In Hebrews 13:1-7 the Apostle Paul is urging us to make it our habit of life to walk in the exercise of brotherly love. We read in verses 1-2 ― “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” In verses 3-7 he continues with the same subject, reminding us of specific matters relating to the exercise of brotherly love.
Brotherly love expresses itself by tenderly caring for brethren in need. ― “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (v. 3). This is not talking about prison ministries and caring for legally incarcerated criminals. It is talking about those who are in bonds for the gospel’s sake and those who suffer adversity (particularly God’s suffering people in their adversities), because we are in the same body with them. We are in the same body of this flesh, the same body of Christ, and the same spiritual body, the church of God with them. As members one of another, as brethren in the same family, we ought to “weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice.”
If we love as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will see that missionaries, old people, needy people, sick people, and people out of work have their needs supplied, as we are able to supply them.
In verse 4, Paul seems to throw in something that is unrelated to this matter of brotherly love. He speaks of the honor of marriage. But what he has to say is very much related to brotherly love. He says, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Brotherly love flourishes when home love flourishes. If I do not love my wife and care for her, if I do not devote myself to her, I do not love you or Christ and will not care for you and the things of Christ. So Paul says, “Take your marriage vows seriously.” Let marriage be held honorably and highly esteemed in all things. Your marriage bed is honorable. And there is never an excuse (religious or otherwise) for a husband neglecting his wife, or a wife her husband. Love means you keep yourself from sexual promiscuity! —”Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
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Verses 5 and 6 speak of contentment rising from assurance. ― “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. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Here again, Paul is still taking about brotherly love. Covetousness destroys it. Contentment promotes it. Let us live free from love of money, free from craving wealth and worldly possessions, free from greed and lust for material things. Be content with what God has given you. Be content with your present position and circumstance.
Such contentment arises from the assurance spoken of in verse six. God has said, “I will not in any way fail you, nor give you up, nor leave you without support.'' “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6,11,12; 1 Tim. 6:6-8). Because we are so slow to believe him, our God has given this promise to us five times in his Word (Gen. 28:15; Deut. 31:6-8; Jos. 1:5; 1 Chron. 28:20; Heb. 13:5).
This is God’s promise to every believing sinner in this world. ― “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” It is given to us that we may, as Isaiah puts it, “Suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.” (Isa. 66:11; Ps. 37:25; Phil. 4:6, 11-12; 1 Tim. 6:6-8).
In verse 7 the Holy Spirit calls for us to remember God’s servants as rulers worthy of allegiance. ― “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (v. 7).
This is not talking about political rulers, but spiritual rulers, those men who are given the responsibility for ruling God’s house, pastors. The word would be better translated “guides” or “governors.” Gospel preachers are men who rule the house of God by the Word of God and the example of faith, by which they guide God’s people to glory (Jer. 3:15).
Remember them, respect them, follow them, pray for them, provide for them, and honor them for Christ's sake, as his servants by which he serves you (1 Thess. 5:12-13; Eph. 4:1-13). ― “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” (Heb. 13:7).