18Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honourably in everything we do. 19And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon. 20Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. 22I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation.
Hebrews 13:18-22
23I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you. 24Greet all your leaders and all the believers there. The believers from Italy send you their greetings. 25May God’s grace be with you all.
Hebrews 13:23-25
Permit me just one question related to this closing passage.
What do you think the author of Hebrews means by – “Pay attention to what I written in this brief exhortation.”
What do you think he meant by “this brief exhortation”?
I am sure it comes as no surprise that the commentators are divided over this question. Their answers span the length and breadth of the letter, exhortation, treatise, book or tome; just don’t call it a tomb.
- There are those who think ‘this brief exhortation’ applies to the exhortations found in the closing paragraph beginning ‘18Pray for us . . .’
- Others believe ‘this brief exhortation’ refers to the collection of exhortations found in Chapter 13.
- Still others feel ‘this brief exhortation’ refers to all exhortations following the listing of the heroes of faith.
- Finally there are those who believe the whole letter is ‘this brief exhortation’.
What are your thoughts on this?
How many exhortations do you think there are in the ‘letter’ to the Hebrews?
And what do you think about this quote from my friend Michael Martens quoting his Greek professor:-
“The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews” [KJV] was incorrect in three ways.
Michael’s Greek Prof
- First, it was not likely Paul who wrote it (though we don’t know for sure).
- Second, we don’t know that the recipients were “Hebrews”; all we know for sure is that they were a Christian congregation, were acquainted with associates of Paul (e.g., Timothy, 13:23), and were likely in Italy (13:24).
- And third, this letter is more of a sermon, or parts of several sermons, written down than an epistle — though it does have a epistle-like note added at the end.
Do you agree on all three points? Two out of three? One out of three?
Share with me your thoughts on each of these points of debate. What’s your response to such challenges?
You can tell I am sure that you can’t be wrong; some expert somewhere will be in agreement with you.
Ian
Confidence is the feeling you have before you really understand the problem.
Woody Allen
Most people don’t get beyond their first revelation. They enshrine it, build a fence around it and stay put.
Ian
Dare to be different! People laugh because I am different. I laugh because they all are the same.
Ian