Hebrews 4:16 kjv
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 nkjv
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 niv
Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 esv
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 nlt
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Heb 10:19-22 | Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. | Direct parallel, foundation for confidence, true sanctuary access. |
| Eph 3:12 | In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. | Believer's confidence through Christ. |
| Rom 5:2 | Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. | Access to grace through Christ. |
| Jas 4:8 | Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. | Mutual drawing near, reciprocal action. |
| Heb 2:17-18 | For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest... because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. | Christ's humanity and empathetic high priesthood, foundation for mercy and help. |
| Heb 7:25 | Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. | Christ's intercession, permanent access and help. |
| Heb 9:24 | For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. | Christ's heavenly sanctuary access. |
| Rom 8:34 | Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. | Christ's intercession at God's right hand. |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. | Confidence in prayer and God's hearing. |
| 1 Jn 3:21-22 | Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. | Right standing allows confidence and answered prayer. |
| Ps 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. | God's readiness to help, His immediate presence. |
| 2 Cor 12:9 | But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” | God's grace for strength and sufficiency. |
| Php 4:19 | And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. | God's provision for all needs. |
| Isa 41:10 | So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. | Divine help and removal of fear. |
| Lam 3:22-23 | Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. | God's continuous mercy and compassion. |
| Rom 5:20-21 | But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. | Superabundance of grace over sin. |
| Eph 2:4-7 | But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. | God's rich mercy and grace as the source of salvation and life. |
| Heb 4:15 | For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but one who has in every respect been tempted as we are, yet without sin. | Immediate context: Christ's sympathetic priesthood enables our confident approach. |
| Heb 3:6 | But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. | Emphasizes "confidence" in the Christian walk. |
| Rev 4:2 | At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. | Reference to God's heavenly throne, often a symbol of authority. |
| Exo 33:7, 11 | Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the tent of meeting. Anyone who sought the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp... The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. | Example of specific approach, though distinct from new covenant access for all believers. |
| Deut 4:7 | For what great nation has a god near to them like the Lord our God whenever we call on him? | God's nearness to His people. |
Hebrews 4 verses
Hebrews 4 16 Meaning
This verse is an exhortation for believers to approach God's divine presence with fearless assurance, knowing that because of Christ's perfect high priestly ministry, they can receive undeserved compassion for their failures and empowering divine favor to meet their present and future challenges. It highlights immediate and unhindered access to God for every need.
Hebrews 4 16 Context
Hebrews 4:16 concludes a pivotal section in the letter (Heb 4:14-16) that builds upon the argument of Christ's superiority. Following warnings about hardening hearts and failing to enter God's rest (chapters 3-4:13), the author introduces Jesus as the great High Priest who has passed through the heavens. Verse 15 highlights His empathy, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin. This understanding of Christ's perfect high priesthood, distinct from and superior to the Levitical priests, forms the foundational assurance for the exhortation in verse 16. The readers, Jewish Christians tempted to revert to Old Covenant practices, are reminded of their unparalleled privilege: direct, confident access to God through Christ, an access far surpassing anything offered by the earthly tabernacle or temple. This verse serves as a culmination, inviting the beleaguered believers to respond to their High Priest by seeking divine assistance rather than turning back in fear.
Hebrews 4 16 Word analysis
- Let us then: (Greek: Oun proserchometha - 'Therefore let us approach/draw near'). Connects this call to action directly to the preceding truths about Christ, our High Priest (v.14-15). It’s an immediate, urgent exhortation to present tense action, flowing logically from Christ’s sympathetic and sinless nature.
- with confidence: (Greek: meta parrhesias). Parrhesia means boldness, frankness, freedom of speech, openness, full assurance, without fear. This word is crucial. In classical Greek, it referred to the right of free speech in a democracy. In the New Testament, it denotes the liberty and boldness believers have before God, made possible by Christ. It is a striking contrast to the fear and ritualistic limitations of the Old Covenant approach to God’s presence. It indicates the right to speak freely to the King of the universe.
