Hebrews 4 2

Hebrews 4:2 kjv

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Hebrews 4:2 nkjv

For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

Hebrews 4:2 niv

For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.

Hebrews 4:2 esv

For 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.

Hebrews 4:2 nlt

For this good news ? that God has prepared this rest ? has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn't share the faith of those who listened to God.

Hebrews 4 verses

Hebrews 4 2 Meaning

Hebrews 4:2 states that the message of God's promise and "good news"—the gospel, specifically concerning entry into God's rest—was proclaimed to the ancient Israelites, just as it is proclaimed to us, believers in Christ, today. However, the pivotal difference was that the word they heard did not bring them benefit or effectiveness because it was not met with faith. It failed to combine or mix with active belief in the hearts of those who heard it, rendering it inert for their spiritual and salvific purpose of entering God's promised rest.

Hebrews 4 2 Context

Hebrews chapter 4 continues the author's extensive exposition from chapter 3, urging believers not to follow the pattern of unbelief seen in the generation of Israelites who died in the wilderness. The author draws a crucial parallel: just as the Israelites had a promise of entering Canaan, a physical "rest" from their wanderings, so believers today have a divine promise of entering God's true, spiritual "rest" (often identified with salvation, union with Christ, and ultimate glorification). The immediate context of verse 2 is a strong warning following the declaration in Hebrews 4:1 that a promise of entering God's rest still stands, thus highlighting the urgency for the recipients to act in faith. This verse sets the stage for the distinction between merely hearing a divine promise and actively receiving it by faith, emphasizing that the deficiency lay not in the promise or the one giving it, but in the hearers' hearts. The Jewish background of the original audience means they would have been intimately familiar with the Exodus narrative and God's interaction with their forefathers, making the warning especially poignant and directly relevant to their temptation to drift from the gospel.

Hebrews 4 2 Word analysis

• For unto us: Emphasizes continuity from the preceding thoughts (Heb 3:19, 4:1), reinforcing that the contemporary audience stands in a similar position to ancient Israel concerning a divine promise. The focus is on the availability of the "gospel" to both.
• was the gospel preached (εὐηγγελισμένοι / euēngelismenoi): This refers to the good news, specifically the divine message and promise of entering God's rest. In the Old Testament, this "gospel" of rest was implicitly conveyed through types and shadows like the land of Canaan, and through direct promises of God's covenant blessings. The passive voice indicates that the action of preaching was performed upon them.
• as well as unto them: A direct comparison, stressing that ancient Israel received the same kind of message and opportunity for rest from God. This ensures no one can claim God was less gracious to one generation than another.
• but the word preached (ὁ λόγος τῆς ἀκοῆς / ho logos tēs akoēs): Literally, "the word of hearing" or "the message heard." This distinguishes between the mere external proclamation of God's message and its internal reception. It points to the specific message that Israel heard regarding God's promise and invitation to His rest.
• did not profit them: Implies it was ineffective, useless, or unproductive for them. Despite hearing the life-giving message, they received no lasting benefit from it, such as entrance into God's rest.
• not being mixed with faith (μὴ συγκεκραμένος τῇ πίστει / mē synkekramenos tē pistei): This is the crucial, vivid imagery. "Synkekramenos" means "mingled," "blended," or "integrated." The word wasn't combined or fused with faith within the hearers' hearts. It suggests that mere intellectual assent or external hearing is insufficient; active, personal faith must internalize and integrate the divine message.
• in those that heard it (τοῖς ἀκούσασιν / tois akousasin): Pinpoints the responsibility directly to the recipients. The failure was not in God's word, its content, or its proclamation, but in the internal disposition of those who listened to it. Their lack of responsive faith was the sole impediment to its profit.

Hebrews 4 2 Bonus section

The concept of "mixed with faith" is central to understanding the spiritual dynamics described in Hebrews. It goes beyond merely "having" or "lacking" faith. The Greek word synkekramenos conveys the idea of an active, intimate mingling or fusion, as when different liquids are stirred together to form a single mixture. This suggests that the word of God, as it is proclaimed, needs to be taken in and personally embraced and absorbed by faith, becoming one with the inner spiritual conviction of the hearer. Without this internal integration, the word remains an external utterance, unable to exert its intended power or bring about the promised rest. It emphasizes the profound interaction between the divine message and human responsibility in responding to it with trust. The passage implicitly draws a contrast with genuine faith, which does allow God's word to permeate, transform, and lead into rest. This deep, internal acceptance of truth through faith is paramount for receiving any spiritual benefit from God's declarations.

Hebrews 4 2 Commentary

Hebrews 4:2 powerfully highlights that divine promises and invitations require active faith for their fulfillment and benefit. The message of entering God's rest—be it the physical land for Israel or spiritual salvation for believers in Christ—is universally proclaimed, but its efficacy depends entirely on how the hearer integrates it with faith. Ancient Israel heard God's word but did not allow it to merge with a heart of trust, rendering the word unprofitabl for them, preventing them from experiencing God's rest. This serves as an urgent warning that superficial hearing or mere exposure to truth is inadequate; it must be met with sincere, responsive, and persistent faith to yield its intended transformative and saving power. It’s not just about intellectual understanding of a sermon or a truth, but the deep personal commitment and trust that integrates that truth into one’s life.

Examples:

• A student hears a teacher's instruction clearly but doesn't believe or apply it, thus failing the exam. The instruction wasn't flawed, but the student's reception was.
• A person is prescribed a life-saving medicine, but only holds it in their hand without consuming it. The medicine itself is effective, but it offers no benefit without being ingested.