Hebrews 4: 16 - Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace | Speak His Word Only

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 gives the believer a powerful invitation to approach God. But the word “therefore” connects this invitation directly to the preceding verses. We can come boldly because Jesus Christ is our great High Priest, who has passed into the heavens. He understands our infirmities and was tempted, yet remained without sin.

“Let Us Therefore Come”

God is inviting His people to draw near.

Under the old covenant, access to the Most Holy Place was restricted. The high priest entered according to God's appointed order. But through Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, believers have access to God.

We do not have to remain at a distance.

When we are weak, troubled, tempted, discouraged, or burdened, God's instruction is not to run away from Him but to come unto Him.

“Come Boldly”

Boldly does not mean arrogantly, carelessly, or disrespectfully.

The Greek word translated “boldly” carries the sense of confidence, openness, and freedom of speech. Our confidence is not based upon our own righteousness or goodness. We approach God confidently because our access rests in Jesus Christ and His priestly work.

We come reverently, but confidently.

We come humbly, but without fear of rejection.

We come knowing that Christ has provided our access to the Father.

“Unto the Throne of Grace”

A throne represents authority, sovereignty, and kingship.

Yet Hebrews calls God's throne something remarkable:

“the throne of grace.”

The believer approaches the sovereign King and discovers that His throne is a place where grace is available.

This does not diminish God's holiness. Rather, it shows the greatness of what Christ has accomplished. Through our Great High Priest, sinners who have been reconciled to God are invited to approach His throne.

“That We May Obtain Mercy”

Mercy addresses our desperate need.

We do not approach God pretending that we have never failed or that we have no weaknesses. Hebrews has already told us that Christ is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

Mercy is God's compassionate response toward those who need Him.

When we have fallen short, we need mercy.

When we are hurting, we need mercy.

When we recognize our weakness, we need mercy.

And God tells us where to go:

Come to the throne of grace.

“And Find Grace”

Mercy and grace are beautifully joined together in this verse.

Mercy meets us in our need; grace supplies what we cannot provide for ourselves.

Grace is not merely something associated with the beginning of salvation. The believer continues to need God's grace every day.

Grace strengthens us.

Grace sustains us.

Grace enables us to stand.

Grace supplies what is necessary to continue walking faithfully before God.

“To Help in Time of Need”

God's grace is not abstract. Hebrews describes it as grace to help.

There are moments when human strength is insufficient.

There are circumstances we cannot control.

There are burdens we cannot carry alone.

There are temptations we cannot overcome merely through determination.

There are situations in which we simply need divine help.

Hebrews tells us that there is grace available for the time of need.

This does not necessarily mean God will remove every difficulty immediately. Sometimes His help changes the circumstances; sometimes His grace strengthens us to endure them faithfully.

But the invitation remains:

Come.

Jesus Is the Reason We Can Approach

Hebrews 4:16 becomes even more powerful when read together with verses 14–15.

Jesus is our Great High Priest.

He has passed into the heavens.

He understands human weakness.

He experienced temptation.

Yet He remained without sin.

Therefore:

Come boldly.

Our confidence is not confidence in ourselves.

It is confidence in our Great High Priest.

Personal Application

When you are at your weakest, do not allow weakness to convince you that you must stay away from God.

That is precisely when Hebrews tells you to draw near.

When you need forgiveness — come.

When you need strength — come.

When you are tempted — come.

When you are confused — come.

When your heart is broken — come.

When you do not know what to do next — come.

There is mercy for what you have been through and grace for what you are facing.

The throne belongs to the King, but because of Jesus Christ, for the believer it is also called the throne of grace.