Hebrews 13

King James Version

Full text for Hebrews Chapter 13

1¶ Let brotherly love continue.

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

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

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

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.

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

7Remember 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.

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

9Be 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 them that have been occupied therein.

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

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

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

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

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

15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

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

17Obey 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.

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

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

20Now 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,

21Make 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.

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

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

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

25Grace [be] with you all. Amen.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Hebrews 13 concludes with practical exhortations for Christian living, emphasizing brotherly love, hospitality, and remembering the afflicted. It warns against strange doctrines, affirming the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ and the superiority of His sacrifice outside the camp. The chapter encourages believers to offer sacrifices of praise and good works, to obey their spiritual leaders, and concludes with a benediction for peace and perfection.

Medium Summary

The final chapter of Hebrews provides a series of practical instructions for believers, beginning with the continuation of brotherly love, hospitality towards strangers, and remembrance of those suffering or imprisoned. It upholds the sanctity of marriage and warns against covetousness, encouraging contentment with God's provision. The author reminds readers of their spiritual leaders, whose faith they should emulate, and asserts the eternal constancy of Jesus Christ, cautioning against diverse and strange doctrines. Believers are called to go forth to Christ outside the camp, bearing His reproach, recognizing that they seek a future, not an earthly, city. This involves offering continual sacrifices of praise and engaging in good works and sharing, which are pleasing to God. The chapter also stresses obedience and submission to spiritual leaders, concluding with a request for prayer and a powerful benediction for peace and spiritual perfection through Christ.

Long Summary

Hebrews chapter 13 opens with a series of ethical and practical admonitions for the Christian community. It begins by urging the continuation of brotherly love, alongside the practice of hospitality towards strangers, recalling instances where angels were entertained unawares. Believers are exhorted to remember and empathize with those in bonds and those suffering adversity, as fellow members of the body. The sanctity and honor of marriage are affirmed, with a stern warning against sexual immorality and adultery, which God will judge. Furthermore, the chapter calls for a life free from covetousness, advocating contentment with present possessions, grounded in God's promise never to leave or forsake His people, fostering boldness against human fear. The author then shifts to spiritual guidance, instructing believers to remember and follow the faith of their past and present spiritual leaders who have spoken the word of God. Central to their faith is the immutable truth that Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." This unchanging nature serves as a bulwark against being carried about by diverse and strange doctrines, emphasizing that the heart should be established by grace, not by ceremonial observances like dietary laws. A significant theological point is made regarding the Christian "altar," distinct from the Old Testament tabernacle, from which those serving the tabernacle have no right to eat. This distinction is elaborated by comparing Christ's suffering outside the city gate to the burning of sin-offering beasts outside the camp. Therefore, believers are encouraged to go forth unto Jesus outside the camp, embracing His reproach, recognizing that their true home is not a continuing earthly city but a heavenly one to come. This understanding prompts further practical duties: offering a continual "sacrifice of praise" through thankful lips, and remembering to "do good and to communicate" (share), as these are sacrifices well-pleasing to God. The chapter reiterates the importance of obeying and submitting to spiritual leaders, who watch over souls and will give account, emphasizing that their joyful service benefits the flock. The author concludes with a personal request for prayer, expressing a desire to be restored to them sooner, and offers a profound benediction, invoking the "God of peace" who raised Jesus, the "great shepherd," through the "blood of the everlasting covenant," to perfect them in every good work. Final greetings and a blessing of grace complete the epistle.

Core Concepts

  • Brotherly Love and HospitalityThe foundational call for Christians to maintain deep affection for one another and to extend kindness to strangers, recalling that some have unknowingly hosted angels.
  • Sanctity of Marriage and PurityAn affirmation of marriage as honorable and the marital bed as undefiled, coupled with a clear warning that God will judge those who engage in sexual immorality.
  • Contentment and Trust in GodAn exhortation to live without covetousness, being satisfied with what one has, based on God's promise of unwavering presence and support.
  • The Unchanging ChristThe declaration that Jesus Christ is eternally constant, "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever," serving as a stable foundation against shifting doctrines.
  • Christ's Sacrifice Outside the CampA theological parallel drawn between the Old Testament sin offerings burned outside the camp and Jesus suffering "without the gate" to sanctify His people, calling believers to identify with His reproach.
  • Sacrifices of Praise and Good WorksThe instruction for believers to continually offer spiritual sacrifices to God, specifically through thankful lips and by doing good deeds and sharing with others.
  • Obedience to Spiritual LeadersAn admonition to obey and submit to those who have the rule over them, recognizing their role in watching for souls and giving account to God.