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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let us {G5399} therefore {G3767} fear {G5399}, lest {G3379}, a promise {G1860} being left {G2641} us of entering {G1525} into {G1519} his {G846} rest {G2663}, any {G5100} of {G1537} you {G5216} should seem {G1380} to come short of it {G5302}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, let us be terrified of the possibility that, even though the promise of entering his rest remains, any one of you might be judged to have fallen short of it;

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 4:1 serves as a solemn warning to believers, urging them to approach God's promises with reverent caution and diligent faith. It underscores the ongoing availability of a divine "rest" for God's people, while simultaneously highlighting the genuine danger of falling short of this promised inheritance due to unbelief, mirroring the failures of ancient Israel in the wilderness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a crucial transition and direct application following the author's extensive warning in [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7-19 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - The Warning from Israel's Unbelief"). The "therefore" (οὖν, *oun*) signals that the preceding historical account of Israel's failure to enter Canaan due to their hardened hearts and unbelief is not merely a historical anecdote but a profound spiritual lesson for the contemporary Christian audience. The author is building a sustained argument about the superiority of Christ and the new covenant, and this warning serves to prevent spiritual complacency and ensure the readers do not repeat the mistakes of their ancestors. The concept of "rest" is introduced and will be further developed in the subsequent verses of [Hebrews 4](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Rest").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original audience of the Epistle to the Hebrews was likely a community of Jewish Christians facing persecution and perhaps contemplating a return to the perceived safety and familiarity of Judaism. They were intimately familiar with the Old Testament narratives, including the Exodus and the wilderness wandering. The promise of "rest" would have resonated deeply, evoking images of the Sabbath, the land of Canaan as a place of peace and security after wandering, and the ultimate eschatological rest. The author leverages this shared heritage, drawing a powerful **typological** connection between the physical rest in Canaan and the spiritual rest available through faith in Christ. The warning against "coming short" would have been particularly poignant for those tempted to abandon their faith in Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of Hebrews. The central theme of **The Enduring Promise of Rest** is paramount; the "rest" is not merely a physical location but a spiritual reality, a cessation from striving, and ultimately, an eternal Sabbath rest with God, as explored further in [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People"). Secondly, the **Peril of Unbelief and Disobedience** is starkly presented. Just as Israel's unbelief kept them from Canaan, so too can a lack of genuine faith prevent believers from entering into God's spiritual rest. This echoes the warning in [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalms/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") which the author of Hebrews frequently cites. Finally, the verse emphasizes the importance of **Holy Fear and Diligence**. The "fear" is not a cowering dread but a reverent awe and serious consideration of God's warnings and promises, compelling believers to persevere in faith and obedience, ensuring they do not "come short" of the glorious inheritance promised by God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fear (Greek, _phobéō'_):** From G5399, this word signifies "to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere." In this context, it does not imply a debilitating terror but rather a profound, reverential awe and healthy caution. It is a sober recognition of God's holiness, His warnings, and the serious consequences of spiritual negligence, prompting vigilance and diligence rather than paralysis.
* **promise (Greek, _epangelía'_):** From G1860, this term refers to "an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)." Here, it denotes God's faithful declaration of a future good, specifically the availability of "His rest." This highlights God's initiative and reliability, emphasizing that the "rest" is a gift based on His word, not something earned by human effort.
* **rest (Greek, _katápausis'_):** From G2663, this word means "reposing down, i.e. (by Hebraism) abode." It conveys the idea of cessation from labor, a state of tranquility, and a secure dwelling place. In Hebrews, it carries multiple layers of meaning: the Sabbath rest, the physical rest in Canaan, and ultimately, the spiritual and eternal rest found in Christ, which is a state of peace and completion from human striving.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let us therefore fear":** This is an urgent, first-person plural exhortation, directly applying the lessons of the previous chapter to the readers. The "fear" is a healthy, reverent awe that motivates vigilance and serious consideration of spiritual matters, rather than a paralyzing dread. It's a call to sober self-examination and diligence.
* **"lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest":** This clause clarifies the reason for the fear: the existence of an enduring divine promise of "rest." The phrase "being left us" (καταλειπομένης, *kataleipomenēs*) implies that this promise remains available and accessible to the current generation of believers, unlike the generation that failed to enter Canaan. The "rest" belongs to God ("his rest"), signifying its divine origin and nature, and the invitation is to "enter into" it.
* **"any of you should seem to come short of it":** This is the core warning. The word "seem" (δοκεῖ, *dokei*) implies not just the appearance but the actual reality of failing to attain the promised rest. "Come short of it" (ὑστερηκέναι, *hysterekenai*) means to fall behind, to be deficient, or to fail to reach the intended goal. The danger is real and personal ("any of you"), emphasizing individual responsibility in responding to God's promise with faith and perseverance, lest they miss out on what God has graciously offered.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Primarily, it functions as a direct **Exhortation** and **Warning**, using the imperative "Let us fear" to call the audience to immediate and serious consideration. There is a strong element of **Typology**, where the historical failure of Israel to enter Canaan serves as a type or pattern for the potential spiritual failure of New Covenant believers to enter God's rest. The use of "therefore" establishes a clear **Logical Argumentation**, linking the historical narrative of [Hebrews 3](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3 - Warning Against Unbelief") to the present spiritual reality. Furthermore, the phrase "should seem to come short of it" employs **Understatement** (or litotes) to emphasize the gravity of the potential failure; it's not just about appearing to fail, but truly falling short. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** between the enduring promise of God and the potential for human failure due to unbelief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 4:1 profoundly connects the Old Testament narrative of Israel's wilderness journey to the spiritual experience of New Testament believers, underscoring the enduring nature of God's promises and the critical role of faith in receiving them. The "rest" is not merely a physical destination but a spiritual state of peace, security, and cessation from human striving, ultimately found in God's completed work of salvation. The warning highlights the theological truth that while God's promises are steadfast, their appropriation requires a diligent and obedient faith. It challenges the notion of automatic spiritual inheritance, asserting that genuine faith must be active and sustained to enter into the fullness of God's provision, both in this life and eternally. This passage reinforces the New Testament emphasis on perseverance and the reality of falling away for those who do not truly believe.