- draw near: (Greek: proserchometha - a present tense subjunctive verb meaning 'let us approach' or 'let us come near'). Implies movement towards, typically in worship, prayer, or submission to a divine presence. It highlights continuous access, not just a one-time event. Under the Old Covenant, only the High Priest could "draw near" to the Most Holy Place, and only once a year; now, all believers can continually approach God.
- to the throne of grace: (Greek: to thronoi tes charitos). A profoundly theological phrase.
- throne (thronos): Denotes supreme authority, sovereignty, power, majesty, and judgment of God as King. It reminds us of God's transcendence.
- of grace (charitos): Modifies "throne" to describe its character and the nature of God's rule. This throne is not primarily a seat of terrifying judgment for believers (because of Christ's work) but one from which unmerited favor, lovingkindness, and divine enablement freely flow. It merges divine authority with divine benevolence, uniquely accessible through Christ. This concept contrasts with the Sinai experience (Exo 19-20), where God's presence on His "throne" (His dwelling) was accompanied by fire, cloud, thunder, and a command for separation.
- that we may receive: (Greek: hina labomen). Indicates purpose. The act of drawing near is not just for the sake of it, but with the expectation of a definite outcome. It implies God's readiness and willingness to give.
- mercy: (Greek: eleos). Compassion or pity, especially given to the afflicted. It refers to God withholding what we do deserve (judgment, punishment for sins and failures). It's God's active compassion for our misery, shortcomings, and fallen state.
- and find grace: (Greek: kai charin eurōmen). To discover or experience grace.
- grace (charin): Unmerited favor, divine enablement, active power, and supernatural strength to meet challenges. It refers to God giving what we don't deserve (help, strength, blessing). This "grace" here is not primarily the saving grace (justification) but sanctifying and strengthening grace for daily life and trials.
- to help: (Greek: eis boetheian - 'for aid/help'). Denotes practical assistance, succor, reinforcement, or deliverance in times of distress. It is God's timely and effectual aid.
- in time of need: (Greek: eukairon). Timely, opportune, well-timed, seasonable. It implies God's help is precisely given when it is most relevant, most crucial, and most needed, demonstrating His omniscience and perfect timing. It addresses all circumstances—spiritual, emotional, physical—where human strength fails.
Hebrews 4 16 Bonus section
The concept of the "throne of grace" uniquely synthesizes the Old Testament's majestic portrayal of God's throne (a place of awe and judgment, e.g., Eze 1:26, Dan 7:9) with the New Testament's revelation of God's benevolence through Christ. This transformation from a seat primarily of fear (under the Law) to one of confident approach (under grace) is a central theological achievement of Christ's sacrifice. The two benefits, "mercy" and "grace," often occur together in Scripture, representing two sides of God's favor: mercy deals with our past sins and miseries (cleansing, pity), and grace equips us for our present and future challenges (enabling, strengthening). Together, they encapsulate God's full provision for the believer in every aspect of their earthly pilgrimage. The verse emphasizes that this drawing near is a proactive step; it requires a conscious, volitional act on the believer's part to approach God for these provisions.
Hebrews 4 16 Commentary
Hebrews 4:16 is a resounding invitation to approach God with bold assurance. This confidence is not presumptuous pride, but a holy certainty founded entirely on the completed work and continuous intercession of Jesus Christ, our empathetic High Priest. He knows our struggles because He experienced them, yet without sin. Thus, His throne is no longer just a seat of ultimate power but specifically characterized by grace, freely dispensing divine mercy for our spiritual shortcomings and sufficient grace for every weakness, temptation, and trial we encounter. The mercy acknowledges our failures, while the grace empowers us to overcome and persevere. This access is immediate and available "in time of need," assuring believers of God's perfect timing and willingness to intervene precisely when His aid is most crucial. It's a call to practical reliance on God's benevolent provision through Christ, encouraging prayer and dependence amidst life's challenges.For example, when overwhelmed by guilt over a past failure, one can draw near for mercy. When facing an insurmountable task or enduring a difficult temptation, one can draw near for grace and strength. In moments of uncertainty or dire straits, God's help is guaranteed to be timely and specific.