Hebrews 4:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

NIV: For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.

NASB: For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith.

CSB: For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith.

NLT: For this good news — that God has prepared this rest — has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

A common claim of false teachers in the early church was that Jesus had already returned in His second coming (2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; 2 Timothy 2:17–18). As in verse 1, the writer of Hebrews seeks to dispel the suggestion that his readers have permanently lost out on their opportunity to enter into Christ's "rest."

In this context, the "rest" at stake is a saved believer's spiritual inheritance. The analogy of Israel's failure to immediately enter Canaan was not a metaphor for salvation, but of the consequences of faithlessness. Chapter 3 made a strong point about the need to "hold fast" to faith in God, lest this inheritance be lost. Later verses will give more details on this concept.

Here, the term "good news" is being used in a more general sense than simply that of the gospel. It's worth pointing out that the gospel of Jesus Christ is about much more than eternal salvation. It's also good news about freedom from the power of sin. The Bible mentions both the "rest" of salvation (Matthew 11:28) and the "rest" of submission (Matthew 11:29–30). It describes the blessing of finding both peace with God (Romans 5:1) and the peace of God (Philippians 4:6–8).

However, in this verse, the writer is reflecting back on the example of Israel, given in chapter 3. Those people had an opportunity to obtain the promised inheritance, but failed, since they didn't unite with others who had faith in God. The "rest" they were meant to obtain was not leisure, but a completion of the work God had assigned to them.

Hebrews 4:1–13 reassures Christians that they have not missed their opportunity to enjoy the ''rest'' promised by God. Chapter 3 warned about the dangers of losing faith and disobeying God. In this passage, the writer points out that psalmists like David, who came long after Moses, encouraged Israel to obtain God's rest ''today.'' Since God's rest on the seventh day of creation came only after His work was done, and Israel only suffered loss when they failed to complete their assigned work, Christians should strive to complete the work given them by God, in order to obtain the greater heavenly rewards. The most potent tool we have in this effort is the razor-sharp Word of God.

In Hebrews chapter 4, the author refines the theme of chapter 3. An entire generation of Israel lost out on their inheritance of the Promised Land due to a lack of faith. Here, the author points out that the rest promised by God is still offered, through Christ. The razor-sharp truth of the Word of God will separate what is truly spiritual from what is faithless. We should make every effort to obtain our inheritance in Christ, which is something separate from our eternal salvation. We can also be confident, knowing Jesus can uniquely sympathize with our temptations and sufferings.

Chapters 1 and 2 explained how Messiah could not be an angel, but had to be human in order to become our example and the ''Captain'' of our salvation. Chapter 3 described Jesus as worthy of greater glory than Moses, since Jesus fulfilled the promises Moses only spoke of. Chapter 4 will continue to place Jesus as a higher example than Old Testament figures, including Joshua. This chapter bridges the focus of Hebrews from our need to ''hold fast'' in faith to Jesus' status as our ultimate High Priest.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.