“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.”
For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not combine it with faith — the parallel between the wilderness generation and contemporary readers is exact: both received the gospel, but the difference lies in faith. Faith is the binding agent that makes the word effective in the hearer's life.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 4:2
Hebrews 4:1-2 “Let us fear lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it; for to us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them when it is said, Today if you hear His voice” (for “Today” is “at every time” ). Then [he adds] “but the word of hearing did not profit them, as they were not mixed by faith with them that heard.” How did it not profit? Then wishing to alarm them, he shows the same thing by what he says:
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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