Hebrews 13 5

Hebrews 13:5 kjv

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5 nkjv

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 niv

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 esv

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 nlt

Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you."

Hebrews 13 verses

Hebrews 13 5 Meaning

Hebrews 13:5 commands believers to live a life free from the love of money, advocating for contentment with their present circumstances. This instruction is profoundly grounded in the unwavering and emphatic promise of God's continuous presence and unfailing support, assuring believers that He will never abandon them. It calls for trust in divine provision over material accumulation, fostering a distinctive Christian lifestyle characterized by satisfaction and dependence on God alone.

Hebrews 13 5 Context

Hebrews chapter 13 serves as the practical application section of the epistle, moving from deep theological exposition to tangible ethical living. It provides final exhortations for the Christian community, likely under duress and facing the temptation to abandon their faith for worldly security or to revert to former Jewish practices. Within this chapter, the immediate context (v. 4-6) addresses specific areas of life: marriage, sexual purity, and economic conduct. Verse 5, with its strong command against covetousness and call to contentment, directly follows an admonition against sexual immorality (v. 4), presenting it as another aspect of moral integrity foundational to genuine Christian conduct. The historical context includes a time when Christians could face property confiscation, social ostracization, and economic hardship due to their faith, making the temptation to pursue wealth or security outside of God's provision particularly acute. The writer reinforces the importance of trusting God completely rather than seeking fleeting worldly guarantees, setting the stage for the encouraging declaration in verse 6, where the believer can boldly declare, "The Lord is my helper."

Hebrews 13 5 Word analysis

• "Let your conversation" (τρόπος, tropos): This refers not merely to speech, but to one's entire manner of life, conduct, character, or disposition. It encompasses one's habits and general bearing. The focus is on a way of living.
• "be without covetousness" (ἀφιλάργυρος, aphilargyros): A single Greek word formed by 'a' (without) + 'phileo' (love) + 'argyros' (silver/money). Thus, literally, "without love of money." It targets the internal disposition and desire, rather than just outward acts of greed. This inner attitude is seen as deeply corrupting in the New Testament.
• "and be content" (ἀρκέω, arkeō): This word means "to be sufficient," "to suffice," or "to be satisfied with what one has." It implies an inner state of adequacy and satisfaction, a sense of having enough. This contentment is an active state of mind, not a passive resignation or complaint.
• "with such things as ye have" (τοῖς παροῦσιν, tois parousin): Literally, "the things present" or "the things existing." This refers to one's current possessions, resources, or present circumstances, no matter how humble or grand. It is about accepting one's immediate reality.
• "for he hath said" (Αὐτὸς γὰρ εἴρηκεν, Autos gar eirēken): The Greek emphasizes "He Himself has spoken." This is a perfect tense verb, indicating a statement made in the past that continues to hold true with ongoing effect. It firmly grounds the command in a divine, timeless promise. This shifts the focus from human effort to divine assurance.
• "I will never leave thee" (Οὐ μή σε ἀνῶ, ou mē se anō): The Greek uses a strong double negative (οὐ μή), emphatically negating the idea of God leaving or letting go. It means "I will absolutely never leave you." 'Anō' suggests abandonment, withdrawal, or ceasing to support.
• "nor forsake thee" (οὐδ᾿ οὐ μή σε ἐγκαταλίπω, oude ou mē se enkatalippō): Again, an emphatic double negative (oude ou mē) intensifying the promise. 'Enkatalippō' means to utterly abandon, desert, or cast down in a helpless state. It emphasizes God's commitment to His people, no matter the direness of their situation. This combines promises from Deut 31:6, Josh 1:5, and other Old Testament contexts, highlighting God's faithfulness across generations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have": This forms a dual command for a distinctive way of life. The outward conduct ("conversation"/tropos) must flow from an inward attitude free of avarice (aphilargyros) and be rooted in a conscious choice to be satisfied (arkeō) with what is currently available (tois parousin). This is counter-cultural, particularly in an acquisitive world. It points to priorities that differ from prevailing societal norms where wealth often equates to status and security.
• "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee": This phrase serves as the unshakeable foundation for the preceding commands. The commands are not merely moral imperatives but flow logically from God's character and covenant faithfulness. The absolute assurance of God's presence and provision, conveyed by the powerful double negatives drawn from the Septuagintal Old Testament promises, renders covetousness unnecessary and contentment not only possible but also rational. Why pursue and grasp fleeting material wealth when the infinitely rich and faithful God has promised never to abandon His own? This shifts reliance from unstable worldly goods to the immutable God.

Hebrews 13 5 Bonus section

The linkage of financial contentment to God's presence also acts as a public witness. A community of believers marked by their lack of covetousness and a quiet satisfaction, even amidst trials, serves as a striking contrast to a materialistic world. This radical detachment from possessions, not due to asceticism but because of deep trust in God, validates the authenticity of their faith and the reality of the God they serve. The bold declaration of faith in Hebrews 13:6, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid," directly flows from the divine guarantee of Hebrews 13:5. It’s an empowering freedom from anxiety, predicated on understanding that with God, one never truly lacks what is essential. This verse is also crucial in its warning against practical atheism: living as if God's presence and provision are not sufficient, and therefore relying on financial means for ultimate security. The antidote is not only to believe in God but to believe God's promises and order one's life accordingly.

Hebrews 13 5 Commentary

Hebrews 13:5 is a profoundly practical and comforting verse for the Christian journey. It calls for an inner revolution concerning one's attitude toward material possessions. The "conversation" refers to one's entire manner of life, making this not merely about avoiding the specific sin of coveting, but cultivating a lifestyle truly "without love of money." This "without love of money" is an antidote to the prevalent societal disease of avarice, which Scripture elsewhere equates with idolatry (Col 3:5), effectively placing something other than God at the center of one's worship.

The command to "be content with such things as ye have" is a deep challenge, particularly in cultures that constantly promote acquisition and material advancement. This is not passive resignation, but an active choice, a learned spiritual discipline, as exemplified by Paul in Phil 4:11-12. This contentment is fueled by the assurance of God's character and His divine word.

The core of the verse lies in the magnificent promise: "for He hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'" This is a strong theological basis, quoting and synthesizing promises given by God to figures like Moses, Joshua, Jacob, and David (Deut 31:6, 8; Josh 1:5; Gen 28:15; 1 Chr 28:20). The Greek double negative intensifies this promise to an absolute certainty, providing immutable security. It signifies that God will neither withdraw His presence nor abandon His people to their own devices or the mercy of circumstances.

In an uncertain world, where financial security often fluctuates and personal circumstances can be challenging, this divine promise offers an ultimate guarantee that transcends material wealth. True contentment isn't found in having more, but in realizing God's unwavering presence is "more" than enough. This security liberates believers from the endless cycle of desiring what they do not have, allowing them to truly trust in God's provision for all their needs.

• Example: A person facing unexpected job loss might be tempted to despair or chase immediate, desperate means of income. This verse encourages them to find peace in God's promise, trusting that even in unemployment, He will not abandon or leave them without sustenance (Matt 6:26-30).
• Example: For someone who consistently feels dissatisfaction despite accumulating wealth, this verse calls them to examine their inner desires and to find contentment in God, recognizing that external possessions can never satisfy an inner emptiness.