XIII. Exhortations and Benediction (Hebrews 13:1-25)

XIII. Exhortations and Benediction (13:1-25)

13:1 As he prepares to complete his letter, the author delivers a series of exhortations to empower his readers to keep going and pursue Christian maturity. What’s at the top of the list? Let brotherly love continue.

You need to be connected to a loving fellowship of believers so you can help keep them going and they can do the same for you. Problems tempt us to be self-focused, but continuing in brotherly love helps shift our focus to the well-being of others. Biblical love is always others-focused.

13:2-3 Moreover, he encourages them to show hospitality (13:2). In this context of brotherly love, he’s primarily thinking of showing it to fellow Christians. Sometimes God’s answers to prayer will come from unexpected sources—even from strangers. The Greek word translated “angels” can also mean “messengers.” Angels can be divine or human messengers. So whether the messenger God sends you is supernatural or not, remember that hospitality opens the door to those who are on a divine mission for your good.

We are also called to care for fellow believers who are being persecuted and incarcerated (13:3). Don’t focus so much on your problems that you overlook those who are worse off than you. Most of our problems in the western world pale in comparison to the persecution our brothers and sisters are facing around the globe.

13:4-6 The next two subjects the author touches on are marriage and money. Most of the friction and frustration that people experience in life have to do with one or both of these issues. Therefore, believers should set themselves apart from the world through their marital unions and attitudes toward finances. For example, Christians are to respect and celebrate the institution of marriage between one man and one woman because it is God’s creation order (see Matt 19:4-6). One way this is accomplished is through honoring the marriage bed—that is, through maintaining godly sexual morality and fidelity in marriage (13:4).

Furthermore, believers should seek to be free from the love of money (see 1 Tim 6:10). It’s not that money itself is bad or that earning is bad. Rather, the love of money leads to character corruptions like greed, covetousness, and discontentment. Managing money is a theological issue. To be satisfied with what you have (13:5), you have to trust in the Lord’s promise that he will never leave you or abandon you. When you believe that, you can declare boldly, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (13:6). A Christian who fears the Lord and not people is free and unstoppable.

13:7-9 Remember your leaders who taught you Scripture and imitate their faith (13:7). Don’t forget those who influenced you spiritually and keep their legacy alive. Yet, while you remember them, focus on Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (13:8). The people in your life may change, but King Jesus never will. If you do these things, you won’t be led astray by strange teachings that distract you from growing in God’s grace (13:9).

13:10-13 The priests in the tabernacle served at an altar. Yet, we have a better altar—Jesus Christ, who nourishes us with grace (13:10). After the priests sacrificed the blood of the animals, the animal bodies were burned outside the camp (13:11). Similarly, Jesus also suffered. But he did so outside the gate of Jerusalem (13:12). His blood was shed outside, not inside the tabernacle or temple.

There’s no refuge in the old covenant sacrificial system. Jesus isn’t there. Thus, we also need to go outside (i.e., away from dead religious activity) with him, identifying with him, and bearing his disgrace (13:13). Being a serious Christian will mean enduring ridicule and reproach at some level, even by the religious establishment. But take heart. You’re in good company.

13:14-15 This fallen world is not our home; it’s a temporary residence. We seek the [city] to come (13:14). As followers of Jesus Christ, we must decisively leave that which draws us away from him and clearly align ourselves as kingdom disciples with an eternal focus. With this perspective and mission, you will be enabled to deal with life’s ups and downs. So get your praise on: confess the name of the Lord. Let that be the fruit of your lips (13:15). Boldly identify yourself as a disciple of Jesus. Ask yourself, If I was accused of being a Christian, would there be sufficient evidence to convict me, or would I be found innocent of all charges?

13:16-18 Make sacrifices with your lips (13:15) but also make sacrifices with your life. Don’t be all talk and no action. Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share. When you reach out to benefit someone other than yourself, it pleases God (13:16). Moreover, obey your church leaders (when they’re following Scripture) and pray for them. Allow them to do their work with joy because they’re responsible to God to watch over you (13:17-18).

13:20-25 The author finishes with his benediction. God brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead (13:20). The resurrection verifies the truth of Christianity and sets it apart from all other religions. The grave is empty; our Savior and King is alive and reigning. Through Jesus Christ, God will equip you . . . to do his will (13:21). He will give you the spiritual tools you need to please him. So don’t give up. Keep maturing in the faith. In the end, you’ll see that it was all worth it.

The author concludes his message of exhortation with news of Timothy, greetings of farewell, and a blessing of grace (13:22-25).