Bible Strands
Hebrews 4:1
Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author addresses believers who have received the gospel, writing immediately after describing the wilderness generation’s failure to enter God’s rest. The warning follows the declaration that the opportunity for rest remains open to the current audience.
The words — Φοβηθῶμεν (Phobēthōmen) means "let us fear" or "be careful," and οὖν (oun) means "therefore." These terms connect the preceding argument to a present imperative demanding vigilance.
The thread — The caution against falling short appears in Hebrews 12:15 regarding grace, while Proverbs 28:14 links constant reverence to avoiding trouble. Hebrews 4:9 confirms that a Sabbath rest remains available for God’s people.
Why it lands — The verse commands readers to exercise active caution so they do not miss the promised rest. It requires personal responsibility to appropriate the standing promise rather than passive assumption.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
- Proverbs 28:14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
- Hebrews 4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
- 1 Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
- Hebrews 4:11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
- Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
- Romans 11:20 That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
- Hebrews 4:3 Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.
- Numbers 14:34 In keeping with the forty days you spied out the land, you shall bear your guilt forty years—a year for each day—and you will experience My alienation.