Hebrews 13

1. Let brotherly love (“love of the brethren”) continue. The Hebrew Christians had been eminent in this grace: see vi. 10; x. 33, 34.

2 some have entertained angels unawares. See Gen. xviii. 2, and note

3 as being yourselves also in the body. “The thought is that of the body as being the home (or the prison) of the soul” (Westcott).

4. Marriage is honourable in all. Rather, “Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the bed be undefiled.”

but. Rather (var. read.), “for”: the enforcement of the command.

5 conversation. That is, “conduct,” or manner of life.

for He (Himself) hath said, etc. The promise quoted is found, with slight variations, in Josh. i. 5; 1 Chron. xxviii. 20.

6. So that we may boldly say. Rather, “so that we say with good courage,” in the words of Psa. cxviii. 6. The Greek word translated “boldly” is from the same verb as is rendered “Be of good cheer” in Matt. ix. 2, and elsewhere.

7. Remember them which have (or, “had”) the rule over you. Rather, “Remember your leaders,” who taught you the gospel, and “imitate their faith.”

their conversation. “Their activity.”

8. Jesus Christ (is) the same yesterday, etc. A continuation of ver. 7. Jesus Christ was “the end” of their work, i.e., its outcome or issue, the haven to which it all tended (ἐκβαίνει). Hence the exhortation not to be diverted from Him, or to be led astray by those who insist upon maintaining useless ceremonies: see Col. ii. 20-23.

10. We have an altar, etc. “That Christianity is not concerned with matters of food is clear from this, that it depends on a sacrifice of which the priests were expressly forbidden to eat” (Peake’s Commentary). Jesus corresponds to the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. See Lev. xvi. 27.

11 without the camp. See Lev. xvi. 27. Our Lord, as the atoning victim, was treated as if He were unclean, being led “without the gate.” So His disciples must be willing to be cast out from Judaism (12).

14. For here have we no continuing city. You may well forgo your citizenship in the earthly Jerusalem, since you belong to the heavenly.

15. By Him. Or, “through Him,” not through other priests or other rites, let us present a continual thank-offering of praise to God.

16 to communicate. “And do not forget to be kind and liberal” (Weymouth). Cp. Rom. xv. 26.

17 them which have the rule over you. Rather, “your leaders,” as in ver. 7.

18 we trust we have a good conscience. A protest, probably, against the charges of Judaisers: see Acts xxiv. 16.

honestly. Rather, “honourably.”

20 the God of peace. The Divine Author of the everlasting covenant of peace, which is ratified in the blood of Jesus. In this sublime benediction (20, 21) the writer sums up the leading topics of his Epistle.

that great Shepherd of the sheep. This phrase seems to allude to Isa. lxiii. 11.

24 all them that have the rule over you. “All your leaders.”

They of Italy. Some render this, “those from Italy”; i.e., now with the writer in some other place. But it may mean simply, “the Italians”: cp. John xi. 1; Acts xvii. 13. The phrase does not, therefore, decide where the writer of the Epistle was at the time.

25. Grace. See on Rom. i. 7.

[Written to the Hebrews, etc.] The postscript or subscription is of no authority: see note at the end of Romans.

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