Hebrews 13:18 kjv
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Hebrews 13:18 nkjv
Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
Hebrews 13:18 niv
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
Hebrews 13:18 esv
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
Hebrews 13:18 nlt
Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.
Hebrews 13 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 15:30 | "Now I beseech you... that ye strive together with me in your prayers for me to God." | Paul asking for prayer from believers. |
| Eph 6:18-19 | "Praying always... and for me, that utterance may be given unto me..." | Prayer for effective ministry and bold speech. |
| Col 4:3 | "Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance..." | Request for prayer for open doors in ministry. |
| 1 Thess 5:25 | "Brethren, pray for us." | Simple, direct request for prayer. |
| 2 Thess 3:1 | "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course..." | Prayer for gospel advancement. |
| Phlm 1:22 | "But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you." | Expectation of release through prayer. |
| Jas 5:16 | "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." | Power of righteous prayer. |
| Acts 23:1 | "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." | Paul's defense of his conscience before the Sanhedrin. |
| Acts 24:16 | "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." | Paul's disciplined commitment to a blameless conscience. |
| 1 Tim 1:5 | "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned." | Good conscience as a core Christian virtue. |
| 1 Tim 3:9 | "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." | Requirement for deacons' integrity. |
| 2 Tim 1:3 | "I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience..." | Paul's service with a clear conscience. |
| 1 Pet 3:16 | "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you..." | Good conscience in facing slander. |
| Rom 13:13 | "Let us walk honestly, as in the day..." | Exhortation to live honorably and avoid vice. |
| 2 Cor 8:21 | "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." | Ensuring honorable conduct before God and people. |
| Phil 4:8 | "Whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just..." | A list of virtuous thoughts and actions. |
| 1 Pet 2:12 | "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles..." | Exemplary conduct among unbelievers. |
| Prov 10:9 | "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known." | Security for those who walk in integrity. |
| Ps 26:11 | "But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity..." | A declaration of commitment to integrity. |
| 1 Thess 2:10 | "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you..." | Paul attests to blameless conduct. |
| Titus 2:7-8 | "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works... sound speech..." | Leading by example in good conduct. |
| 2 Cor 1:12 | "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity..." | Conscience bearing witness to sincerity. |
Hebrews 13 verses
Hebrews 13 18 Meaning
Hebrews 13:18 serves as a humble request from the author and his fellow workers for the recipients' prayers. This plea is bolstered by a confident declaration of their own moral integrity, emphasizing that they possess a clear conscience and are consistently committed to living honorably in every aspect of their lives. It signifies the mutual dependence and reciprocal support essential within the community of believers, highlighting the importance of prayer for those in spiritual leadership and the ethical foundation necessary for ministry.
Hebrews 13 18 Context
Hebrews 13 concludes the epistle, shifting from profound theological discourse to practical Christian living and final exhortations. It addresses various aspects of communal life, ethical conduct, hospitality, marriage, financial contentment, respect for leaders, and the enduring nature of Christ. Verse 18 is part of the author's personal closing remarks and greetings (Heb 13:18-25). This personal appeal for prayer immediately follows a strong command to obey and submit to spiritual leaders (Heb 13:17), underscoring the reciprocal relationship between leaders and the flock. For the original audience, who likely faced internal divisions, external persecutions, and temptations to revert to old ways, the emphasis on a "good conscience" and "honest living" was a powerful counter-cultural directive, reminding them to maintain integrity even under pressure, distinct from worldly practices or superficial religious conformity.
Hebrews 13 18 Word analysis
- Pray (προσεύχεσθε, proseuchesthe): A present imperative, indicating a continuous or habitual action. It's not a suggestion but a command, revealing the author's earnest need for and belief in the power of collective prayer. It signifies intimate communication with God.
- for us: The use of "us" implies that the author speaks not just for himself but for a group involved in ministry, emphasizing the unity and collective nature of their spiritual work.
- for (γάρ, gar): A conjunction that introduces the reason or justification for the preceding request. The authors are not asking for prayer without reason; their request is based on their character.
- we trust (πεποίθαμεν, pepoithamen): Perfect tense of peitho, meaning to persuade or to trust. It conveys a settled conviction, a confident assurance, or a firm belief, not mere hope or assumption. It indicates a sustained state of confidence.
- we have (ἔχομεν, echomen): Present tense, implying a continuous possession or state of being.
- a good conscience (συνείδησιν καλήν, syneidēsin kalēn): Syneidesis refers to the faculty by which one discerns right from wrong, an inner moral compass. Kalēn means good, beautiful, noble, or honorable. Together, it denotes a conscience that is clear, free from guilt, and upright before God and men. It reflects an inner state of integrity and moral health, validated by the Spirit. This isn't self-righteousness, but a declaration of ethical conduct.
- in all things (ἐν πᾶσιν, en pasin): Indicates universality and comprehensiveness. Their integrity is not limited to certain areas but extends to every aspect of their lives—public and private, spiritual and secular.
- willing (θέλοντες, thelontes): From thelo, meaning to desire, wish, or be willing. It signifies a conscious, deliberate choice and strong intention. It's not passive good conduct, but an active, determined commitment to living righteously.
- to live honestly (καλῶς ἀναστρέφεσθαι, kalōs anastrethesthai): Kalōs means well, honorably, rightly, or beautifully. Anastrethesthai means to conduct oneself, behave, or live. Combined, it denotes living an exemplary, honorable, and righteous life that is well-conducted and reputable. It goes beyond outward appearance, implying genuine moral character that produces admirable conduct.
Hebrews 13 18 Bonus section
- The humility of spiritual leadership: Despite their spiritual authority and role in teaching, the authors recognize their dependence on the prayers of the ordinary believers. This exemplifies a Christ-like leadership model, seeking collective support.
- Reciprocal spiritual support: The verse demonstrates the vital principle of reciprocal spiritual support within the body of Christ. Just as leaders serve the flock, the flock is called to uphold their leaders in prayer.
- Connection between internal state and external conduct: The phrase "good conscience...willing to live honestly" directly links an inner moral purity with outward honorable behavior. It underscores that true Christian integrity is not just about appearances but stems from a sincere heart and deliberate commitment.
- Implicit Apologia: The strong declaration of having a "good conscience" and "willing to live honestly" might serve as an implicit defense against potential slanders or misrepresentations from outsiders or those with opposing views, demonstrating their ethical commitment.
Hebrews 13 18 Commentary
Hebrews 13:18 reveals a poignant and pastoral request for prayer from the author. His appeal is not based on a sense of entitlement but grounded in a bold yet humble assertion of his team's moral integrity and earnest desire to live righteously. This "good conscience" isn't a boast of sinless perfection, but a confident testimony that they have lived with sincerity, acting with blameless intentions before God and men in every facet of life. Such an appeal for prayer, stemming from a leadership committed to transparency and uprightness, reinforces their authority and authenticity. It also sets an example for the congregation, highlighting that true Christian living demands consistent moral integrity across all spheres. Practically, it underscores that effective ministry and genuine leadership are profoundly linked to ethical character, and that mutual prayer sustains the entire body of Christ. Leaders, no less than congregants, need the empowering intercession of the community of faith to fulfill their divine calling and persevere in righteous conduct amidst a challenging world.