Deep Dive

Hebrews 13

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Adam Clarke Bible Commentaryv. 1

Let brotherly love continue - Be all of one heart and one soul. Feel for, comfort, and support each other; and remember that he who professes to love God should love his brother also. They had this brotherly love among them; they should take care to retain it. As God is remarkable for his φιλανθρωπια, philanthropy, or love to man, so should they be for φιλαδελφια, or love to each other. See the note on Tit 3:4.

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 1

EXHORTATION TO VARIOUS GRACES, ESPECIALLY CONSTANCY IN FAITH, FOLLOWING JESUS AMIDST REPROACHES. CONCLUSION, WITH PIECES OF INTELLIGENCE AND SALUTATIONS. (Heb. 13:1-25) brotherly love--a distinct special manifestation of "charity" or "love" (Pe2 1:7). The Church of Jerusalem, to which in part this Epistle was addressed, was distinguished by this grace, we know from Acts (compare Heb 6:10; Heb 10:32-34; Heb 12:12-13). continue--Charity will itself continue. See that it continue with you.

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John Gill Bible Commentaryv. 1

Let brotherly love continue. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions add, "in you"; or among you, as a church and society of Christians; for this is not to be understood of love to all mankind, or to those of the same nation, or who are in a strict natural relation brethren, though they are all in a sense brethren, and to be loved; but of love to those who are in the same spiritual relation to God, as their Father, to Christ, as the firstborn among many brethren; and are in the same church state, at least partakers of the same grace: and which love ought to be universal, and reach to all the saints, and be fervent and unfeigned, and as Christ hath loved us; and when it is genuine, it is active and laborious; and shows itself in praying with and for one another; in bearing one another's burdens; in forbearing and forgiving one another; in admonishing one another in love; in building up each other in the most holy faith; and in stirring up one another to the several duties of religion: and without this excellent and useful grace, a profession of religion is in vain; this is an evidence of regeneration; it is the bond of perfectness, and what renders the saints' communion delightful and edifying: many are the arguments moving to the exercise of it; as the love of God, and Christ; the new commandment of Christ; the relation saints stand in to one another; the comfort and joy of Gospel ministers, and our own peace and edification: and this should continue; for the love of God and Christ continues; the relation between the saints continues; and without this, churches cannot continue long: the apostle means, not the grace itself, the internal principle, for that, where it once is, always continues, and can never be lost; but the exercise and increase of it, an abounding in it ye…

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 1

The design of Christ in giving himself for us is that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Now the apostle calls the believing Hebrews to the performance of many excellent duties, in which it becomes Christians to excel. I. To brotherly love (Heb 13:1), by which he does not only mean a general affection to all men, as our brethren by nature, all made of the same blood, nor that more limited affection which is due to those who are of the same immediate parents, but that special and spiritual affection which ought to exist among the children of God. 1. It is here supposed that the Hebrews had this love one for another. Though, at this time, that nation was miserably divided and distracted among themselves, both about matters of religion and the civil state, yet there was true brotherly love left among those of them who believed on Christ; and this appeared in a very eminent manner presently after the shedding forth of the Holy Ghost, when they had all things common, and sold their possessions to make a general fund of subsistence to their brethren. The spirit of Christianity is a spirit of love. Faith works by love. The true religion is the strongest bond of friendship; if it be not so, it has its name for nothing. 2. This brotherly love was in danger of being lost, and that in a time of persecution, when it would be most necessary; it was in danger of being lost by those disputes that were among them concerning the respect they ought still to have to the ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Disputes about religion too often produce a decay of Christian affection; but this must be guarded against, and all proper means used to preserve brotherly love. Christians should always love and live as brethren, and the more they grow in devout affection to…

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 1

13:1-6 This series of practical guidelines is similar to other ethics lists in the New Testament. It describes how to love others in the community of faith, a strong ethical foundation for all of life. 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters: Literally Continue in brotherly love. This instruction applies to everyone in the Christian community (see study notes on 2:11; 3:1).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 1

μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) φιλαδελφία (philadelphía, G5360) — fraternal affection

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Strong's Concordancev. 2

ἐπιλανθάνομαι (epilanthánomai, G1950) — to lose out of mind; by implication, to neglect μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… φιλονεξία (philonexía, G5381) — hospitableness γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ταύτῃ (taútēi, G5026) — (towards or of) this τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ξενίζω (xenízō, G3579) — to be a host (passively, a guest); by implication, be (make, appear) strange ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… λανθάνω (lanthánō, G2990) — to lie hid (literally or figuratively); often used adverbially, unwittingly

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Strong's Concordancev. 3

μιμνήσκω (mimnḗskō, G3403) — to remind, i.e. (middle voice) to recall to mind δέσμιος (désmios, G1198) — a captive (as bound) ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) συνδέω (syndéō, G4887) — to bind with, i.e. (passively) be a fellow-prisoner (figuratively) κακουχέω (kakouchéō, G2558) — to maltreat ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. σῶμα (sōma, G4983) — the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

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Strong's Concordancev. 4

γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials τίμιος (tímios, G5093) — valuable, i.e. (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κοίτη (koítē, G2845) — a couch; by extension, cohabitation; by implication, the male sperm ἀμίαντος (amíantos, G283) — unsoiled, i.e. (figuratively) pure δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πόρνος (pórnos, G4205) — akin to the base of G4097 (πιπράσκω)); a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy)… μοιχός (moichós, G3432) — a (male) paramour; figuratively, apostate θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish

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Strong's Concordancev. 5

τρόπος (trópos, G5158) — a turn, i.e. (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative… ἀφιλάργυρος (aphilárgyros, G866) — unavaricious ἀρκέω (arkéō, G714) — properly, to ward off, i.e. (by implication) to avail (figuratively, be satisfactory) πάρειμι (páreimi, G3918) — to be near, i.e. at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural)… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐρέω (eréō, G2046) — an alternate for G2036 (ἔπω) in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say οὐ μή (ou mḗ, G3364) — a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all ἀνίημι (aníēmi, G447) — to let up, i.e. (literally) slacken or (figuratively) desert, desist from σέ (sé, G4571) — thee οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even ἐγκαταλείπω (enkataleípō, G1459) — to leave behind in some place, i.e. (in a good sense) let remain over, or (in a bad…

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Strong's Concordancev. 6

ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us θαῤῥέω (tharrhéō, G2292) — to exercise courage λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me βοηθός (boēthós, G998) — a succorer καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… φοβέω (phobéō, G5399) — to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) μοί (moí, G3427) — to me

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Strong's Concordancev. 7

μνημονεύω (mnēmoneúō, G3421) — to exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai, G2233) — to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); figuratively, to deem, i.e. consider ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… μιμέομαι (miméomai, G3401) — to imitate ἀναθεωρέω (anatheōréō, G333) — to look again (i.e. attentively) at (literally or figuratively) ἔκβασις (ékbasis, G1545) — an exit (literally or figuratively) ἀναστροφή (anastrophḗ, G391) — behavior

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Strong's Concordancev. 8

Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… χθές (chthés, G5504) — "yesterday"; by extension, in time past or hitherto καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… σήμερον (sḗmeron, G4594) — on the (i.e. this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. at… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;…

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Strong's Concordancev. 9

περιφέρω (periphérō, G4064) — to convey around, i.e. transport hither and thither μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ποικίλος (poikílos, G4164) — motley, i.e. various in character καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ξένος (xénos, G3581) — foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication, a guest or… διδαχή (didachḗ, G1322) — instruction (the act or the matter) γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… καλός (kalós, G2570) καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… βεβαιόω (bebaióō, G950) — to stabilitate (figuratively) χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not βρῶμα (brōma, G1033) — food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden… ὠφελέω (ōpheléō, G5623) — to be useful, i.e. to benefit

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Strong's Concordancev. 10

ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… θυσιαστήριον (thysiastḗrion, G2379) — a place of sacrifice, i.e. an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… φάγω (phágō, G5315) — to eat (literally or figuratively) λατρεύω (latreúō, G3000) — to minister (to God), i.e. render religious homage σκηνή (skēnḗ, G4633) — a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively)

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Strong's Concordancev. 11

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… σῶμα (sōma, G4983) — the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively τούτων (toútōn, G5130) — of (from or concerning) these (persons or things) ζῶον (zōon, G2226) — a live thing, i.e. an animal ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that αἷμα (haîma, G129) — blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially… εἰσφέρω (eisphérō, G1533) — to carry inward (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἅγιον (hágion, G39) — a sacred thing (i.e. spot) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ἁμαρτία (hamartía, G266) — a sin (properly abstract) κατακαίω (katakaíō, G2618) — to burn down (to the ground), i.e. consume wholly

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Strong's Concordancev. 12

διό (dió, G1352) — through which thing, i.e. consequently Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἁγιάζω (hagiázō, G37) — to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate αἷμα (haîma, G129) — blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially… πάσχω (páschō, G3958) — to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful) ἔξω (éxō, G1854) — out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively πύλη (pýlē, G4439) — a gate, i.e. the leaf or wing of a folding entrance (literally or figuratively)

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Strong's Concordancev. 13

ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) τοίνυν (toínyn, G5106) — truly now, i.e. accordingly πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔξω (éxō, G1854) — out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively παρεμβολή (parembolḗ, G3925) — a throwing in beside (juxtaposition), i.e. (specially), battle-array, encampment or… φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) ὀνειδισμός (oneidismós, G3680) — contumely

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Strong's Concordancev. 14

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὧδε (hōde, G5602) — in this same spot, i.e. here or hither ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἐπιζητέω (epizētéō, G1934) — to search (inquire) for; intensively, to demand, to crave μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially…

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