Hebrews 13:9-19

9 Do not be ¹led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, ²not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

10 We have an altar ³from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.

11 For ⁴the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned ⁵outside the camp.

12 So Jesus also ⁶suffered ⁷outside the gate in order to sanctify the people ⁸through his own blood.

13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear ⁹the reproach he endured.

14 For ¹⁰here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

15 ¹¹Through him then let us continually offer up ¹²a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ¹³the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

16 Do not neglect to do good and ¹⁴to share what you have, for such ¹⁵sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey ¹⁶your leaders and submit to them, ¹⁷for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to ¹⁸give an account. ¹⁹Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

18 ²⁰Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order ²¹that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Hebrews 13:9-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 13

The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle, closes it with practical exhortations to these Hebrews, puts up prayers for them, and sends salutations to them. The exhortations are to brotherly love, and the continuance of it, Heb 13:1 to hospitality, by which some have entertained angels unawares, Heb 13:2, to sympathy with those that are in bonds, and in, afflictions, Heb 12:3 to purity and chastity in the honourable state of marriage, urged by the judgment of God on unclean persons, Heb 13:4 to avoid covetousness, and to be content with present things, enforced by the promises of God, which give boldness and strength to faith, Heb 13:5,6, to remember their spiritual guides and governors, the preachers of the Gospel to them; to follow their faith, and consider the end of their conversation, which is Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and for ever, Heb 13:7,8. And then he cautions them from being carried about with the doctrines of men, which are divers and strange; which he urges from the profitable effect of the Gospel to establish the heart, and from the unprofitableness of meats to legal worshippers, and from the Christians having an altar, which is Christ, which those who are seeking life by the service of the law have nothing to do with, Heb 13:9,10. And this he illustrates in the type of burnt offerings, which were burnt without the camp, and there was nothing left for the priests to eat of, Heb 13:11. In like manner Christ, the antitype, suffered without the gates of Jerusalem, for the sanctification of his people, by his blood; and who only, and not those who seek for righteousness by the law, have an interest in, Heb 13:12. However, it becomes the saints to quit everything, and all dependence on themselves, and fellowship with others, and go forth to Jesus, believing in him, whatsoever reproach they suffer on his account; for here is nothing permanent and durable in this world; but there is a state of happiness to come, which will last for ever, Heb 13:13,14. And since Christ has offered himself for his people, they ought to offer up the sacrifices of praise to God by him, and to do acts of beneficence and goodness, which are sacrifices well pleasing to God through him, Heb 13:15,16. And to these exhortations apostle adds others; as to obey their spiritual rulers and governors, and submit unto them; since they watch for their souls, and must give an account, which to do with joy, and not with grief, is best and profitable, Heb 13:17 and to pray for the apostle, and other ministers, since they had a good conscience, and were willing to live honestly; and the rather, that he might be restored to them the sooner, Heb 13:18,19 and to engage them to this their duty, he sets them an example, by putting up prayers for them, Heb 13:20,21 and desires them to take in good part the letter he had wrote unto them, Heb 13:22 and acquaints them that Timothy was set at liberty, with whom he hoped to see them in a short time, Heb 13:23 and then closes the epistle with his own, and the salutations of others, and with his usual benediction, Heb 13:24,25.

Cross References

• 1. Jude 12; See Ephesians 4:14
• 2. See Colossians 2:16
• 3. [1 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Corinthians 10:18]
• 4. See Exodus 29:14
• 5. ver. 13
• 6. Hebrews 9:12
• 7. Matthew 21:39; Matthew 27:32; John 19:17, 20; [Acts 7:58]
• 8. [Revelation 14:20]
• 9. Hebrews 11:26; 1 Peter 4:14
• 10. [Hebrews 11:10, 16; Hebrews 12:28; Micah 2:10]; See Ephesians 2:19
• 11. Ephesians 5:20
• 12. Leviticus 7:12; Psalms 107:22; Psalms 116:17
• 13. Isaiah 57:19; Hosea 14:2; [Psalms 119:108]
• 14. See Romans 12:13
• 15. Micah 6:7, 8; Philippians 4:18
• 16. ver. 7, 24
• 17. See Ezekiel 3:17
• 18. Jeremiah 13:20; Ezekiel 34:10
• 19. [Acts 20:24, 31]
• 20. 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1
• 21. [Philemon 22]