Hebrews 13

Closing exhortations

Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have unknowingly entertained angels. 3 Remember those who are in bonds, as though bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, as being yourselves also in the body.

13:3 Luke 6:31; Rom 12:15; Matt 25:34-40. Love can enable us to put ourselves in the place of others and experience and show compassion.⚜

4 Marriage is honourable among all, and the marriage bed is undefiled, but God will judge the sexually immoral, and adulterers.

A great promise and the proper response

5 Your manner of life must be without the love of money. So be content with what you have, for he has said,

I will never leave you or forsake you.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear what man will do to me.

13:6 See Ps 118:6-7; Rom 8:31; Matt 10:28-31; Ps 27:1-3. Men had already done much against them (Heb 10:32-34), but fear of men was to have no place in their lives. Whatever men could do was temporary. If God was with them they had a blessed eternity awaiting them. Compare 2 Cor 4:17-18.⚜

7 Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you, and follow their faith, considering the final result of their manner of life.

Jesus is always the same

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

13:8 Human leaders live and die, come and go. Christ is always the same (Heb 1:12) and His ministry as the great High Priest of His people will remain the same (Heb 7:24-25). The principal point here is that there will be no change in His character or in His loving care for His people. He will be forever what He was in eternity past and in Old Testament days and during His life on earth in the body. This does not mean that He will enable believers now to exercise all the gifts and signs that the apostles exercised (believers in Old Testament days did not do so and Jesus was the same then, and believers in the eternal ages will not do so – see 1 Cor 13:8-10 – and Jesus will be the same then). In the past at special times He manifested Himself in special ways, and in different ages emphasized different aspects of His divine being, but in His character and qualities Jesus will remain forever what He has always been. This is the subject here.⚜

9 Do not be carried away with various strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods, which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Meeting with Jesus outside the camp

10 We have an altar, and those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat there. 11 For the bodies of those animals, the blood of which is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.

13:11 He refers to the Day of Atonement – Heb 9:7. See Lev 16:27. No one could eat the flesh of the animals sacrificed that day. And certainly no one can eat the literal flesh of Christ sacrificed for us. It is unthinkable.⚜

12 So Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek one to come.

Three offerings pleasing to God

15 Therefore let us offer through him the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share what you have, for God is very pleased with such sacrifices.

13:15-16 The old covenant had priests who offered sacrifices. Here the writer indicates that now all believers in Christ are the priests of the new covenant. See 1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6. Their offering is not animals, not any material things on any material altar, but something far better.⚜

17 Obey your leaders and be submissive, for they watch over your souls, as those who must give an account. See that they are able to do so with joy, and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us, for we are confident that we have a good conscience, and are willing to live honorably in every way. 19 But especially I urge you to do this so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

13:19 Compare Rom 15:30-32; Phile 22.⚜

God at work for us and in us

20 Now the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you perfect 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 glory for ever and ever. Amen.

13:21 This is what God can do for every believer, and what no believer can do for himself. If God does not equip us we will never be equipped, and if He does not work in us, our activities will never please Him. Compare 2 Cor 3:5; Phil 2:13; Col 1:29. The aim of every believer should be exactly the same as that of the Lord Jesus (Matt 26:39; John 4:34; 6:38; 8:29) – the will of God – nothing less, nothing more, nothing else. God works this in believers “through” Jesus Christ. He is the one channel of God’s grace and power.⚜

Closing remarks

22 And I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written a letter to you in few words.

23 Know that our brother Timothy is set at liberty. If he arrives shortly, I will come with him and see you.

24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.