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Hebrews 4:1

Hebrews 4:1 in Multiple Translations

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.

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.

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.

Let us then, though we still have God's word that we may come into his rest, go in fear that some of you may be unable to do so.

Therefore let's take care to make sure that even though God has given us his promise of entering his rest, none of you miss out!

Let vs feare therefore, least at any time by forsaking the promise of entring into his rest, any of you should seeme to be depriued.

We may fear, then, lest a promise being left of entering into His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short,

Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.

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.

Let us fear therefore lest the promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you should be thought to be wanting.

The Israelites did not enter the place where they would rest. But God has still promised us that we can enter the place of resting in heaven eternally. So we must beware of the possibility that God may consider that some of you have failed to enter the place of resting eternally as the Israelites did not enter the place where they would rest.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Hebrews 4:1

BAB
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Hebrews 4:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK φοβηθωμεν ουν μηποτε καταλειπομενης επαγγελιας εισελθειν εις την καταπαυσιν αυτου δοκη τις εξ υμων υστερηκεναι
φοβηθωμεν phobeō G5399 to fear Verb-AOS-1P
ουν oun G3767 therefore/then Conj
μηποτε mēpote G3379 lest Adv-N
καταλειπομενης kataleipō G2641 to leave behind Verb-PPP-GSF
επαγγελιας epangelia G1860 promise Noun-GSF
εισελθειν eiserchomai G1525 to enter Verb-2AAN
εις eis G1519 toward Prep
την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF
καταπαυσιν katapausis G2663 rest Noun-ASF
αυτου autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GSM
δοκη dokeō G1380 to think Verb-PAS-3S
τις tis G5100 one Indef-NSM
εξ ek G1537 out from Prep
υμων su G4771 you Pron-2GP
υστερηκεναι hustereō G5302 to lack Verb-RAN
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Hebrews 4:1

