13:1-5Real love for others produces tangible actions: (1) hospitality to strangers (13:2); (2) empathy for those who are in prison and those who have been mistreated (13:3); (3) respect for your marriage vows (13:4); and (4) contentment with what you have (13:5). Make sure that your love runs deep enough to affect your hospitality, empathy, fidelity, and contentment.
Life Application Study BibleHebrewsChapter 13
Hebrews 13
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 2110, 2111, 2112
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
13Hebrews 13
Concluding Words
113 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.* 2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. 4Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
5Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,“T will never fail you.I will never abandon you.”*
6So we can say with confidence,“The LORD is my helper,so I will have no fear.What can mere people do to me?’”*
7Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them. 10We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle* have no right to eat. Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. 13So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. 14For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. 17Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. 18Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 9And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.
20Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our LORD Jesus,the great Shepherd of the sheep,and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—21 may he equip you with all you needfor doing his will.May he produce in you,*through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
22I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,* to pay attention to what I have written in thisbrief exhortation.
23I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail. if he comeshere soon, I will bring him with me to see you.
24Greet all your leaders and all the believers there. The believers from Italy send you theirgreetings.
25May God’s grace be with you all.
Textual footnotes
Life Application Notes 8 notes
13:2Three Old Testament people “entertained angels without realizing it”: (1) Abraham (Genesis 18:1ff), (2) Gideon (Judges 6:11ff), and (3) Manoah (Judges 13:2ff). Some people say they cannot be hospitable because their homes are not large enough Or nice enough. But even if you have no more than a tabie and two chairs in a rented room, there are people who would be grateful to spend time in your home. Are there visitors to your church with whom you could share a meal? Do you know single people who would enjoy an evening of conversation? Is there any way your home could meet the needs of traveling missionaries? Hospitality simply means making other people feel comfortable and at home.
13:3We are to have empathy for those in prison, especially for (but not limited to) Christians imprisoned for their faith. Jesus said that his true followers would represent him as they visit those in prison (Matthew 25:36). Prisons are a mission field—believers can send in evangelists and Bible teachers. Prison systems are political projects—Christian voices are needed regarding justice and mercy in funding, staff training, and rehabilitative programs. Prisons are an international problem—through multi-national Christian agencies, believers can help victims in other countries. Compassion for suffering people demands no less. There is a wide open field of ways to obey this command to “remember those in prison.”
13:4Giving honor to marriage will require the utmost in Christian conviction and sensitivity. Modern social theory may redefine the family, and the new definitions may be far from its biblical foundation. What can you do? Witness to the depth of God's love for you by keeping your marriage happy and strong. Remain faithfulin body and in mind. Pray for your spouse. Honor biblical marriage (consenting man-woman unions) by resisting political pressure to recognize and legalize other sexual preferences. Teach children the biblical meaning of marriage. Pray early for their own eventual spouses and families. Make marriage enrichment the goal of your small group discussions and study. Encourage the marriages around you to stay strong as well.
13:5,6How can we learn to be satisfied with what we have? Strive to live with less rather than desiring more; give away out of your abundance rather than accumulating more; relish what you have rather than resent what you're missing. We become satisfied when we realize God’s sufficiency for our needs. Christians who become materialistic are saying by their actions that God can’t take care of them—or at least that he won't take care of them the way they want. Insecurity can lead to the love of money, whether we are rich or poor. The only antidote is to trust God to meet all our needs. See God’s love expressed in what he has provided, and remember that money and possessions will all pass away. (See Philippians 4:11 for more on contentment, and 1 John 2:17 for the futility of earthly desires.)
13:7{f you are a Christian, you owe much to others who have taught you and modeled for you what you needed to know about the Good News and Christian living. Continue following the good examples of those who have invested themselves in you by investing in your life through evangelism, service, and Christian education.
41:13That we are “foreigners and nomads” on earth may be an awareness forced on us by circumstances. It may come late in life or as the result of difficult times. But this world is not our home. We cannot live here forever (see also 1 Peter 1:1). It is best for us not to be so attached to this world’s desires and possessions that we can’t move out at God’s command.
