Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 13:5

"Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee." — Hebrews 13:5 (ASV)

Sins of impurity and “love of money” are linked elsewhere in the NT (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:10–11; Ephesians 4:19; Ephesians 5:3–5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–6). A covetous person pursues selfish aims, whether sexual or financial, without regard to the rights of others. So the writer warns against this sin and urges contentment with what one has. Covetousness is needless, for believers have the promise that God will never leave them nor forsake them. The origin of this quotation is not clear; the words do not correspond exactly to any OT passage, though there are several statements that are rather like it (e.g., Genesis 28:15; Dt 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Isaiah 41:17). The words point to the complete reliability of God and his promises. God’s people are secure no matter what comes, because he is with them.