Hebrews Chapter Thirteen Verses 17-25

HEBREWS CHAPTER THIRTEEN VERSES 17-25 (USING KJ TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 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. 

Heb 13:18  Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 

Heb 13:19  But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 

Heb 13:20  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, 

Heb 13:21  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. 

Heb 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. 

Heb 13:23  Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. 

Heb 13:24  Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. 

Heb 13:25  Grace be with you all. Amen.

Main Point: Final words/Requests?Greetings

9. Why should we obey our Christian leaders? How should we obey them? They are keeping watch for our souls…and will be held accountable. Their decision to take up this responsibility should not be marred with stubborn attitudes or rebellious malice. “Let them do this joy and not groaning” is a causation statement directed at the fold.

10. What great teachings do you see in the writer’s benediction in verses 20-21? Note: the study book renderings have a poor translation “working in us”, should be “working in you”. The writer weaves a statement of God’s power, grace and covenant into HIM being the one who perfects our work…and if they (we) strive for that, we will please him. (A central theme)

11. Explain verse 22. This letter is full of warnings and constructive criticisms. It would be very easy for arrogance to replace an open heart. ‘Don’t become defensive” would be another way to put it. Bear it….Receive it…indicates the hard pill to swallow.

12. What happened to Timothy? Timothy was in prison, then released. This along with the greetings from “Italy” suggests this letter may have been written from Rome, to a church outside of Italy/Rome.

ADDITIONAL:

13:7 Remember your leaders
13:17 Obey your leaders

There is some evidence that maybe there was some elder bashing going on….perhaps.

More to the point is the overriding burden put on leadership by members flying off towards every weak wind of false doctrine. This sort of immaturity is the yeast that “leavens the whole loaf”.

Similar words to Paul:

“God of Peace”  5x 1 Cor 14:33, Rom 15:33, Rom 16:20, 2Cor 13:11, Phillp 4:9

“Grace…be with you all.. 5x Rom 16:24, 2Cor 13:14, Php 4:23, 2Thes 3:18, Titus 3:15

Hebrews Chapter Thirteen Verses 7-16

HEBREWS CHAPTER THIRTEEN VERSES 7-16 (USING KJ TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 13:7  Don't forget about your leaders who taught you God's message. Remember what kind of lives they lived and try to have faith like theirs. 

Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Heb 13:9  Don't be fooled by any kind of strange teachings. It is better to receive strength from God's undeserved kindness than to depend on certain foods. After all, these foods don't really help the people who eat them. 

Heb 13:10  But we have an altar where even the priests who serve in the place of worship have no right to eat. 

Heb 13:11  After the high priest offers the blood of animals as a sin offering, the bodies of those animals are burned outside the camp. 

Heb 13:12  Jesus himself suffered outside the city gate, so that his blood would make people holy. 

Heb 13:13  That's why we should go outside the camp to Jesus and share in his disgrace. 

Heb 13:14  On this earth we don't have a city that lasts forever, but we are waiting for such a city. 

Heb 13:15  Our sacrifice is to keep offering praise to God in the name of Jesus. 

Heb 13:16  But don't forget to help others and to share your possessions with them. This too is like offering a sacrifice that pleases God. 

Main Point: The writer addresses a teaching of the advantage of eating of “certain foods”….perhaps some sacrificial food. But he diffuses any value in it, citing that Jesus is our sacrifice…..and that was one made outside the traditional priesthood. That is where they (we) belong.

    5. How do Christian leaders help in our walk with God? In this text, the example is teaching and living. Remember their teaching, and emulate the way they live(d). There are no records of the Roman church conversions, but it is safe to assume it happened during the early dispersion. The church was fresh….faith and brotherly activity was high. (Sharing)

    6. How does verse 8 change how we live and learn? It requires the learner to test ANYTHING learned against what is known to be true. This context addresses the new learning of the benefit of eating specific foods. It ultimately takes the focus off of Jesus/God, and has no benefit. This speaks directly to a personal decision someone may make of a liberty. It is opinion and not a directive by God. Churches, members and sometimes leaders will assert this type of teaching over Christians who do not know their scriptures and/or are not willing to test their words inductively through the scriptures.

