Hebrews 4:3 (What Some Commentators Say)

Text: Εἰσερχόμεθα γὰρ εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσιν οἱ πιστεύσαντες, καθὼς εἴρηκεν Ὡς ὤμοσα ἐν τῇ ὀργῇ μου Εἰ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν κατάπαυσίν μου, καίτοι τῶν ἔργων ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου γενηθέντων (Nestle GNT 1904).

"ἈΠῸ ΚΑΤΑΒΟΛῆς ΚΌΣΜΟΥ] from the foundation of the world, i.e. since the world began. Comp. Hebrews 9:26; Matthew 13:35; Matthew 25:34; Luke 11:50; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8" (Meyer's NT Commentary).

"Although the works were finished (καίτοι τῶν ἔργων γενηθέντων)

This is an awkward and indirect way of saying, 'these unbelievers did not enter into God's rest, although he had provided that rest into which they might have entered.' The providing of the rest is implied in the completion of God's works. The writer assumes the readers' acquaintance with the narrative of the creation in Genesis" (Vincent's Word Studies).

"From the foundation of the world (apo katabolh kosmou). Katabolh, late word from kataballw, usually laying the foundation of a house in the literal sense. In the N.T. usually with apo ( Matthew 25:44 ) or pro ( John 17:24 ) about the foundation of the world" (Robertson's Word Pictures).