17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account . Let them do this with joy and not with grief , for this would be unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience , desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things . 19 And I urge you all the more to do this , so that I may be restored to you the sooner .
20 Now the God of peace , who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant , even Jesus our Lord , 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will , working in us that which is pleasing in His sight , through Jesus Christ , to whom be the glory forever and ever . Amen . 22 But I urge you, brethren , bear with this word of exhortation , for I have written to you briefly e . 23 Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released , with whom , if he comes soon , I will see you. 24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints . Those from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with you all .
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Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hebrews 13:17-25
Commentary on Hebrews 13:16-21
(Read Hebrews 13:16-21)
We must, according to our power, give to the necessities of the souls and bodies of men: God will accept these offerings with pleasure, and will accept and bless the offerers through Christ. The apostle then states what is their duty to living ministers; to obey and submit to them, so far as is agreeable to the mind and will of God, made known in his word. Christians must not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn. The people must search the Scriptures, and so far as the ministers teach according to that rule, they ought to receive their instructions as the word of God, which works in those that believe. It is the interest of hearers, that the account their ministers give of them may be with joy, and not with grief. Faithful ministers deliver their own souls, but the ruin of a fruitless and faithless people will be upon their own heads. The more earnestly the people pray for their ministers, the more benefit they may expect from their ministry. A good conscience has respect to all God's commands, and all our duty. Those who have this good conscience, yet need the prayers of others. When ministers come to a people who pray for them, they come with greater satisfaction to themselves, and success to the people. We should seek all our mercies by prayer. God is the God of peace, fully reconciled to believers; who has made a way for peace and reconciliation between himself and sinners, and who loves peace on earth, especially in his churches. He is the Author of spiritual peace in the hearts and consciences of his people. How firm a covenant is that which has its foundation in the blood of the Son of God! The perfecting of the saints in every good work, is the great thing desired by them, and for them; and that they may at length be fitted for the employment and happiness of heaven. There is no good thing wrought in us, but it is the work of God. And no good thing is wrought in us by God, but through Christ, for his sake and by his Spirit.
Commentary on Hebrews 13:22-25
(Read Hebrews 13:22-25)
So bad are men, and even believers, through the remainders of their corruption, that when the most important, comfortable doctrine is delivered to them for their own good, and that with the most convincing evidence, there is need of earnest entreaty and exhortation that they would bear it, and not fall out with it, neglect it, or reject it. It is good to have the law of holy love and kindness written in the hearts of Christians, one towards another. Religion teaches men true civility and good breeding. It is not ill-tempered or uncourteous. Let the favour of God be toward you, and his grace continually working in you, and with you, bringing forth the fruits of holiness, as the first-fruits of glory.