted.”