Hebrews Chapter 13

From The Open Bible Project

13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

• (1) He comes to the second table of the law, the sum of which is charity, especially toward strangers and such as are afflicted.

13:2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

13:3 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.

• (a) Be so touched, as if their misery were yours.

13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

• (2) He commends chaste matrimony in all sorts of men, and threatens utter destruction from God against whoremongers and adulterers.

13:5 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."[54]

• (3) Covetousness is condemned, against which is set a contented mind with that which the Lord has given.
• (b) Even the Lord himself.

13:6 So that with good courage we say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?"[55]

• (c) He contrasts man with God.

13:7 Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

• (4) We have to set before us the examples of valiant captains, whom we ought diligently to follow.

13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

• (5) He repeats the sum of the doctrine, that is, the only ground of all precepts of conduct, and that is this: That we ought to quiet and content ourselves in Christ only: for there has never been any man saved without the knowledge of him, neither is there today, nor shall there be ever.

13:9 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.

• (6) He speaks to those who mixed an external worship and especially the difference of meats with the gospel which he clearly condemns as repugnant to the benefit of Christ.
• (d) By this one form which concerns the difference of clean and unclean meat, we have to understand all the ceremonial worship.
• (e) Who observed the difference of them superstitiously.

13:10 We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat.

• (7) He refutes their error by an apt and fit comparison. They who in times past served the Tabernacle, did not eat of the sacrifices whose blood was brought for sin into the holy place by the high priest. Moreover these sacrifices represented Christ our offering. Therefore they cannot be partakers of him if they serve the tabernacle, that is, stand in the service of the law: but let us not be ashamed to follow him out of Jerusalem, from which he was cast out and suffered for in this also Christ, who is the truth, answers that type in that he suffered outside the gate.
• (f) By the altar, he means the offerings.
• (g) Of which they cannot be partakers, who stubbornly retain the rites of the law.

13:11 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.[56]

13:12 Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate.

13:13 Let us therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.

• (8) He goes on further in this comparison, and shows that this also signified to us, that the godly followers of Christ must go out of the world bearing his cross.

13:14 For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.

13:15 Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God[57] continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.

• (9) Now that those physical sacrifices are taken away, he teaches us that the true sacrifices of confession remain, which consist partly in giving thanks, and partly in liberality, with which sacrifices indeed God is now delighted.

13:16 But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

13:17 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.

• (10) We must obey the warnings and admonitions of our ministers and elders, who watch for the salvation of the souls that are committed to them.

13:18 Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.

• (11) The last part of this epistle, in which he commends his ministry to the Hebrews, and wishes them steadfastness and increase of graces from the Lord: and excuses himself in that he has used but few words to comfort them having spent the epistle in disputing: and salutes certain brethren in a familiar and friendly manner.

13:19 I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.

13:20 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,

13:21 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.

• (h) Make you fit or suitable.
• (i) From this comes that saying of the fathers, that God crowns his work in us.

13:22 But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

13:23 Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.

13:24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.

13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.