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Hebrews 13:22-25
As the author of Hebrews closes this letter, he gives a second part to the conclusion. The first part (Hebrews 13:20-21) is a recap of the contents of the letter in giving praise, glory, and blessing to God and our Savior Jesus, and to the authors desire that the hearers/congregation will take heed to the blessings and warnings in which the letter describes.
In this second part of the closing (Hebrews 13:22-25), the author shows the importance of the letter to be taken seriously by the hearers/congregation as he makes this second “appeal” (Hebrews 13:22a, NKJV) to “bear with the word of exhortation,” meaning that it will not be easy to adhere to the teachings in which he has presented to them, but that they must persevere through growing in their relationships with God through their salvation in Jesus. This letter, presented by the author as being a short letter in verse 22c in fact has much to be learned, but gives the intention that there is much more that could have been said concerning one’s relationship with God through salvation in Christ Jesus.
The author then mentions that Timothy, “has been released” (NIV) and is believed that he has been imprisoned for his faith, but now is free, and is believed that Timothy will return to ministry with the author and will come with him in his hopeful visit.
Final instructions are given in Hebrews 13:24 for hospitality to be given for the hearers/congregations leaders and all their brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, (all the saints (NKJV), and that, “Those who come from Italy send you greetings (ESV).” Adding this greeting from, “Those who come from Italy” is debatable in its cause and reason, but most scholars believe that the letter was written from Italy (possibly Rome). Another possibility is that some from Italy had joined in the missionary group with the author.
The letter ends in Hebrews 13:25 which states, “Grace be with all of you” (HCSB). This is a final word that leaves the hearers/congregation with a sense of God’s blessing of grace to be with them continually.
This is a command to learn and apply the lessons of the Bible into our lives.
This is a promise that much more is to be found in putting God first in your life.
This is an example of the appeal that we (as Christians) should have to share our testimony and God’s Word with others.
We have learned much in the letter to the Hebrews about our Savior Jesus and His position in the Triune Godhead being God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He was sent to this earth to destroy sin and Satan, that we may be set free from the sinful ways of this world (Hebrews 2:14-15), and that the priesthood of Jesus will last forever (Hebrews 4:14-5:11; 6:19-8:13). We have learned that our salvation is perfected only through what Jesus has done for us on the cross and through His being raised from the dead. We have learned that our salvation is in Christ Jesus and through our faith in Him, not by any works that we may do in trying gain salvation in and of ourselves. And we have learned to conduct ourselves in respect to one another in Christ as we never know when God may send one of His angels to test our reaction.
Dear LORD,
You teach us much in Your word about our lost relationship with You and the need for Jesus to cleanse our hearts in forgiveness to bring us back to a right relationship with You through our faith in Him as our Savior and by seeking Your will for our lives in giving up our own selfish desires in repentance to a new life in Christ Jesus. But we continue to struggle with fighting the sinful nature of this world and we fall, but You are there to pick us up, brush us off, and encourage us to continue on the road to righteousness – in Christ. Forgive us LORD, and help us to put and keep our focus, faith, and hope in Jesus – the Savior of the world. In Jesus name I pray, amen.