Commentaries:
If justification saved us, why would there be any need to hold fast? to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy after that? Justification does not mean salvation. It is, indeed, a step in that direction, but it is not a property of justification to bestow salvation.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Four)
It is faith that clears the way to the mercy seat. Faith, first of all, gives the assurance that there even is a mercy seat and a High Priest that waits to hear our petitions and our confession and those of our brothers and sisters. The Revised Standard Version translates verse 16, "Let us then with confidence draw near." It is an interesting approach. "Confidence" has the overtone of speaking freely. What are we doing in prayer? We are fellowshippingwith God. We are in His company communicating with Him, and faith is plowing the way before us—because prayer grows out of faith! We would not even be praying if we did not have faith.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Prayer and Fervency
Because God is faithful, the strength to be faithful is promised to us. Forgiveness, access to His throne, and the promises of His Spirit and that no trial will be greater than we can bear—combined with His declaration that He works in us both to will and to do—assure us that faithfulness can be produced in us when we yield as faithful servants.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Hebrews 4:16:
Psalm 14:1
Matthew 13:44
Luke 11:9-10
Luke 21:36
John 10:15
John 15:17-18
Romans 5:1-2
Romans 5:10
Hebrews 3:2-6
Hebrews 7:25
Hebrews 8:1
Hebrews 9:7
Hebrews 10:4
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