Hebrews Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Love, Contentment, and Living a Positive Christian Life

Notes

The final chapter in Hebrews lets us remember that this entire book was written by God for us as Christians. This book is an admonition from God Himself to press onward, do not loose your grip and start to drift away. He has a call on you life and the call on your life will be tied to the character He created in you. For example, Abraham was a family man and thus his call was to be the father of many nations (you see this commitment to the family in going to war for Lot). Moses was a leader that could not stand injustice and wickedness, as a result, his call was to stand up to a tyrant and pull God's people out of a wicked land. It is easy to start to drift away when you do not know your call, it will make you feel like you must fill that void with other things (the call often starts out small). _MF-NCC

Love for Others

↓1. LET brotherly love continue.

Greek
- Ἡ φιλαδελφία μενέτω
Notes
- ° The Greek work here for "brotherly love" is philadelphia (φιλαδελφία). This word only appears 6 times in 5 verses in the Greek New Testament, here are the other four verses. _MF-NCC
  
  Romans 12:10—Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
  
  I Thessalonians 4:9—But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
  
  I Peter 1:22—Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
  
  II Peter 1:7—And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
  
  ° In Revelation 2 & 3, there are only two churches for which Jesus has no rebuke. One of them happens to be the church of Philadelphia. _MF-NCC
  
  ° See → Revelation 3:7-13

↓2. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Greek
- τῆς φιλοξενίας μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε διὰ ταύτης γὰρ ἔλαθόν τινες ξενίσαντες ἀγγέλους
Notes
- ° Remember that tha angels look to us to learn more about God and how He is indwelling us by the Holy Ghost. _MF-NCC
  
  I Peter 1:12—Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
  
  ° Two great examples of people entertaining angels are Abraham and Lot from Genesis 18 and 19. Abraham serves a non-kosher meal to The Lord and two angels. _MF-NCC
  
  Exodus 23:19—The first of the firstfruits of they land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
  
  ° There was also something about those two angels that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah wanted...power, access, technology perhaps, etc. _MF-NCC

↓3. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Greek
- μιμνῄσκεσθε τῶν δεσμίων ὡς συνδεδεμένοι τῶν κακουχουμένων ὡς καὶ αὐτοὶ ὄντες ἐν σώματι
Notes
- °We are all one in the body of Christ, so we must lift up one another; Onesiphorus did this for Paul in II Timothy 1:16-18: _MF-NCC
  
  II Timothy 1:16—The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
  
  II Timothy 1:17—But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
  
  II Timothy 1:18—The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. _MF-NCC
  
  See →I Corinthians 12:23

↓4. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Greek
- Τίμιος ὁ γάμος ἐν πᾶσιν καὶ ἡ κοίτη ἀμίαντος πόρνους δὲ καὶ μοιχοὺς κρινεῖ ὁ θεός
Notes
- ° We should not act in an adulterous way in our marriage convenant, we must leave the "bed undefiled." The Greek word "bed" here is also used in Romans. _MF-NCC
  
  Romans 13:13—Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
  
  ° The intimacy of marriage is one not granted to angels and is something they looked upon and lusted over; partially responsible for their rebellion in Genesis 6. _MF-NCC
  
  Matthew 22:30—For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
  
  ° Marriage is God's most intimate form of relationship; out of that relationship He designed all life to be brought forth; The enemy wants to destoy your marriage. _MF-NCC

Jesus' Unchanging Nature

↓5. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Greek
- Ἀφιλάργυρος ὁ τρόπος ἀρκούμενοι τοῖς παροῦσιν αὐτὸς γὰρ εἴρηκεν Οὐ μή σε ἀνῶ οὐδ οὐ μή σε ἐγκαταλίπω
Notes
- ° The Greek word for "conversation" is (τρόπος) tropos, and means your manner of life, character, deportment, or behavior. _MF-NCC
  
  II Thessalonians 2:3—Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
  
  II Timothy 3:8—;Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
  
  ° In Timothy we get the names of the occultic individuals who could also replicate some of the miracles in Egypt when facing Moses.
  
  ° Our behavior and how we conduct our lives should be free of materialism, and that should be a witness to one another and the world. If you let materialism take root in your life, you will never be content. Contentment will flee from you because you are in an endless pursuit of one of the god's today... God will provide everything you need! The end of this verse is a quote from Deuteronomy 31:6 and 31:8. _MF-NCC
  
  Deuteronomy 31:6—Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee: he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
  
  Deuteronomy 31:8—And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he wil not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

↓6. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Greek
- ὥστε θαρροῦντας ἡμᾶς λέγειν Κύριος ἐμοὶ βοηθός καὶ οὐ φοβηθήσομαι τί ποιήσει μοι ἄνθρωπος
Notes
- ° Since God "will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" you should have no fear of what man can do to you. _MF-NCC
  
  Matthew 10:28—And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
  
  Again,
  Deuteronomy 31:6—Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee: he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
  
  ° You can BOLDLY declare that The Lord is your helper. Anything you are facing; He is with you as a born-again believer! Do you fear any part of humanity? (persecution, being ridiculed, exiled, hated, mocked, death, etc.) _MF-NCC
  See The Good Fear