   7.  Explain verse 12. How did Jesus suffer outside the camp? What are we being called to in verse 13? REFERENCE Sin Offering: That which was burned outside the camp was the refuse of the Sin Offering. Jesus was the ultimate sin offering and was blatantly rejected by the priesthood. In this sense, Jesus died outside of the physical realm that the old covenant covered (and by implication, the Jewish…Mosaical system). But by the power of God, though he was considered refuse, he was actually THE sacrifice.
We too, like these Hebrews need to understand that the world may see us as refuse and trash if we associate ourselves with our God. However, as in the case of Jesus, that is where we will find the true power to transformation and salvation.

   8. What are our sacrifices to God? (15) Offer praises to God. Share with one another, be ready to help.

ADDITIONAL:

7) leaders: G2233 Middle voice of a (presumed) strengthened form of G71; to lead, that is, command (with official authority)

Verse 10 seems to indicate who was teaching this falsehood. The subsequent verses uphold the idea that these were Judaizers looking to revert…..and nullify the cross.

RE: The burning outside the camp: Ex.29:14 For a sin offering, the flesh, hide, intestines were burnt outside the camp – Sin offering

See also: (Lev. 4:, 16:27)

Hebrews Chapter Thirteen Verses 1-6

HEBREWS CHAPTER THIRTEEN VS 1-6 (USING KJ TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue. 

Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

Heb 13:3  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. 

Heb 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 

Heb 13:5  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. 

Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 

Main Point: These are some of the final admonishments. This includes encouraging hospitality and refraining from some specific sins and pitfalls. Verse six indicates that there must have been some form of persecution during that time.

1.   What must we do because we have recieved a kingdom that cannot be shaken? Verses 1-3 deal directly with attitudes towards others. Church, strangers, and those imprisoned. In this case I assume it is imprisoned Christians. The exhortations if practiced will keep the church body unified, extend a welcome to anyone who belongs to God and keep up the spirits of those suffering.

2.   How can we hold marriage in honor? What will God judge? The latter answers the first. Those who defile a marriage sexually will be facing God for answers.

3.   What promise does God give in verse five? What does being free from the love of money have to do with believing the promise? “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Being fond of silver….obviously, we need money to get along in the world. More to the point, we are to be content: G714 -Apparently a primary verb (but probably akin to G142 through the idea of raising a barrier); properly to ward off.
The love of money is called covetousness in the KJ version. Before we get to crazy when it comes to gaining money and/or desiring it to our detriment we are to RAISE A BARRIER to its affects.

4.   What promise is given to us in verse 6? “If god is for us, who can be against us?” Note that this does not happen until we can shake the practice of sin in our lives (as he alludes to previously).

Additional:
4) sexually immoral: G4205 por'-nos From πέρνημι pernēmi (to sell; akin to the base of G4097); a (male) prostitute (as venal)

   adulterous: G3432 moy-khos' Perhaps a primary word; a (male) paramour;

Note that the warning is against men. What does this say?

Hebrews Chapter Twelve Verses 25-29

HEBREWS CHAPTER TWELVE VS 25-29 (USING KJ TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 

Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 

Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 

Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire. 

Main Point: The ending is much like 10:31, that signifies a terrifying scenario of rejecting God and in turn being judged by Him for it. It comes hot off the heels of his message of the covenant of Jesus being far above the meeting with Moses which was earthly. “THIS IS HEAVENLY STUFF PEOPLE…YOUR LAST HOPE…WAKE UP!” ….more or less.

10. What are ways that we can “refuse him who is speaking?” The writer covers this 14-17. He covers it in chapter 10 when he speaks of abandoning the church and sinning willfully. (All indications of a lack of faith) – I assume we can all come up with a personal list, and a list of egregious acts against God we see on a daily basis.

11. What was yet to happen that is being promised (12:26-27)? What is this referring to? Shake heaven and earth so that the things that cannot be shaken will remain. There is only one thing that cannot be shaken and that is God …and all that His will encompasses. This statement is a direct contrast to the Mt Sinai reference. That was God molding His people for the eventual day the messiah would come and He would gather all people to Him through the redeemer Jesus. THAT defeats death, sin, fear, and opens the door for reconciliation back to God. As he said earlier…..we are sons now. Heaven is our final rest. But the kingdom is NOW! Final judgment is longed for, not dreaded.

