What Does Hebrews 4:6 Mean in the King James?
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Some hearers’ refusal to be persuaded leaves them outside, but it does not close the rest to everyone else.
THE MEANING
A place of rest remains open even when some who hear the good news do not enter. The verse names the barrier as refusal to be persuaded, so hearing and entering are not the same thing. That refusal is real, yet the opening remains for others.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that an earlier refusal means the invitation is now closed: some still enter the rest.
THE ROOT
ἀπείθεια
apeitheia
GROWS FROM
πείθω
peithō
To persuade, win over, or be persuaded.
The word translated “unbelief” belongs to the Greek word-family of persuasion and carries the sense of refusing to be persuaded, with disobedience in view. English can make it sound like a lack of private conviction; the root also connects what a person accepts with how they respond.
ALSO GROWS
peithomai: Be persuaded; trust.
πείθομαι
This is the receptive side of the word-family: persuasion is received as trust.
apeitheō: Refuse to be persuaded; disobey.
ἀπειθέω
This branch shares the refusal in Hebrews 4:6 and shows why the word can describe more than an inward doubt.
THE PATTERN
God’s rest remains available even when refusal keeps particular hearers from entering.
Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.THE THREAD
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:The same Greek word-family stands behind “have not believed” and “unbelief”: ἀπειθέω (apeitheō, “refuse to be persuaded; disobey”) and ἀπείθεια (apeitheia, “disobedience; refusal to be persuaded”). Hebrews uses this family for the reason some do not enter, linking persuasion with response.
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