Hebrews 13 1

Hebrews 13:1 kjv

Let brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 13:1 nkjv

Let brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 13:1 niv

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.

Hebrews 13:1 esv

Let brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 13:1 nlt

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.

Hebrews 13 verses

Hebrews 13 1 Meaning

This verse commands believers to diligently and continuously preserve a deep, familial affection and loyalty towards fellow Christians. It's an imperative to ensure that the unique bond among God's children, rooted in shared faith and Christ's sacrifice, remains active and unceasing within the community, especially amidst challenges.

Hebrews 13 1 Context

Hebrews 13:1 marks a distinct shift in the letter. After extensive theological arguments concerning Christ's superiority and the implications of the New Covenant (chapters 1-10), and powerful exhortations to faith, endurance, and perseverance (chapters 11-12), the author concludes with practical ethical commands for daily Christian living. This verse introduces a series of moral and communal duties, emphasizing how the deep theological truths previously presented should manifest in the believer's life. "Let brotherly love continue" sets the foundational tone, implying that the audience might be experiencing waning affection or division, prompting the urgent reminder to maintain the strong communal bonds essential for their shared journey of faith and endurance amidst external pressures and internal challenges.

Hebrews 13 1 Word analysis

• Let...continue (Menetō - μενέτω): This is a present active imperative verb. The present tense indicates a continuous action, "let it continually remain," or "let it always be abiding." The active voice signifies that the believers are the agents responsible for this action. As an imperative, it is a direct command, not a suggestion or a wish. It suggests that brotherly love is not just a feeling that arises spontaneously but a virtue that must be actively nurtured, protected, and persisted in. The implication is that this love might be under threat of diminishing, perhaps due to weariness, conflict, or external persecution, hence the need for an urgent call to maintain it.

• brotherly love (Philadelphia - φιλαδελφία): This compound Greek word consists of philos (meaning 'loving,' or 'dear') and adelphos (meaning 'brother'). It specifically denotes a deep, affectionate love and loyalty shared among those united by common lineage or, in this Christian context, by shared spiritual rebirth and familial relation within Christ. It refers to the special affection and fellowship unique to members of God's household. It is distinct from agape (unconditional, divine love) and eros (romantic love), focusing particularly on the familial bond among believers. This term highlights the intimate and supportive nature expected within the early Christian community, distinguishing their relationships from ordinary societal bonds.

• "Let brotherly love continue": This phrase combines the active imperative and the specific object of that action. It's a proactive command for believers to consistently preserve and strengthen their familial bond. This love is not merely passive good wishes but an active commitment that translates into mutual support, hospitality, and endurance. Its placement as the opening exhortation in the ethical section signifies its foundational importance; it is the underlying attitude that makes all subsequent commands possible and meaningful within the Christian community. It suggests a pre-existing love that needs conscious maintenance, indicating a concern that it might cool down or cease due to trials or apathy.

Hebrews 13 1 Bonus section

• The strategic placement of this verse highlights "brotherly love" as the supreme social grace foundational to Christian living and communal strength, from which other virtues like hospitality (v. 2) and concern for the persecuted (v. 3) naturally flow.
• The emphasis on "continue" (menetō) suggests that the community may have been experiencing disunity, a lessening of commitment, or perhaps the strains of persecution making loving one another harder. It is a call to resist spiritual weariness in affection.
• In a world often marked by social stratification and conflict, the concept of philadelphia in the early church was revolutionary, creating genuinely diverse communities united by an affection stronger than any external ties.
• This specific instruction can be seen as an ongoing response to Christ's "new commandment" in John 13:34-35, reinforcing that love for one another is the identifying mark of discipleship.

Hebrews 13 1 Commentary

Hebrews 13:1 presents the inaugural and foundational command in the concluding ethical exhortations of the epistle: the command to perpetually maintain "brotherly love" within the community of believers. This is not an abstract concept or a mere sentiment but a concrete and active commitment to care for one another, driven by the shared spiritual brotherhood in Christ. The imperative mood ("Let it continue") underlines its crucial and non-negotiable nature, suggesting a present reality of brotherly affection that requires intentional perseverance lest it wane under external pressure or internal discord. This philadelphia is the distinctive hallmark of Christian fellowship, distinguishing believers as members of one spiritual family. It serves as the fertile ground for all other virtues and practices that follow in the chapter, such as hospitality, remembering those in prison, upholding marriage, and contentment. In a context where Christians might have been tempted to withdraw, become disheartened, or grow selfish due to persecution or apostasy, the constant practice of brotherly love was essential for their corporate witness, mutual strengthening, and ultimate endurance in faith. It is the visible expression of their allegiance to Christ and their unity in Him, a love that flows from God and binds the community together in resilient fellowship.