44:26True wealth is eternal. Consider the most powerful or well- “known people in our world—how many got where they are by ‘being humble, self-effacing, and gentle? Not many! But in the life ‘to come, the last will be first—if they got in last place by choosing to follow Jesus. Hebrews has a critical message for earth-loving ‘Christians. Don’t forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. ‘ Like Moses, be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards “later (Matthew 6:19-21). “11:31 When Joshua planned the conquest of Jericho, he sent Spies to investigate the fortifications of the city. The spies met :Rahab, who had two strikes against her-—she was a Gentile and 2 prostitute. But she showed that she had faith in God by welcoming the spies and by trusting God to spare her and her family when the city was destroyed. Faith helps us turn around and do what is fight regardless of our past or the disapproval of others. For more information on Rahab, see her Profile in Joshua 6, p. 321. _ 11:32-35 The Old Testament records the lives of the various people who experienced these great victories. Joshua and Deborah overthrew kingdoms (the book of Joshua; Judges 4-5). Nehemiah Tuled with justice (the book of Nehemiah). Daniel was saved from the mouths of lions (Daniel 6). Snadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were kept from harm in the flames of a blazing furnace (Daniel 3). Elijah escaped the edge of the swords of evil Queen Jezebel’s henchmen (1 Kings 19:2ff}. Hezekiah regained strength after sickness (2 Kings 20). Gideon was strong in battle (Judges 7). A widow’s son was brought back to life by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37). We, too, can experience victory through faith in Christ. Our victories over oppressors may be like those of the Oid Testament saints, but more likely, our victories will be directly related to the role God wants us to play. Even though our body deteriorates and dies, we will live forever because of Christ. In the promised resurrection, even death will be defeated, and Christ's victory will be made complete.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 2111
_13:8 Though human leaders have much to offer, we must keep our eyes on Christ, our ultimate leader. Unlike any human tead- ‘ers, he will never change. Christ has been and will be the same forever, in a changing world we can trust our unchanging LORD. 13:9 Apparently some were teaching that keeping the Old Testa- _Ment ceremonial laws and rituals (such as not eating certain foods) was important for salvation. But these laws were useless for conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires (Colossians 2:23). The laws could influence conduct, but they could not «change the heart. Lasting changes in conduct begin when the Holy Spirit lives in each person. :13:13 The Jewish Christians were being ridiculed and persecuted by Jews who didn’t believe in Jesus the Messiah. Most of the book of Hebrews tells them how Christ is greater than the * sacrificial system. Here the writer drives home the point of his lengthy argument: It may be necessary to leave the “camp” and eSuffer with Christ. To be outside the camp meant to be unclean— in the days of the Exodus, those who were ceremonially unclean had to stay outside the camp. But Jesus suffered humiliation and uncleanness outside the Jerusalem gates on their behalf. The time had come for Jewish Christians to declare their loyalty to Christ above any other loyalty, to choose to follow the Messiah whatever Suffering that might entail. They needed to move outside the safe Confinement of their past, their traditions, and their ceremonies to live for Christ. What holds you back from complete loyatty to vesus Christ? 13:14 Christians love their families, spouses, jobs, and churches—but their sights should be set ahead beyond the horizon. Christians are activists, invested in witnessing to a Needy world—but they take frequent glances toward a promised community still to come. Christians are gardeners and builders, Shaping environments, turning weed pits into floral splendor, painting and patching and clearing—but they know God is building something far more beautiful and breathtaking just for them. Christians should be characterized by looking forward to the future. We should not be attached to this world, because all that we are and have here is temporary. We should not love our pres-
ent home so muck that we lose sight of God’s future blessing. Don’t store up your treasures here; store them in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). 13:15 Our lips should confess God's name in praise. Yet, in your typical day, how many times do you hear God's name used profanely? Christians should turn their frequency toward praise! Praise God early in the day before the rush, then again in the Hurried middle, and at the end as business winds down. Offer Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise. 13:15, 16 Since these Jewish Christians, because of their witness to the Messiah, no longer worshiped with other Jews, they should consider praise and acts of service their sacrifices— ones they could offer anywhere, anytime. This must have reminded them of the prophet Hosea’s words, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises” (Hosea 14:2). A “sacrifice of praise” today would include thanking Christ for his sacrifice on the cross and telling others about it. Acts of kindness and sharing are particularly pleasing to God, even when they go unnoticed by others. 13:17 The task of church leaders is to help people mature in Christ. Cooperative followers greatly ease the burden of leadership. Does your conduct give your leaders reason to report joyfully about you? 13:18, 19 The writer recognizes the need for prayer. Christian leaders are especially vulnerable to criticism from others, pride (if they succeed), depression (if they fait), and Satan’s constant efforts to destroy their work for God. The leaders in your church have been placed in that position by a loving God who has entrusted them with the responsibility of caring for you. Your teaders need your prayers! For whom should you regularly pray? 13:20, 21 These verses include two significant results of Christ’s death and resurrection. God works in us to make us the kind of people that would please him, and he equips us to do the kind of work that would please him. Let God change you from within and then use you to help others.
Study feature · page 2112
ERNE Nee nn ———————— 13:23 We have no record of Timothy's imprisonment, but making Christ the beginning and end of our faith. To grow in we know that he had been in prison because it states here that maturity, we must center our life on him, not depending on he had been released. For more about Timothy, see his Profile religious ritual, not falling back into sin, not trusting in ourselves, in 1 Timothy 2, p. 2059. and not Jetting anything come between us and Christ. Christ is 13:24, 25 Hebrews is a call to Christian maturity. It was sufficient and superior. addressed to first-century Jewish Christians, but it applies to Christians of any age or background. Christian maturity means