Ebrei 13:16 Commento

The apostle, having treated largely of Christ, and faith, and free grace, and gospel privileges, and warned the Hebrews against apostasy, now, in the close of all, recommends several excellent duties to them, as the proper fruits of faith (v. 1-17); he then bespeaks their prayers for him, and offers up his prayers to God for them, gives them some hope of seeing himself and Timothy, and ends with the general salutation and benediction (Heb 13:18 to the end).

INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 13 The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle, closes it with practical exhortations to these Hebrews, puts up prayers for them, and sends salutations to them. The exhortations are to brotherly love, and the continuance of it, Heb 13:1 to hospitality, by which some have entertained angels unawares, Heb 13:2, to sympathy with those that are in bonds, and in, afflictions, Heb 12:3 to purity and chastity in the honourable state of marriage, urged by the judgment of God on unclean persons, Heb 13:4 to avoid covetousness, and to be content with present things, enforced by the promises of God, which give boldness and strength to faith, Heb 13:5, to remember their spiritual guides and governors, the preachers of the Gospel to them; to follow their faith, and consider the end of their conversation, which is Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and for ever, Heb 13:7. And then he cautions them from being carried about with the doctrines of men, which are divers and strange; which he urges from the profitable effect of the Gospel to establish the heart, and from the unprofitableness of meats to legal worshippers, and from the Christians having an altar, which is Christ, which those who are seeking life by the service of the law have nothing to do with, Heb 13:9. And this he illustrates in the type of burnt offerings, which were burnt without the camp, and there was nothing left for the priests to eat of, Heb 13:11. In like manner Christ, the antitype, suffered without the gates of Jerusalem, for the sanctification of his people, by his blood; and who only, and not those who seek for righteousness by the law, have an interest in, Heb 13:12. However, it becomes the saints to quit everything, and all dependence on themselves, and fellowship with others, and go forth to Jesus, believing in him, whatsoever reproach they suffer on his account; for here is nothing permanent and durable in this world; but there is a state of happiness to come, which will last for ever, Heb 13:13. And since Christ has offered himself for his people, they ought to offer up the sacrifices of praise to God by him, and to do acts of beneficence and goodness, which are sacrifices well pleasing to God through him, Heb 13:15. And to these exhortations apostle adds others; as to obey their spiritual rulers and governors, and submit unto them; since they watch for their souls, and must give an account, which to do with joy, and not with grief, is best and profitable, Heb 13:17 and to pray for the apostle, and other ministers, since they had a good conscience, and were willing to live honestly; and the rather, that he might be restored to them the sooner, Heb 13:18 and to engage them to this their duty, he sets them an example, by putting up prayers for them, Heb 13:20 and desires them to take in good part the letter he had wrote unto them, Heb 13:22 and acquaints them that Timothy was set at liberty, with whom he hoped to see them in a short time, Heb 13:23 and then closes the epistle with his own, and the salutations of others, and with his usual benediction, Heb 13:24.

But to do good and to communicate forget not,.... Which is to be understood, not of doing good works in general, but of acts of beneficence, or communicating to "the poor", as the Syriac version renders it: the apostle proceeds to take notice of another sort of sacrifice, which continues under the Gospel dispensation; and that is, alms; which should be attended to: alms should be given, or beneficence be exercised to all men in need, even to our enemies, as well as to our friends and relations; and especially to poor saints, and ministers of the Gospel: and this believers should not "forget"; which shows that it is a duty of importance; and that men are too apt to neglect it, and should be stirred up unto it: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased; not that they are meritorious of the favour of God and of eternal life; for what a man gives in a way of charity is but what God has given him, and cannot be profitable to God, though it is to a fellow creature; nor is there any proportion between what is given, and grace and glory which the saints receive; yet doing good in this way, when it is done in faith, springs from love, and is directed to the glory of God, is well pleasing to him; yea, these sacrifices are preferred by him to legal ones, Hos 6:6 and the Jews also say, that "greater is he who does alms than (if he offered) all sacrifices (c).'' (c) T. Bab. Succa, fol. 49. 2.

"But to do good and to communicate forget not." I speak not merely with reference to the brethren present, but to those absent also. But if others have plundered your property, display your hospitality out of such things as ye have. What excuse then shall we have henceforward, when they, even after the spoiling of their goods, were thus admonished?

In the words of the prophet Micah, a distinction is clearly drawn between the fact that God does not require sacrifices as they are in themselves and the fact that God does desire the offerings that are symbolized by these sacrifices. … That is why the words "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice" must be understood to mean that one sacrifice is to be preferred to another, since what is commonly called a sacrifice is merely a symbol of the true sacrifice. For, mercy is the true sacrifice. Hence, "such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Hymn singing offered to God is of no benefit to us apart from faith in the Son. Since it was to the Hebrews he wrote, who were in the habit of honoring the Father alone, he felt he had to add “through him.”

