Hebrews 4 3

Hebrews 4:3 kjv

For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 4:3 nkjv

For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 4:3 niv

Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'?" And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world.

Hebrews 4:3 esv

For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest,'" although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 4:3 nlt

For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, "In my anger I took an oath:
'They will never enter my place of rest,'"
even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.

Hebrews 4 verses

Hebrews 4 3 Meaning

Hebrews 4:3 declares that genuine believers are the ones who truly enter God's rest. This "rest" signifies not merely physical cessation from labor, but a deep spiritual peace, security, and an enduring participation in God's completed work, made available through faith in Christ. The verse underscores that God's declaration regarding "His rest," originally expressed in Psalm 95:11 concerning the disobedient generation in the wilderness, stands firm. Their unbelief prevented their entry into the physical rest of Canaan, serving as a powerful warning against spiritual unbelief hindering entry into God's promised spiritual and eternal rest for New Covenant believers.

Hebrews 4 3 Context

Hebrews Chapter 4 builds upon the warnings given in Chapter 3. The author emphasizes the failure of the first generation of Israelites to enter God's rest (the promised land of Canaan) because of their unbelief and disobedience, as recounted in Numbers 14 and directly referenced from Psalm 95:7-11. The core argument is that if Joshua's leading them into Canaan truly brought them into "God's rest," there would be no later mention of another "today" or a subsequent invitation to enter rest. Therefore, the rest God promised remains available. This chapter explains that the Sabbath rest, creation rest, and the Canaan rest were all temporary or typological, pointing to a greater, ultimate rest for God's people found in Christ. Hebrews 4:3 then draws the stark contrast: those who "have believed" (the current generation of Christian readers) are those who are privileged to enter this true, abiding rest, in contrast to those of old who were barred by their stubborn unbelief. The historical context is a Jewish Christian audience grappling with persecution and the temptation to abandon Christ and revert to Mosaic Law practices. The author urges them to hold fast to faith to avoid sharing the same fate as their unbelieving ancestors.

Hebrews 4 3 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A conjunction linking back to the previous statements in chapter 3 and verse 2. It indicates a causal or explanatory connection, reinforcing the argument about who enters God's rest.
• we (ἡμεῖς, hemeis): Refers specifically to the readers of the letter and the author, emphasizing a collective identity.
• who have believed (οἱ πιστεύσαντες, hoi pisteusantes): This is a perfect active participle.
  • "Perfect" tense: Denotes a past action (believing) with continuing, present results or consequences. It's not a momentary belief but a settled, active state of faith.
  • "Active" voice: Emphasizes the voluntary, conscious choice and action of believing.
  • Significance: This distinguishes them from the unbelieving generation who failed to enter God's rest. Their entrance into rest is directly contingent on their ongoing state of belief.
• enter (εἰσερχόμεθα, eiserchometha): This is a present indicative verb.
  • "Present" tense: Can signify a present reality (believers are currently experiencing a foretaste of rest), a sure future event (they will certainly enter), or a general truth. It conveys that entry into this rest is an active, ongoing process, not merely a future hope.
• that rest (τὴν κατάπαυσιν, tēn katapausin): The definite article "the" or "that" specifies a particular, distinct rest previously discussed.
  • "Rest" (κατάπαυσις, katapausis): This is a key theological term in Hebrews. It originates from God's rest on the seventh day (Gen 2:2) and then extends to the promised land of Canaan, but here, it transcends both to mean a deeper, spiritual, eschatological state of rest in God. It implies cessation from striving, peace with God, security, and eternal Sabbath joy in His presence. It is "God's rest," established by Him and for those who partake in His completed work.
• just as He has said (καθὼς εἴρηκεν, kathōs eirēken): "Just as" introduces a direct quotation, showing reliance on God's authoritative word. "He has said" is a perfect active indicative, signifying a past divine utterance with enduring validity. This highlights the eternal nature of God's Word.
• "As I swore (Ὡς ὤμοσα, Hōs ōmosa): A quotation from Psalm 95:11 (Septuagint). The oath is absolute and binding. God's oath reflects His unchangeable character and His just judgment.
• in My wrath (ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου, en tē orgē mou): Also from Psa 95:11. God's wrath is His righteous, holy, and unwavering opposition to sin and rebellion, not an uncontrollable emotion. This wrath was demonstrated against the Israelites who persistently rebelled in the wilderness.
• They shall not enter (Οὐκ εἰσελεύσονται, Ouk eiseleusontai): Future tense, indicating an absolute exclusion based on their conduct. The "they" refers to the wilderness generation whose unbelief led to their exclusion from Canaan.
• My rest (εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου, eis tēn katapausin mou): "My" emphasizes that this rest belongs to God and is entered into on His terms. It is defined by His character and presence.

