INTRODUCTION TO
Hebrews
CIRCUMSTANCES OF WRITING
The text of Hebrews does not identify its author. What we do know is that the author was a second-generation Christian, for he said he received the confirmed message of Christ from “those who heard” Jesus himself (2:3). Because Paul claimed his gospel was revealed directly by the Lord (1Co 15:8; Gl 1:12), it is doubtful that he was the author of Hebrews. The author was familiar with Timothy, but he referred to him as “our brother” (13:23), rather than as “my true son in the faith,” as Paul did (1Tm 1:2).
Scholars have also proposed the following persons as authors: Luke, Clement of Rome, Barnabas, Apollos, Timothy, Philip, Peter, Silas, Jude, and Aristion. Ultimately it does not matter that the identity of the author is now lost. We should be satisfied with the fact that early Christians received the letter as inspired and authoritative Scripture and that its value for Christian discipleship is unquestioned.
The author of Hebrews knew his recipients well since he called them “brothers and sisters” (3:12; 7:5; 10:19; 13:22) and “dearly loved friends” (6:9). Like the writer, they were converts who had heard the gospel through the earliest followers of Christ (2:3). Scholars have speculated that those to whom the book was written were a breakaway group such as a house church that had separated from the main church. Another theory holds that the recipients were former Jewish priests who had converted to Christianity, and that they were considering a return to Judaism (at least in conformity to certain practices) in order to avoid persecution from fellow Jews. Another theory holds that the group was not necessarily Jewish since Gentile Christians also revered the OT as Scripture.
Regarding when the book was written, it is clear that the fall of Jerusalem (AD 70) had not yet occurred. The destruction of the temple would have been mentioned if it had already occurred, for it would have strengthened the letter’s argument about Christ’s sacrifice spelling the end of the temple sacrificial system. The public persecution mentioned in 10:32-34 implies one of two possibilities for dating the book. We know that the Roman emperors Nero and Domitian in (AD 64–68 and 81–82 respectively) persecuted Christians. Most likely Hebrews was written during the persecution under Nero, perhaps just before the destruction of the temple.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE BIBLE
No other book in the NT ties together OT history and practices with the life of Jesus Christ as thoroughly as the book of Hebrews. Just as Jesus Christ taught that the OT was fulfilled in himself (Mt 5:17-18; Lk 24:27), so the author of Hebrews taught that the old covenant was brought to completion in the new covenant (7:20–8:13). Hebrews also shows that because the old covenant has been fulfilled in the new covenant, the new covenant is actually “better” (7:22). The new covenant was made superior by the ministry of Jesus Christ.
STRUCTURE
In concluding the book of Hebrews, the author wrote, “I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly” (13:22). If the literary style of Hebrews indicates anything, it is that it is a written theological sermon. It is not so much a letter—although it certainly ends like one—because it has no opening subscription, as was the norm with ancient letters. Hebrews instead begins with an introductory essay about the superiority of Jesus Christ (1:1-4). However, its capacity to encounter the reader’s soul indicates it is more than just a literary essay. Indeed, it has a definite sermonic character since it expounds the Scriptures at length in order to challenge the reader to faith and faithfulness. The sustained development of a complex, holistic theology of covenant indicates that Hebrews is a written theological sermon that discloses the broad sweep of God’s grand redemptive plan for humanity.
SPURGEON ON HEBREWS
There is no glory in God but what is also in Christ. Whatever God is, Christ is. Who will dare to turn his back on him? If this is God’s ambassador who comes clothed in the crimson robe of his own blood to redeem humanity, who will refuse the peace he brings? Is it not a wonderful thing that he made purification for our sins even before we had committed them? There they stood, before the sight of God, as already existent in all their hideousness. The sweepers of the streets, the dishwashers of the kitchen, the cleansers of the sewers have honorable work compared with this. Yet the holy Christ, incapable of sin, stooped to make purification for our sins.
THE NATURE OF THE SON
1Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe A through him. 3 The Son is the radiance B of God’s glory and the exact expression C of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, D he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. E 4 So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.
THE SON SUPERIOR TO ANGELS
5 For to which of the angels did he ever say,
You are my Son;
today I have become your Father, F,G
or again,
I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son? H
6 Again, when he I brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
And let all God’s angels worship him. J
7 And about the angels he says:
He makes his angels winds, K
and his servants L a fiery flame, M
8 but to N the Son:
Your throne, O God,
is forever and ever,
and the scepter of your kingdom
is a scepter of justice.
9You have loved righteousness
and hated lawlessness;
this is why God, your God,
has anointed you
with the oil of joy
10 And:
In the beginning, Lord,
you established the earth,
and the heavens are the works of your hands;
11they will perish, but you remain.
They will all wear out like clothing;
12you will roll them up like a cloak, Q
and they will be changed like clothing.
But you are the same,
and your years will never end. R
13 Now to which of the angels has he ever said:
Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool? S
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?
1:2 “Heir of all things.” Christ is Lord of all the angels—not a seraph spreads his wings except at his bidding. As for all things here below, God has given the Son power over all flesh. All must willingly, or else unwillingly, submit to his sway, for his Father has appointed him. This is another wondrous encouragement to anyone who is seeking salvation. Christ has everything in his hand that he may save us. If we come and entrust ourselves into his hands, we will never have to look about to find the balm for our wounds.
1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory.” There is no glory in God but what is also in Christ. Whatever God is, Christ is. Who will dare to turn his back on him? If this is God’s ambassador who comes clothed in the crimson robe of his own blood to redeem humanity, who will refuse the peace he brings?
“Purification for sins.” Is it not a wonderful thing that he made purification for our sins even before we had committed them? There they stood, before the sight of God, as already existent in all their hideousness. The sweepers of the streets, the dishwashers of the kitchen, the cleansers of the sewers have honorable work compared with this. Yet the holy Christ, incapable of sin, stooped to make purification for our sins.
“He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” There he sits, and he would not be sitting if he had not finished the salvation of his people. He dwells in the highest conceivable honor and dignity. None can stop his purposes or defeat his will. His cause is safe; his kingdom is secure.
C 1:3 Or representation, or copy, or reproduction
D 1:3 Other mss read for our sins by himself
E 1:3 Or he sat down on high at the right hand of the Majesty
WARNING AGAINST NEGLECT
2For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding A and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.
JESUS AND HUMANITY
5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But someone somewhere has testified:
What is man that you remember him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
7You made him lower than the angels
for a short time;
you crowned him with glory and honor B
8and subjected everything under his feet. C
For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him. 9 But we do see Jesus — made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone — crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
10 For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God — for whom and through whom all things exist — should make the source D of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. E That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying:
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;
I will sing hymns to you in the congregation. F
13 Again, I will trust in him. G And again, Here I am with the children God gave me. H
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death — that is, the devil — 15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters A pertaining to God, to make atonement B for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
QUOTE 2:15
There is no true deliverance from the fear of death except by looking to him whose death is the death of death.
2:3 “If we neglect such a great salvation.” One need not go to the trouble of despising salvation, or resisting it, or opposing it. One can be lost readily enough simply by neglecting it. In fact, the great mass of those who perish are those who neglect the great salvation.
2:4 “God also testified by signs and wonders.” Those who doubt the truth of the gospel are often found believing historical statements that are not half as well proved. Many believe that Julius Caesar wrote The Gallic Wars, yet there is not a tenth as much evidence to prove that he did as there is to prove that our Lord Jesus lived, died, and rose again from the dead. The witness to the truth of these great matters of fact has been borne by God himself with signs, wonders, and miracles. Honest and true men, apostles and others, have witnessed them.
