Hebrews 13:1-3 Continue in brotherly love. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.The author of Hebrews spent the first ten chapters writing doctrinal truths. In chapter 11 he gave examples of faithful belie...  Read More

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.            The “therefore” in v. 28 draws the author’s argument to a conclusion. Having reminded that God will return to shake the world and burn it with fire at Christ’s return (vv. 26-2...  Read More

Hebrews 12:25-27 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” den...  Read More

Hebrews 12:22-24 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than th...  Read More

Hebrews 12:18-19, 22 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 22 But you have come to Mount Zion…       The Hebrews author contrasts two literal mountains in 12:18-22: Sinai in...  Read More

Hebrews 12:18-21 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” 21 And so terrible ...  Read More

Hebrews 12:15-17 …that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it with tears.           Hebrews 12:15 teaches that it is the responsibility of all Christians to look out for each other and moni...  Read More

Hebrews 12:15a-16 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God 16 …that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.           Recall that “see to it” (Gr. episkopeō) in v. 15 is a present active participle that modifies the main verb in v. 14 which is “pursue peace with all.” So, while a Christian is pursuing peace with all, they are dai...  Read More

Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.            The imperative verb “pursue” (Gr. diōkō) in v. 14 is, first, a command for Christians to chase after “peace with all men.” Also, as a present...  Read More

Hebrews 12:12-13 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.The image of the race comes back into view in vv. 12-13, and the author urges believers to persevere when fatigued. Marathoners say the first thing that tends to tire are the arms tha...  Read More

Hebrews 12:9-11 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have be...  Read More

Hebrews 12:6 …those whom the Lord loves He disciplines. Throughout Scripture there are examples of people suffering and of God’s people being disciplined—in the case of His faithful people, discipline being a mark of His love, not His wrath. Notably in Hebrews 12:5-6, the author quotes King Solomon who wrote, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lor...  Read More