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| Chapter 13 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Let brotherly love continue. 2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in bonds as though you were bound with them, and those who suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. 4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your manner of living 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 those who have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God. Follow their faith, considering the outcome of their manner of living. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, 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 those who have been occupied therewith. 10 We have an altar from which they have no right to eat, who 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 outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have 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 those who have the rule over you and submit yourselves, for they keep watch over your souls as ones who must give an 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 more earnestly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20 Now the God of peace, who 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 well pleasing 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 this letter unto you with 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 those who have the rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy salute you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen. |
Final urging and encouragement with duties towards other Christians and duties within the church. v1-6 Practical Christian duties. The marks of a Christian life. v1 Brotherly love was a new teaching in the world, a nearly impossible situation but it was necessary as the persecution was about to grow for the Christian. v2,3 The writer reminds the reader that there are two ways to show brotherly love, the first was to be friendly with strangers and freely given acceptance and entertainment of these guests or strangers. The Jews were not receptive to any Christians who travelled on business or for the church, but the writer was trying to encourage them to give accommodation, reminding them that "some have entertained angels," not necessarily supernatural beings but special messengers from God. Note Matt 25:44,45, taking care of His servants means you are caring for The Lord Himself. Secondly to remember those who are prisoners, think what it would be like to suffer if you were also in prison, what help would you want? 1 Cor 12:26. v4 Marriage is important as a divine instruction. "Let marriage be held in honour, do not defile the marriage bed" is a better translation, it applies to married and unmarried alike. Failure to do so will involve God’s judgement. v5,6 The Christian’s way of thought and life, especially their attitude to money, shows their true character, the love of money can damage a spiritual life. We must be satisfied with what we have, God has promised to care for us. Phil 4:11-13; Rom 8:31. v7-17 Religious duties. v7 Remember your leaders who have finished their course, possibly the disciples of the Lord mentioned in Hebrews 2:3 who had received and preached the Word of God. See how they lived in faith for their Lord. v8 Christ is unchangeable, it is the same Lord the disciples served as we now serve. v9 The message has not changed. We are not told what the various "strange doctrines" are, the "meats" reminds us about Paul’s letters Rom 14:2,14,21; Col 2:8,16-13 may give some indication. The Jew had not benefited from outward religious ceremonies in the past, Christians will certainly not benefit today. v10 Christians have a place of worship, an altar, the cross of sacrifice, which cannot be accessed by those of the old covenant with their tabernacle worship on the Day of Atonement. v11,12 The animal sacrifice of atonement was offered on the altar in the tabernacle and then the blood taken into the sanctuary by the high priest, the remains of the sacrifice was not to be eaten and were taken outside the camp and burned. The Jews were able to share the benefit of the sacrifice offerings, forgiveness through the blood. Christians can obtain the benefits of the work of Christ through His blood, and just as under the old covenant we cannot physically take of His body, it was "outside the camp." v13 Christ was rejected and cast out by those of the old covenant. Salvation was not now available through the old covenant, Judaism. A person must come to the ‘cross of shame,’ a place of disgust for the Gentiles and a place of shame and curse for a Jew. Gal 3:13. The readers must be prepared to go with Jesus "Outside the camp" and share His rejection. v14 The writer explains why should they be willing to join with Him in rejection. On earth there is no "continuing city," they are strangers and pilgrims Heb 11:13 looking for a future city yet to come. v15,16 The reader is encouraged to offer to God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ, the praise, thanks and worship with heart and lips. The praise has to be real, true, with love, a sacrifice of praise. Our praise will also be shown by the way we live. This will please God. v17 In v7 they were encouraged to remember the teachings of their leaders now with the Lord. In this verse the writer urges them to submit to their present spiritual leaders who are teaching the true doctrine in their group. These leaders are keeping watch over your souls and will have to give an account of their lives and behaviour before God one day. May they be full of joy on that day, the writers asks that they will be able to bring many to salvation and not have suffered pain and problems due to the church members behaviour. v18,19 The writer now ask’s for prayer for him and others with him. For him to live a pure life and that he will soon visit them. He was obviously well know to the readers. The word "restore" does not suggest he was in prison because in v23 he writes of his freedom, there was some other reason why he could not visit them at the time. We are not told of the problem. v20,21 Benediction. The Benediction contains the major thoughts of the writer, glorifies God. "May the God of peace," with the resurrection of Christ suggests "a God who obtains peace through destroying evil" Yet these people were suffering persecution and not apparently receiving victory or peace but the writer reminds them of the new covenant through the blood of Christ, who died for His sheep but is now alive through God. Nothing is impossible. May this God make you live a life pleasing to Him in word and action, always living in His will. v23 You know Timothy is now free from prison. I hope to bring him with me when I visit you. v24,25 Greetings from they of Italy to you and your leaders. (the Greek words used ‘Those from Italy’ can mean residents of Italy, indicating that the writer is writing from Italy, or those who belonged to Italy, ie, not at present living in Italy, so the writer is outside Italy writing to those in Italy.) We have no idea where the writer was. |
Easy English Translation
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