↓7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Greek
- Μνημονεύετε τῶν ἡγουμένων ὑμῶν οἵτινες ἐλάλησαν ὑμῖν τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ ὧν ἀναθεωροῦντες τὴν ἔκβασιν τῆς ἀναστροφῆς μιμεῖσθε τὴν πίστιν
Notes
- ° The opening word of this verse in the Greek is mnēmoneuō (μνημονεύω) and means to hold in memory, keep in mind, or observe carefully. God raises up people throughout the body of Christ; some of those people fall away from serving God and do not speak or teach the Word of God. Observe carefully those who speak and teach the Word of God. Our mission is to raise up disciples, people who are tethered to God, not people who are dependent on a pastor or teacher. What should the end of their behavior be who teach God's Word? _MF-NCC

↓8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Greek
- Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς χθὲς καὶ σήμερον ὁ αὐτός καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας
Notes
- ° In what way is Jesus the same yesterday, today, and forever?
  ° In the context of what we are reading, since Jeus will not leave you nor forsake you, and He delivered the saints of old (Hebrews 11), He will deliver you as well. His character and commitment never changes, but He has changed physically (became a man for all eternity, died, and now is glorified). _MF-NCC
  ° See Philippians 2:5-8

↓9.Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Greek
- διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις μὴ περιφέρεσθε· καλὸν γὰρ χάριτι βεβαιοῦσθαι τὴν καρδίαν οὐ βρώμασιν ἐν οἷς οὐκ ὠφελήθησαν οἱ περιπατήσαντες
Notes
- Part 1:
  ° See Ephesians 4:17-19
  
  Part 2:
  ° Hebrews 13:7 had three characteristics of a good teacher:
  1. Proclaim Biblical truth
  2. Be a man of faith
  3. Have a spiritual life that is their priority and worthy of imitation
  ° Here in verse 9 there are three characteristics of false teachers
  1. Teach false diverse doctrine
  2. They teach on the external rather than in the internal spiritual matters (do not establish your heart with meat)
  3. Their teaching fails to produce effective spiritual growth bearing fruit _MF-NCC

↓10. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Greek
- ἔχομεν θυσιαστήριον ἐξ οὗ φαγεῖν οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἐξουσίαν οἱ τῇ σκηνῇ λατρεύοντες
Notes
- ° In the temple at Jerusalem, there was an altar for whole burnt offerings.
  ° It did not just include the altar but also the meat upon that altar which was to support the Levitical priesthood.
  ° At the time Hebrews was written, the temple was still standing and the Levites who were serving in the temple obviously had not trusted in the final blood sacrifice of Jesus.
  ° There is only One sacrifice and One meat by which we must partake now. That is Jesus Himself! _MF-NCC

11. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

Greek
- ὧν γὰρ εἰσφέρεται ζῴων τὸ αἷμα περὶ ἁμαρτίας εἰς τὰ ἅγια διὰ τοῦ ἀρχιερέως τούτων τὰ σώματα κατακαίεται ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς

↓12. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Greek
- διὸ καὶ Ἰησοῦς ἵνα ἁγιάσῃ διὰ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος τὸν λαόν ἔξω τῆς πύλης ἔπαθεν
Notes
- ° The Yom Kippur sacrifice was not burned on the altar like the other sacrifices.
  ° The body and the remains were taken outside the camp and burned entirely. _MF-NCC
  
  Leviticus 16:27—And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.
  
  ° Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) was the one day the high priest could enter the holy of holies.
  ° The high priest could not eat of the sacrfice on Yom Kippur.
  ° That sacrifice had to be consumed entirely.
  ° Today however, the believer can eat of Jesus' sacrifece which took place outside the gate.
  ° Burning the Yom Kippur offering outside the gate portrayed the removal of sin itself.
  ° Jesus is the final Yom Kippur sacrifice, and finally it is one that we can all participate in to have access to the holy of holies.
  ° Today we have a greater privilege than the most privileged person in Israel in the Old Testament.
  ° The Holy Spirit uses "camp" in verse 11 but "gate" here in verse 12.
  ° Jesus was taken outside the camp of Judaism and outside the gate of Jerusalem, both being true.
  ° Those who stay in Judaism and do not accept the sacrifice of Jesus will not be saved and will not have access to the holy of holies, they need to leave the camp of Judaism.
  ° We must be partakers of Christ's once and for all sacrifice._MF-NCC

↓13. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Greek
- τοίνυν ἐξερχώμεθα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν αὐτοῦ φέροντες·
Notes
- ° Notice that God is using a present tense call to start this verse.
  ° Go forth...today, we need to go forth. Leave the camp of (fill in the blank) and go forth bearing whatever you are carrying. _MF-NCC
  
  Hebrews 11:26—Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
  
  ° We must bear HIS reproach and correction and value it more than any treasure in this world. _MF-NCC

↓14. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Greek
- οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ὧδε μένουσαν πόλιν ἀλλὰ τὴν μέλλουσαν ἐπιζητοῦμεν
Notes
- ° See →Revelation 21:1-5

Sacrifices of a Believer and Prayer

↓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.

