The Epistle on Hebrews

Chapter 13

Brotherly love

Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. ³ Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. ⁴ Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. ⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

As a final exhortation, the author gives examples of behavior that will please the Lord:

• Friendship with other believers is important, staying on good terms with them.
• Be ready with a meal or a bed when it is needed. Show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 
• Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them.
• For those who are being mistreated as if you were there yourself.
• Honor marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. Guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between husband and wife. God will surely judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
• Do not be obsessed with money; be satisfied with what you have. For the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim6:10). Be happy with what you have. 

God has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us, saying “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So then, we can boldly claim that we are fearless because our God is taking care of us. What then can mere people do to us?”

Religious Instruction

⁷ Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. ¹³ Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. ¹⁵ Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ¹⁶ But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle cannot eat. Under the Old Covenant, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp.

• Likewise, Jesus suffered and was crucified and died outside the city gates, pouring out His sacrificial blood that was brought to God's altar to cleanse His people - to make us people holy by means of his own blood. 
• Can we then go outside the camp where Jesus is - where the action is and be willing to suffer for the Gospel sake. Remember, Jesus is no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but we are instead pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus' name. 
• Remember, this world is not our permanent home as we are looking forward to a home in heaven that is yet to come.
• Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 
• Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good. Do good and share with those in need.
• These are the sacrifices that please God.

God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice.” But don't forget to do good and share with other, for both sacrifices pleases God. 

¹⁷ Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Obey your spiritual leaders, and submit to them. Their work is to watch over your souls, of which they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do their assignment from God with joy and not with sorrow, which will please God and be for your benefit. 

Final prayer request

¹⁸ Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. ¹⁹ But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

As the author draws to a close with his letter, he is asking for prayer. He made the claim that they are confident we are doing as God has directed us. While it does get difficult, we purpose to conduct ourselves properly in everything we do. All we care about is living well before God. Pray then so we can be restored to you even sooner.

Now may the God of peace who rose Jesus our Lord from the dead, Who is the great Shepherd of the sheep, radifying an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.
May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, everything you need to be pleasing to Him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

²² And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. ²³ Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. ²⁴ Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. ²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen.

The author closes by appealing to His brothers and sisters in Christ to take what he has written to them in  this letter very seriously. As stated, he wrote what was necessary, trying to keep it as brief as possible. brief as possible. Timothy, their mutual friend was recently let out of prison, and hopefully both of them could come together to see them.   

In closing, the author does a typical closing Messianic Jewish salutation, encouraging them to say hello (greetings) to their pastoral leaders and those in their congregation. Everyone with him in Italy, who apparently were friends of these brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, would have known who these people were.

This one verse gives us evidence that the author was writing from Italy - probably in Rome,
giving greater evidence to the Apostle Paul as its author, who was looking to be released from prison shortly, which happened by Emperor Nero in 68 A.D. 
The author wrote here that Timothy would be released from prison soon. Most scholars claim that Timothy was the writer to the author of this letter.
The apostle and Timothy were known to be partners in the ministry. 

The grace of God be with you all.