Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, October 12th, 2024
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

King James Version

Hebrews 4:3

For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Anger;   Faith;   Holiness;   Oath;   Procrastination;   Prophecy;   Quotations and Allusions;   Regeneration;   Rest;   Salvation;   Unbelief;   Works;   Scofield Reference Index - Faith;   Thompson Chain Reference - Faith-Unbelief;   Promises, Divine;   Rest, Spiritual;   Rest-Unrest;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Faith;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Creation;   Perseverance;   Quotations;   Sabbath;   Type, typology;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Lord's Day, the;   Old Testament in the New Testament, the;   Sanctification;   Wrath of God;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Adoption;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Canaan;   Inspiration;   Rest;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Hebrews;   Sabbath;   World, the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Hebrews, Epistle to;   Joel, Book of;   Rest;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Eschatology;   Faith ;   Foundation of the World;   Old Testament;   Rest;   Scripture;   World;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Gospel, the,;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Marriage;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hebrews, Epistle to the;   Retribution;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Preexistence;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for January 5;   Every Day Light - Devotion for February 17;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Legacy Standard Bible
For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,"As I swore in My wrath,They shall not enter My rest,"although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Those who believe get the rest that was promised, just like God said, "I made them a promise when they made me mad, 'They won't ever get any rest.'"God's work is done. It has been since the seventh day after he'd made it all.
Bible in Basic English
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.
Darby Translation
For we enter into the rest who have believed; as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, If they shall enter into my rest; although the works had been completed from [the] foundation of [the] world.
World English Bible
For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, They will not enter into my rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For we that have believed, do enter into the rest; as he said, I have sworn in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest, though the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Weymouth's New Testament
We who have believed are soon to be admitted to the true rest; as He has said, "As I swore in My anger, they shall not be admitted to My rest," although God's works had been going on ever since the creation of the world.
King James Version (1611)
For we which haue beleeued do enter into rest, as hee said, As I haue sworne in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest, although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Literal Translation
For we, the ones believing, enter into the rest, even as He said, "As I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter into My rest," though the works had come into being from the foundation of the world. LXX-Psa. 94:11; MT-Psa. 95:11
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
(For we which haue beleued, enter in to his rest) acordynge as he sayde: Euen as I haue sworne in my wrath, They shal not enter in to my rest. And that (spake he) verely loge after that the workes fro the begynnynge of the worlde were made:
Mace New Testament (1729)
Whereas 'tis we who have believed that shall enter into rest, as he said, "wherefore I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest." which is different from that rest, at the beginning of the world, when the work of creation was finished.
Amplified Bible
For we who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power], just as He has said, "AS I SWORE [an oath] IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," [this He said] although His works were completed from the foundation of the world [waiting for all who would believe].
American Standard Version
For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Revised Standard Version
For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall never enter my rest,'" although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But we which have beleved do enter into his rest as contrarywyse he sayde to the other: I have sworne in my wrath they shall not enter into my rest. And that spake he verely longe after that the workes were made and the foudacio of ye worlde layde.
Update Bible Version
For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he has said, As I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Webster's Bible Translation
For we who have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Young's Literal Translation
for we do enter into the rest -- we who did believe, as He said, `So I sware in My anger, If they shall enter into My rest -- ;' and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world,
New Century Version
We who have believed are able to enter and have God's rest. As God has said, "I was angry and made a promise, ‘They will never enter my rest.'" Psalm 95:11 But God's work was finished from the time he made the world.
New English Translation
For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, " As I swore in my anger , ‘ They will never enter my rest! '" And yet God's works were accomplished from the foundation of the world.
Berean Standard Bible
Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: "So I swore on oath in My anger, 'They shall never enter My rest.'" And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.
Contemporary English Version
Only people who have faith will enter the place of rest. It is just as the Scriptures say, "God became angry and told the people, ‘You will never enter my place of rest!'" God said this, even though everything has been ready from the time of creation.
Complete Jewish Bible
For it is we who have trusted who enter the rest. It is just as he said, "And in my anger, I swore that they would not enter my rest." He swore this even though his works have been in existence since the founding of the universe.
English Standard Version
For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,'" although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For we which haue beleeued, doe enter into rest, as he said to the other, As I haue sworne in my wrath, If they shall enter into my rest: although the workes were finished from the foundation of the world.
George Lamsa Translation
But we who have believed will enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest; for behold, the works of God were from the very foundation of the world.
Christian Standard Bible®
(for we who have believed enter the rest), in keeping with what He has said: So I swore in My anger, they will not enter My rest. And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world,
Hebrew Names Version
For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, They will not enter into my rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
International Standard Version
For we who have believed are entering that rest, just as he has said,Psalm 95:11; Hebrews 3:11,14;">[xr] "So in my anger I swore a solemn oaththat they would never enter my rest,"Psalm 95:11">[fn] even though his works had been finished since the foundation of the world.
Etheridge Translation
But we enter into the rest, we (being of) those (who) have believed. But as He hath said, So I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest: for, behold, the works of Aloha from the beginning of the world were.
Murdock Translation
But we, who have believed, do enter into rest. But as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest: for lo, the works of God existed from the foundation of the world.
New King James Version
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath,'They shall not enter My rest,' " Psalms 95:11 ">[fn]
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
New Living Translation
For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, "In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,'" even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.
New Life Bible
We who have put our trust in God go into His rest. God said this of our early fathers, "I was angry and said, ‘They will not go into My rest.'" And yet God's work was finished after He made the world.
English Revised Version
For we which have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
New Revised Standard
For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "As in my anger I swore, ‘They shall not enter my rest,'" though his works were finished at the foundation of the world.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For we who have believed, are to enter into the rest, according as he hath said - So I sware in mine anger, They shall not enter into my rest; And yet, the works, from the foundation of the world, had been brought into existence,
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we, who have believed, shall enter into rest; as he said: As I have sworn in my wrath: If they shall enter into my rest; and this indeed when the works from the foundation of the world were finished.
Lexham English Bible
For we who have believed enter into rest, just as he has said, "As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter into my rest.'" And yet these works have been accomplished from the foundation of the world.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For we which haue beleued, do enter into his rest, as he sayde: Euen as I haue sworne in my wrath, if they shal enter into my rest. Although the workes were made perfecte from the foundation of the worlde.
Easy-to-Read Version
Only we who believe it are able to enter God's place of rest. As God said, "I was angry and made a promise: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.'" But God's work was finished from the time he made the world.
New American Standard Bible
For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER, THEY CERTAINLY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Good News Translation
We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised. It is just as he said, "I was angry and made a solemn promise: ‘They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest!'" He said this even though his work had been finished from the time he created the world.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For we that han bileued, schulen entre in to reste, as he seide, As Y swoor in my wraththe, thei schulen not entre in to my reste. And whanne the werkis weren maad perfit at the ordynaunce of the world,

