Hebrews 13 14

Hebrews 13:14 kjv

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Hebrews 13:14 nkjv

For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

Hebrews 13:14 niv

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

Hebrews 13:14 esv

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Hebrews 13:14 nlt

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

Hebrews 13 verses

Hebrews 13 14 Meaning

This verse conveys a foundational truth for Christian living: that our current earthly existence and all its societal constructs are impermanent. Therefore, believers are called to detach their ultimate hope and security from this present world and instead earnestly long for and pursue the eternal, divinely established dwelling that awaits them in the future. It encapsulates the pilgrim nature of the Christian journey, emphasizing that true and lasting belonging is not found on earth.

Hebrews 13 14 Context

Hebrews 13 concludes the letter with practical exhortations rooted in earlier theological expositions. Verses 10-14 specifically transition from discussing the sacrificial work of Christ to the believer's identification with Him "outside the camp." This "camp" represents the old covenant system and, more broadly, any worldly security or religious system that might tempt believers to compromise their allegiance to Christ. The immediate context, particularly verse 13 ("Let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach he endured"), urges Jewish Christians to separate from the fading structures of the old covenant and suffer reproach with Christ. Verse 14 provides the profound theological reason for this separation and embrace of hardship: since this present world, symbolized by its "cities" or established order, offers no enduring stability, true believers seek an enduring, heavenly city that is to come. This aligns with the pervasive theme in Hebrews of a superior, heavenly reality replacing earthly shadows.

Hebrews 13 14 Word analysis

• For here: (γὰρ ὧδε, gar hōde)

  • "For" (γὰρ gar): A causal conjunction, signaling that the verse provides the reason or explanation for the preceding exhortations, especially the call to "go to him outside the camp" (v. 13). It justifies why believers should willingly endure suffering and estrangement from worldly systems.
  • "here" (ὧδε hōde): An adverb of place, pointing specifically to this present earthly existence, this temporal realm. It highlights the believer's current physical location and transient environment.

• we have: (ἔχομεν echomen)

  • Present active indicative, meaning "we possess" or "we hold." It states a current reality about believers – what they have or don't have in this present context.

• no continuing city: (οὐκ ἔχομεν μένουσαν πόλιν, ouk echomen menousan polin)

  • "no" (οὐκ ouk): A strong negation, definitively stating the absence of what follows.
  • "continuing" (μένουσαν menousan): Present active participle of μένω (menō), meaning "to abide, remain, endure, stay." It describes something stable, permanent, or enduring. The negation ouk menousan emphasizes impermanence.
  • "city" (πόλιν polin): Refers to a center of community, civilization, security, and established order. In the historical context, it likely had strong implications for Jerusalem and its Temple, but extends to all earthly structures, systems, and allegiances from which believers are called to detach. It signifies security and belonging.

• but: (ἀλλὰ alla)

  • A strong adversative conjunction, introducing a sharp contrast or opposition. It pivots the reader's attention from the transient earthly reality to the enduring heavenly hope.

• we seek: (ἐπιζητοῦμεν epizētomen)

  • Present active indicative of ἐπιζητέω (epizēteō). This verb signifies an active, earnest, diligent, and purposeful search or pursuit, not a passive longing or expectation. It implies conscious effort and direction in one's life.

• one to come: (τὴν μέλλουσαν, tēn mellousan)

  • "one" (τὴν tēn): The definite article, implying the noun "city" (πόλιν polin) by context. It specifically refers to the distinct future city.
  • "to come" (μέλλουσαν mellousan): Present active participle of μέλλω (mellō), meaning "to be about to be, to be destined to be, to be future." It points to a certainty of future existence, something that is appointed or certain to arrive.

Words-group analysis:

• "For here we have no continuing city": This phrase underlines the foundational impermanence of all earthly existence, including social structures, security systems, and physical locations. It challenges reliance on anything worldly for ultimate stability and points to the Christian's status as a spiritual alien and pilgrim in this life.
• "but we seek one to come": This contrasting clause articulates the active posture of the Christian, whose life is oriented not towards present comfort or security but towards an earnest, deliberate pursuit of an eternal, divinely promised reality. This future city represents their ultimate home, hope, and the true source of stability.

Hebrews 13 14 Bonus section

The concept of the "city" in this verse, while holding specific connotations for the original Jewish audience regarding Jerusalem and the Temple system, expands to encompass any earthly foundation or structure in which humanity places its ultimate trust and seeks its ultimate security. This could include political systems, economic stability, social standing, or even human relationships, if elevated above God. The author of Hebrews challenges his readers (and by extension, all believers) to recognize the inherently impermanent nature of all such human endeavors. The seeking aspect, indicated by the strong Greek verb epizētomen, denotes more than mere anticipation; it implies a proactive orientation of one's entire life—choices, values, and pursuits—towards that certain future. This communal "we" signifies that this seeking is a shared journey and hope among all believers, bound together in their pursuit of God's eternal dwelling.

Hebrews 13 14 Commentary

Hebrews 13:14 presents the profound theological bedrock for Christian endurance and sacrifice: the fundamental instability of all earthly existence. Following the challenging call to "go out to [Christ] outside the camp" and share in His reproach (v. 13), this verse provides the underlying rationale. It implies that to remain identified with worldly "cities" or established systems—be it Jerusalem, the Temple, national identity, or any source of temporal security—is to build on sand. Such constructs are temporary, fading, and will ultimately offer no lasting refuge.

In stark contrast, believers are not left without hope; their lives are characterized by an active and earnest pursuit of an unseen and future city. This "city to come" is not a mere metaphorical concept but the divinely established, permanent, and heavenly Jerusalem referenced throughout Hebrews (cf. 11:10, 16; 12:22) and Revelation. It is the realm of true abiding, righteousness, and eternal peace. This eschatological hope provides both comfort in suffering and justification for detachment from the transient allure of the present world. It means that the Christian's ultimate citizenship and belonging are not rooted in this age but firmly secured in the age to come, empowered by the faithfulness of God who is its builder.

Practical application from this verse involves:

• Detachment from Earthly Fixation: Understanding that material possessions, worldly achievements, and societal approval are temporary, fostering a willingness to use them for eternal purposes rather than hoarding or pursuing them for ultimate satisfaction.
• Endurance in Suffering: Recognizing that any reproach, hardship, or alienation experienced for Christ's sake is transient, knowing that true reward and rest are in the eternal city.
• Pilgrim Mentality: Living with the awareness that we are merely sojourners here, preventing entanglement with earthly concerns that might impede our journey towards the true home.