Hebrews 4:1 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹ So, as long as God’s promise of entering into a state of rest with Him [still] remains, we should fear that someone among you will appear [in the end] to have fallen short of [attaining] it. [Note: In this section “entering into rest” refers to Israel entering Canaan (verses 6, 8) and to Christians entering heaven (verses 3, 9) . The “Sabbath day rest” is presented as a type of both].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹ THEREFORE, WHILE the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹ 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.

Common English Bible

¹ Therefore, since the promise that we can enter into rest is still open, let’s be careful so that none of you will appear to miss it.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹ Therefore, we should be afraid, lest the promise of entering into his rest may be relinquished, and some of you may be judged to be lacking.

Hebrews 4:1 Cross References

Matthew 24:48

But if that slave, with evil intent, should think to himself, ‘My master will not be back very soon,’

Acts 3:19

Therefore, you people [must] repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives] and turn [back] again [to God] so that your sins will be blotted out and so that you may enjoy times of [spiritual] refreshment from the presence of the Lord [i.e., through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit].

Romans 11:20

True, but they [i.e., the Jews] were [really] broken off because they did not believe [in Christ], and you [Gentiles] remain [in God’s favor] because you do believe [in Him]. So, do not become arrogant [about it], but be fearful.

Romans 3:23

for everyone has sinned and falls short of God’s glory [i.e., His approval, or His perfect character].

1 Corinthians 10:12

So, the person who thinks he is standing firm [in the faith] should pay attention [to his life], so that he does not fall [away from God].

2 Corinthians 6:1

As workers together with God we urge you also, who have received God’s unearned favor, do not allow it to be for nothing,

Galatians 5:4

Those of you who seek to be right with God by observing the requirements of the Law of Moses have severed yourselves from [your relationship with] Christ; you have fallen away from God’s unearned favor.

2 Timothy 2:13

If we prove to be unfaithful [i.e., to our commitment to Christ], He [still] remains faithful [to His word], for He cannot deny Himself. [Note: This verse refers to Christ remaining true to His promise of either accepting or rejecting us. See Matt. 10:32-33].

Hebrews 12:15

Look carefully [at how you are living] so that no one falls away from God’s unearned favor, and that no “poisonous plant sprouts up” to cause trouble and corrupt many people [Note: This is an analogy from Deut. 29:16-18 being used as a warning against the evil influence of wicked people],

Hebrews 12:25

Pay careful attention so that you do not refuse [to hear] God when He speaks to you. [See verse 9]. For if those people [i.e., the Israelites] did not escape [judgment] when they refused [to hear] Him who warned them on earth [i.e., God speaking through Moses at Mount Sinai], how much less [likely] will we escape [judgment] if we reject Him who warns from heaven [i.e., Christ]?

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders who told you God’s message. [Note: This probably refers to former preachers who had since died]. Consider the outcome of the way they lived and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 3:11

So I vowed in my anger, ‘They will not enter a state of rest with me.’”

Hebrews 4:11

So, we should do our best to enter into that state of rest, so that no one fails [to do so] by following the same example of disobedience [i.e., as seen in the Israelites. See verses 2, 6].

Hebrews 4:9

[So] then, a Sabbath “rest day” [still] remains for God’s people [i.e., for Christians, in heaven].