Day 217 – Thursday, October 30, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Hebrews 13

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Concluding Moral Directions

1 Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. ³ Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

⁴ Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:1–6, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul opened this chapter with an admonition to show brotherly love. This extends to strangers, knowing that God cares for them. Also, he instructed them to visit prisoners in jail, empathizing with them in their chains.
• Paul then lifts up the institution of marriage as honorable, and touts marital sex, while speaking judgement over adulterers and fornicators.
• Finally, he warns against covetousness and suggests contentment as a lifestyle. The Lord is our helper.

Concluding Religious Directions

⁷ Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. ¹³ Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. ¹⁵ Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ¹⁶ But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

¹⁷ Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 

(Hebrews 13:7–17, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul moved into a discussion of several principles in this section.
• He told the Hebrews to honor their leaders in the church.
• He reminded them that Jesus is eternal and unchanging.
• He instructed them to remain faithful to the true doctrine they had been taught.
• He then taught them again about the great sacrifice Jesus made that fulfilled every requirement of the law. This great sacrifice made a way for our salvation and gave us a hope of life eternal in a heavenly home.
• Paul revisited the need to obey and honor those over you in the Lord. Don’t give your leaders grief, for they are placed in leadership for your good. Let them lead with joy and not sorrow.

Prayer Requested

¹⁸ Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. ¹⁹ But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 

(Hebrews 13:18–19, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul called upon the readers to pray for him and his team to live honorably.
• He also asked them to pray that he might be restored to them from his imprisonment.

Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell

²⁰ Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. ²³ Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

²⁴ Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen. 

(Hebrews 13:20–25, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• This final section of the chapter begins with a blessing to the Hebrews that they mature in the Lord and do good works according to the will of God.
• He gives them good news about Timothy’s release from custody.
• He greets all the leaders and saints and send greetings from Italy.
• He finally offers and additional blessing of grace and ends his thoughts.
• Hebrews teaches a great deal about the work of Christ and the concept of faith. May we never forget the sacrifice of Christ, for He gave His all. May we always live in faith so that we may see the end of our holy desires from God!

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.