Hebrews 13:7-17 (NKJV) Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
V7 “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” The Greek word for “rule” is (G2233) ἡγέομαι hēgéomai, which means to lead. Thus, a leader’s role especially one with official capacities. Verse 7 refers to the church leadership. The Greek word for “remember” is (G3421) μνημονεύω mnēmoneúō, which means to be mindful by memory. It is being aware of their position and responsibilities. The main sources of pastoral duties are found in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Evangelists have come to them, preached the Gospel, and taught them true doctrine, God’s worldview, lifestyle, and rules. The leaders of the Apostolic period had been carefully and selectively chosen. The Apostles had the true faith beliefs and then passed them on to faithful men. The “outcome” is God’s opinion of their ministry. To rule does not mean a dictator or any type of pastoral abuse.
V8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. “ This is immutability. God is outside time and is the eternal now. He knows the past, present, and future exhaustively. This is a character trait of God. See Malachi 3:6, Numbers 23:19, Hebrews 6:17-18, and Matthew 24:35.
V9 “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.” The faith (doctrine and practice) has been delivered, so do not change. The Greek word for “established” is (G0950) βεβαιόω bebaioō, which means (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) ‘firm,’ ‘steadfast,’ ‘steady,’ ‘reliable,’ ‘certain.’ bebaioún has the sense ‘to make firm,’ ‘to confirm,’ ‘to keep truth’ (absolute), ‘to assure for oneself’ (middle).”
Note the elevation of grace over rituals, works, rules, Mosaic law, etc. Not with foods refers to practicing Mosaic dietary laws which do not profit spiritually.
V10 “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.” There are two altars: 1) Mosaic altar and 2) Heavenly altar. The priests of Israel could eat parts of certain sacrifices, but other Israeli’s must not. The Priest of the New Covenant, Jesus, opened the altar so that all by faith could eat. Compare His spiritual food (John 4:10-15 (drink) and John 6:51-56 (bread)). Spiritual food comes from God based on our faith. When we hear the Gospel and believe it, then we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The food and drink to nourish our soul and spirit is the Scriptures, the words of God. See Matthew 4:4, Psalm 119:103, 1 Peter 2:2, and Psalm 19:7-10. This spiritual food is not the sacraments. It is spiritual not material.
V11 “For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.” These are the sacrificial animals. Jesus has a superior sacrifice than the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant.
Comments:
Albert Barnes: “In the previous verse the consideration was, that Christians are permitted to partake of the benefits of a higher and more perfect sacrifice than the Jews were, and therefore should not relapse into that religion. In this verse the consideration is, that the bodies of the beasts that were burnt were taken without the camp, and that in like manner the Lord Jesus suffered without the gate of Jerusalem, and that we should be willing to go out with him to that sacrifice, whatever reproach or shame it might be attended with.”
Alford: “Those of which they did partake (I take these particulars mainly from Delitzsch) were: 1. the sin-offering of the rulers (a male kid), and the sin-offering of the common people (a female kid or lamb), Lev 4:22 ff., Lev 4:27 ff. (compare the rules ib. Leviticus 6 about eating and not eating the sacrifices): 2. the dove of the poor man, Lev 5:9. 3. the trespass-offering, Lev 7:7. 4. the skin of the whole burnt-offering, ib. Lev 7:8. 5. the wave-breast and heave-shoulder of the peace-offerings. 6. the wave-offerings on the feast of weeks, entire. But those of which they did not partake were, 1. the sin-offering of the high priest for himself, Lev 4:5-7, esp. Lev 4:12. 2. the sin-offerings for sins of ignorance of the congregation, Lev 4:16-21, cf. Num 15:24. 3. the sin-offering for high priest and people combined, on the great day of atonement, the blood of which was brought not only into the holy but into the holiest place, Lev 16:27.”
(Holman Commentary) “This verse focuses on the offering of the blood of animals to God and the burning of the bodies of the animals outside the camp. Jewish high priests who brought sin offerings to God did not eat from the altar. The sacrifices were burned. The actions of the high priests symbolized the actions of unbelievers, for the priest was among those who ministered at the tabernacle. Again we see unbelievers do not have any real contact with Christ and the benefits he offers.
“Christians do have spiritual access to the great sin offering Jesus presented. This offering is their food, nourishing and refreshing their souls as they feed on Christ by faith.”
V12 “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate” Note, it is the blood of Jesus, the sacrificial Passover Lamb, that sanctifies the people. The Greek word for “sanctify” is (G37) ἁγιάζω hagiázō, which means, here, to purify separating the evil and guilt from good and clean conscience. This replacement is the work of God because of our faith. “Blood” is the proof of death. The penalty for sin is death (Genesis). Either we pay the penalty or a sinless, volunteer does. Jesus is the only perfect person qualified (Revelation 5:4-5 with Revelation 5:9-10).
V13 “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” Jesus was disgraced, mocked, rejected, and killed for us. Will we join with Jesus to do His will whatever it may be, and perhaps, we too will suffer. Let us not be ashamed.
V14 “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” The Jews considered the continuing city to be earthly Jerusalem, but the city we seek is the heavenly Jerusalem. A comment: (Holman Commentary) “This verse adds two features to the appeal for commitment to Christ. First, Christians live for the future, not the present. No matter how appealing life in the present is, believers are looking for the city that is to come. Christians look for a reward which lies ahead.
“Second, Christians enjoy togetherness. We must not allow our practice of Christianity to degenerate into self-seeking individual choices. Believers who move forward for Christ like a mighty army find encouragement from common commitment and enthusiasm.”
V15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Christians do have sacrifices.
- Our bodies and minds. Our bodies in the sense that we determine to not follow (outside God’s allowances) worldly, fleshly desires. See Romans 12:1-2. Ungodly body desires: sacrifices to idols (sports, money, sex, power, position, comfort, etc); fornication, adultery, etc.); 2 Timothy 3:1-4; Galatians 5:19-21; etc. Ungodly mind desires: Avoid fleshly wisdom (2 Corinthians 1:12, James 3:14-16), false knowledge (1 Timothy 6:20, which is the teaching of false teachers, for there is knowledge of God’s ways in their plain, normal sense and the false (Bible interpretation methods, doctrines, philosophies, etc.). See Holman commentary.); Colossians 2:8, etc.
- Godly body desires: Honorable life (Hebrews 13:18);
- Godly mind desires: wisdom (James 3:13,17-18); renewal (Romans 12:2-purpose to know God’s good, acceptable, and perfect; also James 1:5);
- Martyrdom as in Philippians 2:17. We do not seek this, but if it happens, we must be faithful even to death.
- Sacrifice of praise as in Hebrews 13:15. This could be singing, praying, testifying, etc.
- Good works which honor God and testify of His ways especially THE Gospel as in Hebrews 13:15.
- Gifts (financial and otherwise) to help ministries and ministers as in Philippians 4:18.
V16 “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Here are two rules for all Christians: do good and to share. These refer to physical things such as kindness, compassion, help, food, etc. There are also soul things such as encouragement, listening, assisting, guiding, clarifying things, explaining, etc. There are also spiritual things such as preaching the Gospel, teaching the Scriptures, applying the Scriptures, sharing what we have learned with others, fellowship in the congregation, etc.
V17 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” We obey our pastoral leaders if IT IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PLAIN, NORMAL INTERPRETATION of Scriptures. Otherwise, it might be control, personal preference, legalism, etc. Every individual must decide, not just passively submit. Nevertheless, we must respectfully listen, then decide. Do not sign any nondisclosure statements or church covenants, for evil pastors use those tools to control people.