12. What must be our attitude toward God (28)?  - Grateful: G5485 From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying)- Happy. Serve: G3000 From λάτρις latris (a hired menial); to minister (to God), that is, render religious homage: Acceptable: G2102 From G2101; quite agreeably Reverence: G127 Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and G1492 (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness,  Awe: G2124 From G2126; properly caution, that is, (religiously) reverence (piety)
When we take into account our condition before Him, and what HE has done to win us to His service, what else can we be? This, plus when we consider who He is and what He has created.

13. What must we offer? Why? This question is answered previously because it is so closely connected to our attitude.

Hebrews Chapter Twelve Verses 14-24

HEBREWS CHAPTER TWELVE VS 14-24 (USING KJ TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 

Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 

Heb 12:18  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 

Heb 12:19  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 

Heb 12:20  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 

Heb 12:21  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 

Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 

Main Point: The writer addresses specific issues that were preventing some from realizing their (positive) spiritual potential. Verses 14-21 are so overtly negative because they are delivered to those destined to suffer the consequences of sin. The following verses set them straight concerning the kingdom’s hierarchy they are rejecting.

7. What must we strive for?
14) Peace: G1515 Probably from a primary verb εἴρω eirō (to join); peace (literally or figuratively)
       Holiness: G38 From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity
      See to it: G1983 From G1909 and G4648; to oversee; by implication to beware: - look diligently, take the oversight. (The idea here is to take care of one another spiritually. What are the implications for this?)

On the flip: What to Avoid: Bitterness-becoming defiled by it, immorality, irreverent toward God,

8. What are we to learn from Esau? Profane: (worldly-minded) G952 From the base of G939 and βηλός bēlos (a threshold); accessible (as by crossing the door way), that is, (by implication of Jewish notions) heathenish, wicked: - profane (person)

 The accusation is one of parallel to the story. Esau stood as the heir. He was THE son by which the family name would continue. The position was one to be regarded as precious and valued highly. Think about it. From Abraham’s time forward, literally hundreds of people were in his care. Likely thousands of animals. Alliances had been built. There had been war and killing to get to where they were. Above all, these were promises from God, not just Isaac.
And he let it go for a bowl of soup.
The thrust of the story is that he could not change it. He could not go back and do it over (though ultimately God did bless him). This is the impactful part of the story the writer is emphasizing. If you keep sinning (14-17), you spit in the face of God, where will you go from there?

9. Contrast the mountain we have not come to and the mountain we have come to:
1. 18-21 What may be touched, (as referenced in the Moses experience). In this example, an experience too hard to bear….creating terror. An earthly visit from God. God….being too much to bear….too much to even be around.
2. 21-24 (Kingdom Speak) NOT EARTH. Figurative Zion….the City of the Living God…the HEAVENLY Jerusalem (city). Angels in festive gathering, the firstborn (or first new citizens (souls) of heaven), GOD…..and Jesus.
Notice he re-iterates the blood and the covenant. That statement brings it down to earth! The Christian IS PART OF THAT ON EARTH. That IS his main point from chapter 10/11 and the application of faith….WE ARE PILGRIMS!

Additional:

24) What “word” did Abel’s blood “speak”?

Hebrews Chapter Twelve Verses 7-13

HEBREWS CHAPTER TWELVE VS 7-13 (USING KJ TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 

Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 

Heb 12:9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 

Heb 12:10  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 

Heb 12:12  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 

Heb 12:13  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 

Main Point: The writer argues the merit of being a child of God and being disciplined by Him. If we respect it from our earthly parents, how much more from Him?

4. How should we look at our discipline? In this text, suffering for the name of Christ is the discipline. In comparison, we accept the discipline of our fathers and respected them for it ultimately. How much more important is it that God takes the time to mold us and show us he way to righteousness?

5. What is the result of God’s discipline? The above KJ says of earthly parents "they disciplined as they pleased", signifying that these were mere men who do not carry the absolute righteousness of God. Sometimes, their discipline was not necessarily for our good, but for their own purpose. Yet with that, we still respected them.  God’s discipline is for our “profit” ALWAYS. Profit in the Greek meaning “bear together”…to “participate in HIS holiness. This is not God being a control freak and walking away. It is Him drawing us near, and molding us so that we may BE WITH HIM.

6. What is the encouragement in verses 12-13? This is an edification for a people that have been persecuted in various ways (though not through blood yet). It is yet another call as seen in chapter ten. It is an extension of the beginning of the chapter to be fit to run the race. It is an extension of chapter eleven to remember that faith is not a victim of circumstance or emotion. It rises above these things and looks to the future….again Christians are pilgrims.

Additional:

How does the Christian “make straight his paths”?
How does the Christian maintain faith in the face of adversity?

Hebrews Chapter Twelve Verses 1-6

HEBREWS CHAPTER TWELVE VS 1-6 (USING KJ TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 

Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 

Heb 12:5  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Main Point: This “therefore” is an extension from 10:32 where the writer asks the readers to “recall the former days” of their acts of faithful living. His example…Jesus, yeah he uses the “Jesus card” to show the lengths to which faith must be ready to serve the believer.

1.    How are each of these statements to help us run with endurance?
”Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses”: Virtually all of God’s valiant servants were regular people, made extraordinary through their relationship with God. It was never something they considered as their own work, but His. The one’s listed who stayed true did so without regard to circumstance…and did not look to the here-and-now as evidence.

“Lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely”: The “race” is the metaphor used in conjunction with this analogy. “Don’t let things get in your way” is the essential message and meaning. “Don’t be burdened so that you cannot race”…
“Every weight” expands from his earlier specific naming of abandoning the church as “sinning willfully”. However, let’s not become dogmatic concerning “church attendance” equating to a faithful life. The writer’s earlier references to “God being written on our hearts” carries more meaning than just attendance. As he has alluded, faith is exhibited in our actions….he just spent an entire chapter showing that.

“Looking unto Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”: The first ten chapters qualifies this statement of the perfect(ed) example we have. More importantly, the writer is emphatic in his equating Jesus with Jehovah. How do you fight against that?

“For the joy set before Him, endured the cross”: This is the template for Christian motivation. As he has stated more than once, faith looks for the promises. The bearer of that faith understands themselves to be a pilgrim in this world.

2.    What specifically is the “chastening of the Lord?” How can we identify it in our lives?
5)3809: paideia pahee-di'-ah From G3811; tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction:
6)3811: paideuō pahee-dyoo'-o From G3816; to train up a child, that is, educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment): - These are pretty close to the original Hebrew text in that is covers a verbal training, and if needed something more severe if needed. The first denotes the learning what is right…the second denotes the ramifications one can expect if not practicing what we have learned. There are many ways to learn from God. Just look at the wonder of the complexity of the natural world. Like faith, we will know if we have “learned” “right” by our actions…not just lip service.

3.    What is the purpose of the chastening of the Lord? How then should we receive the chastening? The first part of this is answered in Question2. Trying to dissect the what it is from the purpose is virtually impossible since they are one in the same. From the Hebrew, it is God looking to make the recipient “right”. That’s what it is and that is its purpose. Chasten/correct in the Hebrew (Prov 3:11/12) – Warn – to Be Right. Most specifically though the context is a dad speaking to his son, telling him that God will MAKE HIM RIGHTEOUS as His own son! If we are to look at God as a Father who love us…then how should we take it? This was Jesus’ mission, this is why he hung on the cross!

Additional:

Note: This is the fourth time he has alluded to Jesus at “the right hand” of God. Thus equating their rejection of Jesus, as a flat-out rejection of God.  

Verse 2 (Perfecter/finisher) is a direct reference to his earlier preaching of the inability of the law to make anyone perfected….something only found in the Christ name Jesus (chapter 10)

5, 6) OT Ref Prov.3:11-12 The word “son” carries the meaning of “family builder” as in the first born, or one who is to carry the family name forward. You know, like what God calls Christians to do!