Contextual Overview

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. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

we: Hebrews 3:14, Isaiah 28:12, Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 11:29, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:2

As I: Hebrews 3:11, Psalms 95:11

the works: Genesis 1:31, Exodus 20:11

from: Hebrews 9:26, Matthew 13:35, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:1 - Thus Exodus 31:17 - six days Leviticus 23:32 - a sabbath Numbers 10:33 - a resting place Numbers 14:23 - Surely they shall not see 1 Kings 8:56 - hath given rest Isaiah 14:24 - Lord Ezekiel 20:15 - I lifted Hebrews 4:1 - his Hebrews 4:5 - General Hebrews 4:9 - remaineth Hebrews 4:10 - as

Cross-References

Genesis 4:1
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord .
Genesis 4:11
And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Numbers 18:12
All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord , them have I given thee.
1 Kings 17:7
And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
Nehemiah 13:6
But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For we which have believed do enter into rest,.... Not eternal rest; all believers shall enjoy this, and they only; but this is not now, or at present enjoyed, unless things future may be said to be present, because of faith in them, and the certainty of them but spiritual rest in Christ under the Gospel dispensation, which is a rest from the burden of the law of Moses, and from all toil and labour for life, and salvation by works, and lies in an enjoyment of much inward peace of soul, notwithstanding the world's troubles and Satan's temptations; and such who believe the word or Gospel preached, and Christ in it, not with a general and historical high, or only in profession, but with the heart, and in truth, these enjoy this rest; they are kept in perfect peace, and have much spiritual ease and comfort: this character distinguishes them from the unbelieving Israelites of old, and from present hypocrites and formal professors:

as he said, as I have sworn in wrath, if they shall enter into my rest; the words are in Psalms 95:11, and are before cited in Hebrews 3:11

Hebrews 3:11- :: they entered not in because of unbelief; none but believers enter into spiritual rest. The apostle applies this proof to his design, by removing all other rests, and particularly by showing that does not mean God's rest from the works of creation:

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world; that is, though the works of creation, that God designed to make, were finished and perfected within the first six days of the world, and then God rested, or ceased to work in a creative way; yet this is not the rest designed in the passage of Scripture cited, nor is it that rest which believers enter into.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For we which have believed do enter into rest - That is, it is a certain fact that believers “will” enter into rest. That promise is made to “believers;” and as we have evidence that “we” come under the denomination of believers, it will follow that we have the offer of rest as well as they. That this is so, the apostle proceeds to prove; that is, he proceeds to show from the Old Testament that there was a promise to “believers” that they would enter into rest. Since there was such a promise, and since there was danger that by unbelief that “rest” might be lost, he proceeds to show them the danger, and to warn them of it.

As he said ... - see Hebrews 3:11. The meaning of this passage is this. “God made a promise of rest to those who believe. They to whom the offer was first made failed, and did not enter in. It must follow, therefore, that the offer extended to others, since God designed that some should enter in, or that it should not he provided in vain. To them it was a solemn declaration that unbelievers should not enter in, and this implied that believers would. “As we now,” says he, “sustain the character of “believers,” it follows that to us the promise of rest is now made and we may partake of it.”

