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Hebrews 13

Hebrews closes by joining concrete acts of faithfulness to Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s work within his people.

The writer closes the letter with commands about hospitality, prisoners, marriage, and money. The author, whose identity is uncertain, urges these Christians to remember faithful leaders and resist strange teachings. Jesus’ suffering outside the gate becomes the basis for bearing his reproach, while praise and shared goods are named as sacrifices pleasing to God. The closing prayer asks God to equip them to do his will. Personal news about Timothy and greetings bring the letter to its end.

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1Let brotherly love continue.
2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
3Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.
4Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
5Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
6So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
7Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
9Don’t be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
10We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat.
11For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp.
12Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate.
13Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.
14For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.
15Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.
16But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
19I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.
20Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,
21make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
22But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
23Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.
24Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.
25Grace be with you all. Amen.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Hebrews 13:5The command to reject the love of money rests on God’s promise to remain with his people.
Hebrews 13:20The blessing grounds hope in God’s raising of Jesus, the great shepherd, whose blood establishes an eternal covenant.
Hebrews 13:21The closing prayer asks God to produce the obedience that the chapter’s commands require, through Jesus Christ.
Where this chapter reaches

The promise of God’s presence echoes Deuteronomy, while the declaration of courage quotes Psalm’s words about the Lord as helper. The closing prayer shares with Romans the themes of resurrection and the God of peace, and with Philippians the assurance that God works in his people.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

How does God’s promise to remain with his people speak to your thoughts about money?

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What connection do you see between bearing Jesus’ reproach and offering praise, doing good, and sharing?

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Questions people ask about Hebrews 13

What does going outside the camp mean in Hebrews 13?

The writer connects the burning of sin-offering bodies outside the camp with Jesus’ suffering outside the city gate. Going out to him means accepting the reproach attached to belonging to him. The passage also points beyond present security: believers seek the enduring city that is still to come.

Does Hebrews 13:17 mean obeying church leaders without question?

Verse 17 calls for obedience and submission to leaders who watch over believers and must give account to God. Verse 7 also directs attention to leaders’ conduct and faith. Their authority carries responsibility under God; the passage grants no permission for abuse or demands that someone remain in danger.

Who wrote Hebrews 13?

The chapter does not name its author. The writer knows Timothy, hopes to visit the recipients, and passes on greetings from Italians. These details show ties within the early Christian churches, but they do not establish the writer’s identity or settle where the letter was written.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).