Hebrews 13 - Introduction

IN the close of the epistle, contained in this chapter, the apostle gives us new instances of that divine wisdom wherewith he was actuated in writing of the whole; which the apostle Peter refers unto, 2 Peter 3:15. And as it will communicate an inexpressible sense of itself unto every intelligent reader, who meditates upon it with that faith and reverence which are required in the perusal of these holy writings; so we may give, at our entrance into the exposition of the chapter, some few instances in general wherein it doth eminently appear.

1. Having solidly laid the foundations of faith and obedience, in the declaration of the mystery of the person and offices of Christ, he descends unto his exhortation with respect unto evangelical and moral duties, which he proposes unto the church in one distinct view throughout this chapter. And herein,

(1.) He prescribes by his own example, as he also doth in most of his other epistles, the true order and method of preaching the gospel; that is, first to declare the mysteries of it, with the grace of God therein, and then to improve it unto practical duties of obedience. And they will be mistaken, who in this work propose unto themselves any other method; and those most of all, who think one part of it enough, without the other. For as the declaration of spiritual truths, without instruction how they are the vital, quickening form of obedience, and the application of them thereunto, tends only unto that “knowledge which puffeth up, but doth not edify;” so the pressing of moral duties, without a due declaration of the grace of God in Christ Jesus, which alone enables us unto them, and renders them acceptable unto God, with their necessary dependence thereon, is but to deceive the souls of men, and lead them out of the way, and off from the gospel.

(2.) Issuing all his discourses in this exhortation unto spiritual or evangelical obedience, he declares that the science or knowledge of divine mysteries is partly practical, as unto its next and immediate end in the minds and souls of men. It is so far from truth, that by the liberty of the gospel we are freed from an obligation unto spiritual and moral duties, that the use of all the truths revealed in it, is, as to direct us unto their right performance, so to lay more and new obligations on us to attend with all diligence unto them.

(3.) In this place, insisting at large on the doctrine of the gospel, he doth but name the heads of the duties which he exhorts unto: for they were for the most part known and confessed amongst the Hebrews, whereas the other was greatly exposed and contradicted. And herein also he hath set an example unto the preachers of the gospel, as unto the times and circumstances of their work. For therein ought they to labor with most diligence, where they find the greatest opposition made unto the truth, or the greatest difficulty in the admission of it.

(4.) He manifests, in this method of his procedure, that it is to no purpose to deal with men about duties of obedience, before they are well fixed in the fundamental principles of faith. Herein he labors for the instruction and confirmation of these Hebrews, before he engages on his prescription of duties.

2. In the enumeration of duties which he designs, because it was not possible that he should make mention of all those which are necessary in our Christian course, he fixes on them in particular which he knew were most necessary for the Hebrews to attend unto with diligence in their present circumstances; as we shall see in our consideration of them. And herein also ought he to be our example in the work of our ministry. Circumstances ofttimes make it necessary that some duties be more diligently pressed on our people than others, in themselves of no less importance than they.

3. His divine wisdom doth manifest itself in the intermixture of evangelical mysteries with his exhortation unto duties; whereby he both effectually presses the duties themselves, and manifests that the most mystical parts of divine truths and institutions are instructive unto duties, if rightly understood. The consideration hereof also we shall attend unto in our progress.

4. It doth so in that solemn prayer for a blessing on and due improvement of his whole doctrine; wherein he briefly comprises the sum and substance of the most mysterious truths, concerning the person, office, and sacrifice of Christ, which he had before insisted on; wherein, according to our ability, we ought to follow his example. For the parts of this chapter, (the whole being hortatory,) they are these:

1. An injunction of, and exhortation unto, several duties of obedience; with especial enforcements given unto some of them, Hebrews 13:1-6.

2. Unto faith, and stability therein, from the instrumental cause and especial object of it; with a warning to avoid what is contrary thereunto, Hebrews 13:7-12.

3. An exhortation, occasioned by what was spoken in confirmation of the preceding exhortation, unto self-denial and patient bearing of the cross, Hebrews 13:13-14.

4. A renewed charge of sundry duties, with respect unto God, their church- relation, one another, and himself, Hebrews 13:15-19.

5. A solemn prayer for the complement of the blessed work of the grace of God in Christ towards them all, Hebrews 13:20-21.

6. The conclusion of the whole, in sundry particulars, Hebrews 13:22-25. In the first part, the duties exhorted unto are,

(1.) Brotherly love, Hebrews 13:1.

(2.) Hospitality, Hebrews 13:2.

(3.) Compassion towards those that suffer for the gospel, Hebrews 13:3.

(4.) Chastity, with the nature and due use of marriage, Hebrews 13:4.

(5.) Contentment, with the grounds and reasons of it, Hebrews 13:5-6.