The
Book of Hebrews with Commentary
New King James Version
Hebrews 1
Commentary:
"God
Has Spoken"
God’s Supreme Revelation
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time
past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to
us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom
also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and
the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word
of His power, when He had by Himself[a] purged our[b] sins, sat down at
the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better
than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent
name than they.
The Son Exalted Above Angels
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say:
“ You are
My Son,
Today I have
begotten You”?[c]
And again:
“ I will
be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to
Me a Son”?[d]
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
“ Let all
the angels of God worship Him.”[e]
7 And of the angels He says:
“ Who
makes His angels spirits
And His ministers a
flame of fire.”[f]
8 But to the Son He says:
“ Your
throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of
righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have
loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your
God, has anointed You
With the oil of
gladness more than Your companions.”[g]
10 And:
“ You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation
of the earth,
And the heavens are
the work of Your hands.
11 They
will perish, but You remain;
And they will all
grow old like a garment;
12 Like a
cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be
changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will
not fail.”[h]
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:
“ Sit at
My right hand,
Till I make Your
enemies Your footstool”?[i]
14 Are they not all ministering spirits
sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 2
Commentary:
"How
Shall We Escape?"
Do Not Neglect Salvation
1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we
have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels
proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a
just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation,
which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to
us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs
and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit,
according to His own will?
The Son Made Lower than Angels
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in
subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
“ What is man that You are mindful
of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of
him?
7 You have made him a little lower
than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and
honor,[a]
And set him over the works of Your
hands.
8 You have put all things in
subjection under his feet.”[b]
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left
nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things
put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the
angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that
He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are
all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of
their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who
sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which
reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
“ I will declare Your name to My
brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing
praise to You.”[c]
13 And again:
“ I will put My trust in
Him.”[d]
And again:
“ Here am I and the children whom
God has given Me.”[e]
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He
Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might
destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and
release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject
to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does
give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to
be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful
High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the
sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being
tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Hebrews 3
Commentary:
"While
It Is Called Today"
The Son Was Faithful
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2
who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful
in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory
than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the
house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all
things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a
servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken
afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are
if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to
the end.[a]
Be Faithful
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
“ Today, if you will hear His
voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in
the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me,
tried Me,
And saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that
generation,
And said, ‘They always go astray
in their heart,
And they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath,
‘ They shall not enter My
rest.’”[b]
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another
daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become
partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence
steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:
“ Today, if you will hear His
voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the
rebellion.”[c]
Failure of the Wilderness Wanderers
16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out
of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was
it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to
those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in
because of unbelief.
Hebrews 4
Commentary:
"No
More Excuses"
The Promise of Rest
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us
fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the
gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they
heard did not profit them,[a] not being mixed with faith in those who
heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
“ So I swore in My wrath,
‘ They shall not enter My
rest,’”[b]
although the works were finished from the foundation of
the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in
this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His
works”;[c] 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter
My rest.”[d]
6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom
it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He
designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after
such a long time, as it has been said:
“ Today, if you will hear His
voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”[e]
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have
spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people
of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from
his works as God did from His.
The Word Discovers Our Condition
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall
according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God
is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there
is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open
to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Our Compassionate High Priest
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 5
Commentary:
Part
1 "Our Great High Priest"
Part
2 "Jesus Learned Obedience"
Qualifications for High Priesthood
1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men
in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and
sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant
and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3
Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself,
to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself,
but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
A Priest Forever
5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it
was He who said to Him:
“ You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”[a]
6 As He also says in another place:
“ You are a priest forever
According to the order of
Melchizedek”;[b]
7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers
and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to
save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though
He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation
to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according
to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and
hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
Spiritual Immaturity
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone
to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you
have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes
only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a
babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is,
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both
good and evil.
Hebrews 6
Commentary:
Part 1:
"Can
I Fall Away From Jesus?"
Part 2:
"This
Changes Everything"
The Peril of Not Progressing
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles
of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation
of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the
doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the
dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will[a] do if God permits.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to
come, 6 if they fall away,[b] to renew them again to repentance, since
they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an
open shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and
bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives
blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected
and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
A Better Estimate
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes,
things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For
God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of[c] love which you
have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints,
and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same
diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do
not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience
inherit the promises.
God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no
one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I
will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”[d] 15 And
so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men
indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them
an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly
to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it
by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible
for God to lie, we might[e] have strong consolation, who have fled for
refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast,
and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner
has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7
Commentary:
"Able
To Save To The Uttermost"
The King of Righteousness
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High
God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and
blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first
being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also
king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father,
without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor
end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch
Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the
sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive
tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their
brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he
whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham
and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction
the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes,
but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9
Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to
speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek
met him.
Need for a New Priesthood
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for
under it the people received the law), what further need was there that
another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and
not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood
being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For
He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which
no man has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe
Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.[a] 15 And it is yet far more
evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest
16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but
according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:[b]
“ You are a priest forever
According to the order of
Melchizedek.”[c]
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment
because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made
nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is thebringing in of a better
hope, through which we draw near to God.
Greatness of the New Priest
20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they
have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who
said to Him:
“ The LORD has sworn
And will not relent,
‘ You are a priest forever[d]
According to the order of
Melchizedek’”),[e]
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death
from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an
unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the
uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to
make intercession for them.
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who isholy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the
heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up
sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for
this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law
appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the
oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected
forever.
