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kalei' to;n despovthn (Chrys.).

{Wste mh; ejpeidh; stenagmov" ejsti katafronhvsh/" oJ tw'/ hJgoumevnw/ ajpeiqw'n, ajlla; plevon fobhvqhti, o{ti tw'/ qew'/ se paradivdwsi (Theophlct.).

Herveius says with a wider view: expedit illis ipsa tristitia et prodest illis, sed non expedit vobis.

(3) Personal instructions of the writer (Heb. 13:18-25)

The Epistle closes with wide-reaching words of personal solicitude and tenderness. The writer asks for the prayers of his readers (13:18, 19) and offers a prayer for them (13:20, 21). He then adds one or two details which shew the closeness of the connexion by which they were bound to him, (13:22, 23) and completes his salutations (13:24) with a final blessing (13:25).

18 Pray for us; for we are persuaded that we have an honest conscience, desiring to live honestly in all things. 19 And the more exceedingly do I exhort you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the Shepherd of His sheep, the great Shepherd, in the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus ,

21 make you perfect in every good thing, to the end that you do His will, doing in us that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation; for I have written unto you in few words. 23 Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been discharged, 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.

Detailed and specific instructions. Close

Heb. 13:18, 19. The thought of the duty which the Hebrews owed to their own leaders leads the writer naturally to think of their wider duties, of what they owed to him and his fellow-workers. The same spirit which led to wilful self-assertion at home was likely to cherish distrust towards teachers at a distance who sought to restrain its evil tendencies. The Apostle therefore asks for the prayers of those to whom he writes. He awakens their deepest sympathy by thus assuring them that he himself desires what they would beg for him.

Hic superbiam elationemque mentis quorundam pontificum destruit qui typo (typho) superbiae inflati dedignantur deprecari suos subjectos quatenus pro eis orationes fundant (Primas.).

13:18. proseuvc. p. hJmw'n ... parakalw' ...] Pray for us...I exhort you ....
The passage from the plural to the singular is like Col. 4:3
proseucovmenoi ... peri; hJmw'n ... dij o} kai; devdemai ... Gal. 1:8 f. eja;n hJmei'" ... wJ" proeirhvkamen kai; a[rti pavlin levgw ...Rom. 1:1 Pau'lo" dou'lo" ... dij ou| ejlavbomen cavrin ... In all these cases the plural appears to denote the Apostle and those who were immediately connected with him. The force of a true plural is evident in 1 Thess. 3:1; 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1. The separate expression of personal feeling in connexion with the general statement is easily intelligible.


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