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Hebrews 13—The Epilogue: Part 1
DIRECTIVES FOR GODLY BEHAVIOR
The writer of Hebrews concludes his letter
with an epilogue that provides pastoral
instruction and directives for godly
verse with the statement, “Let
love of the brethren continue.”
This statement implies that
love is exercised among the
of the Spirit, so in essence, the
instruction is to be Spirit-led
believers with a love for the
brethren. At this time, many
Hebrew believers were deeply
grieved because they had lost
their family and community as a
result of their faith in Jesus. The
fellowship and love among the
brethren helped alleviate some
of their pain.
In addition to loving the
brethren, the author encourages
hospitality toward strangers
“for by this some have
entertained angels without
knowing it” (v. 2). The writer
of Hebrews likely had Abraham
in mind when he did just that
(Genesis 18). Hospitality was a
very important ministry of the
early church. Persecution drove
many believers away from their
to stay at an inn.
Following the admonition
to love the brethren and show
hospitality to strangers, the
author exhorts the Hebrew
believers to “remember the
prisoners . . . and those who
are ill-treated” (v. 3). It was
common for believers to be
arrested and imprisoned for their faith. The book
of Hebrews was written during an intense time of
persecution by Rome. It was during this time that
Christians. This generated even more persecution.
Identifying with these prisoners may have been
risky, but a “love for the brethren” included them
too. Matthew 25:36 tells us that ministering to a
prisoner in Jesus’ name is essentially ministering
6 The Chosen People | FEBRUARY 2020
BIBLE STUDY WITH DR. RICH FREEMAN
to Messiah Himself. Although believers in Messiah
are not arrested for our faith in this country,
persecution, and even death,
and we should be mindful to
minister to them.
The author then moves from
an external view of Christian
love to an internal perspective.
The home is where Christian
love is practiced and perfected.
A Christian home usually begins
with a Christian marriage:
“Marriage is to be held in honor
among all” (Hebrews 13:4). To
practice biblical love, husbands
and wives must guard themselves
Restricting sex to marriage
was a unique idea for Gentile
often had mistresses or visited
temple prostitutes. The calling
counter-cultural then just as it is
today. We have an opportunity
through moral purity and godly
marriages to be a light in the
darkness. God holds believers
to a higher standard of purity
and ultimately “fornicators and
adulterers God will judge” (v. 4).
Lastly, Hebrews 13:5 warns
us: “Make sure that your
character is free from the love
of money, being content with
what you have.” This verse
connects to the rest of the
portion since greed or coveting,
like adultery, are detrimental
to brotherly love. When we
love God and others, we gain a
right perspective regarding our material things.
Material goods will never fully satisfy the heart
or lead to contentment—only God can do that! To
that end, God concludes the verse saying: “I will
never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
With this in mind, the section closes quoting
“The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can
man do to me?”
Dr. Rich Freeman,
D. Min. serves as the
Vice President for
Church Ministries and
Conferences with Chosen
People Ministries and
lives in South Florida
with his wife, Julia.
HEBREWS 13:1-8 NASB
1Let love of the brethren
continue. 2Do not neglect to
show hospitality to strangers,
for by this some have
entertained angels without
knowing it. 3Remember
the prisoners, as though in
prison with them, and those
who are ill-treated, since
you yourselves also are in
the body. 4Marriage is to
be held in honor among all,
and the marriage bed is to
be undefiled; for fornicators
and adulterers God will
judge. 5Make sure that your
character is free from the
love of money, being content
with what you have; for He
Himself has said, “I will never
desert you, nor will I ever
forsake you,” 6so that we
confidently say, “The Lord is
my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
7Remember those who led
you, who spoke the word of
God to you; and considering
the result of their conduct,
imitate their faith. 8Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday
and today and forever.