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Heb 4:1. Φοβηθῶμεν, let us fear) Since many have fallen, there is cause for fear.-καταλειπομένης ἐπαγγελίας) Since a promise has been left and reserved for us, after the others have neglected it. The same word is found, in the same sense, Rom 11:4. A kindred verb is ἀπολείπεται, is left, remains, Heb 4:6; Heb 4:9, ch. Heb 10:26. This expression, interwoven with the exhortation, is a proposition which is proved, Heb 4:3. The verb ἐπαγγέλλομαι, I promise, is very often found in this epistle, as well as the noun, ἐπαγγελία, a promise. In this chapter the apostle is speaking of the rest of eternal life; for to-day still continues, when (since) there remains the danger of falling, if we give way to hardness of heart. To-day, well improved, terminates in rest. Rest is that which, once obtained, is not again lost. We now (comp. ch. Heb 2:5, note) are urged to look still further. Foretaste in this life is not denied: full rest is. All foretastes of rest are evidently small, when compared with things above.-δοκῇ τις, any one should seem) Euphemism. Every man should so run, that it may be said of him, without any appearance of the contrary, This man runs. Δοκεῖν, in this passage, ὑπόδειγμα, an example, Heb 4:11, and ἐνδείκνυσθαι, to show, ch. Heb 6:11, are conjugates: δείκω, pret. mid. δέδοκα, thence δοκέω, and the ideas agree; for he who shows a desire does not seem to remain; he who seems to remain is an example of obstinacy.-ὑστερηκέναι, to have failed) to have come short. The same word occurs, Heb 12:15. The examples, Heb 12:17; Num 14:40; Luk 13:25 : ὑστερεῖν ποιῆσαι τὸ πάσχα, to fail to keep the passover, Num 9:13. Ὑστερεῖν, with Plato, at the beginning of the Gorgias, is to come after the festival is ended.