HEBREWS 13: 17-25

Paul’s dissertation on true Judaism and

his defense of the Apostles in Jerusalem

 [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 wellpleasing 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. (Hebrews 13:15-25)

1. AUTHORSHIP of HEBREWS : THE APOSTLE PAUL

[23] Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty;

with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

Paul was Timothy’s very close mentor and direct supervisor. Their relationship was like a father and son. It was Paul who commissioned Timothy and sent him out on various mission trips as an emissary of Paul himself. No other New Testament writers ever mention Timothy by name but Paul does often in fact Paul writes two epistles of our New Testament to Timothy.

Special relationship between Paul and Timothy

[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; [2] Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. (I Timothy 1:1-2)

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (II Timothy 1:2)

Timothy commissioned by Paul to be in church leadership

[11] These things command and teach.

 [12] Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 [13] Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (I Timothy 4:11-13)

FACTION OF PHARISEES IN THE EARLY CHURCH SOWING DISCORD, FALSE DOCTRINE

1. In Acts chapter 15 there is a faction of Jews going to Gentile believers and telling them that circumcision was necessary for salvation.

 [5] But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

 [6] And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

 [7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

 [8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

 [9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

 [10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

 [11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:5-11)

PETER - "APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES" OPENS THE DOOR TO GENTILE BELIEVERS

Peter is the apostle that opened the gate to let Gentiles into the Church long before Paul was involved. (Acts 10 and 11)

Peter’s only requirements for the Gentile believers is that they believe and are baptized. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. .  (Acts 10:48)

STRIFE BETWEEN PETER AND PAUL

Paul was angered at Peter because Peter seemed to him to be straddling the fence, trying to please the Judaizers.

 [11] But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

 [12] For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. (Galatians 2:11-12)

The book of Hebrews is Paul’s dissertation sent to the Jewish believer’s in Jerusalem to prove using the Jewish religion itself how Jesus is the purpose and fulfillment of the Hebrew faith. He and the Gentiles in Italy are not in any sort of split with Peter and the Apostles in Jerusalem.

Paul is perhaps the only person who could write this dissertation and have it embraced by the apostles back in Jerusalem. Paul had the best seminary training in the Jewish religion. Before his conversion his job was as a special prosecutor to go after the Apostles and Christians. He had a miraculous conversion and proved himself to the Apostles.

The tendency of people is to choose sides. Peter or Paul. There was already dissension because of this sect of Christianity teaching obedience to Judaism rather than salvation by faith. The whole book of Hebrews is an attempt to out Judaize the Judaizers… Why Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the temple and the sacrifices and the priests.

So in case any of the Hebrew believers want to use Paul’s other letters as an excuse to ignore or disobey the Hebrew Christian leadership in Jerusalem Paul stresses to them all to OBEY the other apostles.

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.  Hebrews 13:17

Paul’s letter to the Hebrews clarifies his teaching about Judaism so that there would be no dissension over his viewpoints. Paul had a real heart for the believers in Jerusalem. Wherever he went he took up offerings to send back to them. Those today that teach that Paul and Peter were adversaries are greatly mistaken.

PAUL’S HOPE FOR COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING AND RESTORATION

Paul then explains his hope to come back to Jerusalem when he is released from prison to make sure there is a full restoration between him and Peter and the Jewish believers there but hoped that this letter to would restore the unity.

 [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. (Hebrews 13:18-19)

PETER IMPRESSED BY PAUL'S BOOK OF HEBREWS

 [15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

 [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

 [17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

 [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (II Peter 3:15-18)