φοβηθωμεν phobeō G5399 "to fear" Verb-AOS-1P
To fear means to be alarmed or in awe of something, like God's power. In the New Testament, it often means to reverence or respect, as in Matthew 10:31.
Definition: φοβέέω, ῶ (φόβος) [in LXX chiefly for מִן יָרֵא ;] __1. in Hem., to put to flight. Pass., to be put to flight, to flee affrighted __2. to terrify, frighten (Wis 179; Hdt. and Att..). Pass. (so always in NT; cf. M, Pr., 162), to be seized with fear, be affrighted, fear: Mat.10:31 14:27, Mrk.5:33 6:50, Luk.1:13 8:50, Jhn.6:19 12:15, Act.16:38, al.; opposite to ὑψηλοφρονεῖν, Rom.11:20; σφόδρα, Mat.17:6 27:54; with cogn. accusative, φόβον μέγαν, Mrk.4:41, Luk.2:9 (1Ma.10:8); φόβον αὐτῶν (obj, genitive, but cf. ICC, in l), 1Pe.3:14; πτόησιν, 1Pe.3:6; with accusative of person(s), Mat.10:26, Mrk.11:18, Luk.19:21, Jhn.9:22, Act.9:26, Rom.13:3, al.; before ἀπό (like Heb. יָרֵא, Jer.1:8, al.; cf. M, Pr., 102, 104n„), Mat.10:28, Luk.12:4; before μή (cl.; Bl., § 65, 3; M, Pr., 184 f.), Act.23:10 27:17; μήπως, Act.27:29, 2Co.11:3 12:20, Gal.4:11; μήποτε, Heb.4:1; with inf. (Bl., § 69, 4; M, Pr., 205), Mat.1:20, Mrk.9:32, al.; of reverential fear: Mrk.6:20, Eph.5:33; τ. θεόν, Luk.1:50, Act.10:2, 1Pe.2:17, Rev.14:7, al.; τ. κύριον, Col.3:22, Rev.15:4; τ. ὄνομα τ. θεοῦ (see: ὄνομα), Rev.11:18; οἱ φοβούμενοι τ. θεόν, of proselytes, Act.13:16, 26 (cf. ἐκ-φοβέω) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 90 NT verses. KJV: be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence See also: 1 John 4:18; Luke 12:7; 1 Peter 2:17.
ουν oun G3767 "therefore/then" Conj
This word means therefore or then, showing a consequence. It appears in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 5:9 to connect ideas and events.
Definition: οὖν, particle expressing consequence or simple sequence (never standing first in a sentence), wherefore, therefore, then: Mat.3:10, Luk.3:9, Jhn.8:38, Act.1:21, Rom.5:9, al.; in exhortations, Mat.3:8, Luk.11:35, Act.3:19, Rom.6:12, al.; in questions, Mat.13:28, Mrk.15:12, Jhn.8:[5], Rom.6:1, al.; continuing a narrative or resuming it after a digression, Mat.1:17, Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:22 2:18 (and very frequently in this Gospel), Act.26:22, al.; ἄρα οὖν (see: ἄρα); ἐπεὶ οὖν, Heb.2:14; οὖν with ptcp. (= ἐπεὶ οὖν), Act.2:30, Rom.5:1, al.; ἐὰν οὖν (where οὖν rather in sense belongs to the apodosis), Mat.5:23, Luk.4:7, Jhn.6:62, Rom.2:26, al.; ὡς οὖν, Jhn.4:1, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 515 NT verses. KJV: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore See also: 1 Corinthians 3:5; Acts 23:15; 1 Peter 2:1.
μηποτε mēpote G3379 "lest" Adv-N
Lest or if ever, is used to express a sense of chance or possibility, as in Matthew 5:25 and Luke 12:58, where it is used to convey a warning or caution.
Definition: μήποτε (= μή ποτε, and so written in WH, exc. Mat.25:9), negative particle, related to οὔποτε as μή to οὐ. __1. As neg. particle, never: Heb.9:17 (R, mg., but see infr.; WH, txt., μή τότε). __2. As conjc., lest ever, lest haply (the idea of chance rather than of time seems to prevail in NT) : Mat.4:6 (LXX) Mat.5:25 7:6 13:15" (LXX), Mat.13:29 15:32 27:64, Mrk.4:12" (LXX) Mrk.14:2, Luk.4:11 12:58 14:12, 29, Act.28:27; after verbs of fearing or taking heed, Luk.21:34, Heb.2:1 3:12 4:1; with ellipse of the verb or ptcp., Luk.14:8, Act.5:39; in later writers (see M, Pr., 192 f.), perhaps, Mat.25:9. __3. As interrogative; __(a) in direct questions, like μή, expecting a negative answer: Jhn.7:26, Heb.9:17, (R, txt., cf. Westc., in l; but see supr.); __(b) in indirect questions, whether haply, if haply: Luk.3:15, 2Ti.2:25.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 25 NT verses. KJV: if peradventure, lest (at any time, haply), not at all, whether or not See also: 2 Timothy 2:25; Luke 14:12; Hebrews 2:1.
καταλειπομενης kataleipō G2641 "to leave behind" Verb-PPP-GSF
To leave behind means to abandon or have something remaining, like when Jesus left Nazareth behind to preach in Galilee. This word is used in Matthew 4:13 and Acts 24:27. It can also mean to forsake or reserve something.
Definition: κατα-λείπω [in LXX chiefly far שָׁאַר, ni., hi., also for עָזַב, יָתַר, etc. ;] __1 1, to leave behind, leave: with accusative of person(s) (of thing(s)), Mat.4:13, Mrk.12:19, 21, Luk.20:31, Act.24:27 25:14, Heb.11:27; of sailing by a place, Act.21:3; ptcp., καταλιπών, redundant (Dalman, Words, 21 f.), Mat.16:4 21:17; pass., Jhn.8:9, 1Th.3:1; metaphorically, εὐθεῖαν ὁδόν, 2Pe.2:15. __2. to forsake, abandon: Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:7" (LXX) Mrk.14:52, Luk.5:28 15:4, Act.6:2, Eph.5:31" (LXX) . __3. to leave remaining, reserve: with accusative and inf., Luk.10:40; ἐμαυτῷ, Rom.11:4 (LXX); pass., Heb.4:1 (cf. ἐν-κατα-λείπω).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 25 NT verses. KJV: forsake, leave, reserve See also: 1 Thessalonians 3:1; Luke 5:28; Hebrews 4:1.
επαγγελιας epangelia G1860 "promise" Noun-GSF
A promise is a commitment or assurance, especially from God. In the Bible, it refers to God's promises to his people, like in Acts 7:17 and Romans 4:14.
Definition: ἐπ-αγγελία, -ας, ἡ (ἐπαγγέλλω), [in LXX: Psa.56:8 (סֵפֶר), etc. ;] __1. a summons (as Attic law-term, Dem., al.). __2. a promise (Dem., Arist., al.): Act.23:21; esp. in NT of the divine promises, Act.7:17, Rom.4:14, 16 Rom.9:4, Gal.3:17-18, 21 4:23, Heb.8:6 11:9, 17, 2Pe.3:9; with inf., Heb.4:1; γίνεται, etc., with dative of person(s), Act.2:39, Rom.4:13, Gal.3:16; before πρός, Act.13:32 26:6; έπαγγέλεσθαι τὴν ἐ., 1Jn.2:25; ἔχειν ἐπαγγελίας, Heb.7:6, 2Co.7:1; εἷναι νἐ έπαγγελίᾳ, Eph.6:2; ἡ γῆ τῆς ἐ., Heb.11:9; τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐ., Rom.9:8, Gal.4:28; τ. πνεῦμα τῆς ἐ. τ. ἅγιον, Eph.1:13; αἱ διαθῆκαι τῆς ἐ., Eph.2:12; ἡ ἐ. τ. θεοῦ, Rom.4:20; pl., 2Co.1:20; αἱ ἐ. τ. πατέρων, Rom.15:8; with genitive obj., τ. ζωῆς (see Dalman, Words, 103), 1Ti.4:8; τ. παρουσίας αὐτοῦ, 2Pe.3:4; κατ ̓ ἐπαγγελίαν, Act.13:23, Gal.3:29, 2Ti.1:1; δι ̓ ἐπαγγελίας, Gal.3:18; συμμέτοχα τῆς ἐ., Eph.3:6; λόγος ἐπαγγελίας, Rom.9:9. By meton. (cf. ἐλπίς), of a promised blessing: Luk.24:49, Act.1:14, Gal.3:22, Heb.6:12-17 10:36 11:13, 33 11:39; with genitive epexeg., Act.2:33 Gal.3:14, Heb.9:15 (Cremer, 27).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 50 NT verses. KJV: message, promise See also: 1 John 2:25; Galatians 3:29; Hebrews 4:1.
εισελθειν eiserchomai G1525 "to enter" Verb-2AAN
To enter means to go into a place or situation, like Jesus entering a house in Matthew 9:25 or a city in Mark 1:21. It can be physical or symbolic, like entering a new phase of life. This word is used in many Bible stories, including when Jesus entered Jerusalem in Mark 11:11.
Definition: εἰσ-έρχομαι, [in LXX chiefly for בּוֹא ;] to go in or into, enter: Mat.9:25, Luk.7:45, al.; before εἰς, Mat.10:12, Mrk.2:1, al.; before διά (πύλης, θύρας, etc.), Mat.7:13, Jhn.10:1, al.; ὑπὸ τ. στέγην, Mat.8:8; with adv.: ὅπου, Mrk.14:14, Heb.6:20; ὧδε, Mat.22:12; ἔσω, Mat.26:58; before πρός, with accusative of person(s), Mrk.15:43, Luk.1:28, Act.10:3 11:3 16:40 17:2 28:8, Rev.3:20; of demons taking possession, Mrk.9:25, Luk.8:30 22:3, Jhn.13:27; of food, Mat.15:11, Act.11:8. Metaphorical, of thoughts, Luk.9:46; εἰς κόπον, Jhn.4:38; εἰς πειρασμόν, Mat.26:41, Luk.22:40, 46; of hope as an anchor, Heb.6:19; βοαί, Jas.5:4; πνεῦμα ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; εἰς τ. κόσμον (cf. Wis.2:24 14:14, Jhn.18:37), Rom.5:12, Heb.10:5; in counterparts of Jewish Aram. phrases relating to the theocracy (cf. Dalman, Words, 116ff.): εἰς τ. γάμους, Mat.25:10; εἰς τ. χάραν τ. κυρίου, Mat.25:21, 23; εἰς τ. ζωήν, Mat.18:8, 9 19:17, Mrk.9:43, 45; εἰς τ. βασιλ. τ. οὐρανῶν, Mat.5:20 7:21, al. (see: βασιλεία); εἰς τ. κατάπαυσιν, Heb.3:11, 18 4:1ff.; εἰς τ. δόξαν, Luk.24:26; εἰσ. καὶ ἐξερχ., to go in and out (like Heb. בוֹא וְצֵאת, Deu.28:6, etc.), of familiar intercourse, Act.1:21; figuratively, of moral freedom, Jhn.10:9 (cf. ἐπ-, παρ-, συν-εισέρχομαι). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 185 NT verses. KJV: X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through) See also: 1 Corinthians 14:23; Luke 11:37; Hebrews 3:11.
εις eis G1519 "toward" Prep
This word means toward or into, indicating direction or purpose, as seen in Matthew 8:23 and Mark 1:45. It can also imply a sense of movement or action. The KJV translates it in various ways.
Definition: εἰς, prep. with accusative, expressing entrance, direction, limit, into, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among (Lat. in, with accusative). __I. Of place. __1. After verbs of motion; __(a) of entrance into: Mat.8:23, 9:7, Mrk.1:45, Luk.2:15, 8:31, al.; __(b) of approach, to or towards: Mrk.11:1, Luk.6:8, 19:28, Jhn.11:31, 21:6, al.; __(with) before pl. and collective nouns, among: Mrk.4:7, 8:19, 20, Luk.11:49, Jhn.21:23, al.; __(d) Of a limit reached, unto, on, upon: Mat.8:18, 21:1, Mrk.11:1, 13:16, Luk.14:10, Jhn.6:3, 11:32, al.; with accusative of person(s) (as in Ep. and Ion.), Act.23:15, Rom.5:12, 16:19, 2Co.10:14; __(e) elliptical: ἐπιστολαὶ εἰς Δαμασκόν, Act.9:2; ἡ διακονία μου ἡ εἰς Ἱ., Rom.15:31; metaphorically, of entrance into a certain state or condition, or of approach or direction towards some end (Thayer, B, i, 1; ii, 1), εἰς τ. ὄνομα, M, Pr., 200. __2. Of direction; __(a) after verbs of seeing: Mat.6:26, Mrk.6:41, Luk.9:16, 62, Jhn.13:22, al.; metaphorically, of the mind, Heb.11:26, 12:2, al.; __(b) after verbs of speaking: Mat.13:10, 14:9, 1Th.2:9, al. __3. After verbs of rest; __(a) in "pregnant" construction, implying previous motion (cl.; see WM, 516; Bl., §39, 3; M, Pr., 234f.): Mat.2:23, 4:13, 2Th.2:4, 2Ti.1:11, Heb.11:9, al.; __(b) by an assimilation general in late Gk (see Bl., M, Pr., ll. with) = ἐν: Luk.1:44, 4:23, Act.20:16, 21:17, Jhn.1:18 (but see Westc, in l.), al. __II. Of time, for, unto; __1. accentuating the duration expressed by the accusative: εἰς τ. αἰῶνα, Mat.21:19; εἰς γενεὰς καὶ γ., Luk.1:50; εἰς τ. διηνεκές, Heb.7:3, al. __2. Of a point or limit of time, unto, up to, until: Mat.6:34, Act.4:3, 25:21, Php.1:10, 2:16, 1Th.4:15, 2Ti.1:12; of entrance into a future period, σεις τὸ μέλλον (see: μέλλω), next (year), Luk.13:9 (but with ICC, in l.); εἰς τ. μεταξὺ σάββατον, on the next Sabbath, Act.13:42; εἰς τὸ πάλιν (see: πάλιν, 2Co.13:2. __III. Of result, after verbs of changing, joining, dividing, etc.: στρέφειν εἰς, Rev.11:6; μετας-, Act.2:20, Jas.4:9; μεταλλάσσειν, Rom.1:26; σχίζειν εἰς δύο, Mat.27:51, al.; predicatively with εἴναι, Act.8:23. __IV. Of relation, to, towards, for, in regard to (so in cl., but more frequently in late Gk., εἰς encroaching on the simple dative, which it has wholly displaced in MGr.; Jannaris, Gr., §1541; Robertson, Gr., 594; Deiss., BS, 117f.): Luk.7:30, Rom.4:20, 15:2, 26, 1Co.16:1, Eph.3:16, al.; ἀγάπη εἰς, Rom.5:8, al.; χρηστός, Eph.4:32; φρονεῖν εἰς, Rom.12:16; θαρρεῖν, 2Co.10:1. __V. Of the end or object: εὔθετος εἰς, Luk.14:34; σόφος, Rom.16:19; ἰσχύειν, Mat.5:13; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, al.; ἀφορίζειν εἰς, Rom.1:1; indicating purpose, εἰς φόβον, Rom.8:15; εἰς ἔνδειξιν, Rom.3:25; εἰς τό, with inf. (= ἵνα or ὥστε; Bl., §71, 5; M, Pr., 218ff.): Mat.20:19, Rom.1:11, 1Co.9:18, al. __VI. Adverbial phrases: εἰς τέλος, εἰς τὸ πάλιν, etc (see: τέλος, πάλιν, etc.). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1512 NT verses. KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Peter 1:2.
την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
καταπαυσιν katapausis G2663 "rest" Noun-ASF
Rest refers to reposing or abode, like the rest God promises in Hebrews 3:11. It's about finding peace and ceasing from labor, as seen in Acts 7:49.
Definition: κατά-παυσις, -εως, ἡ (καταπαύω), [in LXX chiefly for מְנוּחָה, Psa.95:11, Isa.66:1, al.; ἡμέρα τῆς κ., 2Ma.15:1] __1. in cl., a putting to rest, causing to cease. __2. In LXX and NT, rest, repose: Act.7:49 (LXX), Heb.3:11, 18 4:1, 3 4:5, 10-11† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: rest See also: Acts 7:49; Hebrews 4:3; Hebrews 3:11.
αυτου autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GSM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
δοκη dokeō G1380 "to think" Verb-PAS-3S
To think means to have an opinion or suppose something, as in Matthew 24:44 and Luke 12:40. It involves having a thought or idea about something, which may or may not be true.
Definition: δοκέω, -ῶ (δόκος, opinion, δέκομαι, Ion, form of δέχ-), [in LXX for טוֹב, נָדַב, etc. ;] __1. to be of opinion, suppose: Mat.24:44, Luk.12:40, Heb.10:29; with inf., Mat.3:9, Luk.8:18 24:37, Jhn.5:39 16:2, Act.12:9 27:13, 1Co.3:18 7:40 8:2 10:12 14:37, Gal.6:3, Php.3:4, Jas.1:26; with accusative and inf., 1Co.12:23, 2Co.11:16; before ὅτι, Mat.6:7 26:53, Mrk.6:49, Luk.12:51 13:2, 4 19:11, Jhn.5:45 11:13, 31 13:29 20:15, 1Co.4:9, 2Co.12:19, Jas.4:5. __2. to seem, be reputed: Act.25:27; with inf., Mrk.10:42, Luk.10:36 22:24, Act.17:13 26:9, 1Co.11:16 12:22, 2Co.10:9, Gal.2:6, 9, Heb.4:1 12:11; οἱ δοκοῦντες, those of repute, Gal.2:2. Impers., it seems, with dative of person(s); __(a) to think: Mat.17:25 18:12 21:28 22:17, 42 26:66, Jhn.11:56, Heb.12:10; __(b) to please, seem good to: with inf., Luk.1:3, Act.15:22, 25 15:23, 34.† SYN. (δοκέω 1): ἡγέομαι 2, νομίζω2, οἴομαι; ἡ. and ν. properly express belief resting on external proof, ἡ. denoting the more careful judgment; δ. and οἴ. imply a subjective judgment which in the case of οἴ. is based on feeling, in δ. on thought (see Schmidt, with 17) (δοκέω2): φαίνομαι; φ., from the standpoint of the object, "expresses how a matter phenomenally shows and presents itself"; δ., from the standpoint of the observer, expresses one's subjective judgment about a matter (see Tr., Syn., LXXx; Cremer, 204). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 61 NT verses. KJV: be accounted, (of own) please(-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow See also: 1 Corinthians 3:18; John 5:39; Hebrews 4:1.
τις tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general sense, as seen in Luke 9:49 and John 11:1. It can mean someone, anyone, or anything. This term is often used to describe an unspecified individual or object.
Definition: τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. __I. As subst., __1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. __2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. __II. II. As adj., __1. a certain: Mat.18:12, Luk.1:5 8:27, Act.3:2, al.; with proper names, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:26, al.; with genitive partit., Luk.7:19, al. __2. some: Mrk.16:[8], Jhn.5:14, Act.17:21 24:24, Heb.11:40, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 490 NT verses. KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Peter 2:19.
εξ ek G1537 "out from" Prep
The preposition 'out from' shows movement or origin, like in John 6:31 and Acts 9:3. It helps us understand where people or things come from or are going.
Definition: ἐκ (ἐξ), prep. with genitive, from out of, from (see Addendum, p. 492).This entry is included here, but in the print version the entry is found on p. 492. ἐκ, before a vowel ἐξ, prep. with genitive, of motion outwards, separation from (opposite to εἰς; = Lat. e, ex), from out of, from among, from. __I. Of Place, __1. of motion, out of, forth from, off from: Jhn.6:31, Act.9:3, Gal.1:8, al.; esp. after verbs of motion, Mat.8:28 17:9, Mrk.1:25 7:28, Jhn.1:33 20:1, Act.12:7, 17 27:30, al.; constr. praeg., σώζειν (διας) ἐκ, Ju 5, Act.28:4. Metaphorical, Mat.7:4, 5, 1Pe.2:9; ἐκ τ. χειρός (-ῶν), before genitive of person(s), Luk.1:74, Jhn.10:28, 29, 39, Act.12:4 24:7, Rev.19:2; πίνειν (which see) ἐκ; of the place from which an action proceeds, Luk.5:3 (cf. 12:36, Jhn.13:4, 2Co.2:4). __2. Of change from one place or condition to another: Jhn.8:42, Rom.6:13 13:11, Rev.7:14, al.; with ellips. of verb of motion, 2Ti.2:26, 2Pe.2:21, Rev.2:21, al. __3. Of separation or distinction from a number, before collective or pl. nouns: Mat.13:47, 49, Jhn.12:1, Act.3:15, 1Pe.1:3, al.; after εἷς, Mat.10:29 Luk.17:15, al.; οὐδείς, Jhn.7:19, al.; πολλοί, Jhn.11:19, al.; τις, Luk.11:15, al.; τίς, Mat.6:27, al.; in partitive phrase as subject of sentence, Jhn.16:17; Hebraistically, ἐκ μέσου before genitive, = ἐκ (Heb. מִתּוֹךְ), Mat.13:49, al. __4. Of position or direction (so in cl. = ἔξω): ἐκ δεξιῶν (see: δεξιός); ἐξ ἐναντίας, Mrk.15:39 (metaphorically, Tit.2:8); ἐκ ῥιζῶν (i.e., utterly), Mat.11:20. __II. Of Time, __1. of the point of time from which, from, since: ἐκ γενετῆς, Jhn.9:1, cf. Mrk.10:20, Luk.23:8, Act.24:10, al. __2. Of succession in time: ἐκ δευτέρου, a second time, Mrk.14:72, al., cf. Mat.26:44; ἡμέραν ἐξ ἡμέρας, from day to day, 2Pe.2:8. __III. Of Origin, __1. of nativity, lineage, race: κοίτην (ἐν γαστρί) ἔχειν, Rom.9:10, Mat.1:18; γεννᾶν ἐκ, Mat.1:3ff.; γεννᾶσθαι (γίνεσθαι) ἐκ, Jhn.3:6 8:41, Gal.4:4; ἐκ πνεύματος (θεοῦ), Jhn.1:13 3:5ff., al. ἔρχεσθαι, εἶναι, etc., ἐκ τ. πολέως, Jhn.1:44; φυλῆς, Luk.2:36, al.; τ. ἐξουσίας Ἡρῴδου, Luk.23:7; ὁ ὢν ἐκ τ. γῆς, Jhn.3:31. __2. Of the author, occasion or source: Mat.5:37, Jhn.2:16, Rom.2:29, 1Co.8:6, Gal.5:8, al.; ἐκ (τ. θεοῦ, 1Co.7:7, 2Co.5:1, 1Jn.4:7; ἐκ τ. πατρός, Jhn.6:65, al.; ἐκ τ. γῆς ἐστιν, λαλεῖ, Jhn.3:31; εκ καρδίας, Rom.6:17, cf. Mrk.12:30, 1Ti.1:5; ἐκ ψυχῆς, Eph.6:6, Col.3:23; ἐκ πίστεως, Rom.14:23; κρίνειν ἐκ, Luk.19:22, Rev.20:12. __3. Of the agent, after passive verbs: Mat.15:5, Mrk.7:11, 2Co.2:2, al.; frequently in Re after αδικεῖσθαι (2:11), etc. __4. Of cause, dependence, source of supply: τ. πόνου (των), Rev.16:10, 11; τ. φωνῶν, Rev.8:13; ἐκ τούτου, Jhn.6:66 19:12 (but see Meyer, in ll.); ἐκ θεοῦ λαλεῖν, 2Co.2:17; ἐκ τ. ἀληθείας, Jhn.18:37, 1Jn.3:19; ὁ ἐκ πίστεως, Rom.3:26 4:16; οἱ (ὄντες) ἐκ περιτομῆς, Act.11:2, Rom.4:12, Gal.2:12, Col.4:11; πίνειν ἐκ, Mat.26:29, Mrk.14:25, Jhn.4:13, al.; θερίζειν, Gal.6:8; μετέχειν ἐκ (= partit. genitive), 1Co.10:13; with inf., ἐκ τοῦ ἔχειν, 2Co.8:11. __5. Of material: Mat.27:29, Jhn.2:15 19:2, Rom.9:21, 1Co.11:12, Rev.18:12, al.; allied to which is its use of price (= cl. genitive): Mat.27:7, cf. ib. 20:2, Act.1:18. __IV. By attraction = ἐν (cl.): τὰ ἐκ τ. οἰκιας, Mat.24:17; τ. ἐξ αὐτοῦ δύναμιν, Mrk.5:30 (see Field, in l.); ὁ πατὴρ ὁ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, Luk.11:13. __V. Adverbial phrases: ἐξ ἀνάγκης, 2Co.9:7, Heb.7:12; ἐξ ἰσότητος, 2Co.8:13; ἐκ μέρους, 1Co.12:27 13:9-12; ἐκ μέτρου, Jhn.3:34; ἐκ συμφώνου, 1Co.7:5. __VI. in composition, ἐκ signifies, __1. procession, removal: ἐκβαίνω, ἐκβάλλω. __2. Opening out, unfolding: ἐκτείνω; metaphorically, ἐξαγγάλλω. __3. Origin: ἔκγονος. __4. Completeness: ἐξαπορέω (see M, Pr., 237), ἐκπληρόω, ἐκτελέω. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 753 NT verses. KJV: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:30; 3 John 1:11; 1 Peter 1:3.
υμων su G4771 "you" Pron-2GP
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
υστερηκεναι hustereō G5302 "to lack" Verb-RAN
To lack means to fall short or be inferior, as seen in Hebrews 4:1 and 2 Corinthians 11:5, where it refers to coming short of God's promise or being inferior to others.
Definition: ὑστερέω, -ῶ (ὕστερος), [in LXX for חָסֵר, חָדַל etc. ;] to come late, be behind (opposite to προτερέω, φθάνω; with genitive of thing(s), for; with genitive of person(s), later than). Metaphorical, __1. of persons, __(a) absol., to come short, fail: Heb.4:1; before ἀπό, Heb.12:15.; __(b) with genitive of person(s), to come short of, be inferior to: 2Co.11:5; οὐδέν (in nothing, in no respect), 2Co.12:11; __(with) with reference to things, to come short (of ), be in want (of ): with accusative of thing(s), Mat.19:20 (Sir.51:24); with genitive of thing(s), Luk.22:35; so mid. (Diod., FlJ), Rom.3:23; absol., to be in want, suffer want, Luk.15:14, 1Co.8:8, 2Co.11:8, Heb.11:37 (Sir.11:11); opposite to περισσεύειν, Php.4:12; before ἐν, 1Co.1:7. __2. Of things, __(a) to fail, be lacking: Jhn.2:3; with accusative of person(s) (see Swete, in l; Mozley, Psa.42:1-11), Mrk.10:21; __(b) to be inferior: mid., 1Co.12:24 (cf. ἀφ-υστερέω).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: come behind (short), be destitute, fail, lack, suffer need, (be in) want, be the worse See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; Hebrews 12:15; Hebrews 4:1.

Study Notes — Hebrews 4:1

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 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.
2 Hebrews 4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
3 Proverbs 28:14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
4 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.
5 1 Corinthians 9:26–27 Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
6 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.
7 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.
8 1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
9 Hebrews 4:3–5 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. For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.” And again, as He says in the passage above: “They shall never enter My rest.”
10 2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Hebrews 4:1 Summary

[Hebrews 4:1 is a reminder that God's promise of eternal rest and peace is still available to us today, and we need to be careful not to miss out on it. This promise is not just a future hope, but a present reality that we can experience as we trust in God's Word and obey His commands, as seen in John 15:10-11 and 1 John 3:24. By putting our faith in Jesus Christ, we can enter into God's rest and find peace that surpasses all understanding, as promised in Philippians 4:7. As we strive to enter God's rest, we can look to Scripture for guidance and encouragement, such as in Psalm 16:11 and Isaiah 26:3.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the promise of entering His rest in Hebrews 4:1?

The promise of entering His rest refers to the eternal rest and peace that God has prepared for His people, as seen in verses like Psalm 95:11 and Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus invites us to come to Him and find rest for our souls.

What does it mean to fall short of this promise?

To fall short of this promise means to fail to enter into the eternal rest and peace that God has prepared for us, often due to unbelief or disobedience, as warned in Hebrews 3:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:12.

How can we be careful not to fall short of this promise?

We can be careful not to fall short of this promise by trusting in God's Word, obeying His commands, and persevering in our faith, as encouraged in Hebrews 3:6 and 2 Peter 1:10-11.

Is this promise only for a select few, or is it available to all believers?

This promise is available to all believers, as seen in Hebrews 4:1-3, where it is clear that all who have believed can enter into God's rest, just like the Israelites who trusted in God's promise in the Old Testament, such as in Exodus 33:14 and Deuteronomy 12:9-10.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I may be in danger of falling short of God's promise of rest, and how can I trust in God's power to help me overcome them?
  2. How can I cultivate a deeper sense of trust and obedience in my relationship with God, so that I can enter into His rest and experience His peace?
  3. What are some ways that I can persevere in my faith and not give up, even when faced with challenges and difficulties, and how can I encourage others to do the same?
  4. How can I balance the idea of 'entering God's rest' with the reality of living in a fallen world, where struggles and hardships are a part of life, and what does 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 teach us about this?
  5. What does it mean for me to 'enter God's rest' on a daily basis, and how can I practically apply this concept to my life, as seen in Matthew 11:28-30 and Psalm 23:1-4?

Gill's Exposition on Hebrews 4:1

Let us therefore fear,.... Not with a fear of wrath and damnation; nor with a fear of diffidence and distrust of the power, grace, and goodness of God; but with a cautious fear, a godly jealousy, a

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hebrews 4:1

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. Let us therefore fear - not with slavish terror, but godly "fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hebrews 4:1

HEBREWS CHAPTER 4 The rest of Christians to be attained by faith. ,13 The power of God’ s word. Having Jesus the Son of God for our High Priest, we must hold fast our profession, and come boldly unto the throne of grace. Let us therefore fear: the Spirit draws this counsel from the former sad event of unbelief in the progenitors of these Hebrews, who were shut out of an earthly Canaan by it, which was promised to them: hereon he adviseth them to avoid that sin which will have now as fearful a punishment, viz. the shutting them out of the heavenly Canaan, tendered and promised to believers in thee gospel. Fear is that affection of the soul, by which it avoideth and shunneth what is hurtful to it, and here carrieth it in a gracious and child-like care and jealousy of slighting the Father’ s promise, and coming short of heaven; it is a fear issuing from faith, . Lest, a promise being left us; lest the promise of God to men, who sware some should not enter, but promised others should, as ,24,30,31; a promise of the most excellent, glorious, and heavenly rest made to believers, . This was graciously left or made to them by God; but kataleipomenhv here is an act of sin, lest we by sin should leave or reject God’ s promise of the better, as the Hebrews did of the literal, rest, by their unbelief and disobedience to God’ s law; and so is the proper object of fear, and therefore ought to have been read, lest the promise being left behind. Of entering into his rest; of a free entrance into heaven, and enjoying a glorious rest with God there. Any of you should seem to come short of it: he would have it the fear of all, that not one soul tnight be endangered by it; so as not in any measure to slight such a promise, nor as much as to seem so, flying from the very appearance of evil, ; usterhkenai, a metaphor taken from racers, where any are outrun and left behind; noting the miserable state of such Christians who profess to run to heaven, but never do so as to obtain it, . Alas, he that falleth short of heaven, reacheth home to hell!

Trapp's Commentary on Hebrews 4:1

1 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. Ver. 1. Let us fear] With a fear not of diffidence, but of diligence. Lest a promise] Some render it thus, Lest we should seem to fall short of the promise that is left us, &c. But where is that promise left us, may some say? It is closely couched in the former commination, Hebrews 3:18. God sware that unbelievers should not enter, and therefore intimates a promise that believers shall enter. A bee can suck sweet honey out of bitter thyme, so cannot a fly do. To come short of it] To come lag and late, υστερηκεναι, when the gate is shut, the drawbridge taken up, as those foolish virgins, or as lazy race runners, or as those that come a day after the fair, an hour after the feast, and so are frustrated.

