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Hebrews 4:6

ESV Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,
NIV Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,
NASB Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
CSB Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,
NLT So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.
KJV Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
NKJV Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,

What does Hebrews 4:6 mean?

This verse continues an explanation of why the inheritance "rest" of God is still available to us. God Himself only rested when His creative work was done (Genesis 2:2), and this Sabbath rest continues even now. Hebrews chapter 3 explained that Israel's lack of faith in the desert cost them their "rest" in Canaan. They did not complete the works given to them by God (Psalm 95:7–11).

However, the writer of Hebrews has quoted from Psalm 95, which was written long after Israel's disobedience at the borders of the Promised Land. That passage uses the word "today," meaning there is an opportunity yet for some to enter into the rest which the disobedient ones were denied (Hebrews 4:7). This argument will be developed through verse 10, which clearly states that there is a "rest" still available to those who "hold fast" to their faith (Hebrews 3:6).

This is not about maintaining our salvation. Canaan, in this example, is not a metaphor for heaven. Instead, this is the spiritual inheritance of the Christian believer. While all who put their faith in Christ are saved (John 6:39–40), only those who maintain their trust in God will obtain the greater rewards (Revelation 2:26–27). This helps greatly in understanding the meaning of "rest" as used in these verses. It is a reference to the end of a certain period of work, not leisure or relaxation. In order to "rest" from the work, the work must be completed.
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