Hebrews 4:10

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his.

For {G1063} he that is entered {G1525} into {G1519} his {G846} rest {G2663}, he {G846} also {G2532} hath ceased {G2664} from {G575} his own {G846} works {G2041}, as {G5618} God {G2316} did from {G575} his {G2398}.

For the one who has entered God’s rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his.

For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.

For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.

Hebrews chapter 4 continues the author's intricate argument from chapter 3, urging believers not to fall short of God's promised "rest" due to unbelief, just as the generation in the wilderness did not enter the physical land of Canaan. The author contrasts the failure of ancient Israel with the enduring promise of a divine rest available to God's people. This verse, Hebrews 4:10, explains the nature of this spiritual rest.

Key Themes

  • Divine Rest and Human Cessation: The core message is that entering God's rest involves ceasing from one's own efforts to achieve righteousness or salvation. This parallels God resting after His work of creation. It's a profound shift from human striving to divine provision.
  • Faith Over Works: The "rest" spoken of is not merely physical inactivity but a spiritual state achieved through faith in Christ's finished work, rather than through human merit or adherence to the law. This concept is central to the New Testament understanding of salvation by grace through faith.
  • The Believer's Experience: For those who truly enter this spiritual rest, there is an end to the wearying struggle of self-justification. It signifies peace and security found in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "rest" used here is katapausis (κατάπαυσις), which means "a resting, cessation from labor." It carries the connotation of a permanent, settled rest, not just a temporary break. The phrase "ceased from his own works" strongly implies a complete surrender of self-effort, mirroring God's complete and perfect work of creation. This emphasizes that just as God's work was finished and perfect, so too is the work of salvation accomplished by Christ, allowing believers to rest in it.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense comfort and challenge to those seeking true spiritual rest. For believers, it's an invitation to release the burden of trying to earn God's favor and instead embrace the peace that comes from trusting in Christ's completed work on the cross. It encourages us to find our spiritual rest in Him, ceasing from the "works" of anxiety, self-reliance, and striving for human approval or righteousness by our own efforts. The warning remains that unbelief can keep us from entering this rest, urging diligence in faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 14:13

    ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

  • 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 4:4

    For he spake in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

  • 1 Peter 4:1

    ¶ Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

  • 1 Peter 4:2

    That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

  • Hebrews 10:12

    But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

  • John 19:30

    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

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