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Hebrews Chapter 13

New Testament Epistle (General) 25 Verses

What is Hebrews 13 about?

The superiority of Christ over angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the old covenant sacrificial system — the new and better covenant. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Let love of the brethren continue.
2Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are illtreated, as being yourselves also in the body.
4[Let] marriage [be] had in honor among all, and [let] the bed [be] undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.
6So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?
7Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.
8Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday and to-day, [yea] and for ever.
9Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited.
10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat that serve the tabernacle.
11For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest [as an offering] for sin, are burned without the camp.
12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after [the city] which is to come.
15Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession 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 [to them]: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this [were] unprofitable for you.
18Pray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
19And I exhort [you] the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, [even] our Lord Jesus,
21make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written unto you in few words.
23Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been 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.
← Hebrews 12

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Let brotherly love continue.] The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions add, “in you”; or among you, as a church and society of Christians; for this is not to be understood of love to all mankind, or to those of the same nation, or who are in a strict natural relation brethren, though they are all in a sense brethren, and to be loved; but of love to those who are in the same spiritual relation to God, as their Father, to Christ, as the firstborn among many brethren; and are in the same church state, at least partakers of the same grace: and which love ought to be universal, and reach to all the saints, and be fervent…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“EXHORTATION TO VARIOUS GRACES, ESPECIALLY CONSTANCY IN FAITH, FOLLOWING JESUS AMIDST REPROACHES. CONCLUSION, WITH PIECES OF INTELLIGENCE AND SALUTATIONS. (Heb. 13:1-25) brotherly love--a distinct special manifestation of "charity" or "love" (Pe2 1:7). The Church of Jerusalem, to which in part this Epistle was addressed, was distinguished by this grace, we know from Acts (compare Heb 6:10; Heb 10:32-34; Heb 12:12-13). continue--Charity will itself continue. See that it continue with you.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Let brotherly love continue - Implying that it now existed among them. The apostle had no occasion to reprove them for the want of it, as he had in regard to some to whom he wrote, but he aims merely to impress on them the importance of this virtue, and to caution them against the danger of allowing it ever to be interrupted; see the notes on John 13:34. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Brotherly love is explained in the following verses. Hebrews 13:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“13:1-6 This series of practical guidelines is similar to other ethics lists in the New Testament. It describes how to love others in the community of faith, a strong ethical foundation for all of life. 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters: Literally Continue in brotherly love. This instruction applies to everyone in the Christian community (see study notes on 2:11; 3:1).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Heb 6:10, Heb 6:11, Heb 10:24; Joh 13:34, Joh 13:35, Joh 15:17; Act 2:1, Act 2:44-46, Act 4:32; Rom 12:9, Rom 12:10; Gal 5:6, Gal 5:13, Gal 5:22; Eph 4:3, Eph 5:2; Phi 2:1-3; Th1 4:9, Th1 4:10; Th2 1:3; Pe1 1:22; Pe1 2:17, Pe1 3:8, Pe1 4:8; Pe2 1:7; Jo1 2:9, Jo1 2:10, Jo1 3:10-18, Jo1 3:23, Jo1 4:7-11, Jo1 4:20, Jo1 4:21; Jo1 5:1; Jo2 1:5, Jo2 1:6; Rev 2:4 Hebrews 13:2”
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