Hebrews (written)

Friday, 10 May 2019

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.” Hebrews 13:5

Again, as in the previous verse, the words “Let your” are to be inferred, and are supplied by the translators. In this case, “Let your conduct be without covetousness.” This is a theme which is also seen from Paul twice. In the previous verse, the author spoke of sexual impurity. Here he speaks of covetousness. This pattern is also found in Colossians 3:5 –

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Again, it is seen in Ephesians 5:3 –

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints.”

It is even seen in Hebrews 12:16, which combines the two, “lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”

This is, again, a good indication that Paul is the author of Hebrews. The internal clues are many to indicate this.

Instead of pursuing covetousness, the author next exhorts the reader to “be content with such things as you have.” One follows naturally after the other. If one determines not to be covetous, he will demonstrate a state of contentment with what he does have. And the reciprocal is true as well. If one is content with what his life consists of, he will generally not be covetous over the things he does not have.

This does not mean that people cannot aspire, or strive, to have better things, but that it is done within the context of contentment, not out of a covetous heart. And the author next shows that this state of contentment is possible because the believer has the Source of all other things as his own. He says, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

This is not a direct quote from any verse, but an adaptation of the thought from various verses such as –

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Genesis 28:15

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5

The idea of the author’s words is faithfully expressed in these thoughts, so that when he says, “He Himself has said,” it is an assurance that it is true for the believer who reads the words and understands the nature of God in His dealings with His people. In this is another verse which speaks of the eternal security of the believer. God will never leave nor forsake His people. It is an unconditional statement. Our faithlessness does not negate His faithfulness.

Life application: In this verse as a stand-alone, meaning without the connection to impurity of the previous verse, there are still two complete thoughts which are united in a single concept. The Bible speaks a great deal about the trap of money and greed. This includes the sayings of Jesus personally. In fact, the two thoughts here are in the same basic order and idea of what Jesus said in Matthew 6 –

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

&

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25, 26

If our focus is on money, it becomes our trust. When we place our trust in anything but the Lord, there is no true foundation. Even if the money doesn’t disappear, we don’t know the timing of our death. Therefore, the money we have saved will be of no use to us when death does come. To trust in money or riches is simply the fool’s path. Instead, God – through Jesus Christ – promises to never leave us and to never forsake us. This is a promise by the unchanging God who cannot lie. His word reflects His very nature. So don’t be frustrated about your finances which are set to end in one way or another. Instead, rejoice in your relationship with God through Christ which is eternal.

Thank You Lord for those most comforting verses of Scripture where You give us a sure guarantee that You are with us in whatever our life’s station is. Help us to be content where we are, even while we strive to improve our lot. Help us to never lose sight of the truth that all things are from You and serve Your purposes for us. Thank You for Your abundant provision and protection! Amen.

Thursday, 9 May 2019

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4

This verse is in the middle of a list of exhortations, imploring the reader to do certain things. Because of this, many translations supply the word “let” into its words, understanding that it is implied in the overall context. Thus, it would be a continued exhortation –

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (NASB)

This is probably the correct sense based on thoughts which come before and after this verse. The author has already noted fornication in Hebrews 12:16. Thus, this is an argument against that, and a call to holiness. And so he begins with “Marriage is honorable among all.” As noted, including the word “Let” is probably the true intent.

Either way, this is a direct statement that marriage is an acceptable practice for all, and that it is an honorable institution. Paul warned against those who forbid marriage in 1 Timothy 4:3. That warning has, unfortunately, been ignored even since the earliest times of the church, and it continues to be ignored by the Roman Catholic Church for their clergy. Other aberrant sects have forbidden it in various ways as well. Such practices have inevitably led to sexual perversion in countless ways.

The verse continues with, “and the bed undefiled.” Again, going with the thought of an exhortation, it would say, “and let the marriage bed be undefiled.” Purity within the marriage is what is expected, and faithfulness to one’s spouse is called for. God created man and woman, and He ordained that they would unite in marriage. In this, they are to be faithful to one another.

With this understanding, he continues with, “but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” The Greek reads with God being placed in the emphatic position. In this, we see that the general society may condone such acts, but God will still judge those things that others allow. It is His standard, and not our fallible societal allowances, which will be used as the measure for judgment.

This is especially important to remember, particularly in today’s world. Every type of perversion is now becoming societally acceptable (see Romans 1:32), but such things are strongly warned against in Scripture. Believers are to hold to God’s standards and to proclaim them regardless of what the larger society allows. Unfortunately, the majority of the church has all but failed in this. Entire denominations have fallen into line with the wicked allowances of society, and they have often even become the most vocal proponents of such vile behavior. God will judge them in righteousness.

Life application: We can infer that the first ordained rite between humans in history is that of marriage. Theologically, the account of Eve being taken from Adam’s side during his sleep is of much greater symbolic importance than most people realize.

Just as Eve came from Adam’s side in a death-like sleep, so the church came from Christ’s side as He was pierced in death. Out flowed the water and blood confirming His death and establishing the New Covenant. Therefore, just as “the marriage bed” is to be kept pure, the symbolism agrees with the purity of doctrine – never mixing any outside religious expression with biblical Christianity.

The Bible equates mingling false religion with adultery. Because this comparison is made, the absolute purity of being faithful to one’s spouse is of extreme importance to God. We cannot defile our marriage bed, nor our religious expression, and come out unscathed. If you are having either a sexual affair outside of marriage, or a religious affair (such as adding in Buddhism, horoscopes, etc.), you are on extremely shaky grounds and will be judged for your actions. Keep your marriage and your doctrine pure – to the honor of Christ.

Lord, thank You for the covenant of marriage; and thank you for the New Covenant in Christ Jesus’ blood. Give us wise and discerning eyes to look on our spouses with reverence and to conduct our married life in purity. Likewise, give us the same spiritual discernment in how we relate to You. These things we pray that You may be glorified, and that we will be acceptable to You. Amen.

Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. Hebrews 13:3

The author has been referring to matters of conduct for the body of believers. In verse 1, he mentioned continuing in brotherly love. Then he referred to entertaining strangers. Now, he says to “Remember the prisoners.”

Though he is certainly speaking first and foremost of believers here, and not merely prisoners in general, it probably extends beyond that as well. There are some who are in prison who rightly need to be there, and it is the best place for them to be. However, there are others who are prisoners who are believers that have been imprisoned for their faith. There are captives of war, and there are those who were sold into slavery – maybe because they couldn’t pay their debts. The Greek word signifies being a captive, as in bonds.

When he says to remember them, it means more than just to think about them, but to consider their plight, empathize with them, and pray for them. And then he explains it by saying, “as if chained with them.” The Greek word he uses means to consider themselves as if being bound together with them, as prisoners often are. But in this, there are two possible extensions of what it means:

1) As if being bound with them literally; as if in chains together, or

2) Because we are bound with them in the sense that all are slaves of someone. We are either a slave to the physical world, or we are slaves to Christ and His righteousness.

The first is probably what is on the author’s mind, but the second is probably still a consideration of his. He then says, “those who are mistreated.” The word here is only found in Hebrews 11:37 (describing the mistreatment of those of faith in past times) and here. It speaks of those who are literally tormented or suffer adversity at the hands of another.

To finish the thought, he then says, “since you yourselves are in the body also.” Here, he is referring to the physical body in which we live, not the body of believers. This is certain because if he were speaking of the body of believers, the word “body” would be preceded by an article. The only other time it is used this way is in 2 Corinthians 12:2 where Paul refers to himself.

Here, the author is speaking of those who are alive and who are suffering. Because we are still in the body, we should remember those who have it off worse than we do, empathize with them, pray for them, and even visit them if this is an option.

Life application: Some of the most effective ministries around are prison ministries and they can reap a gigantic harvest for Christ. If you have never considered this as an opportunity to tell others about God’s great plan, there are usually groups which already minister to prisons across the world. Maybe this is something you could consider as part of your gratefulness to Him. The author, and thus God who inspired the author, wants us to empathize with others who face trials, not just to brush off their situations with a shrug. Most of us will never face any such trial, mistreatment, or imprisonment, so it is hard to empathize, but this is what we have been asked to do.

Above all, if you are aware of someone who has genuinely been arrested or mistreated because of his or her Christian testimony, be sure to empathize with that person first and foremost, and comfort them if you can. Let them know that their trial is not in vain.

Lord, thank you for those who have faithfully endured for Your cause and are suffering or imprisoned for Your name. There are many in distant lands, and even in our own nation who, even now, fit this category. Please be with them and comfort them in their hardships. This, to Your honor and for Your glory. Amen.

Tuesday, 7 May 2019

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2

This verse closely matches Paul’s words of Romans 12:13 where he uses the same word signifying “hospitality” that is used here. There he exhorts that they were to be “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” As there, the author here exhorts the Hebrew people that they are not to “forget to entertain strangers.”

Some scholars take this as meaning that this is speaking of fellow believers, and not necessarily anyone in general. There is a giant problem with that thought which is revealed in the next words, “for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” A stranger is a person who is unknown. One could go through a process of asking questions about his faith, the church he attends, the name of the pastor, etc., but this isn’t the intent of the words. It is to “entertain strangers.”

It may be that finding out if a person is a believer is a good thing to do. If not, then one can evangelize the non-believer. But this verse leaves no qualifiers, and it doesn’t mention the strangers as “brethren.” It simply says to “entertain strangers.” In so doing, one might actually, and without knowing it, “entertain angels.”

