4:9

there remains a sabbath-rest: The Greek term here rendered “sabbath-rest” (sab·ba·ti·smosʹ) is not the one usually used for “the Sabbath.” (See, for example, Mt 12:1; 28:1 and study note; Lu 4:16) According to one reference work, it “does not refer to a ‘sabbath day’ as such.” Rather, it “stresses festivity and joy, expressed in worship and praise of God.” Another reference calls it “a special period of rest for God’s people modeled after the traditional sabbath.” So Paul is referring to a future time when the real meaning of the Sabbath would be fulfilled. As “Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus would then provide complete rest or relief from the burdensome effects of sin and death. (Mt 12:8 and study note) Paul may have used this unique Greek word​—which is not found anywhere else in the Greek Scriptures nor even in the Septuagint​—to emphasize that he was not referring to the traditional Jewish Sabbath. And as the Bible shows elsewhere, Christians are not under obligation to observe a literal Sabbath day.​—See Glossary, “Sabbath”; see also Col 2:14, 16 and study note.