Albert Barnes Commentary Hebrews 13:25

"Grace be with you all. Amen." — Hebrews 13:25 (ASV)

Grace be with you all.

See the notes on Romans 16:20.

The subscription at the close of the epistle, "written to the Hebrews from Italy by Timothy," like the other subscriptions, is of no authority. See Notes at the end of 1 Corinthians. It is demonstrably erroneous here, for it is expressly said by the author of the epistle that, at the time he wrote it, Timothy was absent (Hebrews 13:23). In regard to the time and place of writing it, see the Introduction, section 4.

At the close of this exposition, it is not improper to refer the reader to the remarks on its design at the end of the Introduction, section 6. Having passed through the exposition, we can see more clearly the importance of the views presented there. There is no book of the New Testament more important than this, and of course, none whose lack would be more perceptible in the canon of the Scriptures.

Every reader of the Old Testament needs such a guide as this epistle. It was written by someone who had an intimate acquaintance from childhood with the Jewish system, who had all the advantages of the most able and faithful instruction, and who was under the influence of inspiration to make us acquainted with the true nature of those institutions.

Nothing was more important than to settle the principles regarding the nature of the Jewish economy: to show what was typical, and how those institutions were the means of introducing a far more perfect system—the system of the Christian religion. If we have right feelings, we shall have sincere gratitude to God that He caused the Christian religion to be prefigured by a system as magnificent and grand in itself as the Jewish system, and higher gratitude for that sublime system of religion of which the Jewish, with all its splendour, was only the shadow.

There was much that was beautiful, cheering, and sublime in the Jewish system. There was much that was grand and awe-inspiring in the giving of the law, and much that was imposing in its ceremonies. In its flourishing and pure days, it was incomparably the purest and noblest system of religion then on earth.

It taught the nature of the one true God; inculcated a pure system of morals; preserved the record of the truth on the earth; and constantly held up before humanity the hope of a better system yet to come. But it was expensive, burdensome, precise in its prescriptions, and wearisome in its ceremonies (Acts 15:10).

It was adapted to one people—a people who occupied a small territory and who could conveniently assemble at the central place of their worship three times a year. It was not a system adapted to the whole world, nor was it designed for the whole world. When the Saviour came, therefore, whom the Jewish economy was designed to introduce, it ceased as a matter of course.

The Jewish altars were soon thrown down, the temple was razed to the ground, and the city of their solemnities was destroyed. The religion of the Hebrews passed away, to be revived no more in its splendour and power, and it has never lived since, except as an empty form.

This epistle teaches us why it passed away and why it can never be restored. It is the true key with which to unlock the Old Testament. With these views, we may remark in conclusion that one who would understand the Bible thoroughly should become familiar with this epistle. The canon of Scripture would be incomplete without it. Furthermore, for one who wishes to understand the revelation God has given, there is no portion of the volume whose loss would be a more irreparable calamity than that of the Epistle to the Hebrews.