Hebrews 4:14 - 5:9

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible -  KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries. Chapter 5
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons. Chapter 5
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Chapter III, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
  • II.VI.4, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • I.3, I.23, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VIII.XXXIV, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
  • From the Geneva Notes. Chapter 5
    • "Christ being exceedingly afflicted and exceedingly merciful did not pray because of his sins, for he had none, but for his fear, and obtained his request, and offered himself for all who are his."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary. Chapter 5
    • "Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wetted with tears, do we offer up to God! He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him."
  • From Wesley's Notes. Chapter 5
    • "Indeed, his human nature needed the support of Omnipotence; and for this he sent up strong crying and tears: but, throughout his whole life, he showed that it was not the sufferings he was to undergo, but the dishonour that sin had done to so holy a God, that grieved his spotless soul. The consideration of its being the will of God tempered his fear, and afterwards swallowed it up; and he was heard not so that the cup should pass away, but so that he drank it without any fear."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871). Chapter 5
    • "The Greek adage is, "Pathemata mathemata," "sufferings, disciplinings." Praying and obeying, as in Christ's case, ought to go hand in hand."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891. Chapter 5.
    • "Christ's priesthood continues while time endures. He is not of the order of Aaron, but of Melchizedek, a king as well as a priest. See Gen. 14:18, 19. For a fuller discussion of the priesthood of Melchizedek, see notes on chapter 7:1-10."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • "First Thoughts on Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Good Friday, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Ultimately the message is not that God was far away from Christ at his lowest point (knowing he had planned it all for our sake), but that God was right there in Christ at his lowest point and that faith's challenge is to believe that without compromising Christ's humanity and individuality what we see there in Jesus is not only Jesus, but also God."
  • A B-Greek discussion on Hebrews 4:15. Follow "next in thread."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Exploring a Life of Prayer," Jane E. Vennard, Iliff School of Theology. At Religion OnLine.
    • "But God does not need poetry. God does not even need words. In our deepest despair, if we simply turn our hearts to God, we have fashioned a prayer. And as we continue to weep and rage in God's presence, we may be comforted that we do not suffer alone."
  • "Learning to Pray," an interview with Roberta C. Biondi. By John C. Purdy at Religion OnLine.
    • "One of the important things I learned from the fathers and mothers ... is that prayer is a lifelong process. Friendship with God is the goal, not the starting point. ...prayer is the process of in-gathering all the parts of ourselves that we don't want. It's quite common for us to think that we are to enter God's presence only when we're worthy. But what God is interested in is our bringing our whole self into the relationship."
  • "On Providence and Prayer," Jack A. Keller. At Religion OnLine.
    • "In each moment, God offers the best real possibilities for the achievement of value that can be built upon the past. But God does not force the best on any creature. The divine power functions only as a persuasive lure, which can be ignored or rejected."
  • "A Preliminary Exegesis of Hebrews 4:15 with a View Toward Solving the Peccability/Impeccability Issue," Daniel B. Wallace, Dallas Theological Seminary.
    • "In the least, we must say that this text is hardly proof of either impeccability or peccability."
• Articles in ATLAS Journals. (Direct link when you are subscribed and logged in to ATLASerials online collection of Religion and Theology Journals.):
  • Galloway, Lewis F., "Between Text and Sermon: Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10," Interpretation, 2003. (See also, "Hebrews," issue focus of Interpretation, 2003.)
  • Songer, Harold S., "A Superior Priesthood: Hebrews 4:14-7:28," Review and Expositor, 1985.
• Reviews:
• Sermons:
• With Children:
  • "Our Great High Priest," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Hebrews 4:14, 15, 16; 5:7. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • And Can It Be?
    • As We Come to You in Prayer
    • Blest Be the Tie That Binds
    • In a Little While We're Going Home
    • Sweet Hour of Prayer
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Hebrews