Chapter Thirteen
Do What is Pleasing to God
13:1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
In the final chapter of the epistle, the author compiles a series of proper attitudes, life-governing concepts, and some guidance on how a Christian could begin to live for and worship Jesus. Like many lists of favorable attributes found in the New Testament for Christians to consider embracing in life, the list begins with ‘love’ (see Romans 12:9-21; Ephesians 5:1-21; Galatians 5:22-25). The words ‘brotherly love’ in this passage is the Greek word ‘philadephia’,[1] referring to the type of love Christians should not only have between fellow Christians but with all people. Love must be a legitimate and genuine motivation in a Christian’s life, without it they would not be able to truly represent Jesus in an unsaved world.
A large component of brotherly love would be to show hospitality to others, especially to those that are unknown to them. It is interesting to note that the author seemingly adds an incentive by stating essentially, “You never know who you might run into, they may even be angels.” It is true that angels can take human form (for example see Genesis 18:1-19:22), however, since God is omniscient and omnipresent, the angels should not be considered as being spies, the author is simply emphasizing that Christians should always be kind to others regardless of situation.
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.
The author stresses the need to remember those in prison and those mistreated, to act as though they are a prisoner with them or one that has been mistreated themselves.
13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
The concept of marriage is to be honored and respected in a way that God defines marriage.[2] It is never to be defiled by any form of sexual immorality, prostitution, or adultery as God will be the judge.
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.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Christians need to live a life free from the love of money (see 1 Timothy 3:3) and be content with what they have, as God has promised that “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (a quotation from Joshua 1:5) Since a Christian is never alone, they can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (From Psalm 118:6, see also Romans 8:31)
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.
Christian leaders are those mature believers that guide others, they may, or may not be, those found on a staff or an official at a church, as God is the one who brings them into their lives. This is especially true for newer Christians who need a mentor and a godly influence. The author encourages Christians to see how each of them live and to consider imitating their faith in Jesus.
13:8 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.
To ensure complete devotion to Jesus and the truth of God’s Word, the author outlines an essential core belief, that Jesus, the Son of God is eternal, always was and always will be. For clarification the author calls Him, Jesus Christ, referring to His title as the Messiah, He is the same yesterday (from before creation), today (our present age on earth) and forever (pointing to the future being in His presence for eternity). He is the Savior for those in the past, for those living today and for those in the future. Since Jesus is the center of every Christian’s faith, the author warns to not be led astray by diverse and strange teachings that say something different. A Christian is to be fed with the Word of God, not manmade philosophies. Sadly now, after nearly two thousand years since Jesus’ earthly ministry, there are several diverse interpretations and strange teachings that have come from supposed Christian theologians and from within churches. A Christian, perhaps now more than any other period in time, must be committed to know Scripture and study God’s Word and discern the truth for themselves. After all Christians, like all other people, are responsible for their own beliefs, they will not be able to hold a theologian or someone else accountable for incorrect interpretations or any misplaced ideas before God.
The author states that, “it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace,” if grace is defined as receiving something that is not deserved, as salvation is freely offered to believers, then clearly every other teaching that requires additional action for someone to be saved is wrong.
13:10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 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.
For Christians, Jesus is their altar, something that those who serve at the Tabernacle (the Old Testament priests) have no right to eat from. The author explains that on the Day of Atonement (see Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:1-34; 17:11; 23:26-32; 25:9; Numbers 29:7-11; 35:33) the bodies of the animals sacrificed for sin, whose blood was later brought into the holy places, were burned outside the camp, away from the Bronze Altar and Tabernacle (see Leviticus 16:27). The author then connects this protocol of God’s law to that of Jesus being tortured and ultimately crucified outside the city walls of Jerusalem in order to sanctify the people through His own blood. The author encourages believers to go out to Him and bear the reproach He endured, sharing in the disgrace and abuse He gladly endured for us (see John 15:20; 16:33). He warns that they need to leave Jerusalem as it is not a lasting city, instead they need to find the city that is to come (see Revelation 21:9-27). It is interesting to note that the author is telling his audience to leave Jerusalem, which would be later destroyed just as Jesus said (see Matthew 24:1-2; Luke 19:41-44; 21:20-24), along with the Temple in 70 A.D.
The author takes three elements of the Torah that every God-fearing Jew would have considered vitally important and connects them to the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is interesting to note that these same three elements are often misunderstood, misapplied or overlooked by Christians. The first being the altar, Jesus is our altar.