2:10 “Perfect through sufferings.” Christ could not be a perfect sympathizer unless he bore our suffering. He did not look at sin from the distance of heaven, but he walked and lived in the midst of it. He knows all shapes of suffering: disease, sickness, poverty, need, friendlessness, hopelessness, desertion. You cannot cast human suffering into any shape that is new to Christ. In him there is every pang that tears the heart, every grief that forces tears from the eyes. Everything that is inevitable to flesh and blood, to hearts that break, and spirits that are depressed, Jesus knows.
2:15 “The fear of death.” There is no true deliverance from the fear of death except by looking to him whose death is the death of death. How does Christ take away the fear of death? First, by taking away from us the sin that is the sting of death. When sin is forgiven, we have perfect peace with God. Second, by changing the character of death itself. Death to the believer is not an execution; it is deliverance, freedom from slavery, and admission into the glory of God.
2:16 “He does not reach out to help angels.” Christ did not die to save angels, though many of them needed salvation. He died to save fallen humanity. People and devils both deserve to be damned for their sins. Yet God, to manifest the sovereignty of his grace, chose humanity. Here was amazing condescension and wisdom.
B 2:7 Other mss add and set him over the works of your hands
E 2:11 Or father, or origin; lit all are of one
OUR APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST
3Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was in all God’s household. 3 For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house. 4 Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast. C
QUOTE 3:6
None are truly Christ’s but those who persevere in grace. Temporary Christians are not really Christians.
WARNING AGAINST UNBELIEF
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
Today, if you hear his voice,
8do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9where your fathers tested me, tried me,
and saw my works 10 for forty years.
Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation
and said, “They always go astray in their hearts,
and they have not known my ways.”
11So I swore in my anger,
“They will not enter my rest.” D
12 Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. 14 For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality A that we had at the start. 15 As it is said:
Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. B
16 For who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses? 17 With whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
3:6 “If we hold on to our confidence.” None are truly Christ’s but those who persevere in grace. Temporary Christians are not really Christians.
3:7 “Today, if you hear his voice.” Every command of Christ bears today’s date. If a thing is right, it should be done at once. If it is wrong, stop it immediately. There is an immediateness about the calls of Christ. Whatever he bids us to do, we must not delay to do. Duties that are put off tend to harden the heart.
3:12 “Watch out, . . . that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart.” Watch over one another as well as over yourselves. Take heed lest sin hardens you before you are aware of it. True religion is not a thing that can be acquired by carelessness or neglect. One may go to hell heedlessly, but one cannot so go to heaven. Many stumble into the bottomless pit with their eyes shut, but no one ever yet entered into heaven by a leap in the dark.
3:13 “Sin’s deception.” If sin were to come to us labeled as sin, I trust we would reject it. Sin does not uncover all its hideousness or reveal its horrible consequences, but it comes to us in a subtle way offering us advantages. If the devil would come in the shape of a devil, he would do little mischief. But he assumes the fashion of an angel of light, and that is how he causes us so much sin and sorrow. Satan knows more about us than we know about ourselves; he knows our raw places and our weak points.
3:14 “If we hold firmly until the end.” It is not true that one act of faith is all that is required—unless you will consider that one act to be continuous throughout life. Faith at the beginning and faith at the close—faith all the way through—is the one important matter.
THE PROMISED REST
4Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware C that none of you be found to have fallen short. D 2 For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith. E 3 For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what F he has said,
So I swore in my anger,
“They will not enter my rest,” G
even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works. H 5 Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest. G 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, 7 he again specifies a certain day — today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time:
Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts. B
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. 10 For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens — Jesus the Son of God — let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
4:3 “We who have believed enter the rest.” What is belief? It is a simple trust—trusting upon Christ as God’s appointed Savior. It is trusting the Father and believing in his infinite love to us. This is a simple truth and yet one we need to remember, consider, and be assured of. We ought to pant after sanctification; we ought to be crying and sighing every day after conformity to Christ. But it is neither in our sanctification nor in our conformity that we find our rest. Our rest comes to us through believing in Jesus Christ.