Greek
- δι᾽ αὐτοῦ οὖν ἀναφέρωμεν θυσίαν αἰνέσεως διαπαντός τῷ θεῷ τοῦτ᾽ ἔστιν καρπὸν χειλέων ὁμολογούντων τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ
Notes
- ° Rembember that we are kings and priests, _MF-NCC
  
  ° I Peter 2:9 — But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  
  ° We are responsible to offer sacrifices today, but they are not animals; or sacrifices today are continual praise to God!
  ° A thankful heart and posture of gratitude is uncommon today _MF-NCC
  
  ° Psalm 100:4 — Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
  ° Romans 1:21 — Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
  
  ° Our lips are very powerful instruments: _MF-NCC
  
  ° Provers 8:6 — Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things
  ° Psalms 141:3 — Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
  ° Psalms 119:13 — With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
  ° Pslams 119:171 — My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes
  ° Psalms 120:2 — Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
  ° Psalms 140:3 — They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Seleh.
  ° I Peter 3:10 — For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

↓16. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Greek
- τῆς δὲ εὐποιΐας καὶ κοινωνίας μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε· τοιαύταις γὰρ θυσίαις εὐαρεστεῖται ὁ θεός
Notes
- ° Is God pleased with your speech?
  ° Do you open your prayers with a heart of gratitude and thanking Him for everything? _MF-NCC
  
  ° Galatians 6:6 — Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
  ° Philippians 4:14 — Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
  ° I Timothy 6:18 — That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

↓17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Greek
- Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν καὶ ὑπείκετε αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσιν καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες· ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν τοῦτο
Notes
- ° Soul — your mind, will, and emotions_MF-NCC
  
  ° Hebrews 13:7 — Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
  
  ° When God places someone in your life who is leading, teaching, and pouring into you, pay attention. God has positioned their heart to care for you deeply.
  ° Your obedience to spiritual leaders frees them to continue their ministry in joy and not with grief (this is a call to submission for both sides) _MF-NCC

18. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Greek
- Προσεύχεσθε περὶ ἡμῶν· πεποίθαμεν γὰρ ὅτι καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν ἐν πᾶσιν καλῶς θέλοντες ἀναστρέφεσθαι

↓19. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Greek
- περισσοτέρως δὲ παρακαλῶ τοῦτο ποιῆσαι ἵνα τάχιον ἀποκατασταθῶ ὑμῖν
Notes
- ° Praying for the spiritual leaders in your life is so important _MF-NCC
  
  I Thessalonians 5:25 — Brethren, pray for us.
  II Thessaloinians 3:1 — Finally, brethen pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
  
  ° The Holy Spirit is anticipating that the prayers of the brethren will have a direct result in the penman being "restored" to them sooner
  ° Prayer is powerful!
  ° The final six verses are the closing thoughts from God: _MF-NCC

Glorious Benediction

20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Greek
- Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ἐκ νεκρῶν τὸν ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν ἐν αἵματι διαθήκης αἰωνίου τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν

↓21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Greek
- καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ εἰς τὸ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιῶν ἐν ὑμῖν τὸ εὐάρεστον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν
Notes
- ° The God of peace can bring you through any trial or need
  ° He IS the Great Shepherd! (Shepher Psalms...22, 23, & 24)
  ° God is THE God of peace, not just a God...there is only One Prince of Peace _MF-NCC
  
  Philippians 4:7 — And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hears and minds through Christ Jesus.
  
  ° There are nine statements by God in verses 20 & 21
  1. God is the God of Peace
  2. God brought Jesus up from the dead, and He can do the same for you
  3. He is the great Shepherd
  4. Our needs are met through the blood of an eternal covenant
  5. God can make you perfect (starts in verse 21), He supplies what is lacking
  6. He equips us to do His work
  7. He is working in us that which is well pleasing
  8. God is working all of this through Jesus Christ
  9. God's glory will be forever and ever
  ° As a result, there are five characteristics of mature Christian
  1. There must be perfection in every good work (perfection in Christ)
  2. The goal of maturity is to do the will of God
  3. The source of maturity is God working in us, that which is well-pleasing in His sight
  4. The means of maturity is through the Messiah alone
  5. The result of maturity is to glorify God forever and ever _MF-NCC

22. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

Greek
- Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἀνέχεσθε τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως καὶ γὰρ διὰ βραχέων ἐπέστειλα ὑμῖν

23. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

Greek
- Γινώσκετε τὸν ἀδελφὸν Τιμόθεον ἀπολελυμένον μεθ᾽ οὗ ἐὰν τάχιον ἔρχηται ὄψομαι ὑμᾶς

24. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Greek
- Ἀσπάσασθε πάντας τοὺς ἡγουμένους ὑμῶν καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰταλίας

25. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Greek
- ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἀμήν πρός Ἑβραίους ἐγράφη ἀπό τῆς Ἰταλίας διά Τιμοθέου