| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Hebrews Chapter
Thirteen
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Life of Love
A. The life of love toward men (v.1-3);
1. Let brotherly love continue (v.1);
2. Do not forget to entertain strangers (v.2);
3. Remember those who are mistreated (v.3);
B. The life of love toward oneself (v.4-6);
1. Honor marriage (v.4);
2. Let one’s conduct be without covetousness
(v.5-6);
C. The life of love toward God (v.7-16);
1. Imitate the example of faith
and do not be
carried about with various and strange doctrines (v.7-9);
2. Go forth to Jesus outside the camp and bear
His reproach (v.10-14);
3. Offer the sacrifice of praise to God and
doing good and sharing (v.15-16);
D. The life of love toward preachers (v.17-19);
1. Obey those who rule over you (v.17);
2. Pray for them (v.18-19);
E. The blessings and greetings of love (v.20-25);
1. Blessings (v.20-21);
2. Exhortation and fellowship (v.22-23);
3. Greetings (v.24-25);
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Heb. 13:1
“Let brotherly love continue.”
YLT: “Let brotherly love remain;”
Meaning of Words:
“continue”: abide
remain
keep;
Literal Meaning:
“let …”
it is a command. “Continue”
it suggests
that such love has been in the danger of being cut off.
These Hebrew believers did not have no brotherly love (see 6:10)
but
their love grew cold because of over-emphasis on knowledge or doctrines.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The great manifestation of faith is the life
of love. Believers’ love one another is truly practicing the life of faith.
2) Love is the bond of perfectness (
3) The Lord Jesus has given us a new
commandment
that we love one another. By love only all will know that we are
the Lord’s disciples (John 13:34-35).
4) One who really loves God must love his neighbor
as himself (see Matt. 22:37-40). On the contrary
one who does not love
brothers
the love of God must be not in his heart (see 1John 3:17).
5) The passing love is of no value
for it is
of no difference with unbelievers. The brotherly love “continues” and does not
change because of any condition of brothers.
6) Some believers who keep extreme views upon
one aspect of the truth cannot bear those whose views are different from them
and even hate them and treat them eviler than unbelievers. In fact
if we keep
the basic truth of faith
we shall bear the different views of everyone upon
other truth. Anyway
let brotherly love continue and abide.
7) Since it is called “brotherly love”
the
only condition is that both are brothers. Once we are brothers
we shall love
one another without the distinction of race
language
region
wealth
education or social status
etc. (Gal. 3:28;
Heb. 13:2 “Do not forget to
entertain strangers
for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
YLT:
“of the hospitality be not forgetful
for through this unawares certain did
entertain messengers;”
Meaning
of Words: “entertain strangers”: hospitality; “unwittingly”: unconsciously;
The Background: “do not forget to entertain strangers”
since
there were few hostels in the ancient times
and many harlots were infested
with the limited inns
hospitality had become an important part of the Jewish
family life.
Literal
Meaning: “do
not forget to entertain strangers”
“do not forget”
do not forget any more;
“entertain strangers”: this command appears in many times of the New Testament
(Rom. 12:13; 1Pet. 4:9; John 3:5-6).
“For by so doing some have unwittingly”
“entertained angels”
it is
recorded in the Book of Genesis (18:2-3; 19:1-2).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Entertain the strangers is to help them and
provided the accommodation. “For by so doing some have unwittingly”
it is to
bring heavenly blessings to oneself. He who gives shall be given.
2) The original meaning of the word “angel” is
the one who is sent. All the travelers in the name of the Lord are the
representatives of Christ. If we receive them
we have received the angels (see
Matt. 10:40-42; 25:40).
3) Someone only pleases to receive strangers
but refuses those whom he is familiar with and is unwilling to open his heart
to receive them. We should know that reception starts from one’s “heart”
not
from those who are around us.
4) When the author wrote this epistle
the
object of believers’ reception is mainly the brothers who went on a journey for
the sake of the Lord’s name. And through entertaining them
believers would
have part in their works (see 3John 7-8). Hospitality makes us
fellowship-workers with the strangers. Therefore
we shall never accept those
who preach false teachings (e.g. Jehovah’s Witness
the Mormons etc.) lest we
become partakers in their wicked works (2John 10-11).
Heb. 13:3 “Remember the prisoners as
if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the
body also.”
YLT:
“be mindful of those in bonds
as having been bound with them
of those
maltreated
as also yourselves being in the body;”
Meaning
of Words: “remember: recall
remind; “chain”: be shut up together; “mistreat”: torment
maltreat;
Literal
Meaning: “remember the prisoners as if chained with
them”
remember them to a degree as if we are also bound with them. The Lord
Jesus identified with the smallest brother in the prison. If we look on a
brother
it is looking on the Lord Himself (Matt. 25:39-40).
“Those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body”
“you
yourselves are in the body”
to identify with them as suffering with them
together;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We shall not only receive those who find
help positively (strangers) but also help those who are in need (the prisoners). It is the brotherly love of looking upon
the prisoners and remembering as well as taking care of one another.
