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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Hebrews 13:9 - 13:9
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Be not carried away (mē parapheresthe). Prohibition with mē and present passive imperative of parapherō, old verb to lead along (Jud 1:12), to carry past (Mar 14:36), to lead astray as here.
By divers and strange teachings (didachais poikilais kai xenais). For poikilos (many coloured) see Heb 2:4. Xenos for guest we have had in Heb 11:13, but here as adjective meaning unheard of (1Pe 4:12) as in older Greek also. The new is not always wrong any more than the old is always right (Mat 13:52). But the air was already full of new and strange teachings that fascinated many by their very novelty. The warning here is always needed. Cf. Gal 1:6-9; 2Ti 3:16.
That the heart be established by grace (chariti bebaiousthai tēn kardian). Present passive infinitive of bebaioō (from bainō) to make stable with the instrumental case chariti (by grace) and the accusative of general reference (tēn kardian). How true it is that in the atmosphere of so many windy theories only the heart is stable that has an experience of God’s grace in Christ.
That occupied themselves (hoi peripatountes). “That walked” in the ritualistic Jewish rules about meats.
Were not profited (ouk ōphelēthēsan). First aorist passive indicative of ōpheleō, to help. Mere Jewish ceremonialism and ritualism failed to build up the spiritual life. It was sheer folly to give up Christ for Pharisaism or for Moses.