Hebrews 4:9 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

There remaineth therefore a rest— The word hitherto used for rest had been καταπαυσιν, cessation from labour: here a new term is introduced σαββατισμος, such a rest as was proper to the seventh day, on which God rested. The apostle had said, Hebrews 4:6 that the rest of God was left unpossessed; that generation which Joshua led into Canaan, did not then take possession of God's rest; for God, four hundred and fifty years afterwards, speaks of his rest as still to be entered into; therefore his rest still remained for the people of God. All that is here said is, to urge the Hebrews to continue steadfast in their faith, by proving to them that the rest of God preached to us by Christ, is infinitely more advantageous, and infinitely superior to that which was promised by Moses. It was a state of perfect happiness, peace, quietness in heaven: it was such a cessation from labour, as God himself enjoyed after the creation. This rest therefore ought to be the great object of our care, the grand point to be adhered to; and the principle by which it is to be attained, is a faith firm and sure.