* [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalms/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts"): The Old Testament source for the warning against hardening one's heart, which the author of Hebrews frequently references to underscore the danger of unbelief.
* [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People"): Provides a fuller exposition on the nature of the "Sabbath rest" that remains for the people of God, clarifying its spiritual and eschatological dimensions.
* [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest"): Jesus' own invitation to the weary and burdened to find rest for their souls, offering a light burden and true peace, which is the ultimate fulfillment of the rest promised in Hebrews.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 4:1 serves as a timeless call to spiritual vigilance and active faith for every believer. It compels us to move beyond passive assumption that we will automatically inherit God's promises, urging instead a diligent and reverent pursuit of the spiritual rest offered in Christ. This "fear" is not a terror of God, but a healthy, holy awe that recognizes the gravity of God's warnings and the preciousness of His promises. It motivates us to examine our hearts for any lingering unbelief or complacency that might prevent us from fully entering into the peace and security found in Him. We are challenged to actively trust, obey, and persevere, ensuring that our faith is not merely intellectual assent but a living, dynamic relationship that keeps us from falling short of the glorious rest God has prepared. This verse reminds us that the journey of faith requires continuous engagement, a readiness to hear God's voice, and a humble submission to His will, lest we forfeit the profound peace that is our inheritance in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "fear" mean to me in the context of my relationship with God, and how does it motivate my spiritual life?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be "coming short" of God's promised rest due to unbelief or disobedience?**
* **How can I actively pursue and enter into God's spiritual rest daily, even amidst life's challenges and striving?**
* **What specific steps can I take to ensure my heart remains soft and receptive to God's voice, avoiding the hardening of heart seen in ancient Israel?**

### FAQ

**What exactly is "his rest" that is promised in Hebrews 4:1?**

Answer: "His rest" (Greek: *katápausis*) is a multi-layered concept in Hebrews. It draws from the Old Testament ideas of God's rest after creation ([Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")), the physical rest found in the land of Canaan after the wilderness wandering, and the Sabbath rest. However, in Hebrews, it transcends these physical realities to point to a deeper, spiritual rest. This rest is a cessation from human striving and works-righteousness, a state of peace and security found in God's completed work of salvation through Christ. It encompasses both a present spiritual reality (entering into peace with God through faith) and a future, ultimate eschatological rest in God's eternal presence, a perfect and unending Sabbath. The author argues that this rest remains available for God's people today.

**Does "fear" in this verse imply that believers can lose their salvation?**

Answer: The "fear" (Greek: *phobéō*) in [Hebrews 4:1](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1 - The Warning to Enter God's Rest") is best understood as a reverent caution or a holy awe, not a cowering terror or a fear of losing salvation in the sense of a true believer being cast out. The book of Hebrews is written to encourage perseverance among those who profess faith, warning against the dangers of apostasy (falling away from the faith) and spiritual negligence. The warning is not that a truly regenerate believer can lose their salvation, but that those who *profess* faith must ensure their faith is genuine and enduring. The "coming short" refers to failing to enter into the promised rest, which for some could imply a failure to ever truly possess saving faith, while for others, it means missing out on the full experience of God's peace and blessing due to a lack of diligence. The author's primary concern is to urge vigilance and perseverance, ensuring that the readers' profession of faith is accompanied by genuine, active trust in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "rest" promised in [Hebrews 4:1](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1 - The Warning to Enter God's Rest") finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament pointed to a physical land and a weekly Sabbath, these were but shadows of the true rest offered by God. Jesus Himself declared, "[Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")." He is the one who has accomplished the perfect work of salvation, providing a complete cessation from the futile striving of human effort to earn righteousness. Through His finished work on the cross, Christ has secured our access to God's presence and provided the peace that surpasses all understanding. Our "entering into his rest" is therefore not by our own works or merit, but by placing our faith in Him who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and bore our sins. The warning in [Hebrews 4:1](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1 - The Warning to Enter God's Rest") to "fear lest... any of you should seem to come short of it" is a call to cling steadfastly to Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, for it is only in Him that the promised rest is fully realized and eternally secured. He is our true Sabbath, our promised land, and the source of our eternal peace, enabling us to cease from our own works and enter into the finished work of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 12:15

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;

Hebrews 4:11

¶ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:9

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Proverbs 28:14

¶ Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

Hebrews 4:3

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 4:5

And in this [place] again, If they shall enter into my rest.

1 Corinthians 9:26

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: