Hebrews 13.........labour of love
The third of three practical chapters in Hebrews; knowledge of the supreme glories of the Son of God should issue in real life changes, faith which works, hope that endures, and love which is evident. The chapter begins “Let brotherly love continue....”. Previously he had referred to their love in chapter 6 v10, where he described it as “a labour of love” evidenced in their “ministration to the saints”. He wants this to continue. He uses the word “philadelphia” which is visible practical love, a humanitarian kind of love to those who are our fellows. Indeed the whole chapter is an exposition of this, what it is, what it is not, and how it is manifest. The chapter moves in thought flow alternating between the negative and positive aspects of love. It is distinguished from “agape” which is Divine love and differs from “phileo” in intensity. We as Christians are all capable of humanitarian care, such as is expounded in this chapter, and it is our duty to perform it. In the bible there is no discord between doctrine and duty and both are the natural outcome of the other, the doctrine prescribes the duty, the duty adorns the doctrine.
Love to strangers “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers....” verse 2. This is the issue of hospitality, the duty of care for the travellers, whether it be on business or preaching or immigration or relocating, or because of persecution, we are to tend to the needs of strangers. This is a big topic in the bible and particularly the old testament when travel could be wearisome and dangerous. This suggests the use of the home for humanitarian needs. Israel were under command to leave the gleanings of the harvest and the vine for the stranger in their midst (Leviticus 19 vv-10). There are multiple references to “the stranger in the midst”, and mostly in the context of kindness. The Lord who is the essence of kindness would have His people to be friendly and kind and hospitable. There is only one example of “entertaining strangers unawares” in Genesis 18, but it seems there were many such occasions and perhaps God puts us to the test. Angels are able to assume bodily form.
Loving prayer “Remember them that are in bonds......” Verse 3a. Chapter 11 has established we are “strangers and pilgrims” in this world (v9, v13), and the world is betimes unmerciful toward us and many have had their liberty removed because of their faith in Christ. The writer himself had experienced this (chapter 10 vv33-34), and even to this present day there are situations where God’s people are imprisoned for their faith. They are to be with us in memory and in prayer “as being bound with them”. This is the truth of the body where “if one member suffer we all suffer”.
Loving sympathy “Remember...them which suffer adversity as being yourselves also in the body.” Verse 3b. The Christian life will bring many trials, and, of course none of us are immune from the everyday problems of mankind. We are to be sensitive to the needs of all as being closely linked with them in all bodily weakness. We are to be “sympathetic” to the needs of others.
Love in the home “Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge”. Verse 4. At first glance this seems disjointed from the previous verse, but on closer inspection, he is comparing the things of true love with the perversion of it which is lust. The greatest human expression of love is the intimate love in marriage of a man and a woman. This state of intimacy is instituted by God and is honourable and undefiled, but the practice of free love in whatever form is unholy and perverse and will come under Divine sanction. Love as understood by the world, and propagated by the mass media, has been reduced to lust which is self-gratification, instead of mutual sharing between two loyal partners.
