Hebrews 4:1-11

1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

2 For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "As in my anger I swore, "They shall not enter my rest,' " though his works were finished at the foundation of the world.

4 For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works."

5 And again in this place it says, "They shall not enter my rest."

6 Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,

7 again he sets a certain day—"today"—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day.

9 So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God;

10 for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.

Hebrews 4:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 4

From the punishment inflicted on the unbelieving Hebrews, who died in the wilderness, and entered not into the land of rest made mention of in the preceding chapter, the apostle proceeds to caution the present Hebrews of his time, and who professed faith in Christ, lest seeing there was a rest, and a promise of entering into it, they should seem to come short of it, Heb 4:1, and the rather, since they that fell in the wilderness had the Gospel preached to them as well as they; and the reason why it did not profit was, because it was not received by faith, Heb 4:2 as also seeing it is by faith that believers now enter into rest, Heb 4:3 which rest is not the rest of the seventh day, on which God rested; nor, the rest of the land of Canaan, which Joshua led the Israelites into; for if he had entered them into the rest the apostle means, David, so many hundred years after him, would not have made mention of another rest, Heb 4:4-8 wherefore it follows that there is another rest for the people of God, which he that enters into ceases from his own works, as God did from his, Heb 4:9,10 and this is the rest that everyone that professes faith in Christ, should be solicitous and diligent to enter into, lest he should fall short of it through unbelief; as the unbelieving Israelites did of their rest, Heb 4:11 and the arguments engaging to such a concern are taken from the properties and perfections of Christ, the essential Word of God; particularly from his omnipotence and his omniscience, Heb 4:12,13. And seeing he is by nature the Son of God, and by office a great high priest that is entered into heaven for his people, the encouragement is great to hold fast the profession of faith in him they have made, Heb 4:14 and the rather since he is a sympathizing high priest, as he must needs be, since he has been tempted, afflicted, and has suffered every way as his people, and is in all respects like them, excepting that he has no sin, Heb 4:15 and this consideration should engage believers to come to the throne of grace with all boldness, and in expectation of having grace and mercy bestowed on them for the supply of their daily wants, Heb 4:16.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities read [it did not meet with faith in those who listened]
• [b]. Gk [he]
• [c]. Gk [he]