Keraia
Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13:9

Christ’s Unchanging Nature · Hebrews 13:5–14
Read Hebrews 13

Translations

Modern
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
Traditional
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Literal
Do not be carried along by various and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be confirmed by grace, not by foods, in which those walking were not profited.
Latin
Doctrinis variis et peregrinis nolite abduci. Optimum est enim gratia stabilire cor, non escis: quæ non profuerunt ambulantibus in eis.

Original

Greek
English
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.

Notes

Hebrews 13:9–10

Since Jesus does not change (Hebrews 13:8), believers should avoid being drawn to strange, new ideas. The false teachings mentioned involved rules about food. In some parts of Judaism, certain ritual meals were thought to provide God's grace to participants. Some in the community might have been tempted to leave the Christian community to join Jewish fellowship meals. These Jewish meals sometimes encouraged participants to focus on the Jerusalem altar. The author reminds listeners that we have an altar that those under the old covenant cannot access—Christ’s sacrifice (7:27–28; 8:13; 9:11–14; 10:11–14).

Hebrews 13:7–19

This middle part of chapter 13 is framed by mentions of the community's leaders (13:7, 17–19). Rabbis often used a technique called inclusio, where similar words or phrases mark the start and end of a section, like a subheading in a modern book. This part suggests there were several challenges in the church that the book of Hebrews originally addressed.

Theme notes and profiles

The Grace of God

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) God, Being and Attributes of Heart Hebrews, Letter to the

Topics

Being An Encourager Black Magic Character: Firmness of Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Decision: General Scriptures Concerning Doctrine Doctrines: False False Doctrines: Unprofitable and Vain Grace: Saints: should be Established In Instability: General Scriptures Concerning Metaphysics Perseverance: General Scriptures Concerning Stability of Character Vanity: Mere External Religion Is Yoga