Hebrews

13.1-25

The book of Hebrews follows the general pattern of New Testament teaching, which is doctrine and then duty, or position and then practice. The first 11 chapters were written almost entirely to Jews who have received the gospel but need to be affirmed in the doctrine of the superiority of the New Covenant in Christ. Chapter 12 delivers general encouragement to run the race of faith in the Christian life with endurance, following peace and holiness. Here, in chapter 13, we read of the specific practical exhortations - that true faith demands true living. They are simple, yet precise. Love your fellow Christians (v.1), show hospitality to strangers (v.2), remember the prisoners and mistreated (v.3), honor marriage and remain sexually faithful to your spouse (v.4), do not love money but be content with what you have (v.5), do not fear man but trust in the LORD as your helper (v.6), follow the examples of the faithful leaders who spoke the Word of God to you (v.7), know that God in Jesus is unchangeable (v.8), don't listen to teachings that are foreign to the teachings of Yahweh (v.9), come before God on your own without the need of an intercessor, praising Him with your own voice (vv.10-16), obey your leaders (v.17), pray for those who lead you as men of God, to remain steadfast in their conduct and service (vv.18-19). And just as he admonishes us to pray for him, the writer closes his letter with a prayer that we be equipped to do what is pleasing in the sight of God through Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER 13

Sacrifices Pleasing to God

1 Let love of the brothers continue.
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you yourselves also are in the body.
4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled, for the sexually immoral and adulterers God will judge.
5 Make sure that your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”
6 so that we confidently say,
“THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.
WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no authority to eat.
11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.
12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the one to come.
15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name.
16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them—for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they will do this with joy and not with groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves well in all things.
19 And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction

20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,
21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, by doing in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 But I urge you, brothers, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.
23 Know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.
24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all.