Hebrews 13
13
1#After recommendations on social and moral matters (Heb 13:1–6), the letter turns to doctrinal issues. The fact that the original leaders are dead should not cause the recipients of this letter to lose their faith (Heb 13:7), for Christ still lives and he remains always the same (Heb 13:8). They must not rely for their personal sanctification on regulations concerning foods (Heb 13:9), nor should they entertain the notion that Judaism and Christianity can be intermingled (Heb 13:10; cf. notes on Gal 2:11–14; 2:15–21). As Jesus died separated from his own people, so must the Christian community remain apart from the religious doctrines of Judaism (Heb 13:11–14). Christ must be the heart and center of the community (Heb 13:15–16). Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.#Gn 18:3; 19:2–3; Jgs 6:11–22; Tb 5:4. 3Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.#Mt 25:36. 4Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.#1 Cor 5:13; Eph 5:5. 5Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.”#Dt 31:6, 8; Jos 1:5. 6Thus we may say with confidence:
“The Lord is my helper,
[and] I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”#Ps 27:1–3; 118:6.
7Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.#1:12; 7:24; Rev 1:17.
9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.#Strange teaching: this doctrine about foods probably refers to the Jewish food laws; in view of Heb 13:10, however, the author may be thinking of the Mosaic sacrificial banquets. It is good to have our hearts strengthened by grace and not by foods, which do not benefit those who live by them.#Rom 14:17; 1 Cor 8:8; Eph 4:14; Col 2:16. 10We have an altar#We have an altar: this does not refer to the Eucharist, which is never clearly mentioned in Hebrews, but to the sacrifice of Christ. from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11The bodies of the animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.#Ex 29:14; Lv 16:27. 12Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, to consecrate the people by his own blood.#Mt 21:39; Mk 12:8; Lk 20:15; Jn 19:17. 13Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach that he bore. 14For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come.#11:10, 14. 15Through him [then] let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.#Hos 14:3. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.#Phil 4:18.
17#Recommending obedience to the leaders of the community, the author asks for prayers (Heb 13:17–19). The letter concludes with a blessing (Heb 13:20–21), a final request for the acceptance of its message (Heb 13:22), information regarding Timothy (Heb 13:23), and general greetings (Heb 13:24–25). Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18Pray for us, for we are confident that we have a clear conscience, wishing to act rightly in every respect. 19I especially ask for your prayers that I may be restored to you very soon.
20#These verses constitute one of the most beautiful blessings in the New Testament. The resurrection of Jesus is presupposed throughout Hebrews, since it is included in the author’s frequently expressed idea of his exaltation, but this is the only place where it is explicitly mentioned. May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord,#Is 63:11; Zec 9:11; Jn 10:11; Acts 2:24; Rom 15:33. 21furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever [and ever]. Amen.
22Brothers, I ask you to bear with this message of encouragement, for I have written to you rather briefly. 23I must let you know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he comes soon, I shall see you together with him.#Acts 16:1. 24Greetings to all your leaders and to all the holy ones. Those from Italy send you greetings. 25Grace be with all of you.#Ti 3:15.
Currently Selected:
Hebrews 13: NABRE
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
Hebrews 13
13
Concluding Moral Directions
1Let #Rom. 12:10brotherly love continue. 2#Matt. 25:35; Rom. 12:13Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing #Gen. 18:1–22; 19:1some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3#Matt. 25:36; Heb. 10:34Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
4#Prov. 5:18, 19Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; #1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19, 21; 1 Thess. 4:6but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, #Gen. 28:15; Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:5“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6So we may boldly say:
#Ps. 27:1; 118:6“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Concluding Religious Directions
7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8Jesus Christ is #(John 8:58); 2 Cor. 1:19; Heb. 1:12the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9Do not be carried about with various and 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.
10We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing #1 Pet. 4:14His reproach. 14For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15#Eph. 5:20Therefore by Him let us continually offer #Lev. 7:12the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, #Is. 57:19; Hos. 14:2the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16#Rom. 12:13But do not forget to do good and to share, for #2 Cor. 9:12; Phil. 4:18with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17#Phil. 2:29Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for #Is. 62:6; Ezek. 3:17; Acts 20:28they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Prayer Requested
18#Eph. 6:19Pray for us; for we are confident that we have #Acts 23:1a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell
20Now may #Rom. 5:1, 2, 10; 15:33the God of peace #Ps. 16:10, 11; Hos. 6:2; Rom. 4:24who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, #Ps. 23:1; Is. 40:11; 63:11; John 10:11; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4that great Shepherd of the sheep, #Zech. 9:11; Heb. 10:29through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21make you complete in every good work to do His will, #Phil. 2:13working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
24Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
25Grace be with you all. Amen.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.