4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near. Confident access to God is a priestly privilege reserved for those who have been purified from sin’s pollution by Jesus’ sacrifice (7:19; 10:19, 22), and so can offer sacrifices of thanksgiving pleasing to God (12:28; 13:15, 16). On the priestly privilege of Christian believers see Rom. 5:1, 2; Eph. 2:13–22; 1 Pet. 2:4–10.

mercy . . . grace to help. Mercy addresses our need for forgiveness when we have succumbed to temptation, and grace brings timely support to sustain us in the midst of temptation (2:18).