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.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
Hebrews 13
13
1Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you.
2And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels.
3Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them; and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body.
4Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have; for he hath said: I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.
6So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man shall do to me.
7Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,
8Jesus Christ, yesterday, and to day; and the same for ever.
9Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats; which have not profited those that walk in them.
10We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle.
11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the holies by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name.
16And do not forget to do good, and to impart; for by such sacrifices God's favour is obtained.
17Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you.
18Pray for us. For we trust we have a good conscience, being willing to behave ourselves well in all things.
19And I beseech you the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great pastor of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blood of the everlasting testament,
21Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will; doing in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of consolation. For I have written to you in a few words.
23Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom (if he come shortly) I will see you.
24Salute all your prelates, and all the saints. The brethren from Italy salute you.
25Grace be with you all. Amen.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.