Devine Scripture

Hebrews 4:1

What does Hebrews 4:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 4:1 means

This verse urges a sober, reverent caution. God has left a living promise of “entering into his rest,” but promises can be missed through unbelief. The call to “fear” is not panic but holy alertness—an awareness that spiritual drift is real and costly. The concern is corporate as well as personal: “any one of you” can seem to fall short. The author presses readers to take God’s offer seriously, lest they repeat the tragedy of an earlier generation that stood near blessing yet did not obtain it. The promise remains open; therefore we must respond with faith-filled perseverance, not presumption or complacency.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

We may fear, then, lest a promise being left of entering into His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let us fear therefore lest, the promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you should be thought to be wanting.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you might seem to have failed [of it].

Context

Hebrews 4 continues the warning and encouragement begun previously with Israel’s wilderness example. Verse 1 sets the tone: a promise still stands, but it can be neglected. The focus is on entering “his rest,” which will be unpacked throughout the chapter. Immediately after this opening admonition, verse 2 explains how people can hear good news and yet fail to benefit, introducing faith as the necessary response. The flow is from caution to explanation: why vigilance is needed and how to avoid coming short of what God offers.

v.1This passage

v.2For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 24:48

    But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;

  • Hebrews 13:7

    Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.

  • Matthew 7:26

    And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:

  • Luke 12:45

    But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

  • Hebrews 2:1

    Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them.

  • Hebrews 12:25

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Hebrews 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Hebrews 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Hebrews 4:1.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary