Hebrews 13:5
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
conversation--"manner of life." The love of filthy lust and the love of filthy lucre follow one another as closely akin, both alienating the heart from the Creator to the creature. such things as ye have--literally, "present things" (Phi 4:11). I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee--A promise tantamount to this was given to Jacob (Gen 28:15), to Israel (Deu 31:6, Deu 31:8), to Joshua (Jos 1:5), to Solomon (Ch1 28:20). It is therefore like a divine adage. What was said to them, extends also to us. He will neither withdraw His presence ("never leave thee") nor His help ("nor forsake thee") [BENGEL].
Open source ↗The apostle, having treated largely of Christ, and faith, and free grace, and gospel privileges, and warned the Hebrews against apostasy, now, in the close of all, recommends several excellent duties to them, as the proper fruits of faith (v. 1-17); he then bespeaks their prayers for him, and offers up his prayers to God for them, gives them some hope of seeing himself and Timothy, and ends with the general salutation and benediction (Heb 13:18 to the end).
Open source ↗13:5 Don’t love money: See 1 Tim 6:6-10. Instead, the believer is to be satisfied with what God has provided. Perhaps some in the community were under financial strain (see Heb 10:32-34). The promises of God still stand: “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (see Deut 31:6, 8).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.
The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”