Hebrews 13:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that acts of kindness and sharing aren't just nice gestures, but are viewed by God as "sacrifices"—a profound concept that reorients our understanding of everyday generosity as worship. It’s a reminder that God is pleased not just with our praise, but with the practical, tangible ways we love others.
This verse appears in the closing section of Hebrews, where the author shifts from warning against apostasy to practical exhortations for Christian living. Following instructions to continue loving one another, show hospitality, and remember prisoners, the text emphasizes that genuine faith isn't just about feelings or abstract belief, but about tangible actions of generosity and fellowship. This call to action serves as a final encouragement to live out their faith visibly, as a demonstration of their commitment to God, before the author offers his closing blessings.
In the Old Testament, sacrifices were precise and bloody. But here, the writer points to a different kind of offering, one that's surprisingly ordinary yet profoundly pleasing to God. What makes our everyday actions 'sacrifices'?
The author of Hebrews is reminding believers that the era of animal sacrifices has passed. Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate, once-for-all atonement.
Yet, God still desires offerings. He calls our acts of doing good (beneficence) and sharing what we have (generous contribution) 'sacrifices.' These aren't about earning favor or atoning for sin – Jesus already did that. Instead, they are expressions of a heart transformed by God's grace.
Think of it this way: when we freely give to those in need from what God has blessed us with, we're offering back to Him a reflection of His own generous nature. It's a sincere, heartfelt worship that flows from salvation, not towards it.
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The word 'communicate' here isn't just about giving money. It points to a deeper connection, a shared life rooted in Christ. What does this kind of 'sharing' look like in practice?
The original language highlights two key ideas: doing good and communicating. While 'doing good' is about acts of kindness, 'communicating' (koinonia) goes further. It means sharing in common, participating in each other's lives and needs.
This isn't just charity; it's fellowship. It's about believers actively living out their union in Christ by sharing resources, time, and support. When the early church shared everything (Acts 2:42-47), they were demonstrating this deep fellowship.
This principle reminds us that our faith isn't meant to be lived in isolation. God is pleased when we actively participate in the well-being of our fellow believers, reflecting the unity He has established in His church.
Understand the original words
eupoïia · Greek Noun
Refers to deeds that align with God’s moral character and will, often contrasted with evil or sin. In a New Testament context, it is the practical expression of faith and love toward others.
koinōnia · Greek Noun/Verb
The act of distributing or contributing to the needs of others; it signifies a fellowship or partnership in which resources are shared for the common good of the body of Christ.
thysia · Greek Noun
An act of worship or surrender offered to God, historically involving the shedding of blood, but in the New Testament, frequently applied to the offering of one's life, praise, or good works as a spiritual service.
This passage calls for honoring the Lord with our wealth, suggesting that generous giving is a form of worship that brings blessing, similar to how Hebrews speaks of sharing as a sacrifice pleasing to God.
Luke 6:38Jesus teaches that giving to others results in receiving back from God, emphasizing a reciprocal relationship between generosity and divine blessing that echoes the sentiment of Hebrews 13:16.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7Paul encourages cheerful giving, stating that God loves a cheerful giver and will provide abundantly for those who are generous, reinforcing the idea that acts of sharing are offerings God delights in.
1 Timothy 6:17-19This passage instructs the wealthy not to be arrogant but to do good and be rich in good deeds, sharing freely, which is presented as storing up a good foundation for the future and securing a firm grasp on life, aligning with the spirit of sacrificial giving.
barnesHebrews 13:16: "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
But to do good, and to communicate, forget not - To communicate or impart to others; that is, to share with them what we have. The Greek word means having in common with others. The meaning is, that they were to show liberality to those who were in want, and were to take special pains not to forget this duty. We are prone to think constantly of our own interests, and there is great dange…
pulpitHebrews 13:16: "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
Verse 16. - But to do good and to communicate forget not (τῆς δὲ εὐποιι'ας καὶ κοινωνίας μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε: where εὐποιι'ας means "doing good to others" (cf. Mark 14:7); while κοινωνίας expresses the sense of Christian fellowship evinced by communicating to others a share of what we have; cf. Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 9:13): for With such sacrifices God is well pleased.
This verse highlights that acts of kindness and sharing aren't just nice gestures, but are viewed by God as "sacrifices"—a profound concept that reorients our understanding of everyday generosity as worship. It’s a reminder that God is pleased not just with our praise, but with the practical, tangible ways we love others.
This verse appears in the closing section of Hebrews, where the author shifts from warning against apostasy to practical exhortations for Christian living. Following instructions to continue loving one another, show hospitality, and remember prisoners, the text emphasizes that genuine faith isn't just about feelings or abstract belief, but about tangible actions of generosity and fellowship. This call to action serves as a final encouragement to live out their faith visibly, as a demonstration of their commitment to God, before the author offers his closing blessings.
This verse appears in the closing section of Hebrews, where the author shifts from warning against apostasy to practical exhortations for Christian living. Following instructions to continue loving one another, show hospitality, and remember prisoners, the text emphasizes that genuine faith isn't just about feelings or abstract belief, but about tangible actions of generosity and fellowship. This call to action serves as a final encouragement to live out their faith visibly, as a demonstration of their commitment to God, before the author offers his closing blessings.
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." — This verse highlights that acts of kindness and sharing aren't just nice gestures, but are viewed by God as "sacrifices"—a profound concept that reorients our understanding of everyday generosity as…
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