Hebrews 13

This is the final chapter of Hebrews. Hebrews 12 ends with the exhortation that, since believers have received a kingdom that cannot be moved, they should serve God with reverence and godly fear. Chapter 13 works out that service in concrete exhortations for everyday life and closes the letter with a benediction and greetings.

Outline

• Verses 1-6 A series of exhortations follows: continue in brotherly love, show hospitality, care for those in bonds and those who suffer adversity, honor marriage, and avoid the love of money. The writer cites the Lord's promise never to leave or forsake His people and responds with a bold confession.
• Verses 7-8 Readers are urged to remember the leaders who spoke the word of God to them and to follow their faith. The writer then declares that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
• Verses 9-16 The writer warns readers not to be carried about with divers and strange doctrines or by food regulations. Drawing on the rule that the bodies of sin offerings were burned outside the camp, he urges them to go forth to Jesus, who suffered outside the gate, bearing His reproach. They are to offer the sacrifice of praise and the sacrifices of doing good and sharing.
• Verses 17-19 Readers are urged to obey those who lead them, and the writer asks for prayer on his own behalf.
• Verses 20-21 A benediction and doxology addressed to the God of peace, who brought again from the dead Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep.
• Verses 22-25 The writer asks readers to bear with the word of exhortation and reports that Timothy has been set at liberty. He conveys greetings from those of Italy and closes with a prayer for grace.

Key Verses

• Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." This verse sums up in a single sentence the Christ-centered message of the entire book.
• Hebrews 13:15-16 "Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually." The worship and sharing of New Testament believers, which take the place of animal sacrifices, are described as "sacrifices."
• Hebrews 13:20-21 "Our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep." This benediction mentions both the resurrection and the blood of the covenant.

People and Places

• Jesus Christ: He suffered outside the gate and is called "that great shepherd of the sheep."
• Timothy: Known as a coworker of Paul. The chapter reports only that he has been "set at liberty" and does not say when or where he was imprisoned.
• Italy: The region of present-day Italy. Interpreters differ on whether "they of Italy" refers to people living in Italy or to people from Italy who were staying elsewhere.

Points for Reflection

• The reference in verse 2 to those who "entertained angels unawares" is commonly read as alluding to the accounts of Abraham in Genesis 18 and Lot in Genesis 19.
• Verses 5-6 quote the Old Testament. Verse 5 is understood to cite promises such as Deuteronomy 31:6, and verse 6 to cite Psalm 118:6. Verse 11 draws on the regulations for the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).
• Interpretations of verse 10, "We have an altar," differ. Some traditions, including the Catholic Church, read it in connection with the Eucharist. Many Protestant interpreters take it as referring to Christ's sacrifice on the cross itself.
• The mention of Timothy and the epistolary closing at the end of the chapter have long been cited as evidence for Pauline authorship. Today, however, the view that the author cannot be identified with certainty is widely accepted.
• The shepherd imagery of verse 20 connects with the Good Shepherd of John 10 and the "chief Shepherd" of 1 Peter 5:4.

In the Korean Church

Hebrews 13:8 is frequently used as a church motto and as a sermon text. Verses 15-16 are often cited in sermons on worship and offerings, and verse 17 in discussions of the relationship between church leaders and members.