Practical Application and Advice

St. Paul concluded his epistle by a practical speech like in all his other epistles. The speech corresponded to the spiritual thought which was declared throughout the whole epistle.

Commentary on The Epistle to the Hebrews, by Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Hebrews 13: 1 Let brotherly love continue.

Here he writes “continue.” From what we read in this letter, this is a faithful church, needing only an understanding of how Christ is the New High Priest.

We are to demonstrate our love for each other, not as a condition of enjoying Christ’s redeeming work in us, but rather as a demonstration or as evidence of the unity of divine love with brotherly love.

Truly, the more our heart is widened through His love and work in us, the more we love our brothers. The more we love our brothers, the more that God manifests His love in us.

From here, practical aspects of this love are offered:

2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

We see here, just as was the case in the opening verse: not a chastisement of doing something which has been neglected, but to continue doing that which you have been doing. Paul is writing to a faithful audience, and by encouraging them to continue, he is expecting that their sanctification will increase.

We are reminded: don’t just offer sympathy, don’t stop at only prayers (powerful as these are). Do, act; remember, love is a verb, a word of action, not merely of feeling.

4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

St. Athanasius:

“There are two roads in life: one is chaste and normal, which is marriage, and the other is surpassing nature and angelic, which is virginity. When someone chooses the former way, that is marriage, he is not to be blamed, but he is not rewarded like the other, for he brings forth fruit, thirty times. However, when one chooses the latter road, the harder way, he is more wonderfully rewarded for this way of life brings forth more complete fruits, that is a hundred times.”

I know this corresponds with what the apostle Paul writes elsewhere, but it is an area with which I struggle. For example, Peter’s marriage did not stand in the way of producing fruit one billion-fold (or some such number). Yet, none of us are Peter.

However, the married couple who has several children has the opportunity to produce fruit thirty-fold through each of their children. Not a bad multiplier effect. Having said all of this, I do understand how the responsibilities of the married life require their own focus and attention.

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

An empty heart looks for something with which to be filled. Covetousness is a sign of that empty heart – whether coveting a neighbor’s money, a neighbor’s wife, etc. When one’s heart is filled with God, there is no room for these desires.

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

St. John Chrysostom:

“What kind of remembrance is that? Let us follow what is good in them, for He said to follow their example and faith, for faith is declared in the pure life.”

This means to me that we follow those whose actions follow their words – and that their actions and words are good. But would you accept one to rule over you who did not act in this manner?

…believers should declare their love to the priests, because they have devoted all their lives to the Word of God.

Do we take this for granted? Not bothering to tell our pastor or priest how much we value them, that we care for them, that we pray for them? Are they there only to serve us?

The priest by his turn, should not preach only by words but by his life and example which should be illuminated and witnessing to the truth.

Actions speak louder than words. We all know this.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

As you would expect from a priest in a traditional church, Malaty makes clear that we accept Jesus Christ as our Fathers accepted him before us, and we pass on our knowledge of what we were taught without deviation. As you all know, I have done a lot of work to understand the whats and whys of the tradition was passed down to us.

9(a) Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines

We are protected from this as long as we accept and pass on, without deviation, that which we inherited.

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.

I am reminded here of a couple of the sermons by John Chrysostom, when they went outside the gates of the city for the liturgy. It was because Christ was also taken outside the city at such times, for example, the crucifixion.

16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Praise is more than words; it is seen through deeds – seen in the life we live.

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.

This is described in a manner of mutual respect, even submission. Remember that the shepherd is both obeyed by and is prepared to die for his sheep. There is even an admission by this shepherd that the shepherd, or priest, is also in need of prayer:

18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

He recognizes that Satan desires to tempt him all the more, as if Satan brings him down, and entire flock is put at risk.

Conclusion

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

In a way, summarizing this entire letter:

The apostolic blessing is in harmony with the content of the epistle, for he asks the Father to grant them the perfect life in every good work to do His will, working in them through the heavenly High Priest, the great Shepherd of the sheep, the Lord Jesus Christ. Since the Lord Jesus has offered Himself the Perfect Sacrifice, submitting to the Father in complete obedience, therefore, St. Paul desires that we carry His traits in us.

Epilogue

I have gone back and forth about the author of this letter. Tradition has it as Paul, but not all accept this. I understand why it might not be accepted, as it does not follow the typical introduction and conclusion of his other letters. Yet, the letter ends with a couple of hints that it is, in fact, the apostle Paul who authored this letter:

22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.