Hebrews 8
Commentary
"A
Shadow of Heavenly Things"
The New Priestly Service
1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have
such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of
the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the
true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and
sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something
to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since
there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve
the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely
instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said,
“See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you
on the mountain.”[a] 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent
ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which
was established on better promises.
A New Covenant
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would
have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He
says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will
make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of
Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their
fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the
land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I
disregarded them, says the LORD. 10 For this is the covenant that I
will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I
will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I
will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall
teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the
LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the
greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their lawless deeds[b] I will remember no
more.”[c]
13 In that He says, “A new covenant, ” He has made the
first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready
to vanish away.
Hebrews 9
Commentary
Part
1: "A Tabernacle For You"
Part
2: "The Process of Becoming Perfect"
Part
3: "A Day In Your Courts"
Part
4: "Where Jesus Lives"
The Earthly Sanctuary
1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine
service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the
first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread,
which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part
of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the
golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with
gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s
rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were
the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we
cannot now speak in detail.
Limitations of the Earthly Service
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went
into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But
into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not
without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s
sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that
the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the
first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present
time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make
him who performed the service perfect in regard to the
conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various
washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
The Heavenly Sanctuary
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come,[a] with
the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is,
not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but
with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having
obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and
the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the
purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for
this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death,
for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that
those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The Mediator’s Death Necessary
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the
death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are
dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18
Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to
the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet
wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the
people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God
has commanded you.”[b] 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood
both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And
according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and
without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice
23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the
heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not
entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true,
but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25
not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the
Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He then
would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but
now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by
the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die
once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to
bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear
a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 10
Commentary
Part
1: "I Don't Remember"
Part
2: "You Have Need of Endurance"
Animal Sacrifices Insufficient
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and
not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices,
which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach
perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the
worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of
sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take
away sins.
Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“ Sacrifice and offering You did
not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and
sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I
have come—
In the volume of the book it is written
of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’”[a]
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt
offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure
in them ” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He
said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.”[b] He
takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will
we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus
Christ once for all.
Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified
11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man,
after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the
right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made
His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those
who are being sanctified.
15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said
before,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their
minds I will write them,”[c] 17 then He adds, “Their sins
and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”[d] 18 Now where
there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Hold Fast Your Confession
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the
blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over
the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the
confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is
faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love
and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the
more as you see the Day approaching.
The Just Live by Faith
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the
truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain
fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will
devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law
dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of
how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy
who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the
covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the
Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine,
I will repay,”[e] says the Lord.[f] And again, “The LORD
will judge His people.”[g] 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living God.
32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you
endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made
a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you
became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had
compassion on me[h] in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering
of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring
possession for yourselves in heaven.[i] 35 Therefore do not cast away
your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of
endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive
the promise:
37 “ For yet a little while,
And He[j] who is coming will come and
will not tarry.
38 Now the[k]just shall live by
faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”[l]
39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of
those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 11
Commentary
Part
1: "Believing In The Invisible"
Part
2: "Faith That Soars"
Part
3: "The Prophecy of Jacob's Sons
Part
4: "The Word of Faith"
By Faith We Understand
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of
God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which
are visible.
Faith at the Dawn of History
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying
of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death,
“and was not found, because God had taken him”;[a] for
before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But
without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God
must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved
with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by
which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which
is according to faith.
Faithful Abraham
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place
which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing
where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a
foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with
him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has
foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and
she bore a child[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him
faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good
as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in
multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
The Heavenly Hope
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off were assured of them,[c] embraced them and
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For
those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15
And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had
come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they
desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
The Faith of the Patriarchs
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who
had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom
it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”[d] 19
concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from
which he also received him in a figurative sense.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of
Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of
the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
The Faith of Moses
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his
parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not
afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son
of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction
with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26
esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures
in[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he
endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the
Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the
firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the
Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
By Faith They Overcame
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled
for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those
who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of
Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and
the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34
quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight
the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life
again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain
a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and
scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned,
they were sawn in two, were tempted,[f] were slain with the sword. They
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted,
tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in
deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did
not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for
us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
Hebrews 12
Commentary
Part
1: "Looking Unto Jesus"
Part
2: "A Kingdom Not Shaken"
The Race of Faith
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so
easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set
before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Discipline of God
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against
Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You
have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you
have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“ My son, do not despise the
chastening of the LORD,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked
by Him;
6 For whom the LORD loves He
chastens,
And scourges every son whom He
receives.”[a]
7 If[b] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for
what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are
without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are
illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who
corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily
be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed
for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our
profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening
seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless,
afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who
have been trained by it.
Renew Your Spiritual Vitality
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame
may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one
will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the
grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble,
and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or
profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his
birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit
the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance,
though he sought it diligently with tears.
The Glorious Company
18 For you have not come to the mountain that[c] may be touched and
that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness[d] and tempest, 19
and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who
heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20
(For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as
a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned[e] or shot with an
arrow.”[f] 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said,
“I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”[g])
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the
general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in
heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made
perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood
of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Hear the Heavenly Voice
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not
escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not
escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice
then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once
more I shake[h] not only the earth, but also heaven.”[i] 27 Now
this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those
things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the
things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken,
let us have grace, by which we may[j] serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 13
Commentary
"Jesus
will Make you Complete"
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.”[a] 6 So we may boldly say:
“ The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”[b]
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[c] 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.
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.
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[d] 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.