BROTHERLY LOVE
(Hebrews 13:1)
Most of the commentators regard the final chapter of Hebrews as an
appendix or postscript, containing sundry exhortations which have no
direct relation to the body of the epistle. Personally, we regard it
as a serious mistake, due to lack of perspicuity, to ignore the... [ Continue Reading ]
BROTHERLY LOVE
(Hebrews 13:1-3)
Brotherly love is that spiritual benevolence and affectionate
solicitude which Christians have one toward another, desiring and
seeking their highest interests. The varied characteristics of it are
beautifully delineated in 1 Corinthians 13. In the opening verse of
H... [ Continue Reading ]
MARRIAGE
(Hebrews 13:4)
From a prescription of duties towards others, the apostle next
proceeds to give directions unto those which concern ourselves,
wherein our own persons and walking are concerned. He does this in a
prohibition of the two most radical and comprehensive lusts of corrupt
nature,... [ Continue Reading ]
COVETOUSNESS
(Hebrews 13:5)
In this chapter of Hebrews the apostle makes a practical application
of the theme of the epistle. Having set forth at length the amazing
grace of God toward His believing people by the provision He has made
for them in the Mediator and Surety of the covenant, having show... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTENTMENT
(Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:6)
Discontent, though few appear to realize it, is sinful, a grievous
offense against the Most High. It is an impugning of His wisdom, a
denial of His goodness, a rising up of my will against His. To murmur
at our lot is to take issue with God’s sovereignty, qu... [ Continue Reading ]
MOTIVES TO FIDELITY
(Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:8)
In seeking to ascertain the meaning and scope of the verses which now
require our consideration due notice must be taken of their setting,
and that, in turn, weighed in the light of the epistle as a whole. In
the immediate context the apostle dehorts... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEART ESTABLISHED
(Hebrews 13:8, Hebrews 13:9)
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever" (verse 8).
Sir Rob. Anderson and others regarded this as a declaration of the
Savior’s Godhead, arguing that "The Same" is a Divine title taken
from Psalms 102:27, etc. But why, it may be a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHRISTIAN’S ALTAR
(Hebrews 13:10)
There is a saying that "a man usually finds what he is looking for,"
and there is a sense in which that principle holds good of not a
little consulting of the Scriptures. Various kinds of people approach
the Scriptures with the object of finding something in th... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRIST OUR SIN OFFERING
(Hebrews 13:11, Hebrews 13:12)
In the verses at which we have now arrived the apostle once more sets
before us the O.T. shadow and the N.T. substance, which emphasizes the
importance and necessity of diligently comparing one portion of the
Scriptures with another, and partic... [ Continue Reading ]
OUTSIDE THE CAMP
(Hebrews 13:12, Hebrews 13:13)
Were it not so pathetic and tragic, it would be most amusing if we
could obtain and read a complete record of the manner in which our
text has been employed by various individuals and groups during the
last four hundred years—to go no farther back. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
OUTSIDE THE CAMP
(Hebrews 13:13, Hebrews 13:14)
In the preceding article we endeavored to make clear to the reader
exactly what was "the camp" from which the apostle exhorted the
Hebrews to go forth. The more accurately a term be defined, the less
likelihood of its being wrongly employed. It was at... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHRISTIAN’S SACRIFICES
(Hebrews 13:15, Hebrews 13:16)
The verses which are now to engage our attention are closely related
with those which immediately precede, as is intimated by the
"therefore." The links of connection may be set forth thus. First, "We
have an Altar" (verse 10); what use are... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHRISTIAN’S SACRIFICES
(Hebrews 13:15, Hebrews 13:16)
From the eighth verse onwards (of Hebrews 13) the apostle is engaged
in setting forth those spiritual duties of worship of which God
Himself is the Object. Therein a series of contrasts are drawn between
what obtained under the old covenant... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRISTIAN RULERS
(Hebrews 13:17)
"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" (verse 17). It is quite clear from the balance of the ve... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOOD CONSCIENCE
(Hebrews 13:18, Hebrews 13:19)
Hebrews 13:18; Hebrews 13:19 is closely connected with the verse which
immediately precedes. In our present portion the apostle mentions
another duty which believers owe to those who minister unto them in
spiritual things, and this is that they shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAYING FOR MINISTERS
(Hebrews 13:18, Hebrews 13:19)
"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." As was pointed out in the
opening paragraph of the previous article,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE APOSTLE’S PRAYER
(Hebrews 13:20, Hebrews 13:21)
"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 well pleasing... [ Continue Reading ]
THE APOSTLE’S PRAYER
(Hebrews 13:20, Hebrews 13:21)
"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 well pleasing... [ Continue Reading ]
DIVINE EXHORTATIONS
(Hebrews 13:22)
Before taking up our present verse let us offer some further remarks
upon the last portions of 5:21, which, through lack of space, we had
to omit from the preceding article. The central thing which we sought
to make clear in the previous paper was, that, while th... [ Continue Reading ]
SPIRITUAL FREEDOM
(Hebrews 13:23)
Before turning to our present verse we must complete our observations
on the one which occupied our attention in the last article, for the
practical importance and value of it cannot be over-estimated or
over-emphasized. "Suffer the Word of Exhortation." In its loc... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCLUSION
(Hebrews 13:24, Hebrews 13:25)
Everything down here comes, sooner or later, to its end. Terrible
prospect for the wicked, for there awaits them naught but the
blackness of darkness forever. Blessed outlook for the righteous, for
then they are done with sin and suffering forever, and only... [ Continue Reading ]