15Through him, then, let us bring up a sacrifice of praise to God at all times — that is, the fruit of lips confessing his name. [13:16] And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. [13:17] Be persuaded by those who lead you and yield to them, for they watch over your souls as those who will give an account — so that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you. [13:18] Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. [13:19] And I urge you especially to do this, so that I may be restored to you more quickly.
HEB 13:15-19
Sacrifice, Obedience, and Prayer
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, sacrifice was a central act of religious devotion, often involving physical offerings to deities. The author redefines this concept, shifting it from material offerings to a 'sacrifice of praise'—verbal confession and thanksgiving. This aligns with Jewish practices of verbal praise (e.g., Psalms) but also critiques the Roman imperial cult, which demanded physical sacrifices to honor the emperor. The call to 'do good and share' reflects the Greco-Roman virtue of philanthropy, but here it is framed as a spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God, not merely a civic duty. The instruction to obey and submit to leaders mirrors the Roman household codes and synagogue hierarchies, where submission to authority maintained social order. However, the emphasis on leaders 'watching over souls' suggests a pastoral, rather than authoritarian, role. The request for prayer underscores the communal nature of early Christian groups, where intercession was a shared responsibility, reflecting both Jewish and Greco-Roman practices of mutual support.
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How other translations render this
HEB 13:15
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.
- Koinōnos
- Through him, then, let us bring up a sacrifice of praise to God at all times — that is, the fruit of lips confessing his name.
HEB 13:16
- KJV
- But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- BSB
- And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- Koinōnos
- And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
HEB 13:17
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
- Koinōnos
- Be persuaded by those who lead you and yield to them, for they watch over your souls as those who will give an account — so that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
HEB 13:18
- KJV
- Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
- BSB
- Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
- Koinōnos
- Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
HEB 13:19
- KJV
- But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
- BSB
- And I especially urge you to pray that I may be restored to you soon.
- Koinōnos
- And I urge you especially to do this, so that I may be restored to you more quickly.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 13:15
- we may offer:The word translated 'we may offer' literally means to carry something up, often in the context of bringing a sacrifice to an altar or presenting an offering to a deity.
HEB 13:17
- do obey:The word translated 'do obey' carries the sense of being persuaded or convinced, leading to compliance, rather than simply following orders out of obligation.
- leading:The term used here for 'leading' implies not just guiding, but also governing, ruling, or having authority over others, often with a sense of responsibility for their well-being.
- do be submissive;:The word translated 'do be submissive' suggests yielding or giving way, often implying a voluntary deference to authority or a willingness to step aside.