Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Hebrews 13:18 - 13:19

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Hebrews 13:18 - 13:19


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Heb_13:18-19

18Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Heb_13:18 "Pray for us" Prayer by leadership and for leadership is crucial (cf. Eph_6:18-19; Php_4:6; 1Th_5:25; 1Ti_2:1-2; 1Ti_2:8). The plural may refer to a ministry group including Timothy (cf. Heb_13:23).

"for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things" Attitude and lifestyle set the foundation for leadership. The author of Hebrews has mentioned the "conscience" several times (cf. Heb_9:9; Heb_9:14; Heb_10:2; Heb_10:22; Heb_13:18). The power of Jesus' redemption and the indwelling Spirit has removed the fear of God and shame of past sins and replaced them with a joy, peace, confidence, not in human performance, but in the gospel! This knowledge of the gospel is the helmet of salvation (cf. Eph_6:17; 1Th_5:8).

Some commentators have seen this verse as relating to some type of accusations being leveled at the author (similar to Paul's situation in 1 Corinthians and Galatians).

Heb_13:19 This is a rather cryptic verse. Somehow the author's coming was related to their prayers. This sounds so much like Paul (cf. Phm_1:22). Prayer releases God's effective power for ministry. Believers' prayers affect God and others.

Some commentators (e.g., H. E. Dana's Jewish Christianity, p. 268) have assumed this refers to the author's sickness, or even imprisonment (the term "sooner" is also used of Timothy in Heb_13:23).