Hebrews 4 1

Hebrews 4:1 kjv

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Hebrews 4:1 nkjv

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

Hebrews 4:1 niv

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

Hebrews 4:1 esv

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

Hebrews 4:1 nlt

God's promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.

Hebrews 4 verses

Hebrews 4 1 Meaning

Hebrews 4:1 serves as a solemn warning and a vital exhortation to believers. It urges them to maintain diligent faith and obedience, lest they, like the Israelites in the wilderness, forfeit God's promised "rest" through unbelief. The verse highlights that the divine offer of spiritual and ultimate rest remains open, yet individual responsibility and vigilance are paramount to inherit it, emphasizing the dire consequence of falling short.

Hebrews 4 1 Context

Hebrews 4:1 immediately follows the author's intense warning in Hebrews chapter 3, which draws heavily on Psalm 95:7-11. This Psalm recounts God's oath that the generation of Israelites who rebelled in the wilderness would not enter His rest (Canaan) due to their unbelief and disobedience. The author applies this historical warning directly to his Jewish-Christian audience. The core argument through Hebrews 3 and 4 is that a "rest" (much greater than Canaan) is still available for the "people of God" (the church). Therefore, Hebrews 4:1 functions as the conclusion to the previous argument and an introduction to the continued explanation of what this "rest" truly means (Hebrews 4:2-11). The historical context reveals that the recipients were undergoing persecution and temptation to abandon their Christian faith and revert to Judaism, thus risking the same failure as their forefathers in the wilderness.

Hebrews 4 1 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν, oun): This conjunctive particle signifies a logical continuation or consequence. It links Hebrews 4:1 directly to the preceding arguments and warnings in Hebrews 3, specifically concerning the unbelief of the wilderness generation and their failure to enter God's rest. It emphasizes that what follows is a necessary inference from what has already been established.
• since the promise (ἐπαγγελίας, epangelias): The Greek word denotes a divinely given promise or announcement. It implies a firm, binding commitment from God. Here, it refers to God's sworn declaration of rest, first made to Israel, but now revealed to extend beyond a mere geographical territory (Canaan) to a spiritual and eternal reality. This highlights God's faithfulness and the enduring nature of His gracious offer.
• of entering his rest (εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσιν αὐτοῦ, eiselthein eis ten katapausin autou):
  • Entering (εἰσελθεῖν, eiselthein): To go in, to come into. It implies active participation and reception of what is offered.
  • His rest (τὴν κατάπαυσιν αὐτοῦ, ten katapausin autou): The Greek word katapausis specifically means "cessation from labor, rest." It encompasses the Sabbath rest of creation (Gen 2:2), the land of Canaan (Deut 12:9-10), and ultimately, a final, ultimate spiritual rest in God, which includes cessation from struggles, sin, and weariness, culminating in heavenly rest. The "His" emphasizes it is God's own rest, a divine state into which humanity is invited.
• still stands (καταλείπεται, kataleipetai): The verb means "remains, is left over, is still available." This is a crucial point, as it assures the audience that despite the previous generation's failure, the opportunity to enter God's rest has not been withdrawn but is actively available for those who believe and persevere. It signifies God's enduring grace and patience.
• let us be careful / let us fear (φοβηθῶμεν, phobethemen): This is a first-person plural hortatory subjunctive, indicating an earnest plea or exhortation. The Greek word phobeomai can mean "to be afraid, to dread," but in a theological context, especially in the imperative or hortatory, it carries the sense of "to reverence, to have a reverential awe, to be careful, to be cautious." It's not a slavish fear but a healthy, prudent awareness of the serious consequences of disobedience and the holiness of God. It signifies active vigilance and responsibility.
• that none of you (μή τις ἐξ ὑμῶν, mē tis ex hymōn): This specific negative prohibition directed at "anyone among you" underscores the individual accountability within the community. While the warning is collective, its impact is personal. It challenges each member to self-examination and diligence.
• be found / seem (δοκῇ, dokē): This verb implies appearing or being recognized. It suggests a final assessment or evaluation, often in God's eyes or at a future judgment, where one's true state will be revealed. The caution is against the outward appearance of failure.
• to have fallen short of it (ὑστερηκέναι, hysterēkenai): The perfect infinitive means "to be left behind, to miss the mark, to fall short of something, to fail to attain." It describes the tragic consequence of not entering the promised rest. It is the opposite of gaining entry and signifies a loss of eternal blessing and privilege. This state arises from a failure of faith, as demonstrated by the Israelites who did not mix the word heard with faith (Heb 4:2).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore, since the promise... still stands": This phrase sets the foundation for the exhortation. It grounds the warning in God's faithfulness and ongoing offer. The availability of the promise makes the warning all the more urgent and relevant. It’s an active, present opportunity.
• "let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short": This entire phrase encapsulates the core warning. It highlights the collective responsibility ("let us") while addressing individual danger ("none of you"). The language of "being found" or "seeming" to have fallen short implies a future evaluation, possibly at the end of life or at the return of Christ. "Fallen short" emphasizes missing out on the blessing due to spiritual negligence or unbelief, mirroring the Israelites' experience in the wilderness. It's a call to active perseverance to avoid a disastrous outcome.

