1 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! 2 For we've heard the good news just like they did, but it didn't help them because they didn't accept and trust in what they heard. 3 However, those of us who trust in God have entered into that rest God mentioned when he said, “In my frustration I vowed, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” (This is so even though God's plans were already complete when he created the world.) 4 Regarding the seventh day there's a place in Scripture that says, “God rested on the seventh day from all his work.” 5 And as the previous passage stated, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 God's rest is still there for some to enter, even though those who previously heard the good news failed to enter because of disobedience. 7 So God again sets a day—today—saying a long time later through David as he did before, “If you hear what God is saying to you today, don't have a hard-hearted attitude.” 8 For if Joshua had been able to give them rest, God wouldn't have spoken later about another day. 9 So a Sabbath rest remains for God's people. 10 For whoever enters God's rest also rests from what he's doing, just as God did. 11 As a result we should try hard to enter that rest so nobody falls through following the same bad example of disobedience. 12 For God's word is alive and effective, sharper than any twin-edged sword, so penetrating it separates life and breath, bone joints and their marrow, judging the thoughts and intentions of the mind. 13 No living being is hidden from his sight; everything is exposed and visible to the one we're accountable to. 14 Since we have such a great high priest who has ascended to heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us make sure we hold on to what we say we believe. 15 For the high priest we have isn't one who doesn't sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in all the ways we are, but did not sin. 16 So we should go confidently to God on his throne of grace so we can receive mercy, and discover grace to help us when we really need it.
Hebrews 4 Free Bible Version
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)