Hebrews 13 Study Notes
Share
epouranios
| Greek pronunciation | [eh poo RAH nee ahs] |
| CSB translation | heavenly |
| Uses in Hebrews | 6 |
| Uses in the NT | 19 |
| Focus passage | Hebrews 12:22 |
Epouranios (heavenly) can refer to objects in the sky. Paul speaks of heavenly bodies like the sun, moon, and stars (1Co 15:40-41). Epouranios also refers to things related to or located in the spiritual realm. God dwells in the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22), and Christ is seated at God’s right hand in the heavens (Eph 1:20). Other spiritual beings are located in the heavens (Eph 3:10). Paul mentions spiritual forces of evil that battle in the heavens (Eph 6:12). All spiritual forces in heaven will pay homage to Jesus (Php 2:10). Positionally, believers are seated in the heavens with Jesus (Eph 2:6). Hebrews speaks of heavenly realities, after which the earthly sacrificial system was modeled (Heb 8:5; 9:23). The saints of old aspired to a heavenly homeland (Heb 11:16). Additionally, epouranios may refer to things originating from God. Thus, Christians share in a heavenly calling (Heb 3:1).
13:1-25 In the final chapter of the book, the author addressed the benefits and responsibilities of life lived in the church.
13:1-6 Under the general theme of allowing brotherly love to reign within the church, the author addressed five specific activities in which Christians should engage: (1) show hospitality toward strangers, (2) visit those in prison, (3) minister to the mistreated, (4) honor marriage, and (5) free themselves from the love of money.
13:7-19 The author addressed seven specific ways in which Christians should revere church leaders. (1) Christians should observe the lives of their leaders and imitate their faith. (2) Christians should remember that Christ is always the same and judge every teaching according to the gospel. (3) Christians should recognize their church may not be appreciated by the world because the Christian community is gathered to worship their Lord, whom the world despises. (4) Christians should continually offer their own sacrifice of praise in appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ by confessing his name. (5) The church should be active in doing good works and sharing with one another. (6) Christians should obey their leaders and submit to them, because they are accountable to God for caring for Christian souls. (7) Christians should pray for their leaders to have clear consciences, conducting themselves with honor in everything.
thusia
| Greek pronunciation | [thew SEE ah] |
| CSB translation | sacrifice |
| Uses in Hebrews | 15 |
| Uses in the NT | 28 |
| Focus passage | Hebrews 13:15 |
Thusia (sacrifice) refers to what is sacrificially offered up on an altar to God. As prescribed under the law, Joseph and Mary offered a sacrifice to dedicate their firstborn son Jesus (Lk 2:24). Under the OT sacrificial system, God was not impressed with outward sacrifice when such acts excluded inward obedience (Mt 9:13; 12:7; Mk 12:33). Christ offered himself on a cross to God as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin (Eph 5:2; Heb 9:26; 10:12). In a figurative sense, thusia refers to the spiritual act of offering something unto God. Paul speaks of himself as a drink offering being poured out on the sacrificial service of the Philippians’ faith (Php 2:17). The financial gifts of the Philippian church to Paul are called a sacrifice (Php 4:18). Both verbal confession of praise to God and Christian acts of kindness are referred to as sacrifices (Heb 13:15-16).
13:20-25 The author prayed for his brothers and sisters in the church to be blessed. Recounting the sacrificial work of Christ, he prayed that God would equip them to do his will. He asked them to receive this message of exhortation, meaning this theological sermon (the letter to the Hebrews) that he had written for their benefit. After bringing greetings from the Italian community and news about Timothy, he ended with a blessing: Grace be with you all.