Hebrews 4 1 Bonus section

The concept of "rest" in Hebrews is multi-layered, evolving from the literal Sabbath of creation (God's rest) to the physical land of Canaan (Moses' leadership, Joshua's conquest), and culminating in the spiritual, future, and eternal "Sabbath rest" available through Christ. The author skillfully employs typological interpretation, where the earthly "rest" (Canaan) serves as a type for the heavenly "rest" yet to come. This future rest is not merely a cessation of activity but a state of fulfillment and intimate fellowship with God that begins now through faith but is consummated at Christ's return or in eternity.

Hebrews 4:1 underscores the intricate balance between God's sovereign promise and human free will and responsibility. God's promise "still stands," reflecting His unchanging character and grace. Yet, the warning to "be careful" emphasizes the vital role of human response – faith, perseverance, and obedience – in actually partaking of that promise. The potential to "fall short" implies that genuine believers must continually appropriate their faith to avoid the outcome that befell ancient Israel. This highlights the seriousness of discipleship and the reality of a continued spiritual journey, not a static destination once "saved."

Hebrews 4 1 Commentary

Hebrews 4:1 delivers a profound and urgent spiritual directive stemming from the stark historical example of ancient Israel. The "rest" in view transcends a geographical land; it represents a comprehensive spiritual and eschatological rest found ultimately in Christ—a state of abiding peace, freedom from striving, and intimate fellowship with God. The promise of this rest is unequivocally declared as "still standing," highlighting God's enduring grace and the accessibility of this divine offer to all believers in the present age. However, the divine offer does not negate human responsibility. The phrase "let us be careful" (or "fear") conveys a serious, reverential apprehension regarding the potential for spiritual failure. This is not a debilitating terror, but a sober awareness of the stakes involved and a godly fear that motivates active diligence and sustained obedience to God's word. The writer warns against any complacency or presumptuousness that could lead to being "found to have fallen short"—a vivid picture of missing the promised inheritance due to an internal state of unbelief and a consequent failure to persevere. The emphasis on "none of you" underscores the individual accountability of each believer within the community. The wilderness generation's failure stands as a timeless cautionary tale, teaching that mere initial inclusion in God's covenant people does not guarantee the inheritance if faith gives way to a hardened, unbelieving heart. Thus, the verse calls for constant vigilance and faithful adherence to the Gospel, so that what happened to the Exodus generation does not befall any in the Christian community.

• Practical Example: Just as an athlete trains diligently and avoids complacency to win a race, a believer must actively pursue their faith, studying Scripture, praying, and living obediently, to "enter that rest." Neglecting spiritual disciplines or allowing sin to harden one's heart is akin to the athlete giving up halfway, thus "falling short" of the prize.