The word “angel” signifies a messenger. It is true that the word is usually associated with heavenly beings, but Paul says this to the Galatians using the same word –

“And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” Galatians 4:14

James says this about the spies whom Rahab received, again using the same word –

“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?” James 2:25

Paul’s statement indicates an angel of God, but they knew him to be a messenger of the gospel. James’ words indicate that these spies were messengers. Rahab entertained, or welcomed, them and saved herself and her household. It does seem, however, that the intent of the author’s words is that he is referring to heavenly beings. Some equate this with the visitation of Abraham by the three men in Genesis 18. However, Abraham, from his first words to them, addressed the leader of them as Adonai. It is a term indicating the Lord (Jehovah). Abraham wasn’t unaware of who He was, only as to why He had come.

The reason for this verse is probably that of a test of the individual. God already knows how we, as individuals, will respond to certain situations, but we do not. By sending an angel, we are given the chance to learn about ourselves, and to then reflect on what occurred. In the end, though, the verse says that our meeting is actually unknown to us. We will not be able to definitively state, “I was visited by an angel.” Rather, we will have a suspicion that it is so. This is the purpose of such a test.

Life application: Whether or not people since the completion of the Bible really have had angelic visits where they have communicated with those angels, while knowing they were angels, is disputable. The evidence is usually against such. However, the author today makes it abundantly clear that we may be visited by angels without ever realizing it.

When we entertain a stranger – helping him in some way for example – we learn more about ourselves. After doing whatever it is he has come to challenge us with, we can look back and really wonder, “Was that an angel?” How often do we hear of someone who helps another person, or is helped by them, and then that person just disappears? When this happens, the person will evaluate his own actions during the situation and hopefully realize that one of God’s messengers really may have been involved in it.

This should (stress should) make him want to search out the things of God even more. It should also prompt him to act likewise towards others in the future. If you believe you have had an angelic encounter, take time to evaluate yourself. If there are angels, there is a God. If there’s a God, then we really are accountable to Him. Contemplate this and understand His good intent for you by allowing an angel to interact with you.

Lord, Your word says that we are to entertain strangers because we may actually be entertaining an angel without even realizing it. As this would then be a test for us to learn from, help us to reflect on all of our interactions with others, and to be willing to be hospitable to everyone that we are able to help. Isn’t this the purpose of such a test in the first place? Help us to be charitable according to the grace You have first shown us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Monday, 6 May 2019

Let brotherly love continue. Hebrews 13:1

We now begin the final chapter of the book of Hebrews, and it will last for less than a month of daily commentaries. Verse 1 begins the chapter right where chapter 12 left off –

For our God is a consuming fire.

Let brotherly love continue.

The thought of the previous verse was that of God’s fire consuming that which is not acceptable in His people when they enter into glory. All such things are considered as wood, hay, or stubble and will be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ. In order to have more gain and less loss, the author gives a note of expectation by saying, “Let brotherly love continue.”

The Greek word is philadelphia. It means, “affection for the brethren.” This is why the city of Philadelphia is known as “The city of brotherly love.” Here, the author acknowledges that brotherly love was evidenced among them, and he is spurring them on to continue with this attitude. This was seen in his words of Chapter 6 –

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

In conducting themselves in this manner, and in continuing to do so in the future, they will have less of the “consuming fire,” and more of the “well done good and faithful servant,” coming their way when they stand before Christ. So should it be with each one of us.

It is to be understood that the idea of brotherly love here is limited to the body of believers. This is seen, for example, in Peter’s words in his second letter –

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:17

A distinction is made here, as is made by Paul when he uses the same term as this verse in Hebrews, philidelphia, in Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 4:9.

Life application: One thing that is stressed again and again in the New Testament is brotherly love; having affection for all in the body of Christ. This is unfortunately not something that comes about as much as it should. Rather, we divide churches over teeny issues and we disown friends because our feelings get hurt over something they say. But Paul is pretty clear about how we should conduct ourselves around other believers –

“If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? ⁵ I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? ⁶ But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

⁷ Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? ⁸ No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!” 1 Corinthians 6:4-8

He says that it would be better that we were cheated than to turn and sue a fellow believer. It’s not just for our sake that he says this, but rather for the sake of Jesus’ name. When fellow Christians act in such an unbecoming manner, the One who ultimately looks bad in others’ eyes is Jesus – “Ah, those Christians are all a bunch of hypocrites.”

Are we setting a noble example for Christ in our conduct and behavior? Think on these things and … keep loving each other as brothers. This is the calling to which we are called. Let’s pray about this….

Lord Jesus, it is extremely hard to overlook an offense when we are wronged by others. Give us hearts that are more willing to be molded to Your image. You have forgiven us so very much and we need to emulate the grace bestowed upon us. In the end, may it be Your name which is held in high esteem as we live our lives to Your glory. Amen.