Hebrews 13:8

"Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith."

Key Reflection

In Hebrews 13:8, the apostle encourages readers to reflect on the leaders who initially instructed them in the faith and to emulate their steadfastness and trust in God. Given that this letter was likely written to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire, these "leaders" might have included both traveling teachers and local church elders. The original audience would recognize these men as those who conveyed the Word of God through teachings and demonstrations of faith, and were thus expected to model their own lives on such examples.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 8. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, etc. As this stands in our common translation it conveys an idea which is not in the original. It would seem to mean that Jesus Christ, the unchangeable Saviour, was the end or aim of the conduct of those referred to, or that they lived to imitate and glorify him. But this is by no means the meaning in the original. There it stands as an absolute proposition, that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever;" that is, that he is unchangeable.

Related Verses

More from Hebrews 13

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion