OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Hebrews

FINAL COMMANDS AND FINAL WORDS

Hebrews 13:20-25

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The writer is nearing the conclusion of his epistle to the Hebrews.

 

B.      There are lots of things that he longs for them to know and do.  Thus, he gives them a list of twelve commands before closing the chapter.

 

C.     As we read these last twenty-five verses, we find the writer still draw to his theme (Heb. 13:9-14).

 

D.    We have divided the chapter into two sections:

 

i.                    FINAL COMMANDS (Heb. 13:1-19)

 

ii.                  FINAL WORDS (Heb. 13:20-25)

 

I.             FINAL COMMANDS (Heb. 13:1-19)

 

II.           FINAL WORDS (Heb. 13:20-25)

 

A.    Blessing Desired (Heb. 13:20-21)

1.        The Source of the Blessing (Heb. 13:20)

 

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

 

a.       The God of peace (Heb. 13:20a)

1)       God is the source of peace.

2)      He is described this way six other times in the New Testament (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; I Cor. 14:33; Phil. 4:9; I Thess. 5:23; II Thess. 3:16).

3)      Peace

a)      Strong (1515):  peace, (by implication) prosperity

b)     Thayer:  security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)

b.      The God of power (Heb. 13:20b)

1)       It is God who brought Jesus forth from the dead.

a)      This is the only direct reference to the resurrection in the entire epistle.

b)     Resurrection manifests the mighty power of God.

c)      The resurrection provides us with a living Savior.

-          He is the “great Shepherd of the sheep.

+    This was a title ascribed to Jesus by the prophets of old (Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:23; Zech. 13:7).

+    Jesus even referred to Himself as “the good shepherd” (John 10:11).

+    He oversees His people.  He leads His people.  He feeds them and protects them, and cares for them as a shepherd tends to his flock.

-          He is the one who shed His blood in order to ratify the everlasting covenant.

+    Jesus’s blood ratified the New Testament, that is, make it effective and binding (Heb. 9:23)

+    It is everlasting in that it was formed in the counsels of eternity and that it will last forever and ever.

2)      The author continues to set forth so many things that are exclusive to Christianity.

2.       The Specifics of the Blessing (Heb. 13:21)

 

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

a.       Perfection in every good work

1)       Perfect…every good work…to do His will

a)      It is through good works that we do the Lord’s will.

b)     He wants us to be perfect in the works that we perform.

2)      Perfect

a)      Strong (2675):  to complete thoroughly

b)     Thayer:  to fit out, equip, arrange, complete, make one what he ought to be

3)      We should not divorce this verse from the previous one.  “…through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will.” 

a)      God does not work in some mysterious way in our lives.

b)     Through the blood of Jesus and His everlasting covenant we are made perfect in doing His will (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:3).

 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

b.      Preparing them to be well pleasing in His sight

1)       He not only wants our works to be perfect, but He also works in us so we can be well pleasing in His sight.

2)      Again, this is done through the blood of Jesus and the everlasting covenant.  Apart from the blood of Jesus and the New Covenant man cannot please God.

3)      Because of Jesus, however, we can do works in harmony with His will and be well-pleasing in His sight.

4)      Therefore, Jesus deserves glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

a)      Glory

-          Strong (1391):  glory          :- dignity, honor, praise, worship

-          Thayer:  magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, majesty

b)     He deserves our glory forever and ever. 

 

B.      Beseeching Continues (Heb. 13:22)

 

And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation:  for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

 

1.        The begging:  I beseech you

2.       The burden:  Suffer the word of exhortation

a.       Suffer

1)       Strong (430):  to put up with

2)      Thayer:  to sustain, bear, endure

b.      The writer had written some deep, important, and possibly difficult things to his readers as he contrasted the New Covenant with the Old. 

1)       It may have been difficult to hear some of the thoughts he set forth..

2)      They would have been tempted to turn away their ears from it, especially because it involved things that they held dear.

3)      The writer exhorts them to “endure” the words of exhortation.

a)      Strong (3874):  imploration, hortation, solace

b)     Thayer:   persuasive discourse, stirring address, instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse.

4)      LESSON:  We, too, have to bear the words of exhortation that come from Scripture.  If we do not, we might get angry at the message and the messenger.  In such cases, we often reject the truth (James 1:18-21)

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

 

3.       The brevity:  I have written a letter unto you in few words

a.       The words were not few in comparison to other epistles from the hand of Paul.  One counted the words found in the Greek manuscript.  There were 4,953 words in it.

b.      They were few considering the topics addressed in the letter.  Much, much more could have been said.

 

C.     Brothers Coming (Heb. 13:23)

 

Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

 

1.        The release of Timothy

a.       This is one of the internal proofs that individuals use to prove that Paul was the author of the book.  He alone was the closest to Timothy.  He is never mentioned being close to any other apostle or evangelist.

b.      He notes that Timothy had been “set at liberty.” 

1)       Definition

a)      Strong (630):  to free fully, relieve, release, dismiss

b)     Thayer:  to set free, to let go, dismiss (to detain no longer)

2)      There are two views of this.

a)      He was released from confinement in a prison.

b)     He was finally released of the duties of an assignment that he was fulfilling.

2.       The reunion with the saints

a.       Paul was planning to visit with these saints very soon.

b.      If Timothy arrived in time, they both would come to visit.

 

D.    Brethren Saluted (Heb. 13:24)

 

Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints.  They of Italy salute you.

 

1.        Salute them that have the rule over you.

a.       Salute

1)       Strong (782):  to enfold in the arms, that is, to salute

2)      Thayer:  salute one, greet, welcome, wish well to

b.      The elders are the one who have the rule over the church (I Tim. 5:17).

c.       This is similar to Paul’s salutation to the church at Philippi (Phil. 1:1).

 

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

 

2.       Salute all the saints.

a.       These are all the Christians in that area.

b.      They were purified, set apart, and being used for a holy purpose unto God.

c.       Paul salutes the brethren 26 times in his epistles.  Fifteen times in Romans 16 he salutes various individuals.

3.       Salute from Italy.

a.       The writer apparently was in Italy at the time.  Again, this is a hint that Paul was the writer of this epistle.

b.      He wanted the Hebrews to be aware that the saints of Italy wished them well.

E.      Blessing Denoted (Heb. 13:25)

 

Grace be with you all.  Amen.

 

1.        Grace

a.       Strong (5485):  the divine influence on the heart, and its reflection in one’s life

b.      Thayer:  good-will, loving kindness, favour

2.       This, too, is an indication that Paul authored the book (See Rom. 16:20, 24, I Cor. 16:23; II Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 6:24; Phil. 4:23; Col. 4:18; I Thess. 5:28; II Thess. 3:18; I Tim. 6:21; II Tim. 4:22; Tit. 3:15; Phile. 1:25).

3.       “The message of Hebrews is as relative today as it was centuries ago.  These Hebrews must make a choice – would they hold to the hand of him Who changes not?  Or would they cast Jesus aside for the rituals and religion of their forefathers?  We, like they, are faced with a choice.  To reject the system of religion brought by Jesus is to reject Jesus Himself” (Wacaster, 572).