Hebrews 4:1 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Hebrews 4:1 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.

Hebrews 4:2 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.

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.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "therefore", "fear", "lest", "promise", "left", "entering", "rest", and "should". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "therefore" and "fear", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The next verse adds "For unto us was the gospel preached...", so "therefore" and "fear" should be read forward into that movement. In Hebrews context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "therefore" and "fear" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.