Paragraph 4:6–8

It is important to notice that the clauses in this paragraph are closely connected. However, the author did not always talk about events in the order in which they happened. In some languages it is more natural to use a different order. For examples, see the General Comment on 4:6b–8b at the end of 4:8b.

4:6a

Since, then: In this verse the author repeats the two facts in 4:5. He gives them as the basis for his conclusion in 4:7. In many languages it is more natural to have a word like then at the beginning of 4:7, rather than here in 4:6.

The word Since implies that the facts were already mentioned (in 4:5), and the author is about to repeat them. In some languages it may be natural to leave the connection implied. Some other ways to introduce the facts in 4:6 are:

So we learned from this that…
-or-
All this teaches/implies that…
-or-
So/Now we see/understand that

Make these connections clear in your language.

it remains for some to enter His rest: This statement tells what the first scripture in 4:4 teaches people. That scripture says that God rested on the seventh day. By that statement, God implied that his people may also rest. See the notes on 4:1a for more advice about how to translate this statement.

Some other ways to translate the meaning are:

it is still allowed/possible for others to enter that rest
-or-
now ⌊God⌋ gives others the opportunity to enjoy that rest

4:6b–c

and: The word and introduces the second reason why God set another time for people to enter his rest. That second reason contrasts with 4:6a, so some versions indicate that contrast with a word like “but.” Introduce this reason in a natural way in your language.

those who formerly heard the good news: The phrase those who formerly heard the good news is more literally “those-who at a previous time were-evangelized.” It uses the same passive verb (“were evangelized”) that was used in 4:2. You should translate it in a similar way here. For example:

those who earlier heard/received the good news
-or-
those who were told that good message in the past

formerly: The word formerly means “first,” “in the past” or “previously.” It refers to the time when the Israel people were rescued from Egypt and God promised them rest in a new land. Some other ways to refer to this time are:

first (Good News Translation)
-or-
in the past (God’s Word)

heard the good news: As in 4:2a, the good news refers to the good news about the rest that God promised his people. It does not refer to the good news about Jesus. In some languages it may be necessary to refer to the good news more specifically. For example:

heard the good news ⌊about his rest⌋

4:6c

did not enter because of their disobedience: This part of the verse has two actions:

(a) They failed to enter God’s rest.

(b) They disobeyed God.

The second action is the cause of the first. In some languages it is more natural to change the order of these actions. For example:

they disobeyed God and so were unable to enter his rest

Translate this cause and its result in a way that is natural in your language.

did not enter: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as did not enter indicates that the people did not enter the rest that God wanted to give them. In some languages it is necessary to make this phrase more specific. For example:

did not receive that rest (Good News Translation)
-or-
did not get rest with God

because of their disobedience: The people of Israel could not enter God’s rest because they disobeyed God. Notice that in 3:19 the author said that the Israelites could not enter the land because of unbelief.

Disobedience and unbelief are similar. The Israelites did not believe that God was able to help them conquer the people living in the land, so they disobeyed God and refused to enter the land. Not believing God and not obeying him are sins. Both of these sins caused the people of Israel not to be able to enter the land.

Some ways to translate because of their disobedience are:

because they disobeyed God (God’s Word)
-or-
because they did not submit to him

General Comment on 4:6a–c

In some languages it may be helpful to reorder some parts of this verse to make the connections with 4:5 and 4:7 clearer. For example:

6b Those who first heard the Good News 6c did not receive that rest, because they did not believe. 6a There are, then, others who are allowed to receive it. 7a This is shown by the fact that God sets another day… (Good News Translation)

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