[1] Let brotherly love continue. [2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. [3] Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. [4] Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. [5]Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. [6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Verse 1 Expanded Bible Comments
| Let brotherly love continue. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What type of love are we to have? | Brother love. |
| How does this differ from other kinds of love? | 1 John 3:11,14,23; 4:7,11,12,20,21; 5:1,2 |
Verse 2 Expanded Bible Comments
| Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why should we entertain strangers? | We may be entertaining angels. While this is true, the thought here seems to be that we should have a heart that is full of compassion for the world. Those who do not know or appreciate God's Divine Plan have not been so favored as we. Our heart should go out to all of humanity. |
| Does this mean some have literally entertained angels? | Yes. Compare Gen. 18 where Abraham entertained three men who turned out to be the representatives of God. |
Verse 3 Expanded Bible Comments
| Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Do we have any that we know of in bonds today? | In other parts of the world we have those who are still unable to have meetings without placing themselves in danger. What about our physical and financial bonds or those bonds of situation? |
| Do any today suffer adversity? | We have brethren within out own midst who are suffering adversity. How would you like to have the very environment you live in be your opponent? Would you like to have your parents, siblings and even their children all have physical and/or mental problems look to and depend upon you as their primary care giver? What about those who are injured and cannot do for themselves? We have all of this and more in our midst today. |
| What is our attitude toward them? | "What can I do to help." We should be ready to assist in any fashion. -- Paul says we are to act as if we are bound with them. In other words we are to imagine ourselves (as much as possible) in their situation and be in sympathy with that. Additionally, if we have opportunity, we should be looking to aid them (if such aid is appropriate). |
Verse 4 Expanded Bible Comments
| Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| When Paul says "Marriage is honourable in all" does he mean that all should be married? | Matt. 19:10-12; 1 Cor. 7:7-9 |
| What is contrasted with marriage? | Those who give in to their sensual desires and practice that which is forbidden by the moral standard set up in scripture. |
| What is the danger for those who follow the wrong path in these matters? | They will be judged by God. |
Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments
| Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What manner of conversation should we have? | Such as does not desire the wrong things. We are to covet the best gifts. 1 Cor. 12:31. |
| Should we be grasping for worldly things? | No. |
| What should we be content with and why? | "Be content with such things as ye have." Because we have the promise that God will always be with us. |
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the result of our contentment? | Confidence that the Lord is indeed our helper. |
| Of what should we be afraid? | Not of man. We should be afraid of displeasing God. |
[7] Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. [8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. [9] Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. [10] We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. [11] For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. [12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. [13] Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. [14] For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. [15] By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. [16] But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. [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 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God; and viewing attentively the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. - Diaglott Remember your leaders, those who have spoken God's word to you. Think about the impact of their lives, and imitate their faith. - ISV |
|
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Who are those who rule over the church? | The correct answer is God and His son, however, in this verse Paul seems to be speaking of the elected elders. It is not "rule" but it is their leadership that is to be acknowledged. |
| Who "have spoken unto you the word of God?" | Paul here seems especially to be speaking of the elders. |
| What are we to note about them? | The conduct of their lives. |
| What about them should we emulate? | Their faith and conduct. |
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does this verse teach us? | Mal. 3:6, Heb. 1:3, 1 John 3:2 We, like Him, are to be consistant, unchangeable in our confidence and character. |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Having come into "present truth," is their any danger in considering other doctrines? | Absolutely! Eph. 4:14. |
| How can we know if something is a "strange doctrine?" | 2 Tim. 3:14; 1 Thes. 5:21; 2 Tim. 2:15. |
| What does it mean for the heart to be established? | Eph. 3:16-19; Col. 2:6-8 |
| Why does Paul add "with grace?" | We certainly did not invent this Truth. It is only by the grace of God that we have the Truth as well as any access to Him. This grace is provided by our Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:17; Acts 15:11; Rom. 5:15-17; Eph. 2:8-10 |
| What are the "meats" of which Paul is speaking? | R4514:8 |
Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments
| We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Of what altar is Paul speaking? | A Spiritual altar. R4514:8 |
Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| When Paul speaks of the bodies of beasts, is he referring to all the animals who were brought for sacrifice? [Yes/No] | No. |
| How do we know that our answer to the prior question is correct? | It refers only to those animals whose blood was brought into the sanctuary (the Most Holy). |
| Which animals were so treated and when? | The Bullock and the Lord's Goat. |
| Who was it who treated them in this manner? | The High Priest. |
| Considering our answer to the last question, what lesson is there here for us? | "It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good." 1 Sam.3:18 |
| After their dealing with their blood, what happened to those animals? | Their bodies were were taken outside of the camp of Israel and burned. |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does the treatment of the animals described in verse 11 have to do with Jesus? | Paul is referring to the typical Day of Atonement sacrifices. In that type the humanity of Jesus is represented by the Bullock. The High Priest (Jesus the New Creature) slew the Bullock (the humanity of the man Jesus). The High Priest (Jesus the New Creature) took the blood of the Bullock (the poured out life of the man Jesus) into the Most Holy (presence of God) and sprinkled the blood on the Mercy seat (Justice). This shows that the sacrificed life of the perfect man Jesus was a satisfaction to justice for the sins of mankind, a sin-offering. |