4:12 “Sharper than any double-edged sword.” A sword with two edges has no blunt side; it cuts both this way and that. The Word of God is edge all over. It is alive in every part, and in every part keen to cut the conscience and wound the heart. Depend on it: not a verse in the Bible is superfluous or a chapter that is useless.
4:15 “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” Many men can be touched by the sorrow of another, but they are not touched with that sorrow. It is one thing to see pain but another thing to be touched with the feeling of it. Our pain, our depression, our trembling, our sensitiveness—Jesus was touched with these though he did not fall into the sin that so often comes of them. We must treasure this view of our Lord’s sympathy, for it may be a great support in the hour of agony and weakness.
D 4:1 Or that any of you might seem to have missed it
E 4:2 Other mss read since it was not united by faith in those who heard
CHRIST, A HIGH PRIEST
5For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness. 3 Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people. 4 No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him,
You are my Son;
today I have become your Father, A,B
6 also says in another place,
You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek. C
7 During his earthly life, D he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. 9 After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
THE PROBLEM OF IMMATURITY
11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. 13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature — for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.
5:9 “He was perfected.” Did Christ need to be made perfect? Not in his nature, for he was always perfect in both his divine and his human nature. But he was willing to undergo the process that made him completely fit for the office of a Savior—that is, perfect in his obedience, perfect as a sacrifice, perfect as the mediator and substitute for his people. Being made perfect through suffering, he is able fully to discharge his office.
“Eternal salvation.” It is eternal salvation in the sense that it rescues us from eternal condemnation and everlasting punishment. Some say, “You may have eternal life today and lose it tomorrow.” How can life be eternal if one can lose it? A salvation that was not eternal would turn out to be no salvation at all. Those Jesus saved are saved indeed.
WARNING AGAINST FALLING AWAY
6Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, 2 teaching about ritual washings, E laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And we will do this if God permits.
QUOTE 6:3
We must keep going forward. There is no such thing in the Christian life as standing still, and we dare not turn back.
4 For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, 6 and who have fallen away. This is because, F to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt. 7 For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.
ILLUSTRATION 6:4-6
“But,” says one, “if Christians cannot fall away, what is the use of putting this text in to frighten, like a ghost that does not exist?” If God has put it in, he has put it in for wise reasons and excellent purposes. It is put in to keep us from falling away. God preserves his children, but he keeps them by the use of means. One of these is to show what would happen if they were to fall away. There is a steep cliff—what is the best way to keep anyone from going near it? To tell him that, if he did, he would inevitably be dashed to pieces. The fact that we are told the consequences keeps us from it. A friend puts away a cup of arsenic and says, “If you drink it, it will kill you.” Does he suppose for a moment that we will drink it? No. He tells us the consequence and is sure we will not do it. So God says, “My child, if you fall over this cliff, you will be dashed to pieces.” What does the child do? He says, “Father, keep me. Hold me up, and I will be safe.” It leads the believer to greater dependence on God, to a holy fear and caution. This holy fear keeps the Christian from falling away.
9 Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love A you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints — and by continuing to serve them. 11 Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, 12 so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.
INHERITING THE PROMISE
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: 14 I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you. B 15 And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. 17 Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
6:3 “And we will do this if God permits.” We must keep going forward. There is no such thing in the Christian life as standing still, and we dare not turn back.
6:4-6 “Once enlightened . . . tasted the heavenly gift . . . shared in the Holy Spirit . . . tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age.” Some say that enough is said here to represent one who is a Christian externally but not enough to give the portrait of a true believer. But if the Holy Spirit intended to describe Christians, I do not see that he could have used more explicit terms. If these people are not believers, who is?
“Who have fallen away.” There is a vast distinction between falling and falling away. Falling away is not to sin temporarily. A Christian may go astray. But if he repents, there is mercy for him. To fall away would be for the Holy Spirit to entirely go out of a man—for his grace to cease entirely.
“It is impossible to renew to repentance.” What else can avail, if already the great things of salvation have been defeated? It would necessitate the upsetting of the whole kingdom of nature and grace. If grace is ineffectual, if grace does not keep a person, then nothing is left but that he must be lost. What is this but to say in a roundabout way that grace will do it?
THE GREATNESS OF MELCHIZEDEK
7For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. 3 Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE
“To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation
King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace.”
Various opinions as to Melchizedek. Some supposing him to have been Christ incarnate chiefly on the ground of his superiority to Abram, his being “without father or mother,” etc. Most, however, agree that he was a king of a town in this country, and that the sense of the passage is that he had no predecessor in the priestly office. And that, as no time of birth or death is mentioned, he is thus a type of our Lord. And that his superiority arose out of his priestly office.
His name and title are here referred typically to Christ.
1.As to his nature. Jesus is righteous and peaceful. We are apt to conceive of him as all love and the Father as all Justice, but they are both infinite in each. Jesus has every attribute in infinite perfection.
2.In the plan of salvation. He had due regard to justice. The wisdom of the plan is its wise provision both for the justice of God and the happiness of man.
3.In the execution of the plan. Jesus satisfied law both by his life and sufferings. He remitted not one farthing of the debt, but paid it all and also worked out peace by reconciling men to God.
4.In his application of salvation. He first pardons, justifies, and purifies before he plants peace. Purity, piety, peace all go together.
5.In his general dealing with the world. To the wicked he will display his justice, but to his saints, his peace in heaven’s profound peace.
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4 Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him. 5 The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people — that is, from their brothers and sisters — though they have also descended from Abraham. 6 But one without this A lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives. 9 And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham, 10 for he was still within his ancestor B when Melchizedek met him.
A SUPERIOR PRIESTHOOD
11 Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. 13 For the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. 14 Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.
15 And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical C descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it has been testified:
You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek. D
18 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable 19 (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him:
The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever.” D
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. 24 But because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.
26 For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do — first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever.
7:1-10 “Resembling the Son of God.” Melchizedek was duly appointed both priest and king. But he had no predecessor in his priesthood, and he had no successor. He was not one who took a holy office and then laid it down. As far as the historic pages of Scripture are concerned, we have no note of his quitting this mortal scene. He disappears, but we do not read of his death any more than of his birth. We see but little of him, yet we see nothing little in him. He is thus a type of our Lord. This great man blessed the blessed Abraham, and the victorious patriarch bowed before Melchizedek and gave him tithes. If Melchizedek was so great, how much greater is that man whom Melchizedek represents? If the type is so wonderful, what must the antitype be? Consider the greatness of Jesus Christ about whom the Lord said, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
7:25 “He is able to save completely those who come to God through him.” Where do these people come? They come to God, which implies leaving something else. If a man comes to God, he must leave his sins and his righteousness. He must leave both his bad works and his good ones. How do they come? They come by Jesus Christ. Do not consider that any will be heard and saved by God apart from the merits of his Son. If you would be at peace with God, you must come to him through Christ, the mediator. Why do they come? The poor sinner, in coming to Christ, has only one objective. He comes for salvation. If the entire world were offered to him, he would not think it worth his acceptance if he could not have the gift for which he asks—salvation by Jesus Christ the Lord.
A HEAVENLY PRIESTHOOD
8Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore, it was necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he wouldn’t be a priest, since there are those A offering the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 These serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain. B 6 But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been established on better promises.
A SUPERIOR COVENANT
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. 8 But finding fault with his people, C he says: D
See, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah —
9not like the covenant
that I made with their ancestors
on the day I took them by the hand
to lead them out of the land of Egypt.
I showed no concern for them, says the Lord,
because they did not continue in my covenant.
