Hebrews 13 16

Hebrews 13:16 kjv

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:16 nkjv

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:16 niv

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16 esv

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:16 nlt

And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 13 verses

Hebrews 13 16 Meaning

Hebrews 13:16 encourages believers not to neglect active benevolence and generosity towards others. It presents acts of doing good and sharing material possessions as a form of spiritual sacrifice, akin to the animal offerings of the Old Covenant but now transformed into a higher, more pleasing service to God. This verse emphasizes that practical love and charity are acceptable and delightful to God, indicating that true worship extends beyond ritual to include ethical and compassionate living.

Hebrews 13 16 Context

Hebrews 13 concludes the letter with practical exhortations for Christian living. Following profound theological arguments about the superiority of Christ and His New Covenant sacrifice, the author shifts focus to how believers should live out their faith. The chapter covers various aspects: brotherly love (v. 1), hospitality (v. 2), remembering the suffering (v. 3), marital faithfulness (v. 4), contentment and trust in God (v. 5-6), honoring leaders (v. 7-8), adhering to sound doctrine (v. 9-14). Verse 15 introduces the idea of the "sacrifice of praise," which aligns with New Covenant worship not centered on animal offerings. Verse 16 directly follows this, expanding the concept of New Covenant "sacrifices" to include practical benevolence and generosity. It subtly addresses any temptation to cling to outdated temple rituals by redirecting the understanding of acceptable worship.

Hebrews 13 16 Word analysis

• Do not neglect (μὴ ἐπιλανθάνεσθε, mē epilambanesthai): This is a negative command in the present imperative, implying an ongoing, active avoidance of negligence. It means "do not be forgetful of" or "do not cease to remember and practice." It points to a conscious and continuous effort required by believers.

• to do good (τῆς εὐποιΐας, tēs eupoiias): Literally "well-doing" or "beneficence." It refers to morally good actions that bring benefit to others, kindness, and deeds of charity. This is not passive virtue but active and positive engagement in doing what is right and helpful.

• and to share (καὶ κοινωνίας, kai koinōnias): This word signifies "fellowship," "participation," "communion," and crucially, "sharing of what one has." In the context of material goods, it refers to practical generosity and contributing to the needs of others. It implies a sense of community and mutual support among believers and with humanity at large.

• what you have / for such sacrifices (τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων θυσιῶν, tōn gar toioutōn thysiōn): This phrase connects "doing good" and "sharing" directly to the concept of sacrifice (thysiōn). The Greek "τοιούτων" (toioutōn) means "such," "of this kind," or "of this sort." It clearly identifies acts of kindness and generosity as a legitimate and divinely appointed form of New Covenant worship-sacrifice, echoing Old Testament prophetic themes that valued justice and mercy above mere ritual offerings.

• are pleasing to God (εὐαρεστεῖται ὁ θεός, euaresteitai ho theos): "Are well-pleasing" or "are acceptable." This strong statement affirms divine approval and delight in these spiritual sacrifices. God is not only appeased but finds joy in the genuine acts of love and benevolence from His people. It validates practical Christian living as a direct expression of worship.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Do not neglect to do good and to share": This collective imperative emphasizes that practical ethics and generosity are not optional add-ons to faith but are integral and commanded aspects of Christian life. The continuous nature of the command indicates that these are ongoing habits.
  • "for such sacrifices are pleasing to God": This crucial phrase provides the theological motivation. It redefines "sacrifice" in the New Covenant, shifting it from a ritualistic animal offering to acts of genuine compassion and material generosity. It establishes a direct link between ethical conduct and divine pleasure, elevating the everyday actions of believers into acts of worship that are supremely acceptable to God.

Hebrews 13 16 Bonus section

The phrase "such sacrifices" is particularly significant because it transforms the Jewish understanding of sacrifice, which traditionally involved temple rituals and animal offerings, into an ethical and practical expression of faith. This concept resonates deeply with the prophetic tradition in the Old Testament which consistently elevated moral obedience and social justice over ritualistic worship alone. For the original Jewish-Christian audience of Hebrews, who might have felt nostalgic or pressured to return to the temple system, this verse offered a vital theological redirection. It assured them that their acts of Christian love and charity were not only good deeds but were precisely the kind of sacrifices God truly desired in the New Covenant. This spiritualization of sacrifice aligns with Peter's description of believers as a "holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 2:5).

Hebrews 13 16 Commentary

Hebrews 13:16 serves as a powerful summary of Christian ethics, reframing Old Testament concepts of sacrifice into New Covenant practice. While Christ's once-for-all sacrifice provides forgiveness and access to God, believers are still called to offer "sacrifices." These are not animal blood, but spiritual offerings. Verse 15 highlights the "sacrifice of praise," and verse 16 extends this to "doing good" and "sharing what you have." This mirrors the consistent biblical theme that outward rituals are meaningless if divorced from genuine love, justice, and compassion (e.g., Amos 5, Isaiah 1, Micah 6). God delights in the tangible expressions of love towards others, particularly those in need, seeing them as acts directed towards Himself. It challenges believers to view their daily interactions and stewardship of resources as direct acts of worship, thereby consecrating the ordinary. This verse means that God prefers practical displays of faith through love and generosity more than any formal ritual that lacks such qualities.Examples: A Christian sharing their surplus food with a needy family, dedicating time to visit the sick, or contributing financially to support a mission.