The writer has emphasised throughout the book of Hebrews that Jesus Christ is supreme. As the Son of God and as the Great High Priest He offered the one perfect sacrifice for sin and thus secured an eternal redemption for the people of God. They will now be able to approach God with confidence and eventually enter heaven itself. However, in the meantime they have to live lives of obedience to God and in love for one another. This last chapter has the following exhortations.
A]. DEVELOPING A SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP OF LOVE. (Heb 13:1-4)
They Are To Love One Another. Heb 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.” The word for “love” here is from [philadelphia; φιλαδελφία] meaning brotherly love, the love that exists between those united by a common faith in Jesus.
They Are To Be Hospitable. Heb 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” “Hospitality” is from [philoxenia;φιλοξενία] the love for strangers or foreigners.
They Are To Remember Those In Prison And The Mistreated. Heb 13:3, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” They are to identify with those suffering from a loss in freedom, taking their time to reflect on their situations. It involved empathy, trying to understand what they were going through and their feelings.
They Are To Keep Marriage Holy. Heb 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Marriage as a relationship instituted by God had to be held in high honour [timios; τίμιος] meaning respected, esteemed, of high value. Immorality and adultery defile marriage. “Undefiled” is from [amiantos; ἀμίαντος = unstained, chaste.]
B]. THEY HAVE SPIRITUAL TREASURES. (Heb 13:5-6)
Contentment. Heb 13:5, ” Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Believers are able to find contentment in God Who has promised not to leave nor desert His followers as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Jesus promised His followers, John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.“
Confidence. Heb 13:6, “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” This follows the confident sayings in the Old Testament such as Psalm 30:10 “Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” Psalm 54:4 “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” Psalm 118:7 “The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.” The writer knew the truth he expressed in chapter 1 that Jesus sustained the whole universe, Heb 1:3 …. He upholds the universe by the word of his power…. .” His followers were safe in Him.
C]. A WILLING SUBMISSION TO LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED. (Heb 13:7-10)
There are three commandments in this chapter that refer to the local church and the place of the pastor and people. Godly living involves godly order and that means respecting and obeying those whom God has placed over His people.
i. “Remember them which have the rule over you” (Heb 13:7). “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.” It is the good examples of faith that the people of God are to imitate. The Saviour Jesus Christ is unchanging and therefore their faith is based on certainty, not changing according to new teachings. The “altar” is a reference to the cross of Christ where He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Only those who submit to Him can enjoy the benefits of His sacrificial offering on the cross.
ii. “Obey them that have the rule over you” (See Heb 13:17).
iii. “Salute them that rule over you” (See Heb 13:24).
D]. SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES TO BE MADE. (Heb 13:11-16)
Be Willing To Suffer Disgrace For Him. Heb 13:11 “For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” If Jesus suffered being reviled, His followers also need to be willing to suffer being reviled for His sake.
Be Willing To Offer Him Praise. Heb 13:15 “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” The praise offered to God must come from the lips of those who love Him and who desire to serve Him. It is a sacrifice that must come from the redeemed heart.
Be Willing To Share With Others. Heb 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” When we submit to Christ as Lord we recognise that all we are and all we have are His, not just ours. We are to be stewards of all He has given us. That involves doing good and sharing what God has given us as an expression of our love for Him. As King David wrote, “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17.
E]. SUBMISSION LEADING TO SPIRITUAL POWER. (Heb 13:17-24)
Submit To Authority. Heb 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Those whom God has placed in positions of leadership are accountable to God for this privilege. But the people of God are also accountable, so they need to obey and submit to that God-given authority so that leaders are able to rule with joy.
Pray For Leaders. Heb 13:18 “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.” The writer believes that he/she and associates have a clear conscience and urges that the readers continue to pray for them, especially that the writer may be returned to them.
Benediction. Heb 13:20. “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” The word “equip’ is from [katartizō; καταρτίζω] meaning to adjust thoroughly, to fit out, to prepare. God prepares His people to do His will, working in them that which is pleasing to Him. “Working” is from [poieō; ποιέω] meaning to do or to produce. St Paul has a similar expression in Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” However in this latter passage the word for “work” is from [energeō; ἐνεργέω] though both passages stress the need for their work to be initiated by God working in them.
F]. FINAL GREETINGS. Hebrews 13:22-25
Heb 13:22 “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.”
The “Life Application New Testament Commentary” has this helpful commentary on these words, “A final benediction ends the letter: May God’s grace be with you all. Concluding with “grace” is an appropriate ending for this letter. God’s approval could not be won through ceremonies or through following the old covenant. Rather, God’s grace comes through the new covenant.
Hebrews is a call to Christian maturity. It was addressed to first-century Jewish Christians, but it applies to Christians of any age or background. Christian maturity includes making Christ the beginning and the end of our faith. To grow in maturity, we must center our lives on him, not depending on religious ritual, not falling back into sin, not trusting in ourselves, and not letting anything come between us and Christ. Christ is sufficient and superior.” AMEN!