If they shall enter ... - That is, they shall “not” enter in; see Hebrews 3:11. The “rest” here spoken of as reserved for Christians must be different from that of the promised land. It is something that pertains to Christians now, and it must, therefore, refer to the “rest” that remains in heaven.

Although the works were finished ... - This is a difficult expression. What works are referred to? it may be asked. How does this bear on the subject under discussion? How can it be a proof that there remains a “rest” to those who believe now? This was the point to be demonstrated; and this passage was designed clearly to bear on that point. As it is in our translation, the passage seems to make no sense whatever. Tyndale renders it, “And that spake he verily long after that the works were made from the foundation of the world laid;” which makes much better sense than our translation. Doddridge explains it as meaning, “And this may lead us further to reflect on what is said elsewhere concerning his works as they were finished from the foundation of the world.” But it is difficult to see why they should reflect on his works just then, and how this would bear on the case in hand. Prof. Stuart supposes that the word “rest” must be understood here before “works,” and translates it, “Shall not enter into my rest, to wit, rest from the works which were performed when the world was founded.” Prof. Robinson (Lexicon) explains it as meaning, “The rest here spoken of, ‘my rest,’ could not have been God’s resting from his works Genesis 2:2, for this rest, the Sabbath, had already existed from the creation of the world.” Dr. John P. Wilson (ms. notes) renders it, “For we who have believed, do enter into rest (or a cessation) indeed (καίτοι kaitoi) of the works done (among people) from the beginning of the world.” Amidst this variety of interpretation it is difficult to determine the true sense. But perhaps the main thought may be collected from the following remarks:

  1. The Jews as the people of God had a rest promised them in the land of Canaan. Of that they failed by their unbelief.

(2)The purpose of the apostle was to prove that there was a similar promise made to the people of God long subsequent to that, and to which “all” his people were invited.

(3)That rest was not that of the promised land, it was such as “God had himself” when he had finished the work of creation. That was especially “his rest” - the rest of God, without toil, or weariness, and after his whole “work” was finished.

(4)His people were invited to the same “rest” - the rest of God - to partake of his felicity; to enter into that bliss which “he” enjoyed when he had finished the work of creation. The happiness of the saints was to be “like” that. It was to be “in their case” also a rest from toil - to be enjoyed at the end of all that “they” had to do.

To prove that Christians were to attain to “such” a rest, was the purpose which the apostle had in view - showing that it was a general doctrine pertaining to believers in every age, that there was a promise of rest for them. I would then regard the middle clause of this verse as a parenthesis, and render the whole, “For we who are believers shall enter into rest - (the rest) indeed which occurred when the works were finished at the foundation of the world - as he said (in one place) as I have sworn in my wrath they shall not enter into my rest.” That was the true rest - such rest or repose as “God” had when he finished the work of creation - such as he has now in heaven. This gives the highest possible idea of the dignity and desirableness of that “rest” to which we look forward - for it is to be such as God enjoys, and is to elevate us more and more to him. What more exalted idea can there be of happiness than to participate in the calmness, the peace, the repose, the freedom from raging passions, from wearisome toil, and from agitating cares, which God enjoys? Who, torn with conflicting passions here, wearied with toil, and distracted with care, ought not to feel it a privilege to look forward to that rest? Of this rest the Sabbath and the promised land were emblems. They to whom the promise was made did not enter in, but some “shall” enter in, and the promise therefore pertains to us.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Hebrews 4:3. For we which have believed do enter into rest — The great spiritual blessings, the forerunners of eternal glory, which were all typified by that earthly rest or felicity promised to the ancient Israelites, we Christians do, by believing in Christ Jesus, actually possess. We have peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost; are saved from the guilt and power of sin; and thus enjoy an inward rest.

But this is a rest differing from the seventh day's rest, or Sabbath, which was the original type of Canaan, the blessings of the Gospel, and eternal glory; seeing God said, concerning the unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness, I have sworn in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest, notwithstanding the works of creation were finished, and the seventh day's rest was instituted from the foundation of the world; consequently the Israelites had entered into that rest before the oath was sworn. See Macknight.

We who believe, οι πιστευσαντες, is omitted by Chrysostom, and some few MSS. And instead of εισερχομεθα γαρ, for we do enter, AC, several others, with the Vulgate and Coptic, read εισερχωμεθα ουν, therefore let us enter; and thus it answers to φωβηθωμεν ουν, therefore let us fear, Hebrews 4:1; but this reading cannot well stand unless οι πιστευσαντες be omitted, which is acknowledged to be genuine by every MS. and version of note and importance. The meaning appears to be this: We Jews, who have believed in Christ, do actually possess that rest-state of happiness in God, produced by peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost - which was typified by the happiness and comfort to be enjoyed by the believing Hebrews, in the possession of the promised land. See before.

From the foundation of the world. — The foundation of the world, καταβολη κοσμου, means the completion of the work of creation in six days. In those days was the world, i.e. the whole system of mundane things, begun and perfected; and this appears to be the sense of the expression in this place.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile