World English Bible translation
13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things. 13:19 I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner. Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 13:21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 13:23 Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you. 13:24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you. 13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.Today's Lesson
As this letter comes to a close, several unique portions of the letter come at the very end. There are several paragraphs that provide the only personal elements of the letter. There is the only prayer that is offered in this letter. As this great letter of faith comes to a close, there is hope and grace as these Christians are encouraged to grow in their commitment to Christ and to His new and eternal covenant.
There is an echo here from the last portion of the letter that repeats the refrain that one of the obligations that Christians have is to obey their leaders. We are to submit to those that God has placed before us for a time. In this way, by their obedience, we are brought closer to God along with them.
Then the author of this letter requests the prayers of these people. In fact, he asks for prayers and then immediately offers his own prayers for them as well. He prays that God will make them complete. He praises God as the one who brought Christ alive from the dead, God to whom be glory forever and ever.
He writes them a word of exhortation in "few words." All of our words should be words of exhortation to each other. We should encourage one another and exhort one another to live faithfully to God. This world stands opposed to all that Christ has accomplished. It is up to those of us that have accepted Christ to support our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is just this encouragement that the author has sought to accomplish through this letter.
It is the hope of this website that in some way those that participate in these Bible studies with us may be encouraged to walk faithfully too. In this epistle, the person of Jesus Christ is the central message. Christ is superior to angels, to Abraham and even to Moses who brought the people the Covenant of Law. It is our prayer that Christ will be the center of this study and the center of your life too. May God strengthen us all so that the desires of our hearts are to always grow to know Him more. May we all be conformed to the image of Christ that lives in us so that the world may never be without the hope that only the Son of God can bring.
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