Blog No.533 posted on Wednesday 06 March 2024.
holbeck 
533. Hebrews 13. “Living A Positive Christian Life.”
The writer has emphasised throughout the book of Hebrews that Jesus Christ is supreme. As the Son of God and as the Great High Priest He offered the one perfect sacrifice for sin and thus secured an eternal redemption for the people of God. They will now be able to approach God with confidence and eventually enter heaven itself. However, in the meantime they have to live lives of obedience to God and in love for one another. This last chapter has the following exhortations.
A]. DEVELOPING A SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP OF LOVE. (Heb 13:1-4)
They Are To Love One Another. Heb 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.” The word for “love” here is from [philadelphia; φιλαδελφία] meaning brotherly love, the love that exists between those united by a common faith in Jesus.
They Are To Be Hospitable. Heb 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” “Hospitality” is from [philoxenia;φιλοξενία] the love for strangers or foreigners.
They Are To Remember Those In Prison And The Mistreated. Heb 13:3, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” They are to identify with those suffering from a loss in freedom, taking their time to reflect on their situations. It involved empathy, trying to understand what they were going through and their feelings.
They Are To Keep Marriage Holy. Heb 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Marriage as a relationship instituted by God had to be held in high honour [timios; τίμιος] meaning respected, esteemed, of high value. Immorality and adultery defile marriage. “Undefiled” is from [amiantos; ἀμίαντος = unstained, chaste.]
B]. THEY HAVE SPIRITUAL TREASURES. (Heb 13:5-6)
Contentment. Heb 13:5, ” Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Believers are able to find contentment in God Who has promised not to leave nor desert His followers as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Jesus promised His followers, John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.“
Confidence. Heb 13:6, “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” This follows the confident sayings in the Old Testament such as Psalm 30:10 “Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” Psalm 54:4 “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” Psalm 118:7 “The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.” The writer knew the truth he expressed in chapter 1 that Jesus sustained the whole universe, Heb 1:3 …. He upholds the universe by the word of his power…. .” His followers were safe in Him.
C]. A WILLING SUBMISSION TO LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED. (Heb 13:7-10)
There are three commandments in this chapter that refer to the local church and the place of the pastor and people. Godly living involves godly order and that means respecting and obeying those whom God has placed over His people.
i. “Remember them which have the rule over you” (Heb 13:7). “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.” It is the good examples of faith that the people of God are to imitate. The Saviour Jesus Christ is unchanging and therefore their faith is based on certainty, not changing according to new teachings. The “altar” is a reference to the cross of Christ where He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Only those who submit to Him can enjoy the benefits of His sacrificial offering on the cross.
ii. “Obey them that have the rule over you” (See Heb 13:17).
iii. “Salute them that rule over you” (See Heb 13:24).
D]. SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES TO BE MADE. (Heb 13:11-16)
Be Willing To Suffer Disgrace For Him. Heb 13:11 “For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” If Jesus suffered being reviled, His followers also need to be willing to suffer being reviled for His sake.
Be Willing To Offer Him Praise. Heb 13:15 “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” The praise offered to God must come from the lips of those who love Him and who desire to serve Him. It is a sacrifice that must come from the redeemed heart.
Be Willing To Share With Others. Heb 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” When we submit to Christ as Lord we recognise that all we are and all we have are His, not just ours. We are to be stewards of all He has given us. That involves doing good and sharing what God has given us as an expression of our love for Him. As King David wrote, “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17.
E]. SUBMISSION LEADING TO SPIRITUAL POWER. (Heb 13:17-24)
Submit To Authority. Heb 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Those whom God has placed in positions of leadership are accountable to God for this privilege. But the people of God are also accountable, so they need to obey and submit to that God-given authority so that leaders are able to rule with joy.
Pray For Leaders. Heb 13:18 “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.” The writer believes that he/she and associates have a clear conscience and urges that the readers continue to pray for them, especially that the writer may be returned to them.
Benediction. Heb 13:20. “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” The word “equip’ is from [katartizō; καταρτίζω] meaning to adjust thoroughly, to fit out, to prepare. God prepares His people to do His will, working in them that which is pleasing to Him. “Working” is from [poieō; ποιέω] meaning to do or to produce. St Paul has a similar expression in Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” However in this latter passage the word for “work” is from [energeō; ἐνεργέω] though both passages stress the need for their work to be initiated by God working in them.
F]. FINAL GREETINGS. Hebrews 13:22-25
Heb 13:22 “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.”
The “Life Application New Testament Commentary” has this helpful commentary on these words, “A final benediction ends the letter: May God’s grace be with you all. Concluding with “grace” is an appropriate ending for this letter. God’s approval could not be won through ceremonies or through following the old covenant. Rather, God’s grace comes through the new covenant.
Hebrews is a call to Christian maturity. It was addressed to first-century Jewish Christians, but it applies to Christians of any age or background. Christian maturity includes making Christ the beginning and the end of our faith. To grow in maturity, we must center our lives on him, not depending on religious ritual, not falling back into sin, not trusting in ourselves, and not letting anything come between us and Christ. Christ is sufficient and superior.” AMEN!
Blog No.533 posted on Wednesday 06 March 2024.
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About Jim Holbeck
Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement in 2006 was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.