Albert Barnes Commentary Hebrews 13:1

"Let love of the brethren continue." — Hebrews 13:1 (ASV)

ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER 13

The closing chapter of this epistle is made up almost entirely of exhortations to the performance of various practical duties. The exhortations relate to the following points:

• brotherly love (Hebrews 13:1)
• hospitality (Hebrews 13:2)
• sympathy with those in bonds (Hebrews 13:3)
• fidelity in the marriage relation (Hebrews 13:4)
• contentment (Hebrews 13:5–6)
• submission to those in authority (Hebrews 13:7–8)
• stability in the doctrines of religion (Hebrews 13:9–15)
• benevolence (Hebrews 13:16)
• obedience to those entrusted with office (Hebrews 13:17)
• special prayer for him who wrote this epistle (Hebrews 13:18–19)

The epistle then closes with a beautiful and impressive benediction (Hebrews 13:20–21); with an entreaty that they would receive with favor what had been written (Hebrews 13:22); with the grateful announcement that Timothy, in whom they doubtless felt a great interest, was set at liberty (Hebrews 13:23); and with a salutation to all the saints (Hebrews 13:24–25).

Let brotherly love continue (Hebrews 13:1). This implies that it now existed among them. The apostle had no occasion to reprove them for the lack of it, as he had in regard to some to whom he wrote, but he aims merely to impress on them the importance of this virtue, and to caution them against the danger of allowing it ever to be interrupted. See the notes on John 13:34.