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Hebrews

About this book
Chapter 4

1 Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’” And yet God’s works were accomplished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,” 5 but to repeat the text cited earlier: “They will never enter my rest!” 6 Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience. 7 So God again ordains a certain day, “Today,” speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken afterward about another day. 9 Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. 11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow;⁠ it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.⁠ 13 And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.⁠ 14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.⁠ 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

Texts in conversation

Compare 1 Enoch 9:5 and Hebrews 4:13

Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses · New Testament

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Summary

1 Enoch 9 and Hebrews 4 teach that “all things are open and visible” to God, showing a common belief that nothing is hidden from divine judgment. 1 Enoch applies this to the Watchers, while Hebrews applies it to every person.

Passages

1 Enoch 9:5

Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses
3 'And now to you, the holy ones of heaven, the souls of men plead, saying, "Present our case before the Most High."' 4 They said to the Lord of the ages: 'Lord of lords, God of gods, King of kings, and God of the ages, the throne of Your glory stands through all generations, and Your name is holy and glorious and blessed through all ages! 5 You have created all things, and over all things You have power. All things are open and visible in Your sight, and You see everything, and nothing can hide from You. 6 You see what Azâzêl has done, who has taught all unrighteousness on the earth and revealed the eternal secrets that were kept in heaven, which men were eager to learn.
300 BCE – 100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 1 Enoch

Hebrews 4:13

New Testament
11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. 14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.
80–90 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Hebrews

References

"... if these angels reside “in heaven” and are “always” in the presence of God, we must question whether they could be constantly present with the “little ones” on earth, invisibly protecting them. All the same, if they reside in heaven, then their primary function may be to watch God’s chosen, intercede for them, and perhaps request judgment against those who harm them (compare Rev 8:4; Job 5:1[LXX]; Tobit 12.12‑15; 1 Enoch 9:3; 15.2; Testament of Dan 6.1; Pseudo‑Philo L.A.B. 15.5; 1QS 2.9; Origen Stromata 5.14; 7:12; Augustine City of God 7.30; 10.25). Occasionally, I suppose that if God so chooses, such beings might be “sent” to assist, guide, or protect the faithful on earth. So what can we say about guardian angels? Although the term itself is not found in Scripture as such, angels do exist, but not necessarily as commonly described in popular and religious cultures. Even so, Matthew 18:10 describes angels in heaven who watch and perhaps intercede for believers. One way or another, then, God sees and knows what is happening to the faithful (see Hebrews 4:13) ..."
B. J. Oropeza, Do Guardian Angels Exist? (Patheos, 2021), 1–10.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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1 Enoch 9:5 and Hebrews 4:13

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