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Hebrews 4:11
ESV Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
NIV Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
NASB Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience.
CSB Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.
NLT So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
KJV Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

What does Hebrews 4:11 mean?

The book of Hebrews is written very specifically to saved Christians. Hebrews 2:1–3 warned the readers not to be careless about their faith. This verse repeats that sentiment, using the Greek word spoudasōmen, meaning "strive, labor, or effort." This is all in the context of the rest of chapter 4. We are not struggling to earn or keep our salvation (John 6:39–40); rather, we seek to obtain our heavenly rewards (Revelation 2:26–27).

Chapter 3 explained that Israel's punishment—loss of their "rest" in Canaan—was due to disobedience. They failed to complete the works given to them by God (Hebrews 3:16–19). Lack of belief will destroy our ability to fulfill the destiny God has in store for us. God only rested from His creative work when it was complete (Genesis 2:2; Hebrews 4:3–4). So, in order to claim our spiritual inheritance—our "rest"—we must obtain it by completing the work given to us. This means to "hold fast" to our faith (Hebrews 3:6), rather than succumbing to doubt and disbelief (Hebrews 3:12–14).

Only by being diligent, not careless, can we expect to avoid the kind of faithless disobedience which cost Israel so dearly (Psalm 95:7–11).
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