• Hebrews 4:1
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 4 Φοβηθῶμεν We should fear οὖν therefore μή not ποτε sometime καταλειπομένης being left down ἐπαγγελίας of promise εἰσελθεῖν to enter εἰς into τὴν the κατάπαυσιν ceasing down αὐτοῦ of him δοκῇ may seem τις someone ἐξ out of ὑμῶν YOU ὑστερηκέναι· to have come behind;

  • Hebrews 4:1
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 4 Let us therefore fear, lest at any time, Although there is left behind a promise of entering into his rest,—Any one from amongst you should be deemed to have come short;

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:1

      a promise of entering into his rest remains: Guided by holy spirit, Paul reveals that God’s words through David recorded at Ps 95:11 were more than a judgment of His rebellious people; His words also conveyed a promise. The Israelites failed to enter into God’s rest. But the letter to the Hebrews does not dwell on their failures; rather, it introduces an intriguing theme: The promise to enter into his rest still “remains,” that is, it is open to Christians. (See study notes on Heb 4:3, 10.) This is the first of many times in this letter that Paul mentions “a promise” originating with God. (Some other examples are found at Heb 6:12, 17; 9:15; 10:36; 11:9.) This idea forms a reassuring theme. In ancient non-Biblical Greek literature, it was very rare to read about a god who made promises to humans.

      let us be on guard: Lit., “let us be in fear.” One reference work explains that “the kind of fear which is recommended here is that which leads to caution and care.”

      fall short of it: The rebellious Israelites had failed to work in harmony with God’s advancing purpose. Thus, they missed out on an opportunity to enter into God’s rest. Because of their rebellious spirit, they disqualified themselves from entering the Promised Land. (See study note on Heb 3:11.) Paul urges the Hebrew Christians to avoid acting in a way that would cause them to miss out on the promised rest.