1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. 5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you." 6 So that with good courage we say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 7 Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don't be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by food, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. 13 Let us therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come. 15 Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name. 16 But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things. 19 I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner. 20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you. 24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Analysis Of The Chapter
The closing chapter Hebrews. 13 of this Epistle is made up almost entirely of exhortations to the performance of various practical duties. The exhortations relate to the following points: brotherly love, Hebrews 13:1; hospitality, Hebrews 13:2; sympathy with those in bonds, Hebrews 13:3; fidelity in the marriage relation, Hebrews 13:4; contentment, Hebrews 13:5-6; submission to those in authority, Hebrews 13:7-8; stability in the doctrines of religion, Hebrews 13:9-15; benevolence, Hebrews 13:16; obedience to those entrusted with office, Hebrews 13:17; and special prayer for him who wrote this Epistle, Hebrews 13:18-19. The Epistle then closes with a beautiful and impressive benediction, Hebrews 13:20-21; with an entreaty that they would receive with favor what had been written, Hebrews 13:22; with the grateful announcement that Timothy, in whom they doubtless felt a great interest, was set at liberty, Hebrews 13:23; and with a salutation to all the saints, Hebrews 13:24-25.
Exhortations to hospitality to Strangers, Hebrews 13:1, Hebrews 13:2. Kindness to those in bonds, Hebrews 13:3. Concerning marriage, Hebrews 13:4. Against covetousness, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:6. How they should imitate their teachers, Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:8. To avoid strange doctrines, Hebrews 13:9. Of the Jewish sin-offerings, Hebrews 13:10, Hebrews 13:11. Jesus suffered without the gate, and we should openly confess him and bear his reproach, Hebrews 13:12, Hebrews 13:13. Here we have no permanent residence; and while we live should devote ourselves to God, and live to do good, Hebrews 13:14-16. We should obey them that have the rule over us, Hebrews 13:17. The apostle exhorts them to pray for him, that he might be restored to them the sooner, Hebrews 13:18, Hebrews 13:19. Commends them to God in a very solemn prayer, Hebrews 13:20, Hebrews 13:21. Entreats them to bear the word of exhortation, mentions Timothy, and concludes with the apostolical benediction, Hebrews 13:22-25.
INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 13
The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle, closes it with practical exhortations to these Hebrews, puts up prayers for them, and sends salutations to them. The exhortations are to brotherly love, and the continuance of it, Hebrews 13:1 to hospitality, by which some have entertained angels unawares, Hebrews 13:2, to sympathy with those that are in bonds, and in, afflictions, Hebrews 12:3 to purity and chastity in the honourable state of marriage, urged by the judgment of God on unclean persons, Hebrews 13:4 to avoid covetousness, and to be content with present things, enforced by the promises of God, which give boldness and strength to faith, Hebrews 13:5, to remember their spiritual guides and governors, the preachers of the Gospel to them; to follow their faith, and consider the end of their conversation, which is Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and for ever, Hebrews 13:7. And then he cautions them from being carried about with the doctrines of men, which are divers and strange; which he urges from the profitable effect of the Gospel to establish the heart, and from the unprofitableness of meats to legal worshippers, and from the Christians having an altar, which is Christ, which those who are seeking life by the service of the law have nothing to do with, Hebrews 13:9. And this he illustrates in the type of burnt offerings, which were burnt without the camp, and there was nothing left for the priests to eat of, Hebrews 13:11. In like manner Christ, the antitype, suffered without the gates of Jerusalem, for the sanctification of his people, by his blood; and who only, and not those who seek for righteousness by the law, have an interest in, Hebrews 13:12. However, it becomes the saints to quit everything, and all dependence on themselves, and fellowship with others, and go forth to Jesus, believing in him, whatsoever reproach they suffer on his account; for here is nothing permanent and durable in this world; but there is a state of happiness to come, which will last for ever, Hebrews 13:13. And since Christ has offered himself for his people, they ought to offer up the sacrifices of praise to God by him, and to do acts of beneficence and goodness, which are sacrifices well pleasing to God through him, Hebrews 13:15. And to these exhortations apostle adds others; as to obey their spiritual rulers and governors, and submit unto them; since they watch for their souls, and must give an account, which to do with joy, and not with grief, is best and profitable, Hebrews 13:17 and to pray for the apostle, and other ministers, since they had a good conscience, and were willing to live honestly; and the rather, that he might be restored to them the sooner, Hebrews 13:18 and to engage them to this their duty, he sets them an example, by putting up prayers for them, Hebrews 13:20 and desires them to take in good part the letter he had wrote unto them, Hebrews 13:22 and acquaints them that Timothy was set at liberty, with whom he hoped to see them in a short time, Hebrews 13:23 and then closes the epistle with his own, and the salutations of others, and with his usual benediction, Hebrews 13:24.
(Hebrews 13:1-6) Exhortations to various duties, and to be content with what Providence allots.
(Hebrews 13:7-15) To respect the instructions of faithful pastors, with cautions against being carried away by strange doctrines.
(Hebrews 13:16-21) Further exhortations to duties, that relate to God, to our neighbour, and to those set over us in the Lord.
(Hebrews 13:22-25) This epistle to be seriously considered.
SUMMARY.--A Life of Love. Purity. Regard for Rulers. Stability. Christ Our High Priest and Example. Benedictions. Closing Salutations.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.