10For this is the covenant
that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws
into their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11And each person will not teach his fellow citizen, E
and each his brother or sister, saying, “Know the Lord,”
because they will all know me,
from the least to the greatest of them.
12For I will forgive their wrongdoing,
and I will never again remember their sins. F,G
13 By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.
8:10 “I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts.” This is more than knowing the law—infinitely more. The Holy Spirit makes men love the will of God, makes them delight in all that God delights in and abhor that which the Lord abhors. It is well said in the text that God will do this, for certainly it is not what a man can do for himself. The law is fully written in the heart when a man, approving the law and appropriating it to himself, delights to obey it.
“They will be my people.” People have their treasures—their pearls, jewels, rubies, and diamonds. These are their precious stones. But all people in the covenant of grace are the precious stones of God. He values them above everything else, keeps the world spinning for them, and is always tender toward them.
8:12 “I will never again remember their sins.” This is a wonder of wonders, that God should say he will do what in some sense he cannot do. God’s pardon of sin is so complete that he himself describes it as not remembering our iniquity. The Lord cannot in strict accuracy of speech forget anything. But he wishes us to know that his pardon is so true and deep that it amounts to an absolute oblivion, a total forgetting of all the wrongdoing of the pardoned ones.
D 8:8 Other mss read finding fault, he says to them
E 8:11 Other mss read neighbor
OLD COVENANT MINISTRY
9Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves. 3 Behind the second curtain was a tent called the most holy place. 4 It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 The cherubim of glory were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.
6 With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry. 7 But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience. 10 They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order.
NEW COVENANT MINISTRY
11 But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. A In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our B consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?
15 Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, C so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in effect while the one who made it is living. 18 That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. 19 For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, D along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you. A 21 In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood. 22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model B of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God for us. 25 He did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another. 26 Otherwise, he would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment — 28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but C to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
9:12 “Not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood.” The sacrifice presented by our Lord was unique. He offered his own blood—blood from the veins of a man. But what a man! He was without spot. In his birth he received no taint of original sin. He was pure and holy. Therefore he was able to bear the sin of others since he had none of his own. The sacrifice of our Lord was, in the highest sense, substitutionary. Sin necessitates death. Jesus died. The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to earth to make reconciliation by the holiness of his life, or by the earnestness of his teaching, but by his death.
“Eternal redemption.” When Aaron went in with the blood of bulls and goats, he had only obtained a symbolic and temporary purification for the people. But we do not fear death since our Lord has obtained eternal redemption. “Eternal punishment” is a word of unspeakable terror. But it is met and fully covered by “eternal redemption.” We need not be afraid if we put out trust in the Lord Jesus as our sacrifice and priest. Nothing in the mystery of eternity need frighten us. How shall we be lost for whom an eternal ransom has been paid?
9:14 “So that we can serve the living God.” To serve the living God is necessary to the happiness of human beings. For this end we were made. If a fish were on dry land, supposing it possible that it could live, it would lead an unhappy life. It would scarcely be a fish at all. It is not until you put it into the stream that the fish becomes really a fish and enjoys its existence. It is just so with human beings; they do not live without God.
A 9:11 Other mss read that are to come
C 9:15 The Gk word used here can be translated covenant, will, or testament, also in vv. 16,17,18.
THE PERFECT SACRIFICE
10Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. 2 Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, as he was coming into the world, he said:
You did not desire sacrifice and offering,
but you prepared a body for me.
6You did not delight
in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings.
7Then I said, “See —
it is written about me
in the scroll —
I have come to do your will, O God.” D
8 After he says above, You did not desire or delight in sacrifices and offerings, whole burnt offerings and sin offerings (which are offered according to the law), 9 he then says, See, I have come to do your will. E He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.