Words-group analysis:

• "For we who have believed enter that rest": This core clause sets up the direct contrast. Entry into God's rest is conditional upon belief. It signifies salvation and communion with God. It emphasizes an active, enduring faith, distinguishing those who embrace God's promises from those who reject them. This "rest" is not earned by works but received by faith, echoing broader New Testament teachings on salvation by grace through faith.
• "just as He has said, 'As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest.'": This part demonstrates the reliability and seriousness of God's word. The reference to the Psalm grounds the New Testament warning in Old Testament history and divine decree. God's oath underscores His unchangeable commitment to His justice and His promises. The "wrath" here is divine judgment against unbelief, demonstrating that God takes hardened hearts and rebellion seriously, with dire consequences for those who reject His gracious invitation. The "My rest" in this negative sense highlights that God guards His holy presence and sacred state of rest from the unholy.

Hebrews 4 3 Bonus section

The term "rest" in Hebrews (κατάπαυσις, katapausis) signifies something richer than mere cessation of activity. It encompasses completeness, fulfillment, peace, and dwelling in God's presence. It draws upon several Old Testament prototypes:

1. Creation Rest (Gen 2:2-3): God resting after completing His work, indicating perfection and order. Believers enter this cosmic rest, finding completion in Christ.
2. Canaan Rest (Deut 12:9, Josh 21:44): The Promised Land, though a temporary rest, served as a tangible, earthly picture of the deeper, spiritual rest. The failure of many to enter it due to unbelief makes it a potent type of spiritual danger.
3. Sabbath Rest (Exod 16:23): A weekly rhythm pointing to a perpetual rest. Hebrews 4:9 directly connects the concept of "Sabbath rest" (σαββατισμός, sabbatismos) for the people of God.The theological concept of God's rest is deeply antithetical to a works-based salvation, a major polemic in Hebrews against those who might revert to fulfilling the Law for righteousness. True rest is received by faith, not achieved by human effort, acknowledging the completeness of Christ's work on the cross. The "wrath" (ὀργῇ, orgē) mentioned is a fixed, holy attribute of God, not capricious anger, and serves to protect the holiness of His rest from willful defilement. The continuous offering of "today" (Heb 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7) is a crucial aspect—God's invitation to enter rest is always present and active, demanding an immediate response of faith.

Hebrews 4 3 Commentary

Hebrews 4:3 serves as the pivot in the author's intricate argument about God's rest. It presents both a powerful assurance for believers and a severe warning for those on the verge of apostasy. For those who "have believed," a spiritual and secure "rest" is a present reality and future certainty. This is not the limited physical rest of Canaan or merely weekly Sabbath observance, but an eschatological and experiential rest in Christ, where believers cease from their own works of earning salvation and abide in God's finished work. The verse directly links entrance into this rest with genuine, active faith. Conversely, it soberly reminds the readers of God's unyielding judgment against persistent unbelief and disobedience, drawing on the historical example of Israel in the wilderness. The oath made "in My wrath" underscores God's righteous character—His promise of blessing is as certain as His judgment on those who defy His call to faith and obedience. The implication is clear: New Covenant believers must exercise steadfast faith lest they repeat the tragic mistake of their ancestors and forfeit the true rest offered in Christ.