This is a practical chapter at the close of this most instructive Epistle.
Hebrews 13:1. Let brotherly love continue.
The word «continue» implies that the «brotherly love» exists, there are many things which might put an end to it, so see to it that, as far as you are concerned, it continues. Under all provocations, and under all disappointments, «let brotherly love continue.»
Hebrews 13:2-3. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
And being likely therefore to take your own turn of suffering, and to need the sympathy of your fellow-Christians. Show sympathy to others while they need it, and they will gratefully remember you when you are in bonds or in adversity.
Hebrews 13:4. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
And terrible will be their doom when God does judge them. They may think that, because they sin in secret, therefore they shall escape punishment; but it shall not be so. Whether men judge them or not, God will judge them.
Hebrews 13:5. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
You have a grand reserve, therefore. What you have in possession is only a little spending money to use on the road to heaven, but «he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.» You may confidently fall back upon the providence of God in all times of straitness and need.
Hebrews 13:6-8. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
It is for your own benefit to remember in your prayers those who preach the Word of God to you, for what can they do without divine assistance and how can you be profited by them unless they are first blessed of God? Remember them, therefore.
Hebrews 13:9. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
Do not put yourself into every man's hand to let him play with you as he pleases. The fish that never nibbles at the bait is not likely to be caught by the hook, and he who will not give heed to «divers and strange doctrines» is not likely to be carried away in the net of heresy.
Hebrews 13:9. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Some in the apostle's day made religion to consist almost entirely in observing certain rules as to what they ate and what they drank. «Be not so foolish,» says Paul, «there is something better than that; seek to have your heart established with grace.»
Hebrews 13:10. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Those who cling to the external and ceremonial observances of religion have no right to the privileges which belong to those who come to the spiritual altar; they cannot share that secret.
Hebrews 13:11-14. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Then, my brother or sister, do not look for a continuing city here. Do not build your nest on any one of the trees of earth, for they are all marked for the axe, and they will all have to come down, and your nest too, if you have built upon them.
Hebrews 13:15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
If you are believers in Christ, you are God's priests, and this is the sacrifice that you are continually to offer, the fruit of your lips, giving thanks to God's name.
Hebrews 13:16. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
We are to do good to others, to communicate of our own good things to those who need them, and to do this at some sacrifice to ourselves, «for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.»
Hebrews 13:17-19. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
You must have noted how often the apostle asks for the prayers of those to whom he is writing, so we are following a good example when we ask you to pray for us.
Hebrews 13:20-21. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.