2) The best way of remembering those who are
imprisoned and are mistreated is prayer for them
just as the Lord Jesus who
sympathizes with our weakness (see 4:15) and make intercession for us before
God (see 7:25).
3) The members should have the same concern one
for another. And if one members suffers
all the members suffer with him (1Cor.
12:25-26). Rejoice with those what rejoice (Rom. 12:15).
4) The church is a bog family ---- we have to
realize that all brothers and sisters in Christ have to enjoy the grace
together and suffer the bear the afflictions together.
5) To those who are bound and mistreated
it
seems to be difficult to identify with them
for we lack the same experience
and are unable to know their pain. Therefore
if we have some experience of
sufferings
it is profitable to us and we shall give thanks to God.
Heb. 13:4 “Marriage is honorable
among all
and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will
judge.”
YLT:
“honourable the marriage in all
and the bed undefiled
and whoremongers and
adulterers God shall judge.”
Meaning
of Words: “fornicator”: sexual
sinner
debauchee; “adulterer”: paramour;
Literal
Meaning: “marriage is honorable among all”
“honorable”
the marital relations cannot be destroyed.
“And the bed undefiled”
“bed” indicates the sexual life. “Defiled”
it
refers to the unlawful sexual behavior.
“But fornicators and adulterers God will judge”
“fornicator”: the
sexual practice outside marriage (including premarital sex)
no matter
heterosexuality or homosexuality; “adulterer”: sex outside marriage because of
unfaithfulness toward one’s spouse;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Marriage is honorable among all”. Marriage
is not a defiled thing. Someone misunderstands the Scriptures and proposes
virginity all one’s life
thinking that those who are married are outside those
who overcome (see Rev. 14:4).
2) Let each have his “own” wife and each have
her “own” husband (1Cor. 7:2). The sexual relationship in marriage is holy
(1Cor. 7:2).
3) One who is faithful to his or her spouse
loves the spouse as well as himself or herself. It is the true love of loving
others by self-respect.
4) If marriage is defiled
it shows that the
love between the husband and the life is lost.
5) Even though the fornicators and adulterers
may escape the judgment of the law
they cannot escape the ultimate judgment of
God.
Heb. 13:5 “Let your conduct be
without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself
has said
"I will never leave you nor forsake you."”
YLT:
“Without covetousness the behaviour
being content with the things present
for
He hath said
`No
I will not leave
no
nor forsake thee
'”
Meaning
of Words: “conduct”: conversation
way
of life
manner; “as you have”: present; “content”: be
enough
suffice
be sufficient; “leave”: loose
forbear; “forsake”: abandon
let remain over
desert;
Literal
Meaning: “let your conduct be without covetousness
be content with such things as you have”
“covetousness” means: 1) one can
never be satisfied by anything (see Eccl. 5:10). 2) one relies on money instead
of money (see 1Tim. 6:17).
“For He Himself has said”
it is believed in the world that
“dissatisfaction” is the motivation of social progress
so men in the world
struggle more and better endlessly. However
Christians take “content” as the
secret of our conversation (see Phil. 4:11-13). Satisfaction with physical
conditions will drive us to seek more things in the spiritual realm.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you”
the following words are quoted
from the Book of Deuteronomy (31:6
8).
“I will never leave you or forsake you”
it means that the Lord will not
leave you in a needy condition and disregard you.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If man has lost faith and hope and love
toward God
he must be covetous and rely on himself rather than God.
2) Every time fornicators and adulterers are
mentioned together in the Scriptures (see 12:16; Deut. 5:21; Mark 7:22; Eph.
5:5 etc.)
for both of them are characterized by dissatisfaction with what is
of their own.
3) God leave and forsake those who are
unwilling to rely on Him. And He never leaves those who commit them to Him and
trust in Him
but keeps them (2Tim. 1:12).
4) “Our heavenly Father knows that we have need
of all these things” (Matt. 6:32). This promise of God has provided a perfect
answer to the physical need of Christians.
5) If we are willing to give money to support
the brothers who are poor and not leaven them
God will also not leave us but
affords us all things richly (see 1Tim. 6:17).
Heb. 13:6 “So we may boldly say:
"The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"”
YLT:
“so that we do boldly say
`The Lord to me a helper
and I will not fear what
man shall do to me.'”
Meaning
of Words: “boldly”: with confidence
with boldness;
Literal
Meaning: “so we may boldly say”
the following words
are quoted from the Book of Psalm (118:6).
“The LORD is my helper
I will not fear”
“helper”: it is not only
physical support but also spiritual maintenance. Since God is our stronghold in
daily life
we need not to fear in any situation.
“What can man do to me”? Even those who do not mean well to us can do
nothing (see Gen. 15:1).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If we have God who is our helper
even
though we are seemingly poor
we are actually abundant (see Phil. 4:12). And
even though we are alone
we can overcome thousands of enemies (see 2King
6:15-16).
2) True faith makes us rely on God in peace and
not fear with boldness
even though we are in difficulties and temptations. On
one hand
God will not leave or forsake us (see v.5; Is. 49:15). And on the
other
He will helps us (Rom. 8:31).
Heb. 13:7 “Remember those who rule
over you
who have spoken the word of God to you
whose faith follow
considering the outcome of their conduct.”
YLT:
“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
”
Meaning
of Words: “rule over”: lead
be chief; “remember”: remind
be mindful
make mention
consider; “consider”: look again
behold; “conduct”: conversation
walking;
“outcome”: way to escape
end;
Literal
Meaning: “those who rule over you
who have spoken
the word of God to you”
“rule over”: it emphasizes the guidance in conduct;
“spoken the word of God”: it focuses on the teaching of word;
“Remember … whose faith follow”
it means that all their faith
and
words
works and love and purity etc. out of faith can be set as an example to
believers (1Tim. 4:12; Gal. 5:6). The more we consider them
the more shall we
be encouraged to imitate them.
“Considering the outcome of their conduct”
“conduct”: one’s life and
conduct according to his manner of life and attitude toward life; “outcome”
carries two meanings: 1) the end of one’s life; 2) the success or result of
one’s conversation;
The whole verse means that when we “consider” the end of their keeping
God’s word and faithfulness unto the end
we will be sufficiently encouraged to
keep the word of God and walk in His word and even be martyrs.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The words and deeds of the preacher who
preaches the word of God and leads believers should be set as examples for
believers. In other words
he must be a man who consistently matches his words
with his action
not a man “who can say but cannot do” (Matt. 23:3).
2) A preacher has to take heed to himself and
to his teaching and continue in them until the Lord comes
for doing this
he
shall save both himself and those that hear him (see 1Tim. 4:16).
3) If we consider a man
it is better to see
his “outcome”. That is so called “to praise a fair day at night”. Many people
run well in the beginning
but their end is not good.
4) Biographies of spiritual giants are of great
help to believers. If we can read more and meditate upon their good examples
our heart and spirit will be gradually and subtly influenced by them.
Heb. 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday
today
and forever.”
YLT:
“Jesus Christ yesterday and to-day the same
and to the ages;”
Literal
Meaning: “Jesus Christ” is the object of our faith
as well as the connotation and center and theme and of all teachings and
knowledge.
“The
same yesterday
today
and forever”
since He never changes
all teachings and knowledge concerning Him will also
never change.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We live in this world in which all men and
things are variable
so we shall look upon Jesus who never changes. He is the
steady rock and eternal foundation.
2) Jesus Christ whom we believe never changes.
Such a fact indicates that all the truth concerning Him in the Scriptures will
also never change. We may dig up some truth that the elders had not found in
the Scriptures
but we cannot despise the truth that was found out. Some haughty
preachers declare that the truth of Christ that others have seen is too
superficial and only the truth seen by their own is noble. Such kind of view is
unworthy of reception.
3) Note that Jesus Christ “is” always the same
and it is not He “does” the same. His nature and principle are always the same
but His works are not the same (see 3:9-10; Ps. 103:7). Therefore
we shall not
preserve the appearance of things only
and yet ignore the true meanings
behind.
Heb. 13:9 “Do 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.”
YLT:
“with teachings manifold and strange be not carried about
for good that by
grace the heart be confirmed
not with meats
in which they who were occupied
were not profited;”
Meaning
of Words: “various”: manifold; “strange”: foreign; “carry about”: convey around
transport hither and thither; “be established”: be confirmed; “be occupied”: walk
about
tread all around; “profit”: be useful
prevail;
Literal
Meaning: “do not be carried about with various and
strange doctrines”
“various and strange doctrines”
it refers to all the
doctrines that are not cut in a straight line (2Tim. 2:15). Here
several
examples are listed as follows for reference:
1) One iota or one tittle shall in no wise pass
from the law
so believers have to keep the Sabbath.
2) If one cannot speak the tongues
he has not
been filled with the Spirit. If one has not been filled with the Spirit
he has
not been saved.
3) The letter kills and the Spirit quickens.
The searching and explaining the Scriptures in the gatherings make men dead
so
the practicing and working and manifestation of the Spirit are more important.
4) The word of the cross has become out of
season
so believers need only to release their spirits to enjoy Christ.
5) The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus took place
two thousands years ago
and now He has been raised from the dead and lives in
believers. Therefore
what is the most important is not the remembrance of His
death
but enjoyment of His risen life.
6) The Lord Jesus quoted the word in the
Scriptures that “those to whom the word of God came were called gods” (John
10:34-35)
so He agreed with the view that “man might become god”.
7) God loves the world and desires that all men
should be saved and does not wish that any should perish. Therefore
all human
beings shall be saved and not perish.
All the doctrines like this
are really strange. However
the stranger the doctrines are
the more popular
they are among men. Today
in the Christianity
the church that is the most
prosperous with the largest number of people is such kind of church. Note that
the strange doctrines are not totally irrelevant to the Scriptures
nor utterly
wrong
but are half wrong. Therefore
it is difficult to discern them.
“For it is good that the heart be established by grace
not with foods”
“by grace”
it is by grace to achieve the goal of our faith; “with foods”: to
please God by keeping the rules of food; here it suggested that the false
teachers in Judaism at that time brought the rules of the law into the church
and spread the wrong teachings to believers and let them keep
e.g. the rules
concerning food and the eating of the sacrifices (see Col. 2:20-23).
“Which have not profited those who have been occupied with them”
“those
who have been occupied with them”: the legalists of the Judaism
who pay
attention to the rules of food only;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If we want to avoid the enticement of the
wrong doctrines
we have to be grown up in life so as to distinguish both good
and evil (see 5:14). Otherwise
a child is easy to be tossed and carries about
with every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).
2) It should be known that one is saved “by
grace”
not by letter (Acts 10:28; Col. 2:16). The
3) The Lord Jesus has fulfilled all the
requirements of the law for us. Therefore
believers in the New Testament need
not to keep the rules of the letter of the law
but keep the principles of the
requirements of the law (e.g. loving God
loving neighbor as oneself
doing
immoral things etc.)
4) To believers in the New Testament
the
distinction between clean and unclean of food has been destroyed by the Lord
Jesus
so there is no longer so-called unclean food (see Acts 10:14-15).
Actually
meat does not comment us to God. Neither if we should not eat do we
come short
nor if we should eat have we an advantage (1Cor. 8:8).
Heb. 13:10 “We have an altar from
which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.”
YLT:
“we have an altar
of which to eat they have no authority who the tabernacle
are serving
”
Meaning
of Words: “altar”: where the sacrifices
are offered; “tabernacle”: tent; “serve”: minister
worship;
Literal
Meaning: “we have an altar”
“we”: the Hebrew
believers; in the following verses (v.10-14)
it mentions from the rules of the
law of the Israelites in the Old Testament to the New Testament
showing the
differences and similarities of the two testaments and the response that the
Hebrew believers are supposed to have. “Altar”: where the priests offered the
sacrifices (see 7:13)
and it in the New Testament refers to the cross
namely
the altar of the Lord.
“From which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat”
“from
which”
it refers to the offerings on the altar (see 8:3; 10:11); “those who
serve the tabernacle”: the children of the Levites who had obtained the ministry
of priest (see 7:5); “have no right to eat”: the offering of the sin-offering
should be burnt out (Lev. 4:8-12) to be an offering by fire to God
and man
could not eat them.
The sin-offering of the Old Testament was not for men to eat. But now
the offering of the New Testament
the Lord Jesus
His flesh is truly food
(John 6:55). If man eats Him
he just enjoys Him as the provision of life.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All those who worshipped God according to
the customs of the Old Testament could not enjoy the offering ---- the Lord
Jesus ---- together with believers of the New Testament. The enjoyment of
Christ cannot be mingled with the worship by letter (see Rom. 2:25-29).
2) The salvation of Christ to men can only be
obtained by the law of faith
not the law of work (see Rom. 3:27-28).
Heb. 13:11 “For the bodies of those
animals
whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin
are burned outside the camp.”
YLT:
“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.”
Meaning
of Words: “burn”: burn down;
Literal
Meaning: “for … whose blood is brought into the
sanctuary by the high priest for sin”
in the Old Testament
the high only once
a year went into the sanctuary with blood for himself and for the errors of the
people (see 9:7). In the New Testament
the high priest has entered in once for
all into the holies by his own blood
not by blood of goats and calves and
found an eternal redemption (see 9:12).
“The bodies … are burned outside the camp”
“camp”: a clean place
outside the camp of the Israelites (4:12); “burned outside the camp”: the
sacrifice of sin-offering should be burned outside the camp (Ex. 29:14; Lev.
4:11-12; 6:30; 16:27). The body of Jesus
the High Priest of the New Testament
was sacrificed for us outside the gate of
Heb. 13:12 “Therefore Jesus also
that He might sanctify the people with His own blood
suffered outside the
gate.”
YLT:
“Wherefore
also Jesus -- that he might sanctify through own blood the people
-- without the gate did suffer;”
Meaning
of Words: “sanctify”: separate
hallow;
Literal
Meaning: “therefore
Jesus also that He might
sanctify the people with His own blood”
“therefore”
it continues verse ten
and eleven
which shows that some principles of the Old Testament can also be
applied in the New Testament; “with His own blood”
it responds to “the blood
of the animals” (see v.11)
and “sanctify” responds to “…for sin” (see v.11).
The blood of the animals in the Old Testament could not put away sin
so
they should be offered year by year continually (see 10:1
4). In the New
Testament
the Lord Jesus has perfected in perpetuity them that are sanctified
by His own blood (see 10:10
14).
“Suffered outside the gate”
“outside of gate”: outside the gate of
Heb. 13:13 “Therefore let us go forth
to Him
outside the camp
bearing His reproach.”
YLT:
“now
then
may we go forth unto him without the camp
his reproach bearing;”
Meaning
of Words: “bear”: endure; “reproach”: rebuke;
Literal
Meaning: “therefore let us go forth to Him
outside the camp”
“outside the camp”: escape from the religion forsaking the
Lord
and go outside of the religious atmosphere
way and view etc.
“go forth to Him”: hear Him only and rely on Him and enjoy
His presence;
“Bearing
His reproach”
walk on the way
of the cross and suffer with Him;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus was forsaken and even
crucified by the chief priests and elders that reigned in the city of
2) The Israelites made the golden calf and
worshipped idols and ate and drank in the camp on that day (1Cor. 10:7; Ex.
32:6)
and Moses went outside of the camp and pitched the tent (Ex. 33:7).
Likewise
today
there is full of worship of idols
upholding spiritual giants
and various activities of the flesh and soul. Therefore
we shall also go
outside of the camp and pursue righteousness and faith and love and peace with
those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart (2Tim. 2:22).
3) Christians who really know the principles of
God’s will not be preoccupied with apparent religious things
which have become
the vacant “city” or “camp”
for our Lord is not there and He is calling “us to
flee out of Jerusalem” (Jer. 6:1). Let us go outside of the camp
for the Lord
is there and that is the right place.
4) The right way tends to be the way that calls
for the endurance of reproaches
as well as the “straitened way with narrow
gate” (Matt. 7:13-14). We shall not judge according to the number of people
for only a few number of people know about the pursuit of the spiritual way
that the Lord has ordained (see Luke 13:23-24).
Heb. 13:14 “For here we have no continuing city
but we seek the one to come.”
YLT:
“for we have not here an abiding city
but the coming one we seek;”
Meaning
of Words: “continuing”: enduring
abiding;
Literal
Meaning: “for here we have no continuing city”
“here” refers to the earthly or religious realm; “continuing city” refers to
the place where we will dwell forever;
“But seek the one to come”
“the one to come”: the city which has
foundations
of which God is artificer and constructor (see 11:10);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Things that are made on the earth shall be
shaken
and that what is not shaken may remain (see 12:27). Believers shall not
pay much attention to the houses
physical possessions
reputation or status
that cannot remain
but know how to be temperate and spend more time and energy
in seeking the city to come.
2) We shall not only “desire” (see 11:16) and
“wait” (see 11:10) and see (see 11:13)
but also “seek”. Here
it means that we
shall not only keep the things we hope for in our hearts but also seek them.
Heb. 13:15 “Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God
that is
the fruit of our
lips
giving thanks to His name.”
YLT:
“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;”
Meaning
of Words: “continually”: always; “sacrifice”: offering;
The Background: it was traditionally taught among the Jewish
rabbis that all the Mosaic offering would be ended except for the offering of
thanksgiving. All prayers shall be stopped one day except for the prayers for
thanksgiving.
Literal
Meaning: “therefore by Him let us continually offer
the sacrifice of praise to God”
“by Him”: salvation is in none other than
Jesus (Acts 4:12). Man can only draw near to God through Him only. “The
sacrifice of praise”: it is of sweet odour before God.
“That is
the fruit of our lips
giving thanks to His name”
“the fruit
of our lips”
it is from the Book of Isaiah (57:19). The phrase there is used
to preach the works of Jehovah’s healing are preached. In the fourth year after
the Israelites had entered into the
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Praise is a kind of “offering” to burn all
the “honor and dishonor and evil report and good report” (2Cor. 6:8) of oneself
on the altar to God without withdrawing anything for oneself. Such offering
must please God.
2) The offering of praise should be “offered to
God”. Believers may mostly supplicate God but seldom praise God. Don’t you know
that God dwells amid the praises of
3) The offering of praise shall be offered
“continually”. No matter in favorable or unfavorable conditions
we shall
praise all the same. The secret of surpassing tribulations and adverse
situations is praising God (see Acts 16:25-26).
4) The offering of praise shall be offered “by
Jesus”. If we do it by ourselves
it is difficult to praise in tribulations.
However
by the Lord Jesus
no matter in what kind of circumstance
we can do
all things (see Phil. 4:12-13).
5) The offering of praise is “the fruit of the lips of
those who confess the name of the Lord”.
The best way of confessing the name of the Lord is to outpour the praise of God
out of our mouth. Of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34).
If believers are filled with the grace of God
he cannot help but praise God.
Heb. 13:16 “But do not forget to do
good and to share
for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
YLT:
“and of doing good
and of fellowship
be not forgetful
for with such
sacrifices God is well-pleased.”
Meaning
of Words: “share”: fellowship
intercourse
communion;
Literal
Meaning: “but do not forget to do good and to share”
“share”: share materials or wealth with others; doing good is to contribute
one’s strength and sharing is to contribute one’s money. However
Christians do
not do either of them
but both.
“For with such sacrifices God is well pleased”
“such sacrifices” mean
that doing good and sharing are sacrifices before God and are of sweet odor to
God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Let us not offer the sacrifices in word
neither in tongue
but in deed and in truth (1John 3:18). The fruit of lips is
not enough
and we shall also seek the fruit of works
namely
the fruit of
good works (
2) Though the object of our good works and
sharing is men
we have offered the sacrifices to God. The Lord counts all
things that we have done for the sake of His name as that are done unto Him
(see Matt. 25:40).
Heb. 13:17 “Obey those who rule over
you
and be submissive
for they 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.”
YLT:
“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 unprofitable to you.”
Meaning
of Words: “obey”: trust
believe
assure; “submissive”: obedient
surrender; “watch
out”: not sleep; “grief”: sorrow
groaning; “unprofitable”: harmful;
Literal
Meaning: “obey those who rule over you
and be
submissive”
this is a command; “obey … be submissive”: the two necessary
attitudes of believers toward their leaders; the former emphasizes that they
are taught and persuaded by the words of the leaders
and the latter emphasizes
that they respect and submit to the leaders from heart. Note that this command
shall be obeyed in normal condition. If the leaders are wrong in teachings or
doings
there are also other instructions in the Bible for balance.
“For they watch out for your souls
as those who must give account”
“your souls”
soul represents the whole person of a man; “watch out”
it
includes intercessions and practical attendance; “give account”: fulfill the
mission given by the Lord and be responsible to the Lord; the whole verse shows
that the leaders are much regardful of the conditions of all believers and do
their best to fulfill the missions the Lord had entrusted to them.
“Let them do so with joy and not with grief
for that would be
unprofitable”
if the leaders are grievous
it shows that problems arise among
those who are being ruled over and it is unprofitable to such believers.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Obedience to the Lord may be easier than
that to men. The problem lies in the differences of men’s views and ways of
doing things. If someone always does not appreciate the views and ways of
others
it is difficult to be submissive. This verse provides the secret of
overcoming such difficulty. Do the leaders seek the profits for “men” or
“things”? If they are for the profit of “men”
just let them do.
2) Those who start with the fruit of works
instead of the profit of believers are unworthy of ruling over the church.
Everything that is profitable should not be held back
but announced to all the
saints (Acts 20:20). And this is the necessary attitude of the Lord’s workers.
3) Generally
this verse in the Christianity is
often used to teach believers to obey the authority
but seldom to teach
leaders. Actually
if those who rule over believers regulate themselves according
to this principle
believers shall be definitely convinced.
Heb. 13:18 “Pray for us; for we are
confident that we have a good conscience
in all things desiring to live
honorably.”
YLT:
“Pray for us
for we trust that we have a good conscience
in all things
willing to behave well
”
Meaning
of Words: “confident”: persuaded; “honorably”: full well;
Literal
Meaning: “pray for us”
“us”
it refers to the author
and the brothers and sisters with him. According to the following words
it
more relates to the author’s fellow workers.
“For we are confident that we have a good conscience”
“confident”
it
is a kind of confidence after self-judgment and self-proof; “a good
conscience”: be innocent of their teachings and their works.
“In all things desiring to live honorably”
“desiring”: aspire and do
one’s best to do something; “in all things … live honorably”: be honorably
motivated to do all things;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Not only do common believers need
intercessions
but also the preachers also need our intercessions (see Eph.
6:19-20;
2) Apparently
the preachers are not controlled
by anybody or any assembly and are able to go any place as they wish and choose
the proper place to preach the Lord’s word. However
in fact
every preacher
has a common principle that should keep
namely
keeping a good conscience
toward God and men (see Acts 24:16).
Heb. 13:19 “But I especially urge you
to do this
that I may be restored to you the sooner.”
YLT:
“and more abundantly do I call upon to do this
that more quickly I may be
restored to you.”
Literal
Meaning: “but I especially urge you to do this”
“I”
refers to the author of this epistle.
“That I may be restored to you the sooner”
“the sooner”
it suggested
that he was bound because of some conditions so that he could not walk as he
wished. “Be restored”
it showed that the author had ever been together with
the receivers of this epistle.
Heb. 13:20 “Now may the God of peace
who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead
that great Shepherd of the sheep
through the blood of the everlasting covenant
”
YLT:
“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
”
Meaning
of Words: “brought up … from”: raise…up;
Literal
Meaning: “may the God the peace”
God is the origin
of peace. Without God
man has no peace.
“That great Shepherd of the sheep
through the blood of the everlasting
covenant”
“the blood of the everlasting covenant”
it means that the new
covenant established by the blood of the Lord Jesus is always efficacious (see
Matt. 28:28; Luke 22:20)
for His blood has perfected the eternal redemption
(see 9:12). Therefore
the new covenant is also called the everlasting covenant
that never fails. “The great Shepherd of the sheep”
it means that the Lord
Jesus feeds us and gives us more abundant life (see John 10:10).
“God … who brought up Lord Jesus from the
dead”
“brought up…from the dead”
he became dead
and He is living to the ages
of ages (Rev. 1:18).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The peace give by God is the true peace
which is free from any influence of the circumstances. Though we have
tribulations in the world
we have the true peace in the Lord (see John 16:33).
2) The blood and death of the Lord Jesus have
not only dealt with the problems of sins but also enabled us to be the vessels
of God for the usage of God. Besides
through the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus
who is the great Shepherd of the sheep
we are given the power of life and
provision of life to fulfill the will of God before the foundation of the
world.
Heb. 13:21 “make you complete in
every good work to do His will
working in you what is well pleasing in His
sight
through Jesus Christ
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
YLT:
“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 the glory -- to the
ages of the ages! Amen.”
Meaning
of Words: “complete”: make…perfect
mend
prepare;
Literal
Meaning: “make you complete in every good work to do
His will”
it indicates that the will of God is creating us for good works (see
Eph. 2:10). Therefore
He will not only give favor to save us but also equip us
to perfect us to do His will.
“Working in you what is well pleasing in His sight
through Jesus
Christ”
“work in you … through Jesus Christ”
the book always declares that
the Lord is at the right hand of God or before God in the heaven till here. And
only this verse suggests us that He also dwells in us. Therefore
Christ is not
only in the heaven but also in our hearts. “What is well pleasing in His
sight”
it is God who works in us both the willing and the working according to
good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
“To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” “Be glory”
the primary
purpose of believers’ walking on the earth is glorifying God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Before perfecting us
God has firstly
perfected Jesus Christ and made Him perfect (see v.20). Today
God is working
in us what is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ who has been
perfected so that we will also attain to perfection.
2) God gives favor to us and saves us and makes
us complete in every good work so that we are enabled to keep the will of God
and glorify God. For this purpose
we have to present us to God and be willing
to receive the works of God and let the indwelling Christ reign in us so that
we shall live out and manifest the glory of God.
Heb. 13:22 “And I appeal to you
brethren
bear with the word of exhortation
for I have written to you in few
words.”
YLT:
“And I entreat you
brethren
suffer the word of the exhortation
for also
through few words I have written to you.”
Meaning
of Words: “few”: short; “bear”: hear
put up with
suffer
endure;
Literal
Meaning: “and I appeal to you
brethren … for I have
written to you in few words”
“written … in few words”
it indicates that this
epistle was not so long
for the writer had deliberately passed over something
and not given detailed descriptions (see 9:5; 11:32).
“Bear with the word of exhortation”
“bear”: entreat them to endure
these words; “exhortation” refers to the words of encouragement and comfort and
exhortation. This epistle is full of exhortations.
Heb. 13:23 “Know that our brother Timothy
has been set free
with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.”
YLT:
“Know ye that the brother Timotheus is released
with whom
if he may come more
shortly
I will see you.”
Meaning
of Words: “shortly”: quickly;
Literal
Meaning: “know that our brother Timothy has been set
free”
“our brother Timothy”
some Bible expositors infer that this epistle was
written by Paul according to this verse
but such proof was somewhat
insufficient. “Set free”
be released from prison; it was not clearly mentioned
in the Scriptures that when Timothy was imprisoned. Probably
it happened after
Paul was secondly imprisoned and died for the Lord (see 2Tim. 4:6).
“With whom I shall see you if he comes shortly”
at that time
the
Lord’s worker
at least two
often visited the churches.
Heb. 13:24 “Greet all those who rule
over you
and all the saints. Those from
YLT:
“Salute all those leading you
and all the saints; salute you doth those from
Literal
Meaning: “greet all those who rule over you
and all
the saints”
“those who rule over you” refer to the fellow-workers and elders
in the local church.
“Those from
Heb. 13:25 “Grace be with you all.
Amen.”
YLT:
“the grace with you all! Amen.”
