Hebrews 4:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

NIV: for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

NASB: For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

CSB: For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his.

NLT: For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.

KJV: For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

NKJV: For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

This verse completes the argument begun in the early part of chapter 4. The point here is that those who desire the ultimate blessings of God, meaning our spiritual inheritance, or our "rest," can only obtain this rest in a particular way. In fact, this verse helps to explain the use and meaning of the word "rest" in this entire passage. God "rested" when He completed His creative work (Genesis 2:2; Hebrews 4:3–4). Israel was denied their "rest" in Canaan because they refused to complete their God-ordained work (Hebrews 3:16–19). This rest, then, is not the end of activity, or the beginning of relaxation. It's a completion of a task.

As this verse summarizes, those who enter into the "rest" offered by God are those who have completed the works He has given them. This is why the writer of Hebrews insists that we "hold fast" to our faith, unlike the nation of Israel at the borders of Canaan (Psalm 95:7–11). What is at stake is not our eternal salvation (John 6:39–40), but our eternal rewards (Revelation 2:26–27). This is similar to the sense in which finding peace with God (Romans 5:1) is permanent for the saved believer, but finding the peace of God during our lives is dependent on our faithful obedience (Philippians 4:6–8).

Verses 11 through 13 will explain how this truth ought to motivate us. Since all things are clear to God and nothing can be hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13), we ought to make every effort to "enter that rest" by completing all that He has asked of us (Hebrews 4:11). Ultimately, the judge of our hearts will be the very word of God (Hebrews 4:12).

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.