Hebrews 13:16

Commentary on Hebrews 13:16

1. The Text

Hebrews 13:16 (King James Version):
“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

2. Exegetical Commentary

2.1 The Context of Hebrews Chapter 13

Hebrews 13[i] forms the closing exhortations of the epistle. After twelve chapters of rich Christological teaching—Christ as the final High Priest, the mediator of a better covenant, the once-for-all sacrifice—the writer turns to the practical outworking of faith. The chapter is a pastoral call to live out the gospel in community, worship, and daily conduct.

Key themes include:

• Brotherly love
  Hebrews 13:1 (KJV):
  “Let brotherly love continue.”
• Hospitality and compassion
  Hebrews 13:2–3 (KJV):
  “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers… Remember them that are in bonds…”
• Contentment and trust in God
  Hebrews 13:5 (KJV):
  “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have…”
• Honouring leaders and sound doctrine
  Hebrews 13:7 (KJV):
  “Remember them which have the rule over you… whose faith follow…”
• Christ as the unchanging centre
  Hebrews 13:8 (KJV):
  “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
• A life shaped by Christ’s sacrifice
  Hebrews 13:15 (KJV):
  “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…”

It is in this flow of practical, Christ-centred exhortation that verse 16 appears.

2.2 “But to do good…”

The Greek verb for “to do good” (εὐποιΐα) refers to active benevolence—practical acts of kindness, generosity, and moral goodness. This is not abstract niceness but concrete action.

The writer is saying:
Do not let your faith remain theoretical. Let it take shape in real acts of goodness.

This aligns with the broader New Testament witness:

• Galatians 6:10 (KJV):
  “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
• James 2:17 (KJV):
  “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

In Christian theology, good works do not save, but they necessarily flow from saving faith. They are the fruit of regeneration, the evidence of a living union with Christ.

2.3 “…and to communicate forget not…”

“Communicate” in the KJV translates κοινωνία—fellowship, sharing, partnership. In this context, it means sharing material resources, meeting needs, and participating in the life of the community.

This echoes:

• Acts 2:44–45 (KJV):
  “And all that believed were together… and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
• Philippians 4:15 (KJV):
  “…no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.”

The writer urges believers not to “forget”—because neglect is easy. Self-interest is natural; generosity must be intentional.

2.4 “…for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

This is the theological heart of the verse.

The writer has just spoken of the “sacrifice of praise” (verse 15). Now he adds that doing good and sharing with others are also sacrifices—acts of worship offered to God.

This is deeply rooted in the logic of Hebrews:

• Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice ends the old sacrificial system.
• Yet believers still offer sacrifices—not for atonement, but as grateful worship.

These “sacrifices” are:

• Spiritual
• Ethical
• Relational
• Practical

They are the fruit of a transformed heart.

This aligns with:

• Romans 12:1 (KJV):
  “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God…”
• Micah 6:8 (KJV):
  “He hath shewed thee… what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy…”

God is “well pleased” not because our works earn favour, but because they reflect Christ’s character and the Spirit’s work in us.

3. Theological Teaching

3.1 The Gospel Produces a Life of Generosity

Christian theology insists that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Yet the same grace that saves also transforms.

Hebrews 13:16 shows that:

• Good works are the fruit, not the root, of salvation.
• Generosity is a mark of genuine faith.
• Worship is not confined to singing or liturgy; it includes everyday acts of kindness.

3.2 Christian Community Is a Shared Life

The call to “communicate” reminds us that Christianity is not individualistic. The church is a family. Fellowship is not merely social; it is sacrificial.

3.3 Worship Is Ethical as Well as Spiritual

Hebrews links praise (verse 15) with practical goodness (verse 16).
True worship involves:

• lips that praise
• hands that serve
• hearts that love
• wallets that open
• lives that reflect Christ

3.4 God Delights in the Fruit of His Grace

When believers do good and share with others, God is “well pleased.”
This is not legalism; it is grace-fuelled obedience.

4. Meditation Guide

Use these steps for personal reflection or small group devotion.

4.1 Read the Verse Slowly

Hebrews 13:16 (KJV):
“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

Sit with each phrase. Let it speak to you.

4.2 Reflect on Christ’s Generosity

Consider how Christ has shared Himself with you:

• His righteousness
• His Spirit
• His intercession
• His promises
• His presence

Let His generosity shape your own.

4.3 Ask Honest Questions

• Where am I withholding goodness that I could give?
• Who in my church family needs practical help?
• Have I forgotten to share—time, money, encouragement, hospitality?
• Do I see my acts of kindness as worship?

4.4 Pray for a Generous Heart

Ask the Spirit to make you:

• open-handed
• compassionate
• attentive to needs
• joyful in giving

4.5 Take One Concrete Step Today

Choose one act of goodness or sharing:

• Encourage someone.
• Give to someone in need.
• Offer hospitality.
• Support a missionary.
• Visit someone lonely.

Let your worship move into action.

5. Practical Application for Modern Christian Living

• Cultivate intentional generosity. Needs rarely present themselves at convenient times.
• Practise hospitality. Invite people into your home and life.
• Share resources. Budget for generosity.
• Serve quietly. God sees the hidden sacrifices.
• Strengthen the church community. Look for those on the margins.
• Let worship overflow into weekday life. Sunday praise must lead to Monday kindness.

In a culture shaped by individualism and consumerism, Hebrews 13:16 calls believers to a countercultural life of sacrificial generosity.

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[i] Hebrews 13

King James Version

13 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

5 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.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9 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.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

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

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

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

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.