Hebrews 13:5

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. CONVERSATION, [ ho (G3588) tropos (G5158)] - 'manner of life.' Lust and lucre follow one another as closely akin, both seducing the heart from the Creator to the creature. SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE, [ tois (G3588) parousin (G3918)] - 'present things' (Philippians 4:11). I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE - so to Jacob,...

5._Let your conversation be without covetousness, etc. _While he seeks to correct covetousness, he rightly and wisely bids us at the same time to be content with our present things; for it is the true contempt of money, or at least a true greatness of mind in the right and moderate use of it, when we are content with what the Lord has given us, whether it be much or little; for certainly it rarely happens that anything satisfies an avaricious man; but on the contrary they who are not content with a moderate portion, always seek more even when they enjoy the greatest affluence. It was a doctrine which Paul had declared, that he had learned, so as to know how to abound and how to suffer need. Then he who has set limits to his desire so as to acquiesce resignedly in his lot, has expelled from his heart the love of money. (278) _For he has said, etc. _Here he quotes two testimonies; the firs...

1-6 The design of Christ in giving himself for us, is, that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship. Here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties, especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and duty is covetousness, an over-eager desire for the wealth of this world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves. Having treasures in heaven, we may be content with mean things here. Those who cannot be so, would not be content though God raised their condition. Adam was in paradise, yet not contented; some angels in heaven were not contented; but the apostle Paul, though abased and empty, had learned in every state, in any state, to be content. Christians have reason to be contented with their present lot. This promise contains the sum and substance of all the promises; "I will neve...

Verse Hebrews 13:5. _LET YOUR CONVERSATION_] That is, the whole tenor of your conduct, τροπος, the _manner of your life_, or rather the _disposition_ of your hearts in reference to all your secular transactions; for in this sense the original is used by the best Greek writers. Be _WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS_] Desire nothing more than what God has given you; and especially covet nothing which the Divine Providence has given to another man, for this is the very _spirit_ of _robbery_. _CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE_] Αρκουμενοι τοις παρουσιν· _Being satisfied with present things_. In one of the sentences of _Phocylides_ we have a sentiment in nearly the same words as that of the apostle: Αρκεισθαι παρεουσι, και αλλοτριων απεχεσθαι· _Be_ content with present things, and abstain from others

LET YOUR CONVERSATION - Your “conduct” - for so the word “conversation” is used in the Scriptures; notes, Philippians 1:27. BE WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS - Ephesians 5:3 note; Colossians 3:5 note. AND BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE - see the Philippians 4:11 notes; Matthew 6:25 notes. The particular reason here given for contentment is, that God has promised never to leave his people. Compare with this the beautiful

CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS EXPOSITION As in St. Paul's Epistles, practical directions as to conduct conclude the treatise, such as the readers may be supposed to have especially needed. They are urged to evince and confirm the faith which was the subject of Hebrews 11:1, and to maintain their communion with the world invisible spoken of in Hebrews 12:1, by attending especially to those daily duties which they might be in danger of forgetting. By perseverance in a life consistent with profession faith is not only evidenced, but also kept from faltering. In the course of these hortations (Hebrews 12:10), being suggested by one of them, there is introduced a ye

LET YOUR CONVERSATION BE WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS,.... Which is an immoderate desire, of riches, an over anxious care for worldly things, attended with dissatisfaction, and discontent with their present state: it discovers itself many ways; in preferring the world to religion; in laying up treasure for a man's own self, without being any ways useful to others; in withholding from himself the necessaries of life, and in making no use of his substance for the glory of God, and the interest of religion: this is a very great evil; it is called idolatry, and is said to be the root of all evil; and is very pernicious to true religion: a believer's conversation should be without it; in his family, for whom he should provide things convenient and honest; and in the world, where he should deal uprightly, and not defraud and overreach; and in the church, where he should be liberal, and generously comm...

This is a practical chapter at the close of this most instructive Epistle. Hebrews 13:1. _Let brotherly love continue._ The word «continue» implies that the «brotherly love» exists, there are many things which might put an end to it, so see to it that, as far as you are concerned, it continues. Under all provocations, and under all disappointments, «let brotherly love continue.» Hebrews 13:2. _Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body._ And being likely therefore to take your own turn of suffering, and to need the sympathy of your fellow-Christians. Show sympathy to others while they

CHAPTER 13 _ 1. The practical walk (Hebrews 13:1)_ 2. The call to separation (Hebrews 13:7) 3. Conclusions (Hebrews 13:17) Hebrews 13:1 No comment is needed on the simple exhortations with which this concluding chapter of this Epistle begins. Brotherly love stands in the foreground. Hospitality and loving kindness to prisoners and those who suffer adversity is especially enjoined. The great high priest in glory sympathizes with such a condition of His saints and we too are to be sympathizers as well as intercessors with Him. The life is to be clean and undefiled. Walking in faith there should be

Emphasis is first laid on the duty of brotherly love_ i.e._ kindness towards fellow-Christians which was all-important in a struggling community like the early Church. Three aspects of this duty are particularly mentioned hospitality to travellers, care of prisoners, helpfulness towards those who are persecuted. The readers are to bear in mind that they also are in the body_ i.e._ sojourners in this world and liable to its troubles. They are warned against two forms of vice to which the heathen society of the day was especially prone laxity in the marriage relation, and covetousness. Christians may well resist this latter temptation, for they have God's own promise that He will remember His people and provide for them. A promise like this ought to free them from all anxieties, and not merely from the fear of poverty (Hebrews 13:5 f.)....