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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Hebrews 13:4 - 13:4
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4. τίμιος ὁ γάμος κ.τ.λ. Probably this is an exhortation, “Let marriage be held honourable among all,” or rather “in all respects.” Scripture never gives even the most incidental sanction to the exaltation of celibacy as a superior virtue, or to the disparagement of marriage as an inferior state. Celibacy and marriage stand on an exactly equal level of honour according as God has called us to the one or the other state. The mediaeval glorification of Monachism sprang partly from a religion of exaggerated gloom and terror, and partly from a complete misunderstanding of the sense applied by Jewish writers to the word “Virgins.” Nothing can be clearer than the teaching on this subject alike of the Old (Gen 2:18; Gen 2:24) and of the New Covenant (Mat 19:4-6; Joh 2:1-2; 1Co 7:2). There is no “forbidding to marry” (1Ti 4:1-3) among Evangelists and Apostles. They shared the deep conviction which their nation had founded on Gen 1:27; Gen 2:18-24 and which our Lord had sanctioned (Mat 19:4-6). The warning in this verse is against unchastity. If it be aimed against a tendency to disparage the married state it would shew that the writer is addressing some Hebrews who had adopted in this matter the prejudices of the Essenes (1Ti 4:3). In any case the truth remains “Honourable is marriage in all”; it is only lawless passions which are “passions of dishonour” (Rom 1:26).
ἐν πᾶσιν. This may mean “in all things” as in Heb 13:18; or “among all,” which would however be normally expressed by παρὰ πᾶσιν. In the A.V. ἐστὶν is supplied, in the R.V. ἔστω.
ἀμίαντος. “And let the bed be undefiled” by adultery. A warning to Antinomians (such for instance as the Nicolaitans, Rev 2:6; Rev 2:15) who made light of unchastity (Act 15:20; 1Th 4:6).
πόρνους. Christianity introduced a wholly new conception regarding the sin of fornication (Gal 5:19; Gal 5:21; 1Co 6:9-10; Eph 5:5; Col 3:5-6; Rev 22:15) which, especially in the depraved decadence of Heathenism under the Empire, was hardly regarded as any sin at all. Hence the necessity for constantly raising a warning voice against it (1Th 4:6, &c.).
κρινεῖ. The more because they often escape altogether the judgement of man (1Sa 2:25; 2Sa 3:39).