Hebrews 4:16

Let us imitate him so that we may be "without sin" like him, so that "we may approach with confidence the throne of his grace" in the hour of retribution. "Let us obtain his mercy," for instance, through prayers, so that he may be with us in the hour of our fight with the devil.

"Let us come then boldly with confidence unto the throne of His grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

What "throne of grace" is he speaking of? that royal throne concerning which it is said, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand." (Ps. cx. 1.)

What is "let us come boldly"? Because "we have a sinless High Priest" contending with the world. For, saith He, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John xvi. 33.); for, this is to suffer all things, and yet to be pure from sins. Although we (he means) are under sin, yet He is sinless.

How is it that we should "approach boldly"? Because now it is a throne of Grace, not a throne of Judgment. Therefore boldly, "that we may obtain mercy," even such as we are seeking. For the affair is one of munificence, a royal largess.

"And may find grace to help in time of need [for help in due season]." He well said, "for help in time of need." If thou approach now (he means) thou wilt receive both grace and mercy, for thou approachest "in due season"; but if thou approach then, no longer wilt thou receive it. For then the approach is unseasonable, for it is not "then a throne of Grace." Till that time He sitteth granting pardon, but when the end is come, then He riseth up to judgment. For it is said, "Arise, O God, judge the earth." (Ps. lxxxii. 8.) ("Let us come boldly," or he says again having no "evil conscience," that is, not being in doubt, for such an one cannot "come with boldness.") On this account it is said, "I have heard thee in an accepted time and in a day of salvation have I succored thee." (2 Cor. vi. 2.) Since even now for those to find repentance who sin after baptism is of grace.

But lest when thou hearest of an High Priest, thou shouldst think that He standeth, he forthwith leads to the throne. But a Priest doth not sit, but stands. Seest thou that for Him to be made High Priest, is not of nature, but of grace and condescension, and humiliation?

This is it seasonable for us also now to say, "Let us draw near" asking "boldly": let us only bring Faith and He gives all things. Now is the time of the gift; let no man despair of himself. Then will be the time of despairing, when the bride-chamber is shut, when the King is come in to see the guests, when they who shall be accounted worthy thereof, shall have received as their portion the Patriarch's bosom: but now it is not as yet so. For still are the spectators assembled, still is the contest, still is the prize in suspense.

As God, Christ the Lord has kingship by nature, an eternal throne: "Your throne, O God, is forever," Scripture says, remember. But as man, high priest and apostle of our confession he hears the words "Sit at my right hand"; it is to this the divine apostle referred by "throne of grace." In my view he hints also at the lovingkindness he will employ in judging, adding the comment, "so as to receive mercy and find grace by way of timely assistance": making our approach in the present life and giving evidence of unalloyed and sincere faith, we shall on the day of judgment attain lovingkindness.

"Let us therefore come with confidence." Let us approach, He says, to the throne of His Father, in which He sits. With confidence, or not hesitating in faith, or because He has overcome the world. Therefore, it is evident that He will also conquer those who now afflict us. Or because the throne is not now a throne of judgment, but of grace: therefore, approach even if you are a sinner.
"to the throne of grace." The throne of grace refers to the royal throne, of which David says: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand.'" (Ps. 110:1)For the throne is now the throne of grace, not of judgment. Therefore, with confidence, he says.
"that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." He rightly says: to help in time. If now, he says, you approach, you will receive grace and mercy; for you approach at the right time; but if you approach then, it will not be so, for it will be an untimely approach. For where there will be completion, then there will arise for judgment.
"to help in time." For whoever now approaches receives mercy and grace, because the approach and request for help is timely and appropriate: just as in judgment, the approach for help is demanding. For then it will not provide help out of grace as it does now, but judgment.

Since, he says, we have a sinless High Priest Who conquered the world, Who said: "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world" (John 16:33), we ought to approach with boldness, that is, not with a burdensome conscience, without wavering, but with full faith in the High Priest. For even if we have sins, He is sinless. And His throne is a throne of grace, not of judgment; therefore we ought to approach with boldness, in the hope that He will grant us all that we desire. There are two thrones: one now — the throne of grace, and those who approach it receive by divine grace deliverance from sins; the other — the throne of the second coming of Jesus Christ, which is no longer a throne of grace, for then no one will receive forgiveness, but a throne of judgment. He mentioned the throne so that, upon hearing that He is the High Priest, you would not think that He stands before God. For although, as man, He is called High Priest by way of blessing and condescension toward us, nevertheless He also sits upon the divine throne.

If we approach now, we shall receive mercy and grace, for we approach at the right time. But if we approach then, we shall not receive it, for then it will no longer be a throne of grace. Now the King sits upon it, bestowing grace; but then He shall rise for judgment, for it is said: "Arise, O God, judge the earth" (Ps. 82:8).

The Apostle Paul urges those wishing to obtain grace to approach the throne of grace, that is, the glorious Virgin. "Let us approach," he says, "with confidence to the throne of his grace."

Then when he says, Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace, he urges us to have confidence in him. As if to say: Since He can have compassion, let us go with confidence: 'Behold, God is my savior; I will deal confidently and will not fear' (Is. 12:2). Let us go, I say, to the throne. The king's seat is called a throne. But Christ is king: 'The king will reign and he will be wise' (Jer. 23:5). But this throne has a twofold state: one, of justice in the future: 'You have sat on the throne, who judge justice' (Ps. 9:5). This will occur in the future: 'When I shall take a time, I will judge justice' (Ps. 74:3). The other throne is that of grace, which is meant here; hence, he adds, of his grace, namely, in the present, which is the time of mercy: 'He shall give equal grace to the grace thereof' (Zech 4:7). But by the grace of Christ we are freed of all misery, because we are freed from sin, which makes people wretched; hence, he says, that we may obtain mercy. Furthermore, by the grace of Christ we are aided in doing good; hence he says, and find grace; 'You have found grace with God' (Lk. 1:30); and this to help in time of need, i.e., to do good: 'My help is from the Lord' (Ps. 120:2). But that help comes through grace: 'I have labored more abundantly than all they' (1 Cor. 15:10). But this should come at a seasonable time; hence, he says, in time of need: 'There is a time and opportunity for every business' (Ec. 8:6). This is the present time, which is the time of mercy.