| Where does it say that Jesus suffered? | Without the gate. |
| What does that mean? | R4514:8 |
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Suggested reading: R4607 | |
| Who is "us" in this verse? | The church. R4514:8 |
| What is the "us" class to do and where do they do it? | What they do is to go to Jesus, even as Jesus said in Matt. 11:28. Where they do it is "outside the camp." |
| What is meant by "without (outside) the camp?" [Type and antitype] | In the type we find the camp pictured all those who are desireous of coming into harmony with God. Outside the camp was where the garbage was burned. As such it would create a stench for all who would come near. It thus pictures how those who are not desireous of being in harmony with God would look at the sacrifice of Jesus and His followers. R4607:5-6 |
| Why does Paul add "bearing his reproach?" | "Taking his shame on ourselves" BBE. "Endure the insults he endured" ISV. "Sharing the insults directed at him" Weymouth. We are to walk in His footsteps and this includes bearing the scorn of the world. |
Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does Paul mean by "no continuing city?" | A city pictures a government and it is for God's government that we seek, hence the earth is not our permanent residence. Matt. 8:20. |
| For what city are we seeking? | The same one that Abraham sought for, the Kingdom of God. Heb. 11:10. |
Verse 15 Expanded Bible Comments
| By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is "the sacrifice of praise?" | "The fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." |
| How is this a sacrifice? | R4535:4 |
| Are we able to offer this sacrifice on our own? | Paul here says "By him .." We are only able to offer any sacrifice through Christ. There is no other name by which we may approach unto God. |
| Can anyone offer this sacrifice? | Not now. When the mediatorial phase of the kingdom is established, then others may offer the sacrifice of praise. For now this privilege belongs to the church. |
Verse 16 Expanded Bible Comments
| But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Does the New Creation need to be reminded to do good? | It would seem not, however, considering this evil world in which we live and the influences around us, such a reminder is not out of place. |
| Why does Paul tell us "to communicate?" | He means to communicate the Gospel of Christ. |
| How are doing good and communicating sacrifices? | Because we are taking time and effort that could be used in selfish pursuits and using them in the service of Christ. |
Verse 17 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Who are they that have rule over us? | The elected elders. - see verse 7. |
| Why should we submit ourselves to them? | Because they "must give an account." They are watching out for our souls. We do not want to add to the burden of another brother in Christ. |
[18] Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. [19] But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
[20] 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, [21] Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
[22] And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. [23] Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
[24] Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
[25] Grace be with you all. Amen.
Verse 18 Expanded Bible Comments
| Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| If, as Paul here says, he has a good conscience and lives honestly, why does he then ask for the brethren to pray for him? | There is a two-fold reason for this. 1) Because he knows that his own heart can deceive him. Jer. 17:9. 2) See next verse. |
Verse 19 Expanded Bible Comments
| But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is Paul asking the brethren to do for him and why? | To do: Pray for him. Why: So he "may be restored to you." |
| What does this imply? | That prayer may change things. In this case, it may permit Paul to be "restored to you sooner." |
Verse 20 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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, | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What type of a God do we have? | A "God of peace." |
| What great thing has our God already done for us? | He raised Jesus from the dead. |
| What aspect of Jesus does Paul here draw our attention to. | The fact that Jesus is the "great shepherd of the sheep." |
| What made this all possible? | The fact that (1) God had made an everlasting covenant with Abraham and (2) that Jesus gave his life (blood) to fulfill that covenant. -- R4321:3-4 |
Verse 21 Expanded Bible Comments
| Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Everything in verse 20 that follows "The God of peace.." may be viewed as an explanation of what it means to be the God of peace. Verse 21 really begins with the phrase "The God of peace." | |
| Can we be made perfect in every good work? | This perfection is prospective. We are being prepared now for a future work. At the present time we should have perfection of intention. Remember that God "calls those things which be not as though they were." Rom. 4:17.
This same word here translated as 'perfect' (Strong's 2675) is elsewhere used to indicate something repaired, made complete or knit together. - Matt. 4:21; 21:16; Mark 1:19; Luke 6:40; Rom. 9:22; 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 6:1; 1 Thess. 3:10; Heb. 10:5; 11:3; 1 Pet. 5:10 |
| How can we know what is well-pleasing to Him? | Prov. 23:26. This is done "through Jesus Christ." Rom. 12:1-2. We present our little all for sacrifice partly in order that we may prove what is God's Will. |
| When Paul says "to whom be glory .." - who specifically is he talking about? | It seems to be speaking of Jesus Christ, however we remember that Jesus did all things to please God and to give Him the glory. John 5:23 |
Verse 22 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does it mean to "suffer" the word of exhortation? | The word suffer here is Strong's 430 which means to put up with or endure. Paul says he has written this letter in few words. It may be that he is reminding them not only to consider the written word but also to respect the spoken word as well. |
Verse 23-25 Expanded Bible Comments
| Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
[24] Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. [25] Grace be with you all. Amen. |
|
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| While, as near as we can tell, the style of writing and the logic used lead us to think it was Paul who wrote this epistle, nevertheless it does not specifically state this. Is there anything in these verses which help us to determine the authorship of this book of Hebrews? | 1. "They of Italy salute you." This implies it was written from Italy. Paul was a prisoner in Rome. 2. It states that Timothy had been set at liberty. Timothy was Paul's special companion which also makes the suggestion that it was Paul who wrote the book. We also note that Paul thought he might also be set at liberty and would, in company with Timothy, see the brethren. |