1 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. 2 And, truly, the good news came to us, even as it did to them; but the hearing of the word did them no good, because they were not united in faith with the true hearers. 3 For those of us who have belief come into his rest; even as he has said, As I said in my oath when I was angry, They may not come into my rest: though the works were done from the time of the making of the world. 4 For in one place he has said of the seventh day, And God had rest from all his works on the seventh day; 5 And in the same place he says again, They will not come into my rest. 6 So that as it is clear that some have to go in, and that the first hearers of the good news were not able to go in because they went against God's orders, 7 After a long time, again naming a certain day, he says in David, Today (as he had said before), Today if you will let his voice come to your ears, be not hard of heart, 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have said anything about another day. 9 So that there is still a Sabbath-keeping for the people of God. 10 For the man who comes into his rest has had rest from his works, as God did from his. 11 Because of this, let us have a strong desire to come into that rest, and let no one go after the example of those who went against God's orders. 12 For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart. 13 And there is nothing made which is not completely clear to him; there is nothing covered, but all things are open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Having then a great high priest, who has made his way through the heavens, even Jesus the Son of God, let us be strong in our faith. 15 For we have not a high priest who is not able to be touched by the feelings of our feeble flesh; but we have one who has been tested in all points as we ourselves are tested, but without sin. 16 Then let us come near to the seat of grace without fear, so that mercy may be given to us, and we may get grace for our help in time of need.
Hebrews · Bible in Basic English
Hebrews 4 Bible in Basic English
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Cross references (16)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Hebrews 12:15; Proverbs 28:14; 1 Corinthians 9:26–27; Hebrews 4:9; Hebrews 4:11
- 2 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 10:16–17; Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 3:18–19; 1 Timothy 4:8
- 3 Psalm 95:11; Matthew 11:28–29; 1 Peter 1:20; Ephesians 1:4; Genesis 1:31
- 4 Exodus 20:11; Genesis 2:1–2; Exodus 31:17
- 5 Psalm 95:11; Hebrews 3:11; Hebrews 4:3
- 6 Matthew 21:43; Hebrews 3:18–19; Matthew 22:9–10; Acts 28:28; Acts 13:46–47
- 7 Psalm 95:7; Hebrews 3:7–8; Hebrews 3:15; Matthew 22:43
- 8 Joshua 1:15; Joshua 22:4; Deuteronomy 12:9; Hebrews 11:13–15; Joshua 23:1
- 9 1 Peter 2:10; Revelation 21:4; Revelation 7:14–17; Isaiah 11:10; Hebrews 3:11
- 10 Revelation 14:13; Hebrews 4:3–4; 1 Peter 4:1–2; John 19:30; Hebrews 10:12
- 11 Matthew 11:28–30; Luke 13:24; Hebrews 3:18–4:1; Ephesians 5:6; Hebrews 6:11
- 12 Jeremiah 23:29; Isaiah 55:11; Ephesians 6:17; Psalm 119:130; 1 Peter 1:23
- 13 1 Corinthians 4:5; Psalm 33:13–15; Proverbs 15:3; Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10
- 14 Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 10:23; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 6:20
- 15 Hebrews 2:17–18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:4–5; 1 John 3:5; 1 Peter 2:22
- 16 Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:19–23; Hebrews 13:6; Philippians 4:6–7
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Faith is indeed great and bringeth salvation, and without it, it is not possible ever to be saved. It suffices not however of itself to accomplish this, but there is need of a right conversation also.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 14 (1889)
It could be said only of Him, for He also "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." He alone could say, "Behold, the prince of this world cometh, and shall find nothing in me." Sift any one else, who is accounted righteous, yet is he not in all respects without sin; not even such as …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 7 (1888)
For even here they are manifest to the majority, as not being that which they appear to be, but as wearing a mask only; but much more will they be detected hereafter, when all things appear "naked and open." And by another motive again He withdraws them from the hypocrites, by showing that His injunction is light.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… I seem to accuse him without reason, let me make a digression to tell who this Manes is, and in part what he teaches: for all time would fail to describe adequately the whole of his foul teaching. But for help in time of need, store up in thy memory what I have said to former hearers, and will …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
For He knows all things exactly; "For all things are naked and opened unto His eyes." No man will there appear rich or poor, mighty or weak, wise or unwise, bond or free; but these masks will be dashed in pieces, and the inquiry will be into their works only.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)