That the Lord Christ, in the one sacrifice of himself, is the only altar of the church of the new testament. That this altar is every way sufficient in itself for the end of an altar, namely, the sanctification of the people; as verse 12. The erection of any other altar in the church, or the introduction of any other sacrifice requiring a material altar, is derogatory to the sacrifice of Christ, and exclusive of him from being our altar...Sinners under a sense of guilt have in the gospel an altar of atonement, whereunto they may have continual access for the expiation of their sins.—He is the propitiation.[3]
Second, as mentioned several times in this commentary, is the need for innocent blood sacrifices.[4] Since Jesus is without sin, His blood more than qualifies. The third element is the ‘camp’ outside the gate. Inside the camp is the choice place to live and exist. Within the camp (later the city of Jerusalem) are all the religious, civil, and political advantages and privileges. Outside the camp are the lower-class people, the downtrodden, and despised. A place where trash and waste from the camp was hauled. Jesus was executed outside the camp and is calling all believers to join Him there to witness and be His followers, to endure the hardship until we are with Him in heaven, the “lasting city.”
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. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Through Jesus Christians are to continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God. Since believers have access to God through what Jesus did, they are to present praise to God just like sacrifices were offered in the Old Testament. They are to also speak the truth of Jesus to others, acknowledging His name as Lord and Savior. The author reminds them to never forget to do good and share what they have with others, as sacrifices like taking time to consider others, praising God, and representing Jesus to those around them are pleasing to God. The key word in this passage is ‘continually’, if a Christian eats, sleeps, prays, thinks and talks about Jesus, being totally devoted to Him, it means that they have also sacrificed the things and values of the world in order to please God (see also Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17).
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.
Each Christian has been given at least one Spiritual gift (see Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:25; Ephesians 4:11-16), and one of those gifts is the gift of Spiritual leadership, often found in churches (however understand that there are some in church leadership roles that have not been given this gift; always pray for discernment before following). The author notes that these leaders will later be responsible to give an account to God for their decisions and guidance offered. The author encourages believers to listen to them and allow these leaders to be a blessing in their lives as they help guide them in the ways of God. He also implores them to do this without complaining or groaning, as there would not be any advantage in doing so.
The text reads to ‘obey’ and ‘submit’, what is the difference? The Greek word translated here as ‘obey’ is ‘peithesthe’,[5] while it is not the usual word used calling for strict obedience (Greek ‘hypakouō’),[6] this word implies one being fully persuaded to follow, knowing its the right direction. The word ‘hypeikete’,[7] found only this one time in Scripture, essentially means to stop fighting, to surrender and submit. The author is calling believers to stop lusting or valuing the ways of the world (how one thinks) and to follow God’s plan (to put those thoughts into action). In other words, to fully embrace a Biblical worldview in thought, word, and deed.
13:18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably 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 author is requesting his readers to pray for them. Even though their identification is never given, the idea to pray for others diligently and constantly in ministry, including teachers, pastors, fellow believers, etc. is essential for growth and progress. The author identifies two primary concerns to pray for: 1) having a clear conscience (possessing the right motives without compromise from the world); and 2) desiring to act honorably in all things.
These are things that every Christian should be praying for themselves and on behalf of other believers since being an ambassador for Christ can be difficult, as the standard of living is high, so high it is impossible, so when the inevitable failure occurs it doesn’t discourage the believer or negatively affect their witness to others.
Benediction
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 author concludes his epistle with a benediction. He calls for the blessing from the God of peace who raised Jesus to life again after His death, the One that is known as the Great Shepherd of the sheep (see Isaiah 63:11; John 10:11), which was made possible by the blood of the eternal covenant, to equip the reader with everything good they need to do God’s will, as He works inside each believer, which is pleasing in His sight, enabled through His Son Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever. Amen!
Final Greetings
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 author urges his readers to pay attention to what he wrote in this brief epistle. He also wanted them to know that Timothy had been released from prison, and will encourage him to join the author in visiting them soon.
The author closes with a request for them to greet their leaders and fellow believers, as those in Italy send their greetings to them.
They of Italy salute you. He has some Italians with him. Their greeting or salutation can be taken in two ways. First, it may mean those who are in Italy were with the writer for he may have been writing from Italy. Second, it may mean there are presently some Italian brethren with him at the location from which he is writing. Whichever way the salutation, They of Italy salute you, is taken, one thing is certain: They are present with the writer either inside or outside the geographical borders of Italy.[8]
The book closes with a simple but effective blessing, may God’s grace be with everyone reading or listening.
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[1] Strong’s Greek 5360.
[2] Marriage being the highest example of love, see Considerations under Genesis 2:23.
[3] Owen, J. (1854). An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews (W. H. Goold, Ed.; Vol. 24, p. 440). Johnstone and Hunter.
[4] See the commentaries under Genesis 3:21; 6:7-8; Hebrews 9:23-28 and the Brief Introduction to God’s Law between Exodus chapters 19 and 20.
[5] Strong’s Greek 3982.
[6] Strong’s Greek 5219.
[7] Strong’s Greek 5226.
[8] Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (2005). The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude (1st ed., pp. 198–199). Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries.