Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

13:1 brotherly love. Relationships in the church, marked by love (6:10; 10:24), are the fruit of faith (10:32-34; ch. 11).

13:2 hospitality. The virtue of hosting and caring for visitors was especially valued in antiquity since travel was difficult and inns could be dangerous (e.g., Rom. 12:13; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:9). entertained angels. Cf. Gen. 18:1-15; also Judg. 6:11-24; 13:3-24.

13:3 Remember those . . . in prison. See 10:32-34; examples of believers being imprisoned include Acts 28:14-15; this command is also combined with hospitality in Matt. 25:35-36. Rather than avoiding them out of shame or fear, the church is to care for the persecuted. "Remembering" implies active response to needs. In the body here probably means "in the real world of everyday life" (it could also mean "in the church," though this is less likely); Christians should not separate themselves from the needs all around them.

13:4 Marriage is to be held in honor, and chastity in marriage is called for, with the warning that God will judge anyone who is sexually immoral (Gk. pornos, a general term referring to anyone who engages in sexual conduct outside of marriage between a man and a woman) or adulterous (Gk. moichos, referring to anyone who is unfaithful to a spouse). This warning is addressed to members of the church, and if they are genuine Christian believers, this judgment of God would not mean final condemnation to hell (cf. Rom. 8:1) but would bring disciplinary judgment in this life (cf. Heb. 12:5-11) or loss of reward at the last day, or both. However, in light of the earlier warning passages (3:12-14; 6:4-8; 10:26-31; 12:14-17), it is possible that such sexual immorality will be an indication that the person committing it is in fact not a true believer and not born again.

13:5-6 The antidote to love of money is contentment, which comes from trusting in God's promised provision (see Deut. 31:6, 8; also Josh. 1:5). The citation from Ps. 118:6 applies the idea of trusting in God for more than just financial needs (esp. in light of persecution, Heb. 13:3).

13:7 leaders. See also v. 17; the repetition may indicate some disharmony in the church. Those who spoke the word of God (likely referring to doctrinal instruction; see 6:2) are especially significant in their positive model of faith. The primary role of leaders is to preach and teach God's Word, and their lives should reflect the Word that is taught.

13:8 Jesus the Messiah (Christ) is eternally trustworthy in his position as high priest and as Son of God--yesterday active in creation (e.g., 1:2-4), today offering salvation (e.g., 4:7-10), and forever reigning in heaven (e.g., 10:12). This verse may be a transition from 13:7 (their leaders trusted in this Christ, and Jesus remains trustworthy) to v. 9 (strange teachings are departures from the Jesus who is always the same).

13:9-11 led away. The author warns of heresy. The central concern appears to be doctrines about foods (9:10; Rom. 14:17; Col. 2:16-17; 1 Tim. 4:3; cf. 1 Cor. 8:13). The author argues against such doctrines by: (1) juxtaposing them with grace (which truly nourishes the heart); (2) noting that special foods are of no spiritual benefit (cf. 1 Cor. 8:8); and (3) observing that the Christian altar is better than the food of the tabernacle. This may indicate that some Jewish notions (perhaps in a syncretistic mix) are being combated. Unlike most OT offerings, the tabernacle priests could not eat the sin offering from the Day of Atonement, since it was burned outside the camp (Lev. 16:27). However, all Christians partake of the Christian altar (i.e., Jesus' sacrifice). Some see a reference to the Lord's Supper here, while others view this as a broader reference to the saving results of the shedding of Jesus' blood.

13:12 outside the gate. Jesus went to the place of sacrificial animals (v. 11), referring to Calvary, outside the gate of Jerusalem. Jesus' sufferings and death render his people holy (sanctify; see 2:11; 10:10, 14), since his blood provides forgiveness and atonement (9:11-14).

13:13-14 Go to him outside the camp speaks metaphorically of leaving behind the love of this world and desire for its approval, and embracing the reproach of Christ, emulating Jesus' response to his shameful sufferings (see 12:2-3). Moreover, such Christian endurance is founded on a realization that this world is a mere temporary dwelling (no lasting city) en route to an eternal abode (cf. 11:14-16; 12:22-24).

13:15-16 Sacrifice of praise is a concept found repeatedly in the Psalms (Ps. 50:14, 23; 107:22; 116:17). Here it is not an offering of a sacrificial animal but the verbal praise of God's name (see also Heb. 12:28-29). To do good and to share what you have are also called sacrifices that are pleasing to God. When Christians realize that such things actually bring joy to God (they are "pleasing" to him), they are all the more motivated to do them, and they too find joy in the process.

13:17 Obey, submit. These statements are stronger than the related comments about leaders in v. 7, for here submission to leaders is directly commanded. Such obedience will benefit those who submit, since their souls will be cared for and there will be harmony and joy in their mutual responsibilities. The leaders are also reminded that they will give an account to God.

13:18-19 The author, who has a clear conscience regarding his Christian service (cf. Acts 24:16; 2 Cor. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:3), requests prayer, especially that he might be restored to those to whom he is writing. Clearly the author knew them previously, no doubt in a pastoral relationship.