Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Hebrews » Chapter 13

Hebrews 13:1-25 King James Version (KJV)

1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, that 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 wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Hebrews 13:1-25 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Let G3306 brotherly love G5360 continue. G3306

2 Be G1950 not G3361 forgetful G1950 to entertain strangers: G5381 for G1063 thereby G1223 G5026 some G5100 have entertained G3579 angels G32 unawares. G2990

3 Remember G3403 them that are in bonds, G1198 as G5613 bound with them; G4887 and them which suffer adversity, G2558 as G5613 being G5607 yourselves G846 also G2532 in G1722 the body. G4983

4 Marriage G1062 is honourable G5093 in G1722 all, G3956 and G2532 the bed G2845 undefiled: G283 but G1161 whoremongers G4205 and G2532 adulterers G3432 God G2316 will judge. G2919

5 Let your conversation G5158 be without covetousness; G866 and be content G714 with such things as ye have: G3918 for G1063 he G846 hath said, G2046 I will never G3364 leave G447 thee, G4571 nor G3761 G3364 forsake G1459 thee. G4571

6 So that G5620 we G2248 may boldly G2292 say, G3004 The Lord G2962 is my G1698 helper, G998 and G2532 I will G5399 not G3756 fear G5399 what G5101 man G444 shall do G4160 unto me. G3427

7 Remember G3421 them which have the rule G2233 over you, G5216 who G3748 have spoken G2980 unto you G5213 the word G3056 of God: G2316 whose G3739 faith G4102 follow, G3401 considering G333 the end G1545 of their conversation. G391

8 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 the same G846 yesterday, G5504 and G2532 to day, G4594 and G2532 for G1519 ever. G165

9 Be G4064 not G3361 carried about G4064 with divers G4164 and G2532 strange G3581 doctrines. G1322 For G1063 it is a good thing G2570 that the heart G2588 be established G950 with grace; G5485 not G3756 with meats, G1033 which have G5623 not G3756 profited G5623 them that have been occupied G4043 therein. G1722 G3739

10 We have G2192 an altar, G2379 whereof G1537 G3739 they have G2192 no G3756 right G1849 to eat G5315 which serve G3000 the tabernacle. G4633

11 For G1063 the bodies G4983 of those G5130 beasts, G2226 whose G3739 blood G129 is brought G1533 into G1519 the sanctuary G39 by G1223 the high priest G749 for G4012 sin, G266 are burned G2618 without G1854 the camp. G3925

12 Wherefore G1352 Jesus G2424 also, G2532 that G2443 he might sanctify G37 the people G2992 with G1223 his own G2398 blood, G129 suffered G3958 without G1854 the gate. G4439

13 Let us go forth G1831 therefore G5106 unto G4314 him G846 without G1854 the camp, G3925 bearing G5342 his G846 reproach. G3680

14 For G1063 here G5602 have we G2192 no G3756 continuing G3306 city, G4172 but G235 we seek one G1934 to come. G3195

15 By G1223 him G846 therefore G3767 let us offer G399 the sacrifice G2378 of praise G133 to God G2316 continually, G1275 that is, G5123 the fruit G2590 of our lips G5491 giving thanks G3670 to his G846 name. G3686

16 But G1161 to do good G2140 and G2532 to communicate G2842 forget G1950 not: G3361 for G1063 with such G5108 sacrifices G2378 God G2316 is well pleased. G2100

17 Obey G3982 them that have the rule G2233 over you, G5216 and G2532 submit yourselves: G5226 for G1063 they G846 watch G69 for G5228 your G5216 souls, G5590 as G5613 they that must give G591 account, G3056 that G2443 they may do G4160 it G5124 with G3326 joy, G5479 and G2532 not G3361 with grief: G4727 for G1063 that G5124 is unprofitable G255 for you. G5213

18 Pray G4336 for G4012 us: G2257 for G1063 G3754 we trust G3982 we have G2192 a good G2570 conscience, G4893 in G1722 all things G3956 willing G2309 to live G390 honestly. G2573

19 But G1161 I beseech G3870 you the rather G4056 to do G4160 this, G5124 that G2443 I may be restored G600 to you G5213 the sooner. G5032

20 Now G1161 the God G2316 of peace, G1515 that brought again G321 from G1537 the dead G3498 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424 that great G3173 shepherd G4166 of the sheep, G4263 through G1722 the blood G129 of the everlasting G166 covenant, G1242

21 Make G2675 you G5209 perfect G2675 in G1722 every G3956 good G18 work G2041 to G1519 do G4160 his G846 will, G2307 working G4160 in G1722 you G5213 that which is wellpleasing G2101 in his G846 sight, G1799 through G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ; G5547 to whom G3739 be glory G1391 for G1519 ever G165 and ever. G165 Amen. G281

22 And G1161 I beseech G3870 you, G5209 brethren, G80 suffer G430 the word G3056 of exhortation: G3874 for G1063 G2532 I have written a letter G1989 unto you G5213 in G1223 few words. G1024

23 Know ye G1097 that our brother G80 Timothy G5095 is set at liberty; G630 with G3326 whom, G3739 if G1437 he come G2064 shortly, G5032 I will see G3700 you. G5209

24 Salute G782 all G3956 them that have the rule G2233 over you, G5216 and G2532 all G3956 the saints. G40 They of G575 Italy G2482 salute G782 you. G5209

25 Grace G5485 be with G3326 you G5216 all. G3956 Amen. G281

Hebrews 13:1-25 American Standard (ASV)

1 Let love of the brethren continue.

2 Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are illtreated, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 `Let' marriage `be' had in honor among all, and `let' the bed `be' undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5 Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.

6 So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?

7 Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ `is' the same yesterday and to-day, `yea' and for ever.

9 Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat that serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest `as an offering' for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after `the city' 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 make confession to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit `to them': for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this `were' 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 And I exhort `you' the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, `even' our Lord Jesus,

21 make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom `be' the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written unto you in few words.

23 Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Hebrews 13:1-25 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Let brotherly love remain;

2 of the hospitality be not forgetful, for through this unawares certain did entertain messengers;

3 be mindful of those in bonds, as having been bound with them, of those maltreated, as also yourselves being in the body;

4 honourable `is' the marriage in all, and the bed undefiled, and whoremongers and adulterers God shall judge.

5 Without covetousness the behaviour, being content with the things present, for He hath said, `No, I will not leave, no, nor forsake thee,'

6 so that we do boldly say, `The Lord `is' to me a helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.'

7 Be mindful of those leading you, who did speak to you the word of God, whose faith -- considering the issue of the behaviour -- be imitating,

8 Jesus Christ yesterday and to-day the same, and to the ages;

9 with teachings manifold and strange be not carried about, for `it is' good that by grace the heart be confirmed, not with meats, in which they who were occupied were not profited;

10 we have an altar, of which to eat they have no authority who the tabernacle are serving,

11 for of those beasts whose blood is brought for sin into the holy places through the chief priest -- of these the bodies are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore, also Jesus -- that he might sanctify through `his' own blood the people -- without the gate did suffer;

13 now, then, may we go forth unto him without the camp, his reproach bearing;

14 for we have not here an abiding city, but the coming one we seek;

15 through him, then, we may offer up a sacrifice of praise always to God, that is, the fruit of lips, giving thanks to His name;

16 and of doing good, and of fellowship, be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.

17 Be obedient to those leading you, and be subject, for these do watch for your souls, as about to give account, that with joy they may do this, and not sighing, for this `is' unprofitable to you.

18 Pray for us, for we trust that we have a good conscience, in all things willing to behave well,

19 and more abundantly do I call upon `you' to do this, that more quickly I may be restored to you.

20 And the God of the peace, who did bring up out of the dead the great shepherd of the sheep -- in the blood of an age-during covenant -- our Lord Jesus,

21 make you perfect in every good work to do His will, doing in you that which is well-pleasing before Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom `is' the glory -- to the ages of the ages! Amen.

22 And I entreat you, brethren, suffer the word of the exhortation, for also through few words I have written to you.

23 Know ye that the brother Timotheus is released, with whom, if he may come more shortly, I will see you.

24 Salute all those leading you, and all the saints; salute you doth those from Italy:

25 the grace `is' with you all! Amen.

Hebrews 13:1-25 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Let brotherly love abide.

2 Be not forgetful of hospitality; for by it some have unawares entertained angels.

3 Remember prisoners, as bound with [them]; those that are evil-treated, as being yourselves also in [the] body.

4 [Let] marriage [be held] every way in honour, and the bed [be] undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers will God judge.

5 [Let your] conversation [be] without love of money, satisfied with [your] present circumstances; for *he* has said, I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.

6 So that, taking courage, we may say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not be afraid: what will man do unto me?

7 Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to-day, and to the ages [to come].

9 Be not carried away with various and strange doctrines; for [it is] good that the heart be confirmed with grace, not meats; those who have walked in which have not been profited by [them].

10 We have an altar of which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle;

11 for of those beasts whose blood is carried [as sacrifices for sin] into the [holy of] holies by the high priest, of these the bodies are burned outside the camp.

12 Wherefore also Jesus, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate:

13 therefore let us go forth to him without the camp, bearing his reproach:

14 for we have not here an abiding city, but we seek the coming one.

15 By him therefore let us offer [the] sacrifice of praise continually to God, that is, [the] fruit of [the] lips confessing his name.

16 But of doing good and communicating [of your substance] be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey your leaders, and be submissive; for *they* watch over your souls as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this [would be] unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us: for we persuade ourselves that we have a good conscience, in all things desirous to walk rightly.

19 But I much more beseech [you] to do this, that I may the more quickly be restored to you.

20 But the God of peace, who brought again from among [the] dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, in [the power of the] blood of [the] eternal covenant,

21 perfect you in every good work to the doing of his will, doing in you what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for the ages of ages. Amen.

22 But I beseech you, brethren, bear the word of exhortation, for it is but in few words that I have written to you.

23 Know that our brother Timotheus is set at liberty; with whom, if he should come soon, I will see you.

24 Salute all your leaders, and all the saints. They from Italy salute you.

25 Grace [be] with you all. Amen.

Hebrews 13:1-25 World English Bible (WEB)

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 forth 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 make confession 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.

Hebrews 13:1-25 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Go on loving your brothers in the faith.

2 Take care to keep open house: because in this way some have had angels as their guests, without being conscious of it.

3 Keep in mind those who are in chains, as if you were chained with them, and those who are in trouble, as being yourselves in the body.

4 Let married life be honoured among all of you and not made unclean; for men untrue in married life will be judged by God.

5 Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times.

6 So that we say with a good heart, The Lord is my helper; I will have no fear: what is man able to do to me?

7 Keep in mind those who were over you, and who gave you the word of God; seeing the outcome of their way of life, let your faith be like theirs.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

9 Do not be turned away by different strange teachings, because it is good for your hearts to be made strong by grace, and not by meats, which were of no profit to those who took so much trouble over them.

10 We have an altar from which those priests who are servants in the Tent may not take food.

11 For the bodies of the beasts whose blood is taken into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the circle of the tents.

12 For this reason Jesus was put to death outside the walls, so that he might make the people holy by his blood.

13 Let us then go out to him outside the circle of the tents, taking his shame on ourselves.

14 For here we have no fixed resting-place, but our search is for the one which is to come.

15 Let us then make offerings of praise to God at all times through him, that is to say, the fruit of lips giving witness to his name.

16 But go on doing good and giving to others, because God is well-pleased with such offerings.

17 Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.

18 Make prayers for us, for we are certain that our hearts are free from the sense of sin, desiring the right way of life in all things.

19 I make this request more strongly, in the hope of coming back to you more quickly.

20 Now may the God of peace, who made that great keeper of his flock, even our Lord Jesus, come back from the dead through the blood of the eternal agreement,

21 Make you full of every good work and ready to do all his desires, working in us whatever is pleasing in his eyes through Jesus Christ; and may the glory be given to him for ever and ever. So be it.

22 But, brothers, take kindly the words which I have said for your profit; for I have not sent you a long letter.

23 Our brother Timothy has been let out of prison; and if he comes here in a short time, he and I will come to you together.

24 Give words of love from me to those who are rulers over you, and to all the saints. Those who are in Italy send you their love.

25 May grace be with you all.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Hebrews 13

Commentary on Hebrews 13 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 13

The apostle, having treated largely of Christ, and faith, and free grace, and gospel privileges, and warned the Hebrews against apostasy, now, in the close of all, recommends several excellent duties to them, as the proper fruits of faith (v. 1-17); he then bespeaks their prayers for him, and offers up his prayers to God for them, gives them some hope of seeing himself and Timothy, and ends with the general salutation and benediction (v. 18-25).

Hbr 13:1-17

The design of Christ in giving himself for us is that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Now the apostle calls the believing Hebrews to the performance of many excellent duties, in which it becomes Christians to excel.

  • I. To brotherly love (v. 1), by which he does not only mean a general affection to all men, as our brethren by nature, all made of the same blood, nor that more limited affection which is due to those who are of the same immediate parents, but that special and spiritual affection which ought to exist among the children of God.
    • 1. It is here supposed that the Hebrews had this love one for another. Though, at this time, that nation was miserably divided and distracted among themselves, both about matters of religion and the civil state, yet there was true brotherly love left among those of them who believed on Christ; and this appeared in a very eminent manner presently after the shedding forth of the Holy Ghost, when they had all things common, and sold their possessions to make a general fund of subsistence to their brethren. The spirit of Christianity is a spirit of love. Faith works by love. The true religion is the strongest bond of friendship; if it be not so, it has its name for nothing.
    • 2. This brotherly love was in danger of being lost, and that in a time of persecution, when it would be most necessary; it was in danger of being lost by those disputes that were among them concerning the respect they ought still to have to the ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Disputes about religion too often produce a decay of Christian affection; but this must be guarded against, and all proper means used to preserve brotherly love. Christians should always love and live as brethren, and the more they grow in devout affection to God their heavenly Father the more they will grow in love to one another for his sake.
  • II. To hospitality: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for his sake, v. 2. We must add to brotherly kindness charity. Here observe,
    • 1. The duty required-to entertain strangers, both those that are strangers to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to our persons, especially those who know themselves to be strangers here and are seeking another country, which is the case of the people of God, and was so at this time: the believing Jews were in a desperate and distressed condition. But he seems to speak of strangers as such; though we know not who they are, nor whence they come, yet, seeing they are without any certain dwelling place, we should allow them room in our hearts and in our houses, as we have opportunity and ability.
    • 2. The motive: Thereby some have entertained angels unawares; so Abraham did (Gen. 18), and Lot (Gen. 19), and one of those that Abraham entertained was the Son of God; and, though we cannot suppose this will ever be our case, yet what we do to strangers, in obedience to him, he will reckon and reward as done to himself. Mt. 25:35, I was a stranger, and you took me in. God has often bestowed honours and favours upon his hospitable servants, beyond all their thoughts, unawares.
  • III. To Christian sympathy: Remember those that are in bonds, v. 3. Here observe,
    • 1. The duty-to remember those that are in bonds and in adversity.
      • (1.) God often orders it so that while some Christians and churches are in adversity others enjoy peace and liberty. All are not called at the same time to resist unto blood.
      • (2.) Those that are themselves at liberty must sympathize with those that are in bonds and adversity, as if they were bound with them in the same chain: they must fell the sufferings of their brethren.
    • 2. The reason of the duty: As being yourselves in the body; not only in the body natural, and so liable to the like sufferings, and you should sympathize with them now that others may sympathize with you when your time of trial comes; but in the same mystical body, under the same head, and if one member suffer all the rest suffer with it, 1 Co. 12:26. It would be unnatural in Christians not to bear each other's burdens.
  • IV. To purity and chastity, v. 4. Here you have,
    • 1. A recommendation of God's ordinance of marriage, that it is honourable in all, and ought to be so esteemed by all, and not denied to those to whom God has not denied it. It is honourable, for God instituted it for man in paradise, knowing it was not good for him to be alone. He married and blessed the first couple, the first parents of mankind, to direct all to look unto God in that great concern, and to marry in the Lord. Christ honoured marriage with his presence and first miracle. It is honourable as a means to prevent impurity and a defiled bed. It is honourable and happy, when persons come together pure and chaste, and preserve the marriage bed undefiled, not only from unlawful but inordinate affections.
    • 2. A dreadful but just censure of impurity and lewdness: Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
      • (1.) God knows who are guilty of such sins, no darkness can hide them from him.
      • (2.) He will call such sins by their proper names, not by the names of love and gallantry, but of whoredom and adultery, whoredom in the single state and adultery in the married state.
      • (3.) He will bring them into judgment, he will judge them, either by their own consciences here, and set their sins in order before them for their deep humiliation (and conscience, when awakened, will be very severe upon such sinners), or he will set them at his tribunal at death, and in the last day; he will convict them, condemn them, and cast them out for ever, if they die under the guilt of this sin.
  • V. To Christian contentment, v. 5, 6. Here observe,
    • 1. The sin that is contrary to this grace and duty-covetousness, an over eager desire of the wealth of this world, envying those who have more than we. This sin we must allow no place in our conversation; for, though it be a secret lust lurking in the heart, if it be not subdued it will enter into our conversation, and discover itself in our manner of speaking and acting. We must take care not only to keep this sin down, but to root it out of our souls.
    • 2. The duty and grace that is contrary to covetousness-being satisfied and pleased with such things as we have; present things, for past things cannot be recalled, and future things are only in the hand of God. What God gives us from day to day we must be content with, though it fall short of what we have enjoyed heretofore, and though it do not come up to our expectations for the future. We must be content with our present lot. We must bring our minds to our present condition, and this is the sure way to contentment; and those who cannot do it would not be contented though God should raise their condition to their minds, for the mind would rise with the condition. Haman was the great court-favourite, and yet not contented-Ahab on the throne, and yet not contented-Adam in paradise, and yet not contented; yea, the angels in heaven, and yet not contented; but Paul, though abased and empty, had learned in every state, in any state, therewith to be content.
    • 3. What reason Christians have to be contented with their lot.
      • (1.) God hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, v. 5, 6. This was said to Joshua (ch. 1:5), but belongs to all the faithful servants of God. Old-Testament promises may be applied to New-Testament saints. This promise contains the sum and substance of all the promises. I will never, no, never leave thee, nor ever forsake thee. Here are no fewer than five negatives heaped together, to confirm the promise; the true believer shall have the gracious presence of God with him in life, at death, and for ever.
      • (2.) From this comprehensive promise they may assure themselves of help from God: So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man shall do unto me, v. 6. Men can do nothing against God, and God can make all that men do against his people to turn to their good.
  • VI. To the duty Christians owe to their ministers, and that both to those that are dead and to those that are yet alive.
    • 1. To those that are dead: Remember those that have had the rule over you, v. 7. Here observe,
      • (1.) The description given of them. They were such as had the rule over them, and had spoken to them the word of God; their guides and governors, who had spoken to them the word of God. Here is the dignity to which they were advanced-to be rulers and leaders of the people, not according to their own will, but the will and word of God; and this character they filled up with suitable duty: they did not rule at a distance, and rule by others, but they ruled by personal presence and instruction, according to the word of God.
      • (2.) The duties owing to them, even when they were dead.
        • [1.] "Remember them-their preaching, their praying, their private counsel, their example.'
        • [2.] "Follow their faith; be stedfast in the profession of the faith they preached to you, and labour after the grace of faith by which they lived and died so well. Consider the end of their conversation, how quickly, how comfortably, how joyfully, they finished their course!' Now this duty of following the same true faith in which they had been instructed the apostle enlarges much upon, and presses them earnestly to it, not only from the remembrance of their faithful deceased guides, but from several other motives.
          • First, From the immutability and eternity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though their ministers were some dead, others dying, yet the great head and high priest of the church, the bishop of their souls, ever lives, and is ever the same; and they should be stedfast and immovable, in imitation of Christ, and should remember that Christ ever lives to observe and reward their faithful adherence to his truths, and to observe and punish their sinful departure from him. Christ is the same in the Old-Testament day, in the gospel day, and will be so to his people for ever.
          • Secondly, From the nature and tendency of those erroneous doctrines that they were in danger of falling in with.
            • a. They were divers and various (v. 9), different from what they had received from their former faithful teachers, and inconsistent with themselves.
            • b. They were strange doctrines: such as the gospel church was unacquainted with foreign to the gospel.
            • c. They were of an unsettling, distracting nature, like the wind by which the ship is tossed, and in danger of being driven from its anchor, carried away, and split upon the rocks. They were quite contrary to that grace of God which fixes and establishes the heart, which is an excellent thing. These strange doctrines keep the heart always fluctuating and unsettled.
            • d. They were mean and low as to their subject. They were about external, little, perishing things, such as meats and drinks, etc.
            • e. They were unprofitable. Those who were most taken with them, and employed about them, got no real good by them to their own souls. They did not make them more holy, nor more humble, nor more thankful, nor more heavenly.
            • f. They would exclude those who embraced them from the privileges of the Christian altar (v. 10): We have an altar. This is an argument of the great weight, and therefore the apostle insists the longer upon it. Observe,
              • (a.) The Christian church has its altar. It was objected against the primitive Christians that their assemblies were destitute of an altar; but this was not true. We have an alter, not a material altar, but a personal one, and that is Christ; he is both our altar, and our sacrifice; he sanctifies the gift. The altars under the law were types of Christ; the brazen altar of the sacrifice, the golden altar of his intercession.
              • (b.) This altar furnishes out a feast for true believers, a feast upon the sacrifice, a feast of fat things, spiritual strength and growth, and holy delight and pleasure. The Lord's table is not our altar, but it is furnished with provision from the altar. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us (1 Co. 5:7), and it follows, therefore let us keep the feast. The Lord's supper is the feast of the gospel passover.
              • (c.) Those who adhere to the tabernacle or the Levitical dispensation, or return to it again, exclude themselves from the privileges of this altar, from the benefits purchased by Christ. If they serve the tabernacle, they are resolved to subject themselves to antiquated rites and ceremonies, to renounce their right to the Christian altar; and this part of the argument he first proves and then improves.
                • [a.] He proves that this servile adherence to the Jewish state is a bar to the privileges of the gospel altar; and he argues thus:-Under the Jewish law, no part of the sin-offering was to be eaten, but all must be burnt without the camp while they dwelt in tabernacles, and without the gates when they dwelt in cities: now, if they will still be subject to that law, they cannot eat at the gospel-altar; for that which is eaten there is furnished from Christ, who is the great sin-offering. Not that it is the very sin-offering itself, as the papists affirm; for then it was not to be eaten, but burnt; but the gospel feast is the fruit and procurement of the sacrifice, which those have no right to who do not acknowledge the sacrifice itself. And that it might appear that Christ was really the antitype of the sin-offering, and, as such, might sanctify or cleanse his people with his own blood, he conformed himself to the type, in suffering without the gate. This was a striking specimen of his humiliation, as if he had not been fit either for sacred or civil society! And this shows how sin, which was the meritorious cause of the sufferings of Christ, is a forfeiture of all sacred and civil rights, and the sinner a common plague and nuisance to all society, if God should be strict to mark iniquity. Having thus shown that adherence to the Levitical law would, even according to its own rules, debar men from the Christian altar, he proceeds,
                • [b.] To improve this argument (v. 13-15) in suitable advices.
                  • First, Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp; go forth from the ceremonial law, from sin, from the world, from ourselves, our very bodies, when he calls us.
                  • Secondly, Let us be willing to bear his reproach, be willing to be accounted the offscouring of all things, not worthy to live, not worthy to die a common death. This was his reproach, and we must submit to it; and we have the more reason because, whether we go forth from this world to Christ or no, we must necessarily go forth in a little time by death; for here we have no continuing city. Sin, sinners, death, will not suffer us to continue long here; and therefore we should go forth now by faith, and seek in Christ the rest and settlement which this world cannot afford us, v. 14.
                  • Thirdly, Let us make a right use of this altar; not only partake of the privileges of it, but discharge the duties of the altar, as those whom Christ has made priests to attend on this altar. Let us bring our sacrifices to this altar, and to this our high priest, and offer them up by him, v. 15, 16. Now what are the sacrifices which we must bring and offer on this altar, even Christ? Not any expiatory sacrifices; there is no need of them. Christ has offered the great sacrifice of atonement, ours are only the sacrifices of acknowledgment; and they are,
                    • 1. The sacrifice of praise to God, which we should offer up to God continually. In this are included all adoration and prayer, as well as thanksgiving; this is the fruit of our lips; we must speak forth the praises of God from unfeigned lips; and this must be offered only to God, not to angels, nor saints, nor any creature, but to the name of God alone; and it must be by Christ, in a dependence upon his meritorious satisfaction and intercession.
                    • 2. The sacrifice of alms-deeds, and Christian charity: To do good, and to communicate, forget now; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, v. 16. We must, according to our power, communicate to the necessities of the souls and bodies of men; not contenting ourselves to offer the sacrifice of our lips, mere words, but the sacrifice of good deeds; and these we must lay down upon this altar, not depending upon the merit of our good deeds, but of our great high priest; and with such sacrifices as these, adoration and alms thus offered up, God is well pleased; he will accept the offering with pleasure, and will accept and bless the offers through Christ.
    • 2. Having thus told us the duty Christians owe to their deceased ministers, which principally consists in following their faith and not departing from it, the apostle tells us what is the duty that people owe to their living ministers (v. 17) and the reasons of that duty:
      • (1.) The duty-to obey them, and submit themselves to them. It is not an implicit obedience, or absolute submission, that is here required, but only so far as is agreeable to the mind and will of God revealed in his word; and yet it is truly obedience and submission, and that not only to God, but to the authority of the ministerial office, which is of God as certainly, in all things belonging to that office, as the authority of parents or of civil magistrates in the things within their sphere. Christians must submit to be instructed by their ministers, and not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn from them; and, when they find that ministerial instructions are agreeable to the written word, they must obey them.
      • (2.) The motives to this duty.
        • [1.] They have the rule over the people; their office, though not magisterial, yet is truly authoritative. They have no authority to lord it over the people, but to lead them in the ways of God, by informing and instructing them, explaining the word of God to them, and applying it to their several cases. They are not to make laws of their own, but to interpret the laws of God; nor is their interpretation to be immediately received without examination, but the people must search the scriptures, and so far as the instructions of their minister are according to that rule they ought to receive them, not as the word of men, but, as they are indeed, the word of God, that works effectually in those that believe.
        • [2.] They watch for the souls of the people, not to ensnare them, but to save them; to gain them, not to themselves, but to Christ; to build them up in knowledge, faith, and holiness. They are to watch against every thing that may be hurtful to the souls of men, and to give them warning of dangerous errors, of the devices of Satan, of approaching judgments; they are to watch for all opportunities of helping the souls of men forward in the way to heaven.
        • [3.] They must give an account how they have discharged their duty, and what has become of the souls committed to their trust, whether any have been lost through their neglect, and whether any of them have been brought in and built up under their ministry.
        • [4.] They would be glad to give a good account of themselves and their hearers. If they can then give in an account of their own fidelity and success, it will be a joyful day to them; those souls that have been converted and confirmed under their ministry will be their joy, and their crown, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
        • [5.] If they give up their account with grief, it will be the people's loss as well as theirs. It is the interest of hearers that the account their ministers give of them may be with joy, and not with grief. If faithful ministers be not successful, the grief will be theirs, but the loss will be the people's. Faithful ministers have delivered their own souls, but a fruitless and faithless people's blood and ruin will be upon their own heads.

Hbr 13:18-25

Here,

  • I. The apostle recommends himself, and his fellow-sufferers, to the prayers of the Hebrew believers (v. 18): "Pray for us; for me and Timothy' (mentioned v. 23), "and for all those of us who labour in the ministry of the gospel.'
    • 1. This is one part of the duty which people owe to their ministers. Ministers need the prayers of the people; and the more earnestly the people pray for their ministers the more benefit they may expect to reap from their ministry. They should pray that God would teach those who are to teach them, that he would make them vigilant, and wise, and zealous, and successful-that he would assist them in all their labours, support them under all their burdens, and strengthen them under all their temptations.
    • 2. There are good reasons why people should pray for their ministers; he mentions two:-
      • (1.) We trust we have a good conscience, etc., v. 18. Many of the Jews had a bad opinion of Paul, because he, being a Hebrew of the Hebrews, had cast off the Levitical law and preached up Christ: now he here modestly asserts his own integrity: We trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. We trust! he might have said, We know; but he chose to speak in a humble style, to teach us all not to be too confident of ourselves, but to maintain a godly jealousy over our own hearts. "We trust we have a good conscience, an enlightened and well-informed conscience, a clean and pure conscience, a tender and faithful conscience, a conscience testifying for us, not against us: a good conscience in all things, in the duties both of the first and second table, towards God and towards men, and especially in all things pertaining to our ministry; we would act honestly and sincerely in all things.' Observe,
        • [1.] A good conscience has a respect to all God's commands and all our duty.
        • [2.] Those who have this good conscience, yet need the prayers of others.
        • [3.] Conscientious ministers are public blessings, and deserve the prayers of the people.
      • (2.) Another reason why he desires their prayers is that he hoped thereby to be the sooner restored to them (v. 19), intimating that he had been formerly among them,-that, now he was absent from them, he had a great desire and real intention to come again to them,-and that the best way to facilitate his return to them, and to make it a mercy to him and them, was to make it a matter of their prayer. When ministers come to a people as a return of prayer, they come with greater satisfaction to themselves and success to the people. We should fetch in all our mercies by prayer.
  • II. He offers up his prayers to God for them, being willing to do for them as he desired they should do for him: Now the God of peace, etc., v. 20. In this excellent prayer observe,
    • 1. The title given to God-the God of peace, who was found out a way for peace and reconciliation between himself and sinners, and who loves peace on earth and especially in his churches.
    • 2. The great work ascribed to him: He hath brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, etc. Jesus raised himself by his own power; and yet the Father was concerned in it, attesting thereby that justice was satisfied and the law fulfilled. He rose again for our justification; and that divine power by which he was raised is able to do every thing for us that we stand in need of.
    • 3. The titles given to Christ-our Lord Jesus, our sovereign, our Saviour, and the great shepherd of the sheep, promised in Isa. 40:11, declared by himself to be so, Jn. 10:14, 15. Ministers are under-shepherds, Christ is the great shepherd. This denotes his interest in his people. They are the flock of his pasture, and his care and concern are for them. He feeds them, and leads them, and watches over them.
    • 4. The way and method in which God is reconciled, and Christ raised from the dead: Through the blood of the everlasting covenant. The blood of Christ satisfied divine justice, and so procured Christ's release from the prison of the grace, as having paid our debt, according to an eternal covenant or agreement between the Father and the Son; and this blood is the sanction and seal of an everlasting covenant between God and his people.
    • 5. The mercy prayed for: Make you perfect in every good work, etc., v. 21. Observe,
      • (1.) The perfection of the saints in every good work is the great thing desired by them and for them, that they may here have a perfection of integrity, a clear mind, a clean heart, lively affections, regular and resolved wills, and suitable strength for every good work to which they are called now, and at length a perfection of degrees to fit them for the employment and felicity of heaven.
      • (2.) The way in which God makes his people perfect; it is by working in them always what is pleasing in his sight, and that through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Observe,
        • [1.] There is no good thing wrought in us but it is the work of God; he works in us, before we are fit for any good work.
        • [2.] No good thing is wrought in us by God, but through Jesus Christ, for his sake and by his Spirit. And therefore,
        • [3.] Eternal glory is due to him, who is the cause of all the good principles wrought in us and all the good works done by us. To this every one should say, Amen.
  • III. He gives the Hebrews an account of Timothy's liberty and his hopes of seeing them with him in a little time, v. 23. It seems, Timothy had been a prisoner, doubtless for the gospel, but now he was set at liberty. The imprisonment of faithful ministers is an honour to them, and their enlargement is matter of joy to the people. He was pleased with the hopes of not only seeing Timothy, but seeing the Hebrews with him. Opportunities of writing to the churches of Christ are desired by the faithful ministers of Christ, and pleasant to them.
  • IV. Having given a brief account of this his letter, and begged their attention to it (v. 22), he closes with salutations, and a solemn, though short benediction.
    • 1. The salutation.
      • (1.) From himself to them, directed to all their ministers who had rule over them, and to all the saints; to them all, ministers and people.
      • (2.) From the Christians in Italy to them. It is a good thing to have the law of holy love and kindness written in the hearts of Christians one towards another. Religion teaches men the truest civility and good-breeding. It is not a sour nor morose thing.
    • 2. The solemn, though short benediction (v. 25): Grace be with you all. Amen. Let the favour of God be towards you, and his grace continually working in you, and with you, bringing forth the fruits of holiness, as the first-fruits of glory. When the people of God have been conversing together by word or writing, it is good to part with prayer, desiring for each other the continuance of the gracious presence of God, that they may meet together again in the world of praise.