Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13:1

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. It was unbelief that kept them out of Canaan. Hence, the lesson which is given more fully in the next chapter. These warnings show us that the Hebrew Christians addressed were subjected to trials, and some of them in danger of apostasy, falling away through unbelief. Hence, the fate of Israel in the wilderness is pointed out. If unbelief shut out the Israelites from the rest in Canaan, unbelief will shut the gates of heavenly rest to those who have started on the way.

Hebrews 13:3

The Rest That Remaineth for the Saints SUMMARY OF HEBREW 4: Diligence Needful to Enter the Rest. A Rest for the Saints. God’s Rest a Type. Old Israel Did Not Find the True Rest. There Remaineth a Rest. Let us therefore fear. God’s promises are conditional. A rest is promised, but we must take heed that we do not “come short of it” by failing to keep the conditions.

Hebrews 13:4

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them. We have the promises of the gospel, but they had the promises of an earthly land of rest preached to them. They broke the covenant on which the promises were based. The word which they heard did not profit them. The reason was that it was not received in unfaltering faith. Hence they did not obey it. So unbelief would make the gospel to us of none effect.

Hebrews 13:5

For we which have believed. Believers in Christ. Do enter into rest, as he said. Have the hope of the promised rest. To have the rest is conditioned upon a trusting faith. If they shall enter into my rest. Rather, “They shall not enter into my rest” (Revised Version). It is the same quotation that is found in Hebrews 3:11. The argument is that the Israelites were excluded from God’s rest, and hence it follows that some others must enter in, since the rest has not been prepared in vain. Although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Though God completed his work in six days and rested the seventh, a type of the rest to be given to his saints, yet keeping the Sabbath is not entering into that rest.

Hebrews 13:6

He spake in a certain place. In Genesis 2:2. There it is stated that And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. The Sabbath rest was therefore established long before Israel was denied entrance into the rest. Hence it is not “the rest”.

Hebrews 13:7

And in this [place] again, If they shall enter into my rest. In Psalms 95:11, which declares that Israel should not enter into God’s rest. Though Israel had kept the rest of the Sabbath, they had not entered into God’s rest, as this language shows. The rest of the Sabbath is not then the promised rest, nor is Canaan below, from which nearly all Israel was once excluded, because David exhorts the people, though in Canaan, to enter into the rest.

Hebrews 13:8

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein. Since God has a rest for his people, and it is not made in vain, there must be some who enter therein. They to whom it was first preached entered not because of unbelief. Those to whom it was first offered entered not because of their unbelief. Hence it remaineth to all who, like Joshua and Caleb, have faith (Numbers 14:30,38 26:65 32:11,12).

Hebrews 13:9

Again, he limiteth a certain day. The thought is that there is a day of opportunity. If that day is passed by, the opportunity is gone. The word of the Lord is “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts”. Saying in David. In Psalms 95:7.

Hebrews 13:10

For if Jesus. “Joshua” in the Revised Version. “Jesus” is the Greek form of the Hebrew word “Joshua”. Had given them rest. Joshua led Israel over the Jordan into Canaan, but that did not give them complete rest. Then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. If that had been true, David would not have exhorted them to seek to enter into rest. Five hundred years after they entered Canaan this exhortation is given in Psalms 95:7-11.

Hebrews 13:11

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Since God has a rest for his people, and neither the Sabbath nor Canaan is the rest, these being only types of that rest, “a rest to the people of God”.

Hebrews 13:12

For he that is entered into his rest. When God rested on the Sabbath, the type of the true rest, his works ceased. So when our rest comes, weary toil, trials and sufferings will be over.

Hebrews 13:13

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. Since this glorious rest, the heavenly rest, remains for faithful believers, we should seek to enter upon it. Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Especially take heed that we do not come short through unbelieving disobedience as did Israel.

Hebrews 13:14

For the word of God. The Israelites came short because they refused to hear the word of the Lord. If we could enter in, we must take heed to the word. It is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword. Cutting keenly and in all directions. Piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. It not only gives life, but slays, as was the case with the Israelites who fell in the wilderness, and pierces to the soul and spirit. It reaches the very fountains of life. A discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It lays bare the thoughts and the intentions.

Hebrews 13:15

Neither is there any creature. In Christ appears the Word in personal form, while in the gospel we have his spoken word. Here the reference is to the personal Word. That is not manifest in his sight. Every creature is manifest before him, and all our deeds and thoughts are open to his eyes.

Hebrews 13:16

Seeing then that we have a great high priest. As has been shown (Hebrews 2:17 3:1). That is passed into the heavens. Our high priest now makes intercession in the true Holy of Holies.

Hebrews 13:17

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. A high priest must be in sympathy with those of whom he ministers. Christ, who took upon himself our infirmities, is such a high priest. But was in all points tempted as [we are, yet] without sin. He was tried and tempted as man, but remained sinless.

Hebrews 13:18

Let us therefore come boldly. Because our high priest can be touched by our infirmities. Unto the throne of grace. The Jewish high priest interceded before the mercy-seat. We may come boldly to the mercy-seat, knowing that our loving Elder Brother is our high priest in the heavens. Hence we may always have confidence when we ask for grace to help in time of need. The practical lesson of the chapter is that the True Rest promised remains. It was not the Sabbath day, nor was it Canaan.

It is the heavenly rest of which these are types. Unbelieving disobedience excluded the Israelites from the typical rest of Canaan. So, too, it will exclude those who have started to enter into the heavenly rest if they refuse to hear Christ through unbelief. The believing Joshua and Caleb entered into Canaan. So, too, the true and faithful believers who follow Christ will enter into the rest above.

Hebrews 13:20

The Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 5: The Office of a High Priest. High Priests Chosen of God. Christ a Priest of the Order of Melchizedek. He Learned Obedience Through Suffering. The Need of Learning the Deeper Truths of the Gospel. Every high priest taken from among men. Such as Aaron and all the high priests of Israel. Is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God. He is appointed to officiate in holy things and to intercede in behalf of his fellow-men. God did not need the high priest, but men needed him. That he may offer both gifts and sacrifices of sins. “Gifts” were strictly bloodless offerings, while “sacrifices” required the life of the victim. These were offered in behalf of men, either by the high priest in person, or under his direction.

Hebrews 13:21

Who can have compassion. It is needful that the high priest be one in sympathy with men, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. Because he has experienced in person the common infirmities of the race. Otherwise, how could he be a merciful high priest touched by the infirmities of men?

Hebrews 13:22

And by reason hereof. Of his own infirmity, in that he was of men. He ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. As one of a sinful race he needed to approach God in his own behalf, as well as in behalf of men. He offered atonement for his own sins and for the sins of the people (Leviticus 9:7). This was shown forth in the very garments he wore when he offered the national atonement once a year. On the shoulder of the ephod were two onyx stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve sons of Jacob, the representatives of all the tribes of Israel, of Levi the priestly tribe as well as the others (Exodus 28:10). As he stood before the mercy-seat interceding, he bore all these names before the Lord.

Hebrews 13:23

And no man taketh this honour unto himself. He must be called to it by God. As [was] Aaron. Aaron was so appointed. See Exodus 28:1 Leviticus 8:2.

Hebrews 13:24

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest. Did not take the office of himself, but God called him to his priesthood. The time is pointed out when he was so called. But he that said unto him. It was when God said, in Psalms 2:7, Thou art my son, to day have I begotten thee. This refers to when Christ was begotten from the dead, the first-born of the new creation. See Ephesians 1:20-23. At this time he entered fully, at the call of God, upon his high priesthood in behalf of men.

Hebrews 13:25

As he saith also in another [place]. In Psalms 110:4. Thou [art] a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Christ’s priesthood continues while time endures. He is not of the order of Aaron, but of Melchizedek, a king as well as a priest. See Genesis 14:18,19. For a fuller discussion of the priesthood of Melchizedek, see notes on Hebrews 7:1-10.