A. Foster a Gospel Response (13:1-6)This section connects to the exhortation of Heb 12:15 to foster an environment that suppresses the emergence of any “bitter roots.” There are four main community commands: (1) maintain fraternal love and hospitality; (2) remember the prisoners and mistreated; (3) respect marriage and the marriage bed; (4) abstain from greed and learn contentment for our God will provide. The main concern here is keeping the community in tact and focused on Christ. Such action will ensure that no one is neglecting so great a future salvation (cf. Mat 25:35, 36). These activities certainly mark a community responding faithfully to the Gospel.
B. Emulate Superior Leaders (13:7-9)
In this section two items are in view: (1) holding to sound doctrine; (2) emulating great examples of faithfulness. “Spoke the word of God” (v. 7) likely refers to doctrinal instruction (cf. Hebrews 6:2) taught by those who first shard the Gospel and led them. They are to emulate the faith of their former leaders and hold fast to the truth and example of Jesus’ even as leadership changes occur within the community (v. 7-8). The warning of verse nine naturally flows from the previous exhortation to sound doctrine and emulation.
C. Remain and bear reproach (13:10-14)
Food customs are the context for the next warning against being led away. Verse nine segues into an exhortation to not lapse back into Judaism but to remain with Jesus “outside the camp” bearing any present reproach to attain the future promise of an eternal city. Enduring faith (v. 13) instead of falling away from Jesus is emphasized once again.
D. Sacrifices pleasing to God (13:15-16)
Continual sacrifices of praise should be the normal response to Jesus and his Gospel. The term “sacrifice of praise” occurs one other time in Leviticus 19:24. The context of the Leviticus passage speaks of offering holy fruit as praise to the Lord. In verse sixteen the author encourages the readers to bear the fruit of good works and charity as a praise offering.
E. Benediction and final remarks (13:17-25)
The readers are commanded to obey the authority of their leaders and follow them in a manner that brings them joy (v. 17). Having reminded the believers of their priestly service (v. 18) the author requests prayer modeling Christian maturity worthy of emulation (cf. 13:7) by praying a blessing over them. He then gives one final exhortation for the community to bear with the entirety of what he has written (v. 22). Verses twenty-three and twenty-four provide a report on Timothy and final greetings to the community. The final brief blessing of God’s grace upon them was usually used to bring closure to a worship service (v. 25). This final imparting of God’s grace is fitting for the challenges facing this community. The blessing reminds them that every struggle- both external and internal- is under the total sufficiency of God’s good and perfect grace.
B. Emulate Superior Leaders (13:7-9)
In this section two items are in view: (1) holding to sound doctrine; (2) emulating great examples of faithfulness. “Spoke the word of God” (v. 7) likely refers to doctrinal instruction (cf. Hebrews 6:2) taught by those who first shard the Gospel and led them. They are to emulate the faith of their former leaders and hold fast to the truth and example of Jesus’ even as leadership changes occur within the community (v. 7-8). The warning of verse nine naturally flows from the previous exhortation to sound doctrine and emulation.
C. Remain and bear reproach (13:10-14)
Food customs are the context for the next warning against being led away. Verse nine segues into an exhortation to not lapse back into Judaism but to remain with Jesus “outside the camp” bearing any present reproach to attain the future promise of an eternal city. Enduring faith (v. 13) instead of falling away from Jesus is emphasized once again.
D. Sacrifices pleasing to God (13:15-16)
Continual sacrifices of praise should be the normal response to Jesus and his Gospel. The term “sacrifice of praise” occurs one other time in Leviticus 19:24. The context of the Leviticus passage speaks of offering holy fruit as praise to the Lord. In verse sixteen the author encourages the readers to bear the fruit of good works and charity as a praise offering.
E. Benediction and final remarks (13:17-25)
The readers are commanded to obey the authority of their leaders and follow them in a manner that brings them joy (v. 17). Having reminded the believers of their priestly service (v. 18) the author requests prayer modeling Christian maturity worthy of emulation (cf. 13:7) by praying a blessing over them. He then gives one final exhortation for the community to bear with the entirety of what he has written (v. 22). Verses twenty-three and twenty-four provide a report on Timothy and final greetings to the community. The final brief blessing of God’s grace upon them was usually used to bring closure to a worship service (v. 25). This final imparting of God’s grace is fitting for the challenges facing this community. The blessing reminds them that every struggle- both external and internal- is under the total sufficiency of God’s good and perfect grace.
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