Love not lust “Let your conversation (behaviour) be without covetousness (love of money or possessions)....” Verses 5-6. This is another perversion of love, we were created to worship God, not the things of creation, and the selfish greed for more and more possessions is to be absent from our lives. Need, not greed, is to be our concern; contentment, not covetousness, is to be our watchword. Our trust, even for material needs, is in the Lord who has promised to supply all our needs, and therein we are to be content. He quotes from Deuteronomy 31 v6 & Psalm 27 v1, both which refer to the Divine provision and protection of His people. This is a major subject in the bible, and addresses issues which affect every one of us. David summed it up perfectly when, in spanning his entire life in Psalm 37 vv25-26 he said, “I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful and lendeth and His seed is blessed.” The Lord Jesus proclaimed in the sermon on the mount that the pursuit of material things was the sole occupation of the nations of the world......(”For after all these things do the Gentiles seek), for your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things”(Matthew 6 v32). Rather He says in the next verse “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Love your mentors “Remember your guides (most versions), who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow....”. Verses 7-9. Part of the demonstration of “brotherly love” is respect for and courtesy towards those of our spiritual leaders. The A.V. translation is unfortunate, since there is no sense of “rulers” in the house of God. This is made clear in 1st Timothy 3 v5 where the qualifications for leadership is discussed; there, although he is to rule his own house, his role in the church is to lead, to guide, to take care. There are three references to spiritual leaders in this chapter, the first here to remember those guides who have now passed on, and again in verse 17 to obey and to submit to those who are presently our leaders. There will always arise situations that demand definitive leadership and in that sense they rule, applying the issues of scripture from exemplary lives. Their authority will always be a moral authority and accepted as from the Lord. Paul in 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 v13 appealed that we should “esteem them very highly in love for their works sake”, and this is a part of our human kindness to them for they have a demanding job to do. Their words “...who have spoken unto you the word of God”, are matched by their actions “whose faith follow, considering the end (the issue) of their behaviour Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever”. They lived out the words they spoke and the essence of their lives was the Lord Jesus.....they preached and they lived Christ! There is a tendency for every generation to want to change things. Your guides represented an unchanging Lord Jesus who is eternally the same. Paul said to Timothy “...the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also”. The next verse(9) progresses this by referring to “divers and strange doctrines....”. Historically, when godly leaders are gone there has been a tendency to change and not always for the better. Men who have stood for truth, in their passing need to be replaced by men of the same convictions, for our Lord never changes. Scriptures like Joshua 1 v8 “As I was with Moses so will I be with you”, spoken to Joshua on the death of Moses; and 2nd Chronicles 24 v2 “And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” After the death of Jehoiada it is recorded in the same chapter verse 18 “they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers and served groves and idols.” We are to remember our guides and to follow their faith, knowing their faith was in the unchanging Lord.
Love from the heart Verses 9-12. “For it is good that the heart be established with grace and not with meats which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” The reference to the heart continues the theme of love and we are to be occupied with the grace of God which saves us and not the things of law which condemn us. The tabernacle had an altar, whose purpose is now over and those who persist in it’s external form of religion are outside of the purposes of God. This detachment from the old form of worship was symbolised in the old sacrifices, in that the bodies of those beasts whose blood was offered for sin, were burned outside the camp. This was symbolic of the separation that would come and Jesus “...that He might sanctify the people with His own blood suffered outside the gate”....that is away from the temple, outside the city Jerusalem, separate from the old system of worship, in short, outside of Judaism! In other words you cannot serve Judaism and Christianity, they are incompatible. In Judaism the blood was offered in the tabernacle and the body burned remote from it. In Christ His blood and His body were offered outside the city, and, therefore there is no longer any merit in the tabernacle worship. True sanctification is now apart from Judaism and only in Christ. Our hearts are to be established in this grace, this is the true worship.
Love in our footsteps Verses 13-14. “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp bearing His reproach...” Will you still stand with Judaism, that put Him out to die on a shameful cross, or will you go to Him? Will you speak with your feet, will you join Him outside the gate and bear His reproach? The old religion is part of a passing world, we seek a better one, a world to come where Jesus is Lord. For the Jews this was a costly act, as it is at times today. Love to Him demands our devotion in this way. Unfortunately many professing Him have recreated formal religion and remain in a system that is of this world. A look at the external worship and priestly caste system of many so called churches today classifies them as Judaism in modern clothing. The following verse tells us the simple form of worship that God wants.
Love from our lips Verse 15. “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name”. So superior is our worship in Christ, there is no limit on location (chapter 10 v14...”..not into holy places made with hands”); there is no limit on time, we can offer praise continually, and we should whether in words or in song, be constantly praising Him like the angels in heaven who “night and day” proclaim His greatness. We can praise Him collectively or individually all the day long and wherever we are. If the authorities evict us from buildings we can praise Him in barns or caves or homes or wherever and at any time.
Love from our hands “But to do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” Verse 16. We are not saved by good works, but unto good works. We can follow in the footsteps of our leader who “went about doing good. We can give of our time and talents and possessions, and we have been the recipients of kindness unparalleled. We are to be gracious, generous people, as Paul wrote “God loves a cheerful giver”. We can return something of the grace given to us by sharing what we have. The reality of this great salvation is that the thief can become the benefactor, the taker can be the giver, and this giving spirit is to mark each one of us.
Love to our overseers “Obey your guides and submit to them for they watch for your souls as those that must give account....” Verse 17. Most of us have trouble enough keeping our own souls “in the love of God”, spare a thought for spiritual overseers who watch for all souls in their care, knowing that they must give account! Submit to them, allow them to do their job, make it easier for them to fulfil their obligations to the Lord, it is to Him they will give account. The Apostles were very aware of this accountability, indeed, some have suggested that the “we” in 1st John 2 v28 refers to the apostles who believed they would be accountable for all saints so that the legacy they left in their writings would inspire spirituality.
Love to the servants of God “Pray for us....” Verses 18-19. The servants of the Lord need our prayer support, they seek it from us, they deserve it, they need it. The context is prayer for their spiritual integrity in difficult situations. The test of spirituality is how we portray our Christianity in adversity. The writer may have been imprisoned falsely and there was need patience under injustice. He implores “abundant prayer” in this matter, that may facilitate his release. Paul, in particular, repeatedly asked for the prayers of the saints.
The chapter and the epistle concludes with a doxology to the Lord and final greetings to the saints in verses 20-25. There are three main thoughts befitting the close of such a letter....glory to God....greetings to the readers.....grace to all.
In the doxology he draws together the strands of the letter in a way that must appeal to everyone;
a. “Now the God of peace.....” This title is only used here and in the writings of Paul, which may give a clue to the authorship of the letter (see Romans 15 v33; 16 v20, 1st Corinthians 14 v33, 2nd Corinthians 13 v11, Philippians 4 v9. 1st Thessalonians 5 v23, and here). The title presents Him as the God who has made peace between man and God, and between man and man, and that this peace will result in a universal harmony which will last forever. The word “reconciliation” is prominent in new testament writings, and is the product of the God of peace through the Prince of peace.
b. “...that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus...” This harmonious state of things has been achieved through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, all of which are major topics in the letter.
c. “...our Lord Jesus the great shepherd of the sheep...” A major theme was His priesthood, but he changes the metaphor here to the shepherd, which carries the same idea of care, and fits well with the context, since he has three times referred to under shepherds in the chapter “your guides”...verse 7 we are to remember them; verse 17 we are to obey them and submit to them; and verse 24 we are to salute them, that is give honour to their office. They, however are under the “great shepherd” who is seen in the epistle as “the captain (chief leader) of their salvation” in chapter 2 v10; as “the forerunner” (pioneer) in chapter 6 v20. He is the great shepherd who lives to bring us home safely; He is the good shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10); He is the chief shepherd to whom all under shepherds will be answerable (1st Peter 5).
d. “...through the blood of the everlasting covenant....” This is the basis of salvation and true worship and is the core message of the Hebrew letter. The work is complete and is eternal in it’s effect and replaces everything that has gone before. It is perfect, needs no embellishment, has satisfied the demands of God, and fully prepared a people for worship as God intended.
e. “...make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ.....” The Greek word katartizo translated “make you perfect” is in common use as follows: to a doctor it means the setting of broken bones; to a fisherman it means the mending of broken nets; to the captain of a sailing ship it means to ready the ship for voyage; to the army general it means to equip the soldiers for battle. The ongoing work of God in the soul enables us to walk in His ways, to catch fish, to journey to ever new climes, to win battles! The tools He uses to this end are indicated across the new testament bringing out the beauty of the Greek language. Examples of this equipping process are found in 2nd Timothy 3 v17 where the man of God is made perfect by the scriptures; in Ephesians 4 vv11-12 the saints are “perfected” by the operation of the gifts in the church, therefore corporate gathering is very important; in Galatians 6 v1 the word is “restore” and refers to spiritual individuals who help us when we stray; in 1st Peter 5 v10 the “God of all grace” makes us perfect through suffering. There are a host of other examples but these suffice to illustrate that we are being prepared for a new life in glory.
f. “To Him (the God of peace) be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen”. The only sure outcome to all existence is that God will be glorified and revered and that forever.
He closes by describing his letter as “a word of exhortation” and a letter “of few words”. He gives news of Timothy and encourages them to salute their leaders and all the saints. He pronounces grace on all his readers. The word for salute literally means “enfold in the arms” and is a term of affection, which is in keeping with the theme of the chapter and in tune with the grace of God.
The third of three practical chapters in Hebrews; knowledge of the supreme glories of the Son of God should issue in real life changes, faith which works, hope that endures, and love which is evident. The chapter begins “Let brotherly love continue....”. Previously he had referred to their love in chapter 6 v10, where he described it as “a labour of love” evidenced in their “ministration to the saints”. He wants this to continue. He uses the word “philadelphia” which is visible practical love, a humanitarian kind of love to those who are our fellows. Indeed the whole chapter is an exposition of this, what it is, what it is not, and how it is manifest. The chapter moves in thought flow alternating between the negative and positive aspects of love. It is distinguished from “agape” which is Divine love and differs from “phileo” in intensity. We as Christians are all capable of humanitarian care, such as is expounded in this chapter, and it is our duty to perform it. In the bible there is no discord between doctrine and duty and both are the natural outcome of the other, the doctrine prescribes the duty, the duty adorns the doctrine.
Love to strangers “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers....” verse 2. This is the issue of hospitality, the duty of care for the travellers, whether it be on business or preaching or immigration or relocating, or because of persecution, we are to tend to the needs of strangers. This is a big topic in the bible and particularly the old testament when travel could be wearisome and dangerous. This suggests the use of the home for humanitarian needs. Israel were under command to leave the gleanings of the harvest and the vine for the stranger in their midst (Leviticus 19 vv-10). There are multiple references to “the stranger in the midst”, and mostly in the context of kindness. The Lord who is the essence of kindness would have His people to be friendly and kind and hospitable. There is only one example of “entertaining strangers unawares” in Genesis 18, but it seems there were many such occasions and perhaps God puts us to the test. Angels are able to assume bodily form.
Loving prayer “Remember them that are in bonds......” Verse 3a. Chapter 11 has established we are “strangers and pilgrims” in this world (v9, v13), and the world is betimes unmerciful toward us and many have had their liberty removed because of their faith in Christ. The writer himself had experienced this (chapter 10 vv33-34), and even to this present day there are situations where God’s people are imprisoned for their faith. They are to be with us in memory and in prayer “as being bound with them”. This is the truth of the body where “if one member suffer we all suffer”.
Loving sympathy “Remember...them which suffer adversity as being yourselves also in the body.” Verse 3b. The Christian life will bring many trials, and, of course none of us are immune from the everyday problems of mankind. We are to be sensitive to the needs of all as being closely linked with them in all bodily weakness. We are to be “sympathetic” to the needs of others.
Love in the home “Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge”. Verse 4. At first glance this seems disjointed from the previous verse, but on closer inspection, he is comparing the things of true love with the perversion of it which is lust. The greatest human expression of love is the intimate love in marriage of a man and a woman. This state of intimacy is instituted by God and is honourable and undefiled, but the practice of free love in whatever form is unholy and perverse and will come under Divine sanction. Love as understood by the world, and propagated by the mass media, has been reduced to lust which is self-gratification, instead of mutual sharing between two loyal partners.
Love not lust “Let your conversation (behaviour) be without covetousness (love of money or possessions)....” Verses 5-6. This is another perversion of love, we were created to worship God, not the things of creation, and the selfish greed for more and more possessions is to be absent from our lives. Need, not greed, is to be our concern; contentment, not covetousness, is to be our watchword. Our trust, even for material needs, is in the Lord who has promised to supply all our needs, and therein we are to be content. He quotes from Deuteronomy 31 v6 & Psalm 27 v1, both which refer to the Divine provision and protection of His people. This is a major subject in the bible, and addresses issues which affect every one of us. David summed it up perfectly when, in spanning his entire life in Psalm 37 vv25-26 he said, “I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful and lendeth and His seed is blessed.” The Lord Jesus proclaimed in the sermon on the mount that the pursuit of material things was the sole occupation of the nations of the world......(”For after all these things do the Gentiles seek), for your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things”(Matthew 6 v32). Rather He says in the next verse “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Love your mentors “Remember your guides (most versions), who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow....”. Verses 7-9. Part of the demonstration of “brotherly love” is respect for and courtesy towards those of our spiritual leaders. The A.V. translation is unfortunate, since there is no sense of “rulers” in the house of God. This is made clear in 1st Timothy 3 v5 where the qualifications for leadership is discussed; there, although he is to rule his own house, his role in the church is to lead, to guide, to take care. There are three references to spiritual leaders in this chapter, the first here to remember those guides who have now passed on, and again in verse 17 to obey and to submit to those who are presently our leaders. There will always arise situations that demand definitive leadership and in that sense they rule, applying the issues of scripture from exemplary lives. Their authority will always be a moral authority and accepted as from the Lord. Paul in 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 v13 appealed that we should “esteem them very highly in love for their works sake”, and this is a part of our human kindness to them for they have a demanding job to do. Their words “...who have spoken unto you the word of God”, are matched by their actions “whose faith follow, considering the end (the issue) of their behaviour Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever”. They lived out the words they spoke and the essence of their lives was the Lord Jesus.....they preached and they lived Christ! There is a tendency for every generation to want to change things. Your guides represented an unchanging Lord Jesus who is eternally the same. Paul said to Timothy “...the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also”. The next verse(9) progresses this by referring to “divers and strange doctrines....”. Historically, when godly leaders are gone there has been a tendency to change and not always for the better. Men who have stood for truth, in their passing need to be replaced by men of the same convictions, for our Lord never changes. Scriptures like Joshua 1 v8 “As I was with Moses so will I be with you”, spoken to Joshua on the death of Moses; and 2nd Chronicles 24 v2 “And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” After the death of Jehoiada it is recorded in the same chapter verse 18 “they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers and served groves and idols.” We are to remember our guides and to follow their faith, knowing their faith was in the unchanging Lord.
Love from the heart Verses 9-12. “For it is good that the heart be established with grace and not with meats which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” The reference to the heart continues the theme of love and we are to be occupied with the grace of God which saves us and not the things of law which condemn us. The tabernacle had an altar, whose purpose is now over and those who persist in it’s external form of religion are outside of the purposes of God. This detachment from the old form of worship was symbolised in the old sacrifices, in that the bodies of those beasts whose blood was offered for sin, were burned outside the camp. This was symbolic of the separation that would come and Jesus “...that He might sanctify the people with His own blood suffered outside the gate”....that is away from the temple, outside the city Jerusalem, separate from the old system of worship, in short, outside of Judaism! In other words you cannot serve Judaism and Christianity, they are incompatible. In Judaism the blood was offered in the tabernacle and the body burned remote from it. In Christ His blood and His body were offered outside the city, and, therefore there is no longer any merit in the tabernacle worship. True sanctification is now apart from Judaism and only in Christ. Our hearts are to be established in this grace, this is the true worship.
Love in our footsteps Verses 13-14. “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp bearing His reproach...” Will you still stand with Judaism, that put Him out to die on a shameful cross, or will you go to Him? Will you speak with your feet, will you join Him outside the gate and bear His reproach? The old religion is part of a passing world, we seek a better one, a world to come where Jesus is Lord. For the Jews this was a costly act, as it is at times today. Love to Him demands our devotion in this way. Unfortunately many professing Him have recreated formal religion and remain in a system that is of this world. A look at the external worship and priestly caste system of many so called churches today classifies them as Judaism in modern clothing. The following verse tells us the simple form of worship that God wants.
Love from our lips Verse 15. “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name”. So superior is our worship in Christ, there is no limit on location (chapter 10 v14...”..not into holy places made with hands”); there is no limit on time, we can offer praise continually, and we should whether in words or in song, be constantly praising Him like the angels in heaven who “night and day” proclaim His greatness. We can praise Him collectively or individually all the day long and wherever we are. If the authorities evict us from buildings we can praise Him in barns or caves or homes or wherever and at any time.
Love from our hands “But to do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” Verse 16. We are not saved by good works, but unto good works. We can follow in the footsteps of our leader who “went about doing good. We can give of our time and talents and possessions, and we have been the recipients of kindness unparalleled. We are to be gracious, generous people, as Paul wrote “God loves a cheerful giver”. We can return something of the grace given to us by sharing what we have. The reality of this great salvation is that the thief can become the benefactor, the taker can be the giver, and this giving spirit is to mark each one of us.
