The big picture
Hebrews 13 opens in verse 1 with “Let brotherly love continue.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 13 with “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.”, and closes in verse 25 with “Grace be with you all. Amen.” Repeated or prominent terms include good, Jesus, blood, rule, Amen. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Hebrews · King James Version · 25Hebrews 13:1-7
1–7: Let brotherly love continue.
Hebrews 13:1–7 opens with “Let brotherly love continue.” and reaches “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hospitality to strangers, care for prisoners, faithful marriage, contentment, leaders finishing well, and praise joined with practical generosity, with particular weight carried by conversation, Remember, adulterers.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Let brotherly love continue.” The line’s distinctive content terms include brotherly, continue, love. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” The line’s distinctive content terms include angels, entertain, entertained. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.
Hebrews 13:1-7
King James Version1Let brotherly love continue.
2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Hebrews 13:8-14
8–14: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Hebrews 13:8–14 opens with “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” and reaches “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hospitality to strangers, care for prisoners, faithful marriage, contentment, leaders finishing well, and praise joined with practical generosity, with particular weight carried by blood, camp, Jesus.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with…” The line’s distinctive content terms include carried, divers, doctrines. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
Hebrews 13:8-14
King James Version8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Hebrews 13:15-21
15–21: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God…
Hebrews 13:15–21 opens with “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of…” and reaches “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hospitality to strangers, care for prisoners, faithful marriage, contentment, leaders finishing well, and praise joined with practical generosity, with particular weight carried by good, Jesus, account.
Context that brings the passage to life
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Hebrews 13:15-21
King James Version15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:22-25
22–25: I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have…
Hebrews 13:22–25 opens with “And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto…” and reaches “Grace be with you all. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hospitality to strangers, care for prisoners, faithful marriage, contentment, leaders finishing well, and praise joined with practical generosity, with particular weight carried by salute, Amen, beseech.
Hebrews 13:22-25
King James Version22And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
23Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25Grace be with you all. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Hebrews 13:1 begins with “Let brotherly love continue.”
Where the chapter turns
Hebrews 13:16 forms a natural hinge: “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
The final note
Hebrews 13:25 leaves the reader with “Grace be with you all. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words good, Jesus, blood, rule, Amen, beseech help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does Abram pursue peace?
He names their kinship and offers a practical separation without insisting on first choice.
What can Lot see that Abram cannot yet possess?
Lot sees fertile land; Abram receives a promise of land and descendants still to come.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- hath
- has
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.