Hebrews 4:6
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Since, then, it remains for some to enter His rest, and since those who formerly heard the good news did not enter because of their disobedience,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
it remaineth--still to be realized. some must enter--The denial of entrance to unbelievers is a virtual promise of entrance to those that believe. God wishes not His rest to be empty, but furnished with guests (Luk 14:23). they to whom it was first preached entered not--literally, "they who first (in the time of Moses) had the Gospel preached to them," namely, in type, see on Heb 4:2. unbelief--Greek, rather "disobedience" (see on Heb 3:18).
Open source ↗The apostle, having in the foregoing chapter set forth the sin and punishment of the ancient Jews, proceeds in this, I. To declare that our privileges by Christ under the gospel exceed the privileges of the Jewish church under Moses, as a reason why we should make a right improvement of them (Heb 4:1-4). II. He assigns the cause why the ancient Hebrews did not profit by their religious privileges (Heb 4:2). Then, II. Confirms the privileges of those who believe, and the misery of those who continue in unbelief (Heb 4:3-10). IV. Concludes with proper and powerful arguments and motives to faith and obedience.
Open source ↗4:6 So God’s rest is there: Building on the discussion in 4:3-5, the author is about to argue that the promised rest is still available (4:7-10). But those who wandered in the wilderness, even though they heard the good news that the Promised Land was open to them, failed to enter because they disobeyed God (see Num 14:1-25; Deut 1:19-46; Ps 106).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
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.
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
You will leave behind your name as a curse for My chosen ones, and the Lord GOD will slay you; but to His servants He will give another name.
I will strike them with a plague and destroy them—and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are.”
But I will bring your children, whom you said would become plunder, into the land you have rejected—and they will enjoy it.
What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;