Love to our overseers “Obey your guides and submit to them for they watch for your souls as those that must give account....” Verse 17. Most of us have trouble enough keeping our own souls “in the love of God”, spare a thought for spiritual overseers who watch for all souls in their care, knowing that they must give account! Submit to them, allow them to do their job, make it easier for them to fulfil their obligations to the Lord, it is to Him they will give account. The Apostles were very aware of this accountability, indeed, some have suggested that the “we” in 1st John 2 v28 refers to the apostles who believed they would be accountable for all saints so that the legacy they left in their writings would inspire spirituality.
Love to the servants of God “Pray for us....” Verses 18-19. The servants of the Lord need our prayer support, they seek it from us, they deserve it, they need it. The context is prayer for their spiritual integrity in difficult situations. The test of spirituality is how we portray our Christianity in adversity. The writer may have been imprisoned falsely and there was need patience under injustice. He implores “abundant prayer” in this matter, that may facilitate his release. Paul, in particular, repeatedly asked for the prayers of the saints.
The chapter and the epistle concludes with a doxology to the Lord and final greetings to the saints in verses 20-25. There are three main thoughts befitting the close of such a letter....glory to God....greetings to the readers.....grace to all.
In the doxology he draws together the strands of the letter in a way that must appeal to everyone;
a. “Now the God of peace.....” This title is only used here and in the writings of Paul, which may give a clue to the authorship of the letter (see Romans 15 v33; 16 v20, 1st Corinthians 14 v33, 2nd Corinthians 13 v11, Philippians 4 v9. 1st Thessalonians 5 v23, and here). The title presents Him as the God who has made peace between man and God, and between man and man, and that this peace will result in a universal harmony which will last forever. The word “reconciliation” is prominent in new testament writings, and is the product of the God of peace through the Prince of peace.
b. “...that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus...” This harmonious state of things has been achieved through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, all of which are major topics in the letter.
c. “...our Lord Jesus the great shepherd of the sheep...” A major theme was His priesthood, but he changes the metaphor here to the shepherd, which carries the same idea of care, and fits well with the context, since he has three times referred to under shepherds in the chapter “your guides”...verse 7 we are to remember them; verse 17 we are to obey them and submit to them; and verse 24 we are to salute them, that is give honour to their office. They, however are under the “great shepherd” who is seen in the epistle as “the captain (chief leader) of their salvation” in chapter 2 v10; as “the forerunner” (pioneer) in chapter 6 v20. He is the great shepherd who lives to bring us home safely; He is the good shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10); He is the chief shepherd to whom all under shepherds will be answerable (1st Peter 5).
d. “...through the blood of the everlasting covenant....” This is the basis of salvation and true worship and is the core message of the Hebrew letter. The work is complete and is eternal in it’s effect and replaces everything that has gone before. It is perfect, needs no embellishment, has satisfied the demands of God, and fully prepared a people for worship as God intended.
e. “...make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ.....” The Greek word katartizo translated “make you perfect” is in common use as follows: to a doctor it means the setting of broken bones; to a fisherman it means the mending of broken nets; to the captain of a sailing ship it means to ready the ship for voyage; to the army general it means to equip the soldiers for battle. The ongoing work of God in the soul enables us to walk in His ways, to catch fish, to journey to ever new climes, to win battles! The tools He uses to this end are indicated across the new testament bringing out the beauty of the Greek language. Examples of this equipping process are found in 2nd Timothy 3 v17 where the man of God is made perfect by the scriptures; in Ephesians 4 vv11-12 the saints are “perfected” by the operation of the gifts in the church, therefore corporate gathering is very important; in Galatians 6 v1 the word is “restore” and refers to spiritual individuals who help us when we stray; in 1st Peter 5 v10 the “God of all grace” makes us perfect through suffering. There are a host of other examples but these suffice to illustrate that we are being prepared for a new life in glory.
f. “To Him (the God of peace) be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen”. The only sure outcome to all existence is that God will be glorified and revered and that forever.
He closes by describing his letter as “a word of exhortation” and a letter “of few words”. He gives news of Timothy and encourages them to salute their leaders and all the saints. He pronounces grace on all his readers. The word for salute literally means “enfold in the arms” and is a term of affection, which is in keeping with the theme of the chapter and in tune with the grace of God.
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