Bible Strands
Hebrews 4:2
For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author addresses Jewish Christians facing discouragement, issuing a warning immediately after declaring that the promise of God's rest remains active (Hebrews 4:1). He contrasts the current audience with the wilderness generation, noting that both groups received the same message at different times.
The words — The particulate εὐηγγελισμένοι (euēngelismenoi) literally means "having been evangelized" or "having received good news," while γάρ (gar) operates as a causal conjunction meaning "for." These terms anchor the author's argument in the shared reception of the message rather than in its origin.
The thread — The author links this warning to Romans 10:16, which notes that not all people welcome the good news, and to 1 Thessalonians 2:13, which contrasts mere hearing with accepting the word as God's own. Hebrews 11:6 supplies the theological boundary, stating that faith is the indispensable requirement for approaching God.
Why it lands — The text states that hearing the message yields no value without active faith, as the wilderness generation's disbelief rendered the good news ineffective. Readers must ensure their response moves beyond auditory reception to a faith that comprehends and obeys.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.
- Romans 10:16 But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
- Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
- Hebrews 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?
- 1 Timothy 4:8 For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
- Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
- James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
- Romans 2:25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
- 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.
- Hebrews 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.