He brought out the sacrifice of praise that is pleasing to God. To it he linked also that of doing good, which he was right to refer to as sharing.… Elsewhere the divine apostle says, “Our abundance supplies for their need so that their abundance may be for your need for a balance to be achieved.” Sharing, then, is also repayment: one person gives money, another returns a blessing, and the person in need is in the stronger position.

He calls it “doing good” in order to praise what takes place and “fellowship” because they are concerned about their fellow believers … and so with zeal they seek to meet their needs.

"Do not forget the good deeds and the fellowship." Paul speaks of good deeds and fellowship as the same. "God is pleased." That is, He is pleased; for the term "is pleased" [εὐαρεστεῖται] indicates to be well-pleased. Therefore, it is necessary not only to offer the fruit of the lips, but also such sacrifices, like those of thanksgiving and good deeds. For the grateful person, it is evident that he is also generous, knowing what he is worthy of.

Where are those who justify themselves by their poverty and therefore do not give alms? Let them hear that Paul persuades the poorest, those who have been plundered, not to forget almsgiving. He also calls it "fellowship," and for what reason — we have often spoken about this. Sacrifices of thanksgiving and beneficence. For it is clear that one who is thankful is also generous, since he knows what blessings he will be deemed worthy of.

He mentions another sacrifice, when he says, Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have. As if to say: You formerly performed works of mercy; but now at least with the heart, if you cannot in deed. Therefore, he says, Do not neglect to do good, be liberal, in regard to the things you give: 'In doing good, let us not fail' (Gal. 6:9); 'Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly' (Sir. 12:6). Do not forget to share what you have, i.e., the things you have saved: 'All they that believed were together, and had all things in common' (Ac. 2:44); 'Communicating to the necessities of the saints' (Rom. 12:13). Or share, namely, by charity, through which all things are common. But why should we share? That double benefit is shown when he says: for such sacrifices are pleasing to God, i.e., we can merit God by such sacrifices: 'I am your protector and your reward exceeding great' (Gen. 15:1); 'Then you shall accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings' (Ps. 50:21); 'They shall worship him with sacrifices and offerings; and they shall make vows to the Lord and perform them' (Is. 19:21).

Exhortations to hospitality to Strangers, Heb 13:1, Heb 13:2. Kindness to those in bonds, Heb 13:3. Concerning marriage, Heb 13:4. Against covetousness, Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6. How they should imitate their teachers, Heb 13:7, Heb 13:8. To avoid strange doctrines, Heb 13:9. Of the Jewish sin-offerings, Heb 13:10, Heb 13:11. Jesus suffered without the gate, and we should openly confess him and bear his reproach, Heb 13:12, Heb 13:13. Here we have no permanent residence; and while we live should devote ourselves to God, and live to do good, Heb 13:14-16. We should obey them that have the rule over us, Heb 13:17. The apostle exhorts them to pray for him, that he might be restored to them the sooner, Heb 13:18, Heb 13:19. Commends them to God in a very solemn prayer, Heb 13:20, Heb 13:21. Entreats them to bear the word of exhortation, mentions Timothy, and concludes with the apostolical benediction, Heb 13:22-25.

But to do good and to communicate - These are continual sacrifices which God requires, and which will spring from a sense of God's love in Christ Jesus. Praise to God for his unspeakable gift, and acts of kindness to men for God's sake. No reliance, even on the infinitely meritorious sacrifice of Christ, can be acceptable in the sight of God if a man have not love and charity towards his neighbor. Praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God, with works of charity and mercy to man, are the sacrifices which every genuine follower of Christ must offer: and they are the proofs that a man belongs to Christ; and he who does not bear these fruits gives full evidence, whatever his creed may be, that he is no Christian.

EXHORTATION TO VARIOUS GRACES, ESPECIALLY CONSTANCY IN FAITH, FOLLOWING JESUS AMIDST REPROACHES. CONCLUSION, WITH PIECES OF INTELLIGENCE AND SALUTATIONS. (Heb. 13:1-25) brotherly love--a distinct special manifestation of "charity" or "love" (Pe2 1:7). The Church of Jerusalem, to which in part this Epistle was addressed, was distinguished by this grace, we know from Acts (compare Heb 6:10; Heb 10:32-34; Heb 12:12-13). continue--Charity will itself continue. See that it continue with you.

But--But the sacrifice of praise with the lips (Heb 13:15) is not enough; there must be also doing good (beneficence) and communicating (that is, imparting a share of your means, Gal 6:6) to the needy. with such--and not mere ritualistic sacrifices.