Chapter 13
Christian Character
Let brotherly love continue. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
As Christians we should show love toward others. The second great commandment is to love others as much as we love ourselves. We should also make an effort to be hospitable to people we don’t know because we may be interacting with an angel in human form without realizing it. We should be careful to help and minister to those who are in prison, especially those who are in jail because of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. This is happening now as Christians are jailed and even executed in the most inhumane ways in some countries. Christians are all in the spiritual body of Christ, and we must do what we can to help each other in our trials.
4Marriage 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?”
Marriage is an honorable estate between a man and a woman. Those who have sexual relations outside of marriage are committing fornication. Those who are married and have sexual relations with someone else are committing adultery. God will judge those who have sexual relations outside of marriage.
We must be careful to be satisfied with what we have in life because that is what God has given us. There is nothing wrong with being successful and having wealth. However, if we are consumed with the desire to have more or to desire what someone else has we break this commandment. We should trust in God that He will take care of us. We also need not fear what man can do to us. We have an Advocate or helper in Jesus Christ who will always take care of us.
More Religious Instruction
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.
We should have respect for our church pastors and ministers as they have been appointed by God to serve and guide us. We should follow their godly way of living. They will be held accountable by the Lord as to their stewardship and shepherding of His people.
Jesus Christ, as the eternal God, never changes. He has been the same in eternity past, present, and future. If God could change then He wouldn’t be God. It would be admitting that He can make a mistake. It would also place in jeopardy all the prophecies and promises of God in the Bible. God forbid! We never have to worry that God will change His mind and not fulfill all of His promises.
We need to judge all religious doctrines by the Word of God. We should be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) who searched the Scriptures daily to find out if something that was said was true or not. Some people are easily carried away by eloquent false teachers because these people failed to investigate what the Word of God said. Our anchor is the Holy Bible. Our hunger should not be just for food which profits little, but we should have a spiritual hunger within us that can only be satisfied by grace through faith in Jesus who is the bread of life.
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. 15Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
After Christ’s resurrection there were still animal sacrifices taking place in Jerusalem until the temple was destroyed in AD 70. The bodies of the animal sacrifices were burned up outside the city. Those who participated in these animal sacrifices e did not have a right to take part in the sacrifice of Christ because they rejected His sacrifice in favor of the blood of bulls and calves. Jesus, who made Christians holy, was crucified outside the city gate. So we should be willing to suffer on His behalf outside the city also. We do not seek a city here on earth. Instead, we seek the New Jerusalem that is to come.
Therefore, as believers in Christ, we should continually offer praises up to God which is a sweet smelling sacrifice to the Lord by giving thanks to His holy name. So many people misuse the name of God and Jesus Christ. They flippantly will use it in common conversation and some will even use his name in cussing and blasphemous ways. God wants us to do good for people and share with them what they need for these sacrifices are very pleasing to God.
17Obey 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.
God commands us to obey and submit to those who rule over us whether they be elected or appointed individuals or the elders of the church. Church ministers are to care for us spiritually, and they will be judged by God on their faithfulness as our shepherds. Pastors should carry out their duties with joy, not begrudgingly, as that attitude would not be helpful to us.
The Apostle Asks for Prayer
18Pray 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.
The author requests that his readers pray for him and the others with the Apostle. The author says that he and the other believers with him have done their best to live honorably and with good character. He wants them to pray for him and live godly lives in hopes that God will send him to them sooner.
Final Comments
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.
The Apostle requests from the God of peace who resurrected the Lord Jesus from death to make us spiritually complete. He refers to Jesus as the great Shepherd of the sheep or Christians. Jesus has sealed His everlasting covenant of salvation to His people through His blood atonement on the cross. The good works we do are done by the power of God in us. These good works are pleasing to God through Jesus who is to receive glory forever and ever. Praise Jesus Christ! 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.
The Apostle pleads with his readers to live as he has encouraged them to live by what is written in this short letter. He tells them that Timothy has been set free and will come with him to see them if Timothy doesn’t delay.
24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
The Apostle sends his greeting to those who minister over them in the church and to all the other believers there. He sends them greeting also from those in Italy.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
He asks the Lord to give them all grace to help them in their Christian walk. He ends his letter with Amen which means, “so be it.”