11 Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. 12 But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. F 13 He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For after he says:
16This is the covenant I will make with them
after those days,
the Lord says,
I will put my laws on their hearts
and write them on their minds,
17and I will never again remember
their sins and their lawless acts. A
18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
EXHORTATIONS TO GODLINESS
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus — 20 he has inaugurated B for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh) — 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
WARNING AGAINST DELIBERATE SIN
26 For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who disregarded the law of Moses died without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, who has regarded as profane C the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who has said,
Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, D,E
and again,
The Lord will judge his people. F
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way. 34 For you sympathized with the prisoners G and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession. H 35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.
37For yet in a very little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38But my righteous one I will live by faith;
and if he draws back,
I have no pleasure J in him. K
39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.
10:12 “After offering one sacrifice for sins forever, [he] sat down at the right hand of God.” Under the old dispensation every priest stood. But this man sat down, and the posture is instructive. The typical priests stood because there was work to do; they must still present their sacrifices. But our Lord sat down because there was no more sacrificial work to do. Atonement is complete; he has finished his task.
10:14 “For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.” The glory of the text is that we are perfected forever—not for tomorrow and then allowed to fall from grace; not for the next twenty years and then turned out of the covenant. The blood of Christ has been sprinkled on us; and, therefore, our standing before God is the standing of perfection. And we are always perfect, always fit to come to the throne of God, whatever our doubts, whatever our sins. I do not say this of our character. We come before God in our station not in our character; and, therefore, we may come as perfect people at all times.
10:35 “Great reward.” The day will come when the King will review his troops as the squadrons come back from the battle. He will come down our ranks and look at every one of us. If we have been faithful in this evil day, it will repay us for anything we suffered if he shall say to us, “Well done!” The day will come when shame will be the promotion of fools, but the royal robe will be put on each person’s back who dared to be a fool for Christ. The scars of suffering saints will shine like diamonds, and they that were most abused will be the brightest of the shining ones.
F 10:12 Or offering one sacrifice for sins, sat down forever at the right hand of God
D 10:30 Other mss add says the Lord
G 10:34 Other mss read sympathized with my imprisonment
H 10:34 Other mss add in heaven
I 10:38 Other mss read the righteous one
LIVING BY FAITH
11Now faith is the reality A of what is hoped for, the proof B of what is not seen. 2 For by it our ancestors won God’s approval.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was C created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. D
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away. E For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
QUOTE 11:6
Without faith we are without Christ and, consequently, without a Savior. It would be infinitely better to be without eyes, without hearing, without wealth, without bread, without garments, without a home rather than to be without the faith that brings everything the soul requires. Without faith we are spiritually naked, poor, miserable, lost, condemned—and without a hope of escape.
7 By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she F considered that the one who had promised was faithful. 12 Therefore, from one man — in fact, from one as good as dead — came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. 16 But they now desire a better place — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, 18 the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring A will be called through Isaac. B 19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking. C
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. D 22 By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned E the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter 25 and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. 26 For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible. 28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.
32 And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead, raised to life again. Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, F they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
39 All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Without faith we are without God, for God is only apprehended by faith. Without faith we are without hope, for a true hope can only spring out of a true faith. Without faith we are without Christ and, consequently, without a Savior. It would be infinitely better to be without eyes, without hearing, without wealth, without bread, without garments, without a home rather than to be without the faith that brings everything the soul requires. Without faith we are spiritually naked, poor, miserable, lost, condemned—and without a hope of escape.
11:26 “For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.” Pleasures are certainly better than afflictions, according to any ordinary judgment. But Moses came to this conclusion: although affliction might be God’s worst, it was better than the pleasure of sin, which is evil’s best. Moses counted reproach to be better than the treasures of Egypt. God’s fast is better than Egypt’s feast. We should view life as Moses did, in connection with the reward, and commence a life for God and holiness.
11:30 “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days.” It is no faith at all which believes and does nothing. We may not expect to be saved by faith unless faith pushes us to run in God’s way. Whether we seek salvation, the good of our friends, the stopping of evil, or the destruction of our corruptions, let us do it in the true, appointed way.