Literal
Meaning: “grace”
the word appears many times in this
epistle (see 2:9; 4:16; 10:29; 12:15
29; 13:9). We believers need the grace of
God throughout our life until we finish the race of life.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Signs of the
A. Let brotherly love continue (v.1);
B. Entertain strangers in love (v.2);
C. Remember the prisons and those who are
mistreated (v.3);
D. Keep the marriage life holy (v.4);
E. Be satisfied without covetousness (v
F. Rely on the help of God with boldness
(v.5b-6);
G. Imitate those who rule over believers and
who have spoken the word of God (v.7);
H. Hold fast Jesus Christ (v.8);
The Manifestation and Restraint of Brotherly
Love
A. The manifestation of brotherly love:
1. To brothers who travelled outside ----
entertain (v.2);
2. To brothers who were imprisoned ----
remember (v.3);
3. To brothers who were mistreated ----
remember (v.3);
B. The restraint of brotherly love:
1. Concerning the relations between male and
female ---- be holy
and not commit fornication and adultery (v.4);
2. Concerning the giving and reception of money
---- be satisfied
and not be covetous (v
3. Concerning the interpersonal relationship
---- trust in God
and not fear (v.5b-6);
Lest We Forget…
A. Do not forget to entertain
strangers (v.2);
B. Remember the prisoners as
if chained with them--those who are mistreated (v.3);
C. Remember those who rule
over you
who have spoken the word of God to us (v.7);
D. Do not forget to do good and to share (v.16);
Jesus Christ is the Strength of Our Victory
A. The Lord will never leave us nor forsake us
so let us conduct be without covetousness
and therefore be content with such
things as we have (v.5-6).
B. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday
today
and forever
and therefore do not be carried about with various and strange
doctrines (v.8-9).
C. Jesus suffered outside the gate
and therefore let us go forth to Him
outside the
camp
bearing His reproach (v.12-13).
D. The Lord Jesus
the great Shepherd of the sheep
who has been raised up from the dead
and
therefore let us do what is pleasing in God’s sight through Jesus (v.15-16
20-21).
“Rule Over” That Is Mentioned Thrice in This
Chapter
A. Those who rule over you
who have spoken the word of God
to you (v.7);
B. Obey those who rule over
you
and be submissive (v.17);
C. Greet all those who rule
over you (v.24);
The Distinctions between Good and Evil
Preachers
A. Good preachers:
1. Who have the examples of faith
which are
worthy of imitation (v.7b);
2. Who do not change and are good in beginning
and in the end (v.7b-8);
3. Who watch out for believers’ souls and be responsible
to give
account to God (v.17);
4. Who have a good conscience
in all things
desiring to live honorably (v.18);
5. Who rely on our Lord Jesus
the great Shepherd of the sheep (v.20);
B. Evil preachers:
1. Who entice believers with various strange
doctrines (v
2. Who focus on the rules of foods etc. (v.9b);
Do Not
Be Carried
about with Various and Strange
Doctrines
A. Various and strange doctrines (v.9-11):
1. The strange doctrines will make believers
turn away from the grace of God (v
2. The strange doctrines emphasize the rules of
foods etc. more than grace (v.9);
3. The strange doctrines have not profited men
(v.9);
4. The strange doctrines are built on the wrong
foundation of sacrifices (v.9);
B. Right doctrines (v.12):
1. Person ---- Jesus;
2. Purpose ---- sanctify the people;
3. Price ---- with His own blood;
4. Place ---- outside the gate;
C. Responsibilities (v.13-16):
1. Go forth to Him
outside the camp
and bear
His reproach (v.13);
2. Seek the city to come (v.14);
3. Offer the sacrifice of praise of God and
give thanks to His name through Jesus (v.15);
4. Do not forget to do good and to share
(v.16);
The Comparisons between the Old Testament
and the New Testament
A. The offering in the Old Testament:
1. There was an altar (v
2. The sacrifices on the alter could not be
eaten (v.10b);
3. Set the blood of the goats and calves etc.
as the offerings (v
4. The bodies of those animals were burned
outside the camp (v.11b);
B. The offering in the New Testament:
1. We have an alter (v
2. The flesh of the Lord Jesus is truly food and
His blood is drink (see John 6:55);
3. The Lord Jesus sanctify the people with His
own blood (v
4. The Lord Jesus suffered outside the gate
(v.12b);
Four Kinds of Sacrifices That God Pleases
A. Bearing His reproach (v.13) ---- suffer with Him (Phil. 3:10) ----
present the bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1);
B. The sacrifice of praise to God
that is
the fruit of our lips
giving thanks to His name (v.15);
C. The sacrifice of doing good (v
D. The sacrifice of sharing (v.16b);
Prayer for Believers
A. The object of prayer:
1. God of peace (v
2. God who brought up Jesus from the dead (v
B. The reliance of prayer ---- Jesus Christ who
established the new covenant by His blood and had been raised up again (v.20b);
C. The items of prayer:
1. Make believers complete in every good
work (v
2. Make believers do His will (v.21b);
3. Working in believers what is well pleasing in
His sight through Jesus Christ (v.21b);
D. The
purpose of prayer ---- give glory to God forever and ever (v
The Ideal Spiritual Life
A. Enjoy the peace bestowed by God (v
B. Enjoy the protection and shepherding and
risen life of Christ (v.20b);
C. Enjoy the perfection of God in every good
work (v
D. Be able to keep the will of God (v.21b);
E. Be able to let the Lord work in us what is
pleasing in His sight (v.21b);
F. Be able to give glory to God forever and
ever (v
G. Enjoy the presence of God by grace (v.25);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou