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Hebrews 13:1. Let brotherly love remain among you.: (cf. Rom. 12:10) Hebrews 13:2. Don't forget your love of strangeness He did not say that you had acquired brotherly love and brotherly love: for they had them, as it seemed; but since they were in danger from continuous sorrows of abandoning concern for these virtues, he says: “brotherly love... abide,” let it be firm, and do not allow yourself to avoid it. And love of strangeness, he says, “don’t forget.” For, having suffered the theft of property, they perhaps behaved stingily. Or protects them for the future. for through him some, unknowingly, showed hospitality to the Angels. Hospitality, acceptance of everyone in general and non-judgment of brothers are so important that Abram and Lot had the opportunity to receive angels (Gen. 18-19). “Not knowing,” that is, they did not know that the wanderers were angels, however, they received them with honor. This is what makes them great, because if they knew, then in that case they would not have done anything great. Hebrews 13:3. Remember the prisoners, as if you were in bonds with them, For the one who is connected with someone, even if he wants to forget, cannot. and those who suffer, just as you yourself are in the body. “Those suffering” - either in prison, or in famine, or in some other disaster. For whoever thinks that he too is clothed with a similar body will defend them, on the one hand, out of sympathy, and on the other, out of fear, lest he himself, for his inhumanity, should fall into similar disasters. Hebrews 13:4. Let everyone's marriage be honest and the bed undefiled; Look how often he talks about chastity. Above, mentioning the holiness of marriage (Heb. 12:14), he spoke about this chastity, and again after this he speaks about adulterers and fornicators. Or: in all cases and at all times. Not only in times of trouble and not in calm times: not only in this part is he “honest” and in another part not, but let him be completely honest. Here the heretics who slander marriage are put to shame. For this is why he is called honest, because he remains chaste. But God judges fornicators and adulterers. And here the threat of punishment is combined with the prohibition of fornication, for God judges, that is, he will condemn. And naturally. For if marriage is permitted, then the fornicator and adulterer are justly punished. Hebrews 13:5. Have a disposition that does not love money, He did not say: do not acquire anything, but if you have, do not be slaves, but treat freely what you have, so as not to be sad if you ever lose any of your property, as he said above: “receive the theft of your property with joy” (Heb. 10:34). And in general, since many, after the loss of property, try to acquire it again, in view of the need to help others, he says: “Have a disposition that does not love money.” Why does it continue? being content with what you have. Shows how it is possible to not be money-loving, namely: if we are content with what we have, if we do not strive to acquire anything beyond what is needed and necessary. For whoever strives to acquire more than is necessary is obviously a lover of money. For He Himself said: I will never leave you nor forsake you (cf. Josh. 1:5; Gen. 28:15) Since some have probably said: what if we don’t even have what we need? - answers that this can never happen, for God, through the mouth of Isaiah, says: I will not leave you (cf. Is. 43:2) and, of course, does not lie. But since, probably, the same ones of the Jews said: with what will we be content with the present? We have been plundered and we have nothing left, he says: we can be content with what is left, even if it is not enough. For God said: I will not leave you, that is, I will not allow you to do this. If, perhaps, the apostle understood this in relation to what is needed, then you understand that this is said in relation to every matter. Hebrews 13:6. So we boldly say: The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear: what will man do to me? (Compare Ps.117:6) Since God Himself said it, it is undoubtedly true. So, let us boldly say again that the predators of our estates will not embarrass us. Hebrews 13:7. Remember your teachers, who preached the word of God to you, He also convinces the Thessalonians of this in order to show them the greatest honor (1 Thessalonians 5:13). And just as those mentors made them participants in the word of God, so, if possible, they should help them with material needs. Regarding this, he hints to them with the word: “remember.” Or encourages them to imitate them. and, looking at the end of their lives, imitate their faith. That is, more precisely, watch. And just as the painter’s disciples look at the original, so you, always looking “at the end,” that is, at the end of their life, at their way of life, which had a good ending, imitate their faith. For from faith comes pure life. And if they did not believe in the future, but doubted it, they would not be impeccable in behavior. Again their cowardice heals; or talks about belief in dogmas. So, he continues. Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. For it seemed that some distorted the faith and said that another would come, whom the Jews are still waiting for. So, he says that Christ is the same “yesterday,” that is, in all past time, “and today,” that is, in the present, and “forever,” that is, in future and endless times, and another will not come. So, make no mistake. Or: just as He did not abandon your teachers, but helped them in everything, so He will also help you. For He is one and the same. Hebrews 13:9. Do not get carried away by different and alien teachings; “Different”, sometimes one, sometimes the other, and from some and from others, but alien to right dogma. For a teaching may be “different,” but not “alien,” and therefore not false. When the teachings are different, that is, from one - one thing, and from another - another, then they are “alien”, that is, alien to the truth, then it is necessary to beware. For the truth is simple and has one goal. Pay attention to the expression “don’t get carried away” - it seems to speak about those frivolous people who are easily carried away here and there. For it is good to strengthen hearts with grace, and not with food from which those who engage in them do not benefit. Here are strange teachings. Hints at those introducing Jewish attachment to food. So, he says that by “grace,” that is, by faith, we need to be confirmed and fully convinced that nothing is unclean, but to the believer everything is pure. So, what is needed is faith, not observation of food. For “those who deal with food,” that is, those who always followed strict observance of the rules about food, did not bring any benefit to the soul, since they are alien to faith and slavishly serve a useless law. And in general, he says what benefit they received from observing the dishes, when they were so desecrated that they could not participate in the sacrifices. Hebrews 13:10. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. Having said that there is no need to strictly observe the dishes, so that it does not seem that our alien observation is worthy of contempt, he says that we also have observation, only not in relation to these dishes, but to the altar, or the bloodless sacrifice of the Life-giving Body. For it is impossible for the high priests of the Old Testament law to participate in this sacrifice while they serve the tabernacle, that is, the images of the law, which are transitory and subject to destruction, or while they serve this world, since the people, as unworthy, did not take part in the sacrifices of the Old Testament law. Hebrews 13:11. Since the bodies of the animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for the atonement of sin, are burned outside the camp, - Hebrews 13:12. then Jesus, in order to sanctify people with His Blood, suffered outside the gates. Having shown that what the Jews revered served as a prototype of our reverence, he says that the sacrifices in which the people could not participate were nothing; Even the bishops of the Old Testament law do not participate in our sacrifice; for those sacrifices served as a type of this one. For just as the blood of animals offered for the sins of the people was brought into the sanctuary by the high priest, but the bodies were burned outside the camp, so Christ, having suffered for the sins of the world, brought His Blood to the Father into the sanctuary as a High Priest, but the body was crucified outside the gates. So, commemorating that sacrifice, our high priests bring the Blood of the Lord into our sanctuary and onto the altar, as into heaven. Therefore, the high priests of the Old Testament law cannot eat from this altar, as foreigners and as those who do not think about what is above this world: we are not like that. Hebrews 13:13. Let us therefore go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach; Since Jesus Christ suffered outside the gates, we will also go out to Him outside the gates, that is, we will be outside the world, “bearing His reproach,” enduring the same suffering. He, as a condemned man and a thief, was crucified outside; Let us not be ashamed to withdraw from the world and its luxury, even if it seems dishonorable. Again he convinces them to endure the insults or thefts inflicted on them by the Jews. Hebrews 13:14. for we do not have a permanent city here, but we are looking for the future. Proves the need to go beyond the gate, that is, from the world. For we have no participation in this world, since it will not exist forever. So, we must flee from this world and strive for the future city, that is, heaven. Hebrews 13:15. Therefore, through Him, let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips glorifying His name. Through Him, as through the High Priest according to the flesh, we offer the Father a sacrifice of praise, that is, the Eucharist. For we thank the Father that He gave His Son for our sanctification. This is for the sake of the weak. That the Son has grace is evident from the fact that He has equal honor with the Father. “So that all,” he says, “would honor the Son as they honor the Father” (John 5:23). So, the Eucharist itself is “the fruit of lips glorifying His name.” Therefore, the high priests of the Old Testament law cannot participate in this sacrifice. For those who have not been sanctified at all by the Blood of Christ cannot give thanks for it, because they remain in the same unbelief. See how he again encourages them to give thanks, and not to grumble and not to say something impudent and insolent out of cowardice. Hebrews 13:16. Do not forget also charity and sociability, Where are those who justify themselves by poverty and therefore do not give alms? Let them hear that Paul exhorts the poor, the plundered, not to forget almsgiving. He calls it “sociability”, and for what reason - we often talked. for such sacrifices are acceptable to God. Thanksgiving and charity offerings. For it is clear that a grateful person is also generous, since he knows what benefits he will receive. Hebrews 13:17. Obey your teachers We are talking about bishops. Having first praised them and called them faithful and worthy of imitation by those looking at them, then he continues: “Obey.” What then? Isn't it necessary to obey every boss, even if he is evil? In what sense do you say: evil? If it is about faith, then flee him, even if he were an angel from heaven. If he is evil in life, then obey him. “So whatsoever they command you to observe, observe and do; But do not walk according to their works” (Matthew 23:3). Regarding those corrupted by faith, he says: “Do not be carried away by different and alien teachings.” So why? Because he who acts badly, perhaps, will not advise others to live badly, for he himself is ashamed of bad deeds, this is also clear from the fact that he tries in every possible way to hide his deeds; the evil one, by faith, will instill his way of thinking in the people. By the expression “be obedient” he indicates such strong obedience that, if necessary, they will serve them. for they watch vigilantly for your souls, as those obliged to give an account; Let the teachers hear that just as the people must obey, so the priest must vigilantly take care of the people, since he will have to give an account for their sins. so that they do this with joy, and not sighing, for this is not good for you. If you submit, he says, and please your mentor, then you lighten the burden of caring for you for him, since he rejoices at your obedience. If you act shamelessly, then although in this case he will care about your soul, but unless you make amends for your disobedience, he will groan for you before God, which is useless for you. Look, he does not allow the mentor to defend himself with anything other than sighing. And although this imperceptibly instills in him (the mentor, - Ed.) a spirit of meekness, but against that incorrigible, outrageous, formidable avenger of God (i.e., against that sinner who outrages the wrath of God, - Ed.), He (i.e., God, - Ed.) kindles a terrible fire of punishment. Therefore, you, who disobey your mentor, should not despise him because he sighs, but should be more afraid of the fact that he betrays you to God. Hebrews 13:18. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, Since some slandered the apostle that he taught apostasy from the law, therefore many of the Jews were hostile to him. Therefore, he did not indicate his name at the beginning of the message, since they could not even hear about him. So, defending himself before them, first of all he asks them to pray for him, which is what we usually ask from friends; then he reveals his innocence. For among all, not only among the pagans, but also among you, we did not do anything with hypocrisy, our conscience is clear and we know that we did not plot evil against you, did not do anything bad to you, did not slander you. because we want to behave honestly in everything. That is, trying to lead life carefully and blamelessly. And the very thing that I say, that the law has no force, is not the speech of the enemy and the adversary. For I rather introduce the fulfillment of the law and show that the “shadow” has received an end. So, is this a retreat? Am I not your benefactor when I lead you to perfection, completely taking you away from the shadows and childish mood? Hebrews 13:19. I especially ask you to do this so that I can be returned to you as quickly as possible. To wish them so warmly and pray with all care to return to them as soon as possible - this came from strong love for them. At the same time, he shows that he relies on his conscience, and therefore turns to them. He would not have done this if he had felt something bad in his conscience. First of all, asking for their prayers and honoring them with this, then he himself prays for them. Since, he says, God is the God of the world, you should not be indignant against me, and, moreover, just by hearing. raised from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep Introduces to them the doctrine of resurrection, using the prophecy of Isaiah (Is. 10). And since there are other shepherds, small ones, he said: “great.” For the prophets are many teachers, but Christ is one teacher for all. The blood of the everlasting covenant. Lord our Jesus Christ, That is, He raised Him from the dead after His death and after the pouring out of His Blood, so that He gave us a covenant, not subject to abrogation, like the covenant of the law, but eternal. For even so He raised Him from the dead with the Blood of the everlasting covenant. For after His resurrection He gave us His Blood in covenant. For if He had not been resurrected, His Blood would not have served as a covenant for us. Hebrews 13:21. may he perfect you in every good work, Shows that they had good deeds, they only needed to improve in them. This is what he prays for them. See that we ourselves must first begin, and then ask for perfection from God. He who has perfected himself in every good deed does the will of God, and not the one who half-does good. bringing into you that which is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ. Glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Consequently, when we do good, God does it in us through Jesus Christ, that is, who appears as the Mediator and Finisher. For if He accomplished our salvation at the beginning, then what is surprising if He, even with perfection in virtues, acts as a Mediator and fulfills the will of the Father in us, Himself strengthening us and breathing into us strength to do good deeds? To the word “pleasing” he added: “To Him.” For we are truly pleased when we prove to be good before God, and not when we are good before people. And David says: “according to the purity of my hands in His sight” (Ps. 17:25); and Isaiah: “Put away your evil deeds from before My eyes” (Is. 1:16). Hebrews 13:22. I ask you, brethren, accept this word of exhortation; Don't you see? offers them something he has never offered to anyone. He does not say: “convictions,” but “exhortations,” that is, encouragement, encouragement for patience, since he addressed his speech to those subjected to persecution. I didn’t write much to you. Despite the fact that he said so much, he still says: “not much,” of course, compared to what he wanted to say. As if he were saying to them here: although you are cowardly, support me, for no one should refuse in view of the fact that much has been said, although, as we see, this happens among the cowardly. For they cannot bear long speech. Hebrews 13:23. Know that our brother Timothy has been released, They were not particularly hostile to Timothy, which is why he put him in first place. Where was he released from? Either he was in prison and was released or released from Athens because he was there (cf. Phil. 2:19). and I, together with him, if he comes soon, will see you. And this is enough to convince them to abandon their enmity towards him when he is ready to come with a disciple. Perhaps this happened, and he traveled to Judea from Rome. For the first time he was released by Nero, as we said in the introduction to this epistle. Hebrews 13:24. Greet all your teachers and all the saints. Look what honor he shows them, even if he greets mentors through them: for rather he should have written a letter to mentors and through them greeted those governed by them: with this he very wisely heals especially the weak. The Italians greet you. I am so attached to you that not only am I the only one who greets you, but I instill such a disposition towards you in others, so that they, despite such a long distance, love you, and therefore greet you. Hebrews 13:25. Grace be with you all. Amen. Since “grace” is something common, he asks for it in general to “everyone” - both mentors and the governed. What is grace? Forgiveness of sins, cleansing, communication of the Spirit. How could she be with you? If you do not neglect it and if you spend your life worthy of it. For she remains with us when we do good deeds; it flies away when we do not live according to the commandment of Him who gives it to us. But, recognizing grace and what we have received through it, let us not offend in our lives the One who has given us such great benefits; but, glorifying Him with good deeds and showing that He did not send this grace to the ungrateful and unappreciative, we will take possession of it in our souls by the power of Christ Himself, the Benefactor of our souls. With Him be glory to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. You might be interested in: