Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The urgent call to "strive" to enter God's rest isn't just about trying harder; it's about a profound, all-encompassing effort of mind and body. This isn't a passive waiting, but an active pursuit to ensure we don't fall into the same pattern of "disobedience" that caused the Israelites to miss out.
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is urging his readers to actively pursue God's promised rest, contrasting it with the Israelites who, in the past, failed to enter it due to their disobedience and lack of faith. He emphasizes that this rest is still available but requires earnest effort and constant faithfulness, warning that the same pattern of falling away could happen to them if they neglect this calling.
The Bible doesn't shy away from calling us to work for God's promises. What does it mean to 'strive' for rest?
The Greek word used here, 'spoudasomen,' isn't just about a casual wish; it's about urgent, earnest effort. Think of it like athletes training for a race, pouring all their energy into reaching the finish line.
The text warns against falling 'after the same example of disobedience.' What makes this example so dangerous?
The writer of Hebrews is drawing a stark parallel between the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness and those who might reject God's current rest.
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Understand the original words
katapausis · Greek Noun
A state of cessation from work and labor; in a theological sense, the spiritual salvation and peace found through faith in Christ's finished work.
apeitheia · Greek Noun
A refusal to believe, obey, or submit to God's revealed will; it characterizes those who reject God's authority.
The warning in Hebrews 4:11 echoes the Israelites' failure to enter the Promised Land due to disobedience. Their experience serves as a stark reminder that God's rest, whether earthly or eternal, is a gift received through faith and obedience, not presumption.
~1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, marking the beginning of their journey towards the Promised Land.
~1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
Due to their disobedience and unbelief after the Exodus, the Israelites are condemned to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
~1406 BC— this verse
Death of the Unbelieving Generation
The generation that refused to enter the Promised Land due to fear and unbelief dies in the wilderness, never experiencing God's promised rest.
c. 1366 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the new generation of Israelites enters and begins the conquest of the Promised Land, a land of rest.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed by the Babylonians, leading to the exile of Judah. This represents a loss of a tangible place of rest and God's presence.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Many Jews return from Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, signifying a partial restoration of God's rest.
This passage shows the consequence of disobedience and unbelief in the wilderness generation, directly paralleling the 'example of disobedience' mentioned in Hebrews 4:11.
1 Corinthians 10:5-11Paul explicitly warns the Corinthians not to imitate the Israelites' acts of sexual immorality, idolatry, and testing God, which led to their destruction, directly echoing the warning in Hebrews 4:11 about falling by the same example.
Joshua 1:9This verse encourages Joshua and the people to be strong and courageous as they enter the promised land, a spiritual parallel to striving to 'enter that rest' promised in Hebrews 4:11.
2 Peter 1:10Peter urges believers to make their calling and election sure by practicing certain virtues, which aligns with the 'striving' and 'diligence' required to enter God's rest as stated in Hebrews 4:11.
ellicottHebrews 4:11: "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."
(11) Labour. —Rather, give diligence, strive earnestly. It is the necessity of watchful and constant faithfulness that is enforced. Hence the words that follow: “Lest any one fall into (or, after ) the same example of disobedience” ( Hebrews 4:6 ; Hebrews 3:18 ).
pooleHebrews 4:11: "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest: this is the use of the former doctrine, that since many through unbelief fall short of God’s rest, therefore let us labour: spoudaswmen imports study of mind, earnestness of affection, diligence of endeavour, with all the powers of soul and body to intend this work: so is it used, 2 Peter 1:10 . This is the most necessary, excell…
The urgent call to "strive" to enter God's rest isn't just about trying harder; it's about a profound, all-encompassing effort of mind and body. This isn't a passive waiting, but an active pursuit to ensure we don't fall into the same pattern of "disobedience" that caused the Israelites to miss out.
The author is urging his readers to actively pursue God's promised rest, contrasting it with the Israelites who, in the past, failed to enter it due to their disobedience and lack of faith. He emphasizes that this rest is still available but requires earnest effort and constant faithfulness, warning that the same pattern of falling away could happen to them if they neglect this calling.
The author is urging his readers to actively pursue God's promised rest, contrasting it with the Israelites who, in the past, failed to enter it due to their disobedience and lack of faith. He emphasizes that this rest is still available but requires earnest effort and constant faithfulness, warning that the same pattern of falling away could happen to them if they neglect this calling.
"Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience." — The urgent call to "strive" to enter God's rest isn't just about trying harder; it's about a profound, all-encompassing effort of mind and body. This isn't a passive waiting, but an active pursuit to…
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Last reviewed October 2026