T 1-6.Exhortation. U 7-9. Their teachers. Strange teachings unprofitable. V 10,11. The servers of the tabernacle. V 12-16. The sanctified people. U 17. Their teachers. Disobedience unprofitable. T 18-25. Closing requests and doxology.
Hebrews 13)
1 Let brotherly love continue. (Gr. philadelphia)
2 Forget not to be hospital to strangers: for by this some have entertained angels unawares. (As Abraham. Lot, Manoah, Gideon; and cp. Matt. 25:35.)
3 Remember the bound ones, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Let marriage be honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators (see 12:16) and adulterers God will judge. (I.e punish.)
5 Let your manner be without covetousness (Lit. without love of money); and be content with the things that are present: for Himself has said, "I will by no means let you go, nor forsake you." (You've got to believe it! Or, how is He going to make something of you? Fortify yourself in God's Word. Don't allow yourself to envy the possessions of others. We should be happy with what we have. God will never forsake you, as long as you stay hinged to Him. If you leave Him, He may forsake you.)
6 So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my Succourer, and I will not fear what man shall do to me." (The quotation is from Ps. 118:6. He gave us power over our enemies in Jesus' name. When you find yourself in a tough spot surrounded by unbelievers, remember this verse. The Lord is your Helper, and if He be for you, who can be against you? Unfasten yourself from the worries of this world, and be free.)
7 Remember your leaders, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith imitate (or meditate on. See if they live up to what they talk about), considering the end of their [manner of ] life. (Follow the faith of Enoch, Abraham, Noah, Paul, Daniel and the prophets, &ct., and you will do well.)
8 Jesus Christ the same (see Ps. 102:27. Cp. Mal. 3:6) yesterday, and today, and for ever. (Our Father, Jesus Christ, and the Word never change. Take strength in this fact. Fortify yourself in Them, and you are standing on sure ground. Don't allow some man to try and change God's Word.)
9 Be not carried about by divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established (set in concrete. See Phil. 3:12-21) with grace; for various and strange doctrines are of no profit to those who practice them. (They wont heal your soul. Keep your priorities straight. Place emphasis on spiritual things, not on physical or health things. God's Word is the only thing that will profit you as far as your eternal salvation is concerned. His promises are real.)
10 We have an altar, of which they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. (The reference is to the sin-offering, which was wholly burnt outside the camp. Lev. 4:1-21; 16:27. The altar is the cross. Those who do not believe Christ paid the price for one and all on that cross have no right to eat at His table, which is to say Holy Communion.)
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Holy of holies by the high priest concerning sin, are burned outside the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, in order that He might sanctify the people (see Acts 2:47) by His own blood, suffered outside the gate. (He became the Sacrifice for all who believe.)
13 Let us go forth therefore to Him outside the camp (i.e. apostate Judaism. Hebrew believers would understand the reference to Exod. 33:7, after the apostasy of the "calf"), bearing His reproach. (Teach it His way after you have done your homework.)
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek the coming one. (I.e. New Jerusalem. There has never been nor will there ever be a perfect city in this earth age. Why? There are evil people in this age. We are here to help these people find there way out of darkness. There will be a perfect city in the eternity.)
15 By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips confessing to His name. (Life isn't a rose garden. Many of us have suffered adversity in one form or another. Have you ever though that perhaps God allowed you to suffer that adversity to strengthen to to the point He can utilize you to accomplish His plan? Stand ready to serve God at every opportunity. If you fortify yourself in God's Word, He will see that you are content. After all, you are His child, and Father loves you.)
16 But to do good and to fellowship forget not (plant a seed): for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and be submissive: for they watch for your souls, as those about to give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with groaning: for that is unprofitable for you. (Get a good grade in whatever you do.)
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you more abundantly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. (Come back quicker.)
20 Now the God of the peace, That brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep (cp. John 10:11. 1 Pet. 5:4. Isa. 63:11), through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (See Matt. 26:28. Cp. Ge. 9:16.)
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do His will (not yours), doing in you that which is well-pleasing before Him, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (See Phil. 4;4.)
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have wrote to you in few words.
23 Know you that our brother Timothy has been release (or dismissed: or sent away on some special mission [as in 1 Cor. 4:17]); with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute (see 3 John 14) all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints (see Acts 9:13). They of Italy (Latins dwelling in the place where Hebrews were dispatched. No clue here to the locality or of whom the Epistle was originally sent) salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.