Hebrews 4:2

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G2532}{G1063} unto us was {G2070} the gospel preached {G2097}, as well as {G2509} unto them {G2548}: but {G235} the word {G3056} preached {G189} did {G5623} not {G3756} profit {G5623} them {G1565}, not {G3361} being mixed {G4786} with faith {G4102} in them that heard {G191} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

for Good News has also been proclaimed to us, just as it was to them. But the message they heard didn’t do them any good, because those who heard it did not combine it with trust.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 4:2 underscores a profound truth about the reception of God's divine revelation: the message of salvation and promise, though universally proclaimed, only becomes profitable when it is actively embraced and integrated with personal faith. Drawing a poignant parallel with the ancient Israelites who failed to enter God's promised rest due to their unbelief, this verse serves as a timeless warning to all who hear God's word, emphasizing that intellectual assent or mere exposure is insufficient; true benefit and spiritual progress hinge on a response of genuine, living faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the broader theological argument of Hebrews chapters 3 and 4, which collectively serve as an extended exhortation against unbelief and a call to persevere in faith. The author has just concluded a lengthy comparison between Moses and Christ, establishing Christ's superiority as the Son over a mere servant. The narrative then shifts to a solemn warning, using the historical example of Israel's wilderness generation, whose disobedience and unbelief prevented them from entering the promised land (God's "rest"). Hebrews 3:7-19 vividly recounts their rebellion and the divine judgment that followed. Hebrews 4:1-11 then applies this historical lesson directly to the Christian audience, asserting that a "rest" still remains for the people of God, a spiritual rest that transcends the physical land of Canaan. Verse 4:2 specifically connects the failure of the old generation to the potential failure of the new, highlighting the consistent requirement of faith for God's promises to be realized.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original audience of the book of Hebrews was likely a community of Jewish Christians, possibly in Rome or Palestine, who were experiencing persecution and perhaps contemplating a return to Judaism. They were intimately familiar with the Old Testament narratives, particularly the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, which formed the bedrock of their national and religious identity. The concept of "rest" (Greek: _katapausis_) would have resonated deeply, evoking not only the physical rest of Canaan but also the Sabbath rest and the ultimate eschatological rest with God. The author leverages this shared history and understanding to impress upon them the gravity of unbelief, drawing a direct parallel between the Israelites' failure to enter Canaan and the potential for these Christians to fall short of God's spiritual rest in Christ. The warning is particularly potent given the pressures they faced, which could tempt them to abandon their faith.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 4:2 intricately weaves together several core themes prevalent throughout the epistle. Foremost is the **indispensability of faith**, presented not as a passive assent but as an active, vital response to God's word, without which divine promises remain unfulfilled. This echoes the author's later emphasis on faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith"). Another critical theme is the **nature of God's "rest,"** which is presented as multifaceted: a historical rest (Canaan), a spiritual rest available now through Christ, and a future eschatological rest. The Israelites' failure to enter the physical rest serves as a type for the danger of missing the spiritual and eternal rest. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **power and efficacy of God's word**, which is inherently potent (as described in [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Power of God's Word")), yet its transformative power is contingent upon the hearer's faithful reception. Finally, the **consequences of unbelief** are starkly presented, serving as a solemn warning against hardening one's heart, a theme introduced in [Hebrews 3:7-11](/hebrews/3-7-11 "Hebrews 3:7-11 - Warning Against Hardening Hearts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **preached (Greek, _euangelízō_):** To announce good news, to evangelize. While in the New Testament this term primarily refers to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, here it is used in a broader sense to mean the declaration of God's promises and divine revelation to the Israelites. It signifies that God's message, whether concerning the promised land or ultimate salvation, is always a message of "good news" from His perspective, freely offered.
* **profit (Greek, _ōpheléō_):** To be useful, advantageous, or beneficial. This word highlights the practical outcome of engaging with God's word. The message itself was inherently beneficial and capable of leading to the promised rest, but its potential benefit was nullified for those who heard it without faith. It implies that the word's inherent power requires a specific human response to become effective in an individual's life.
* **mixed with (Greek, _synkeránnymi_):** To commingle, combine, or assimilate. This vivid metaphor describes the necessary fusion of the divine word with human faith. It's not enough for the word to be heard externally; it must be internally blended, integrated, and united with the listener's belief system and inner disposition. Without this spiritual "mixing," the word remains external and inert, unable to produce its intended effect.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them:"** This clause establishes a direct parallel between the experience of the original audience (and by extension, all believers) and the ancient Israelites. The "gospel" here refers to the good news of God's promises and provision, whether the promise of the land to Israel or the promise of spiritual rest and salvation to the New Testament community. It emphasizes the continuity of God's gracious revelation across different dispensations.
* **"but the word preached did not profit them,"** This introduces a stark contrast, highlighting the tragic outcome for the Israelites. Despite hearing the divine message, it proved to be of no advantage or benefit to them. The inherent power and goodness of God's word were rendered ineffective in their lives, not due to any deficiency in the word itself, but due to their response.
* **"not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it]."** This crucial phrase reveals the precise reason for the word's unprofitability: the absence of faith. The metaphor of "mixing" implies an active, internal assimilation and integration of the message with one's personal belief and trust. The Israelites heard the message externally, but they failed to internalize it with a believing heart, thus preventing the word from yielding its intended spiritual fruit and leading them into God's promised rest.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Parallelism** is central, drawing a direct comparison between "us" (the New Testament believers) and "them" (the ancient Israelites), highlighting the continuity of God's method of revelation and the consistent requirement for a faithful response. This parallelism sets up a strong **contrast** between the potential for profit and the actual lack thereof, directly attributing the failure to the absence of faith. The phrase "not being mixed with faith" functions as a potent **metaphor**, likening the word of God to an ingredient that must be thoroughly combined with faith to become effective. This imagery suggests an intimate, internal fusion rather than a superficial hearing, emphasizing the transformative power that occurs when belief truly permeates the reception of divine truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 4:2 profoundly articulates the critical role of faith in the appropriation of divine truth and promise. It reveals that God's sovereign act of revelation, while complete and perfect in itself, requires a corresponding human response of active trust for its benefits to be realized. The "gospel" (good news) is always potent, but its power is not automatically applied; it must be "mixed" with faith, indicating a dynamic, personal engagement with the message. This principle transcends dispensations, showing that from the wilderness generation to the New Testament church, God's method of interaction with humanity consistently hinges on faith as the conduit for His blessings and the means to enter His rest.

* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")
* [James 1:22-25](/james/1-22-25 "James 1:22-25 - Be Doers of the Word")
* [Matthew 13:18-23](/matthew/13-18-23 "Matthew 13:18-23 - The Parable of the Sower Explained")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 4:2 serves as a timeless mirror for every individual who encounters the Word of God. It challenges us to move beyond passive hearing or mere intellectual acknowledgment to a place of deep, transformative engagement. In an age saturated with information, it's easy to consume spiritual content without truly internalizing it. This verse compels us to ask: Am I merely hearing the "gospel" (whether a sermon, a Bible reading, or a theological discussion), or am I actively mixing it with faith? Is God's word truly profiting me, shaping my character, guiding my decisions, and leading me into His rest? The call is to allow the truth to permeate our hearts, to trust its promises, and to obey its commands, thereby activating its inherent power in our lives. Our spiritual vitality, our ability to overcome trials, and our ultimate entry into God's eternal rest are directly proportional to the degree to which we receive His word with genuine, active faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I hearing God's word but struggling to mix it with faith?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more active and responsive faith when I engage with Scripture?**
* **How does my current approach to hearing sermons or reading the Bible reflect a "mixing with faith" or a lack thereof?**

### FAQ
**What does "the word preached did not profit them" mean in the context of Hebrews 4:2?**

Answer: This phrase means that despite hearing God's promises and commands, the ancient Israelites in the wilderness did not benefit from them. The "word preached" refers to the good news of God's provision and the promise of entering His rest (the land of Canaan). However, because they did not combine what they heard with faith—meaning they did not believe, trust, or obey God's word—it remained ineffective and failed to lead them into the promised blessing. Their unbelief rendered God's powerful word "unprofitable" for them, preventing them from experiencing its intended positive outcome, as highlighted throughout [Hebrews 3](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3 - Warning Against Unbelief").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 4:2, while drawing from the Old Testament experience of Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound meaning in Christ. The "gospel" preached to the Israelites, though referring to the promise of a physical land, was a foreshadowing of the greater spiritual rest and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The failure of the old covenant generation to enter their rest due to unbelief serves as a stark warning, but it also illuminates the absolute necessity of faith in the New Covenant, where Christ Himself is the embodiment of God's promise and the true source of rest. Just as the Israelites needed to believe God's word to enter Canaan, so too must all people believe in the finished work of Christ to enter into God's eternal rest. Jesus declares, "[Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus Offers Rest"). He is the "word" made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and to receive Him by faith is to truly "mix" the divine message with a believing heart, leading to salvation and the profound spiritual rest that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). Thus, the unprofitability of the word without faith in the Old Testament points directly to the indispensable role of faith in Christ for all who seek to enter God's promised rest today.

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

1 Thessalonians 2:13

¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Romans 10:16

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Romans 10:17

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 3:18

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

Hebrews 3:19

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.