C 11:3 Or the worlds were, or the ages were
D 11:3 Or so that what is seen was made out of what was not visible
F 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was past age — and Sarah herself was barren — received the ability to procreate since he
THE CALL TO ENDURANCE
12Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, A the source and perfecter B of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, C he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
FATHERLY DISCIPLINE
3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. 4 In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:
My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly
or lose heart when you are reproved by him,
6for the Lord disciplines the one he loves
and punishes every son he receives. D
7 Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline — which all receive E — then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated F but healed instead.
WARNING AGAINST REJECTING GOD’S GRACE
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness — without it no one will see the Lord. 15 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many. 16 And make sure that there isn’t any immoral G or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. 17 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.
18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. A 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. B 22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written C in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. D 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
12:1 “Since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us . . . Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.” The footrace of the Olympic Games is an illustration of the Christian life. We are directed to the spectators who throng the sides of the course. The former chapter gives us the names of many of these glorious bearers of testimony, who all by faith achieved great wonders and so bore witness to the truth of God. Thousands upon thousands who have run this race before us and have attained their crowns watch us from their heavenly seats. Angels and principalities and powers and hosts redeemed by blood have gathered to observe the glorious spectacle of people agonizing for holiness and putting forth their utmost strength to copy the Lord Jesus. This race is worth running, this race for the great prize. If there is any spiritual life and gracious strength in us, let us put it forth today—for patriarchs, prophets, saints, martyrs, and apostles look down from heaven upon us.
12:11 “Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Many believers are deeply grieved because they do not at once feel they have been profited by their afflictions. But one does not expect to see apples or plums on a tree that was planted a week ago. Only little children put their seeds into their flower garden and then expect to see them grow into plants in an hour. Sometimes the good of our troubles may not come to us for years afterwards, when, perhaps getting into a somewhat similar experience, we are helped to bear it by the remembrance of having endured the like ten or twenty years ago.
A 12:2 Or us, looking to Jesus
B 12:2 Or the founder and completer, or pioneer and perfecter
C 12:2 Or who instead of the joy lying before him
E 12:8 Lit discipline, of which all have become participants
FINAL EXHORTATIONS
13Let brotherly love continue. 2 Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, E as though you yourselves were suffering bodily. F 4 Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. 5 Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. G 6 Therefore, we may boldly say,
The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me? H
7 Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by food regulations, since those who observe them have not benefited. 10 We have an altar from which those who worship at the tabernacle do not have a right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest as a sin offering are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify A the people by his own blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace. 14 For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. 17 Obey your leaders B and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything. 19 And I urge you all the more to pray C that I may be restored to you very soon.
BENEDICTION AND FAREWELL
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus — the great Shepherd of the sheep — through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip D you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. E Amen.
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.
13:5 “Be satisfied with what you have.” The children of God also need to be exhorted to cherish that most simple and natural of virtues—contentment. It is so easy to be covetous that no class of society is free from it. Covetousness is a deadly poison, destructive of all virtue. To be content with what we have should be especially easy to us because we have so much to be thankful for. This world is ours—and worlds to come. Earth is our lodge and heaven our home. It ought to be easy for us to be contented since all things are ordered for our good.
“I will never leave you or abandon you.” Depend on it: People will not forsake us while they can get anything out of us. But when a man becomes so laid aside by accident or is so weak he cannot take his place in the great march of life, few are those who will stop to care for and attend to him. How often are the incurable forsaken. But the Lord has said, “I will never leave you or abandon you.” If we should get so old that we cannot serve the church of God, if we should become so sick that we are only a burden to those of our house who have to nurse us, yet the eternal love of Jehovah will not diminish. However low our condition, however weak we are, his strength shall be revealed in the everlasting arms that will not permit us to sink into disaster or our soul into hell. Others may forsake us for different reasons, but he will never. If the Lord stands at our right hand, we can well afford to see the backs of all our friends, for we shall find friends enough in the triune God whom we delight to serve.