Hebrews 13:18-25
The God of Peace
18Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
19And I especially urge you to pray that I may be restored to you soon.
20Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
21equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22I urge you, brothers, to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have only written to you briefly.
23Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings.
25Grace be with all of you.
Berean Standard Bible
The writer asks the readers to pray for the leaders. He says they are convinced that they have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. He especially asks prayer that he may be restored to them soon. Even a leader who teaches the church needs the church's prayers.
The closing blessing gathers up the letter's hope. God is the God of peace, and through the blood of the eternal covenant He brought back from the dead Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep. Resurrection and shepherding belong together: the risen Lord is alive to care for His people.
The writer asks God to equip the readers with every good thing to do His will. Christian growth is not self-manufactured. God works in His people what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, and the glory belongs to Jesus forever.
The writer calls the letter a word of exhortation and asks the brothers to bear with it. Its warnings and hard teaching are not meant to entertain. They are meant to help the church remain faithful to Christ. Timothy has been released, and the writer hopes to visit with him.
He greets leaders and saints, passes on greetings from those in Italy, and ends simply: grace be with all of you. The letter's final word is not anxiety but grace—the same grace that strengthens people to endure.
Questions
1 What did the writer ask the readers to do?
AnswerHe asked them to pray for him and his coworkers to live honorably and be restored to them.
2 Who brought Jesus back from the dead?
AnswerThe God who gives peace brought Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, back from the dead.
3 What does God equip believers to do?
AnswerGod equips believers with every good thing needed to do His will and work what pleases Him through Jesus.
4 Through whom does God work what pleases Him?
AnswerGod works what pleases Him in believers through Jesus Christ, to whom glory belongs forever.
What This Means for Us
Prayer belongs to leaders and followers alike. Ask God to give servants clear consciences, honorable lives, and the humility to receive help from the people they serve.
When a household feels unequipped, the blessing gives a better starting point than self-confidence: God equips His people through Jesus. Receive grace for the next good thing, not a fantasy of being ready for everything.
Prayer
God of peace, raise our eyes to Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep. Equip us to do Your will, give us clear consciences and honorable lives, and let Your grace hold our household firmly. Amen.