Ellicott's Commentary on Hebrews 4:1

(1) Let us therefore fear.—The emphasis rests upon “fear,” not upon “us.” It is noteworthy that the writer begins with “Let us,” though about to write “lest any of you;” he will have gained his object if he brings his readers to share his fear. Lest, a promise being left us.—Rather, lest haply, a promise being (still) left. No word must be inserted here that can diminish the generality of the words; in the sequel the statement will be repeated with all possible clearness. Here it is simply said that such a promise remains unexhausted, waiting for complete fulfilment. No Hebrew Christian would doubt this. As in Hebrews 1, the writer’s aim is not to establish a truth absolutely new, but to show that in this and in that Scripture a received truth lies contained. Most of our earlier versions (following Luther and Erasmus) give to this clause a different turn, which cannot be correct: “Lest any of you by forsaking the promise of entering in His rest.” Any of you should seem to come short of it.—Rather, any one of you should be accounted to have come short of it. The difficulty here lies in the words rendered “seem” or “be accounted.” It appears impossible that the meaning can be “should even seem,” or “should think himself,” or “should show himself,” to have failed. It may be that the writer avoids positive and direct language in speaking of what lies beyond mortal ken, and therefore reverently says “should seem to have come short of it.” It is more probable that he is influenced by the figure contained in the next word, the falling short of a mark; and is thus led to refer to the judge who witnesses and declares the failure,—“Lest any one . . . be held (or, be adjudged) to have come short of” the promise.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hebrews 4:1

CHAPTER IV. As the Christian rest is to be obtained by faith, we should beware of unbelief lest we lose it, as the Hebrews did theirs, 1. The reason why they were not brought into the rest promised to them, 2. The rest promised to the Hebrews was a type of that promised to Christians, 3-10. Into this rest we should earnestly labour to enter, 11. A description of the word of God, 12, 13. Jesus is our sympathetic High Priest, 15. Through him we have confidence to come to God, 16. NOTES ON CHAP. IV. Verse 1. Let us therefore fear] Seeing the Israelites lost the rest of Canaan, through obstinacy and unbelief, let us be afraid lest we come short of the heavenly rest, through the same cause. Should seem to come short of it.] Lest any of us should actually come short of it; i.e. miss it. See the note on the verb δοκειν, to seem, Lu 8:18. What the apostle had said before, relative to the rest, might be considered as an allegory; here he explains and applies that allegory, showing that Canaan was a type of the grand privileges of the Gospel of Christ, and of the glorious eternity to which they lead. Come short] The verb υστερειν is applied here metaphorically; it is an allusion, of which there are many in this epistle, to the races in the Grecian games: he that came short was he who was any distance, no matter how small, behind the winner. Will it avail any of us how near we get to heaven, if the door be shut before we arrive? How dreadful the thought, to have only missed being eternally saved! To run well, and yet to permit the devil, the world, or the flesh, to hinder in the few last steps! Reader, watch and be sober.

Cambridge Bible on Hebrews 4:1

1. Let us therefore fear] The fear to which we are exhorted is not any uncertainty of hope, but solicitude against careless indifference. It is a wholesome fear taught by wisdom (Philippians 2:12).lest] Lit. lest haply.being left us] It is better to omit the word “us,” It means “since a promise still remains unrealised.” The promise has not been exhausted by any previous fulfilment.any] Rather, “any one.” See note on Hebrews 3:12.of you] He cannot say “of us,” because he proceeds to describe the case of hardened and defiant apostates.should seem to come short of it] Rather, “should seem to have failed in attaining it.” The Greek might also mean “should think that he has come too late for it;” but the writer’s object is to stimulate the negligent, not to encourage the despondent. The word “seem” is an instance of the figure called litotes, in which a milder term is designedly used to express one which is much stronger. The author of this Epistle, abounding as he does in passages of uncompromising sternness, would not be likely to use any merely euphuistic phrase. The dignity of his expressions adds to their intensity. For a similar delicate yet forcible use of “seem” see 1 Corinthians 11:16. The verb “to fail” or “come short” occurs in Hebrews 12:15, together with a terrible example of the thing itself in Hebrews 12:17.

Barnes' Notes on Hebrews 4:1

Let us therefore fear - Let us be apprehensive that we may possibly fall of that rest. The kind of “fear” which is recommended here is what leads to caution and care.

Whedon's Commentary on Hebrews 4:1

1. Therefore—In view of the fearful examples of apostasy in last chapter. Let us fear—Implying a belief in its practical possibility and an earnest desire to avoid it. Seem—Should appear.

Sermons on Hebrews 4:1

SermonDescription
A.W. Tozer (Hebrews - Part 12): Enter Into the Rest of Jesus by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of finding rest in God. He highlights that building character and doing virtuous deeds alone cannot bring true rest. The speak
Chuck Missler Jude #2 - Israel in the Wilderness by Chuck Missler In this sermon, the pastor discusses the topic of apostasy and warns the congregation about the dangers of falling away from the faith. He uses examples from the Bible to illustrat
B.H. Clendennen Hearing His Voice by B.H. Clendennen In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the changes in worship and preaching over time. He shares an experience in an English church where singing took up a significant portion of
David Wilkerson How to Be Faithful to God by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher addresses the feelings of condemnation, fear, and doubt that many people experience. He emphasizes that these negative emotions are a result of the lie
David Wilkerson God Is Doing a New Thing - Slovakia Conference 2003 (Slovakian/english) by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher shares stories of miraculous interventions by God in people's lives. He talks about a man who was able to rescue someone stuck in an elevator, and a wo
George Warnock Cranbrook 1993 10-1-93 by George Warnock In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying focused and protecting the Lord's table. They encourage the audience to watch their mouths and speak in the spirit.
Zac Poonen A Reverential Fear of God by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of reverent fear of God in our lives, highlighting the need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, to live in obedience and holine

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