Hebrews 13:1-2
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse urges "brotherly love" to "continue," implying that this love already existed among them and was being expressed. The emphasis isn't on starting this love, but on faithfully sustaining it, especially as challenging circumstances might tempt them to pull away from one another. This isn't just a general call to be nice, but a specific plea to keep nurturing the unique bond of believers.
The author is shifting gears to offer practical advice, building on the serious theological arguments about Christ's superiority that came before. He assumes the readers already possess brotherly love, as they've shown it in the past, but urges them to ensure it continues to flourish, especially in light of potential challenges to their faith. This exhortation to steadfast love sets the stage for further instructions on hospitality, remembrance of leaders, marriage, contentment, and perseverance.
When we hear 'brotherly love,' we might think of a general niceness. But in the Bible, it's a specific, powerful kind of affection. What makes it unique?
The Greek word used here is 'philadelphia.' It's not about a vague goodwill towards everyone, but a deep, affectionate love specifically for fellow believers—those who share the family of God. Think of it as a special bond within the larger Christian community, built on shared faith in Christ.
It's a love that's already present among these believers, as noted by the commentators. The writer isn't asking them to start loving each other, but to continue that love. This implies it's an active, living thing that needs ongoing attention, not a passive sentiment.
This love is often shown through practical actions, like hospitality and care for those suffering, which are mentioned in the following verses.
The writer urges believers to let brotherly love 'continue.' Why would such a precious quality need such a firm command? What threats did it face?
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The exhortation to 'continue' brotherly love isn't just a suggestion; it's a vital command because this love was under pressure. The context suggests that these Hebrew Christians were facing difficulties, perhaps persecution or internal doubt, which could cause them to drift away from each other.
There was a real danger of them 'forgetting' or allowing this love to 'cease.' This could happen through various means:
The writer reminds them that they had already demonstrated this love (Hebrews 6:10; 10:33), but they needed to actively guard against its erosion.
Understand the original words
philadelphia · Greek Noun
A form of love specifically designated for the community of believers; it reflects the deep, familial bond shared by those united by faith in Christ.
philoxenia · Greek Noun
The act of providing care, shelter, and fellowship to those outside one's immediate circle, often to those in need or travelers; it is considered a mark of Christian character and obedience.
angeloi · Greek Noun
Celestial beings created by God who act as His messengers and agents; they sometimes appear in human form to carry out divine purposes or test the faithfulness of God's people.
The call for 'brotherly love to continue' in Hebrews 13:1 gains profound weight when we realize it was written to a community of Jewish Christians facing intense pressure and persecution. They were tempted to abandon their new faith, and the author urges them to hold fast to their love for one another as a crucial element of their enduring faith amidst suffering and potential apostasy.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
A massive fire devastates Rome, leading Emperor Nero to scapegoat Christians. This marks a significant escalation in persecution against believers.
c. AD 64-68
Persecution of Christians under Nero
Following the Great Fire, Christians face intense persecution in Rome and beyond, accused of arson and various crimes. This likely fuels the letter's urgency.
c. AD 65-70
Possible Destruction of the Jerusalem Temple
While the exact date of the Epistle's writing is debated, some scholars connect its themes of transition and suffering to the growing tensions leading to the Jewish-Roman War and the Temple's destruction.
c. AD 67
Martyrdom of Peter and Paul (Traditional)
Tradition holds that the apostles Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome during Nero's reign. Their deaths underscore the dangers faced by early Christian leaders.
c. AD 68— this verse
Writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author, possibly unknown, writes to a community of Hebrew Christians who are weary and potentially considering returning to Judaism due to intense persecution and social pressure.
c. AD 70
Destruction of the Jerusalem Temple
The Roman army under Titus destroys Jerusalem and its Second Temple. This catastrophic event had profound spiritual and symbolic implications for Jewish believers in Jesus.
This passage directly echoes Hebrews 13:1 by urging believers to 'love one another with brotherly affection' and 'outdo one another in showing honor,' highlighting the continuity of this specific kind of love within the community.
1 Peter 1:22Peter exhorts believers to 'purify your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love; love one another earnestly from a pure heart,' emphasizing that genuine brotherly love is a pure and active expression of their faith, just as Hebrews encourages its continuation.
1 John 4:7John states, 'Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God,' linking brotherly love directly to its divine source and underscoring why it should not only continue but be a defining characteristic of believers.
Galatians 6:10Paul encourages believers to 'therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of faith,' reinforcing the idea that brotherly love should extend beyond the immediate community and continue to manifest in acts of kindness.
pulpitHebrews 13:1: "Let brotherly love continue."
Verse 1. - Let brotherly love continue. Φιλαδελφία does not mean general philanthropy, but the peculiar love of Christians to each other as brethren; "a narrower sphere within the wider sphere of ἀγάπη (Delitzsch); cf. 1. Peter 2:17, "Honor all men, love the brotherhood;" and 2 Peter 1:7, where Christians are exhorted to add ἀγάπη to their φιλαδελπία. This grace of φιλαδελφία they had already, and had evinced it by their conduct (cf. Hebrews 6:10, et…
meyerHebrews 13:1: "Let brotherly love continue."
Hebrews 13:1 . Exhortation to enduring brotherly love. Ἡ φιλαδελφία ] The love of the brethren, i.e. love to the fellow-Christians. Comp. Romans 12:10 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:9 ; 1 Peter 1:22 ; 2 Peter 1:7 . μενέτω ] abide, cease not . For, according to Hebrews 6:10 , Hebrews 10:33 , the readers had already exercised this virtue before, and were still exercising it. Yet in their case, since they had become doubtful regarding the absolute truth of Christi…
The verse urges "brotherly love" to "continue," implying that this love already existed among them and was being expressed. The emphasis isn't on starting this love, but on faithfully sustaining it, especially as challenging circumstances might tempt them to pull away from one another. This isn't just a general call to be nice, but a specific plea to keep nurturing the unique bond of believers.
The author is shifting gears to offer practical advice, building on the serious theological arguments about Christ's superiority that came before. He assumes the readers already possess brotherly love, as they've shown it in the past, but urges them to ensure it continues to flourish, especially in light of potential challenges to their faith. This exhortation to steadfast love sets the stage for further instructions on hospitality, remembrance of leaders, marriage, contentment, and perseverance.
The author is shifting gears to offer practical advice, building on the serious theological arguments about Christ's superiority that came before. He assumes the readers already possess brotherly love, as they've shown it in the past, but urges them to ensure it continues to flourish, especially in light of potential challenges to their faith. This exhortation to steadfast love sets the stage for further instructions on hospitality, remembrance of leaders, marriage, contentment, and perseverance.
"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." — The verse urges "brotherly love" to "continue," implying that this love already existed among them and was being expressed. The emphasis isn't on starting this love, but on faithfully sustaining it,…
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