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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Hebrews 4:14 - 4:14
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
A great high priest (archierea megan). The author now takes up the main argument of the Epistle, already alluded to in Heb 1:3; Heb 2:17.; Heb 3:1, the priestly work of Jesus as superior to that of the Levitical line (4:14-12:3). Jesus is superior to the prophets (Heb 1:1-3), to angels (1:4-2:18), to Moses (3:1-4:13), he has already shown. Here he only terms Jesus “great” as high priest (a frequent adjective with high priest in Philo) but the superiority comes out as he proceeds.
Who hath passed through the heavens (dielēluthota tous ouranous). Perfect active participle of dierchomai, state of completion. Jesus has passed through the upper heavens up to the throne of God (Heb 1:3) where he performs his function as our high priest. This idea will be developed later (Heb 6:19.; Heb 7:26-28; Heb 9:11., and Heb 9:24.).
Jesus the Son of God (Iēsoun ton huion tou theou). The human name linked with his deity, clinching the argument already made (1:1-4:13).
Let us hold fast our confession (kratōmen tēs homologias). Present active volitive subjunctive of krateō, old verb (from kratos, power), with genitive to cling to tenaciously as here and Heb 6:18 and also with the accusative (2Th 2:15; Col 2:19). “Let us keep on holding fast.” This keynote runs all through the Epistle, the exhortation to the Jewish Christians to hold on to the confession (Heb 3:1) of Christ already made. Before making the five points of Christ’s superior priestly work (better priest than Aaron, 5:1-7:25; under a better covenant, Heb 8:1-13; in a better sanctuary, Heb 9:1-12; offering a better sacrifice, 9:13-10:18; based on better promises, 10:19-12:3), the author gives a double exhortation (Heb 4:14-16) like that in Heb 2:1-4 to hold fast to the high priest (Heb 4:14.) and to make use of him (Heb 4:16).