B. Life within the Church ch. 13

The writer concluded his written sermon with specific exhortations, requests, and greetings to enable his readers to continue to worship God acceptably under the New Covenant (cf. 12:28).

"The emphasis in this last section of the book is on living by faith. The writer presented the great examplesof faith in Hebrews 11, and the encouragementsto faith in Hebrews 12. In Hebrews 13, he presented the evidencesof faith that should appear in our lives if we are really walking by faith and not by sight."⁴³²

The last chapter has two parts. Verses 1-21 develop the idea of thankfulness expressed in service motivated by the fear of God, which the writer introduced in 12:28. Verses 22-25 constitute a personal note to the readers that lies quite outside the argument of the homily proper.

 1. Pastoral reminders 13:1-21

This section consists of parenesis, reminders of what the readers already knew or were doing or of what they knew they should avoid.⁴³³

 2. Personal Explanations 13:22-25

The closing verses of Hebrews are an addendum to the body of the homily. The writer added them because he felt concern for his addressees and wanted to add a few personal remarks.

13:22 The writer urged his readers again to accept the word of exhortation contained in this epistle rather than rejecting it. It is after all a brief word.

"The definite expression the exhortation' is a synonymous designation for the sermon. It referred specifically to the exposition and application of the Scripture that had been read aloud to the assembled congregation. In a fourth-century description of the liturgy for the consecration of a bishop the homily is designated logous parakleseos, words of exhortation' (Apost. Const.8.5). This appears to be a fixed expression for the sermon in early Christian circles . . ."⁴⁵²

13:24 The writer obviously composed this epistle during the lifetime of Timothy and after some confinement that Timothy had experienced. Evidently the writer and Timothy were close associates in the Lord's work.

13:25 The term "leaders"refers to local church leaders (cf. vv. 7, 17). The letter probably went to one house-church. The evidence indicates that most first century churches had more than one leader (cf. Tit. 1:5; Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1). It would be strange if the writer sent this letter to someone in one church who was not a leader.

"The multiplicity of house churches suggests why diversity, disunity, and a tendency toward independence were persistent problems in the early Church. Unity and organization became matters of urgent concern. The members of the several house churches in a particular center needed to keep in touch with one another. It was of vital importance that the greetings of the writer be conveyed to all the saints' . . ."⁴⁵³

"Those from Italy"probably refers to Christians who had left Italy rather than to believers currently living there (cf. Acts 18:2).⁴⁵⁴If this is true, the writer probably wrote from somewhere other than Italy.

13:25 The writer closed with a final benediction and prayer that God's grace would be with his readers in the sense that they would receive strength from it (cf. 2:9; 4:16; 10:19; 12:15; 13:9). This would happen as they persevered faithfully in the truth.

This entire last chapter is an admonition to worship God acceptably, according to the New Covenant.