Jehovah Is My Helper

“Be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’”​—HEBREWS 13:6.

1, 2. (a) Both the psalmist and the apostle Paul expressed what confidence in Jehovah? (b) What questions arise?

JEHOVAH GOD is an unfailing source of help. The psalmist knew this from experience and could say: “Jehovah is on my side; I shall not fear. What can earthling man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6) Similar sentiments were expressed by the apostle Paul when he wrote his divinely inspired letter to Hebrew Christians.

² Evidently quoting the psalmist’s words from the Greek Septuagint, Paul told Hebrew fellow worshipers: “Be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6) Why did the apostle write in this way? And what can we learn from the context?

In Need of Jehovah’s Help

3. (a) Under what circumstances did Jehovah prove to be Paul’s Helper? (b) Why did Hebrew Christians especially need Jehovah as their Helper?

³ Paul was a self-sacrificing witness who had evidence that Jehovah was his Helper. God helped the apostle in the face of many hardships. Paul was imprisoned, beaten, and stoned. In his travels as a Christian minister, he experienced shipwreck as well as many other dangers. He was well-acquainted with toil, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, even nakedness. “Besides those things of an external kind,” said he, “there is what rushes in on me from day to day, the anxiety for all the congregations.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-29) Paul had that kind of concern for Hebrew Christians. Jerusalem’s days were numbered, and the apostle’s Jewish brothers and sisters in Judea would face great tests of faith. (Daniel 9:24-27; Luke 21:5-24) So they would need to have Jehovah as their Helper.

4. What basic exhortation is presented throughout the letter to the Hebrews?

⁴ In opening his letter to Hebrew Christians, Paul showed that divine help would be experienced only if they listened to God’s Son, Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 1:1, 2) This point was developed in the letter. For instance, to back up this counsel, the apostle reminded his readers that the Israelites were punished for disobedience in the wilderness. How much less would Hebrew Christians escape punishment if they rejected what God said to them by means of Jesus and became apostates clinging to the Mosaic Law that was set aside by Christ’s sacrifice!​—Hebrews 12:24-27.

Brotherly Love in Action

5. (a) What other counsel does the letter to the Hebrews provide? (b) What did Paul say about love?

⁵ The letter to the Hebrews gave prospective heirs of the heavenly Kingdom counsel on how to follow their Exemplar, Jesus Christ, ‘render sacred service with godly fear and awe,’ and have Jehovah as their Helper. (Hebrews 12:1-4, 28, 29) Paul urged fellow believers to meet regularly and ‘incite one another to love and fine works.’ (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Now he counseled: “Let your brotherly love continue.”​—Hebrews 13:1.

6. In what sense did Jesus give his followers “a new commandment” regarding love?

⁶ Jesus required such love of his followers, for he said: “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:34, 35) This was “a new commandment” in that it called for more than did the Mosaic Law, which said: “You must love your fellow [or, neighbor] as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) The “new commandment” did more than require that a person love his neighbor as he loved himself. It called for self-sacrificing love to the point of giving one’s life for someone. Jesus’ life and death exemplified that kind of love. Tertullian alluded to this identifying mark when he quoted the remarks of worldly people concerning Christians and said: “‘Look,’ they say, ‘how they love one another . . . and how they are ready to die for each other.’”​—Apology, chapter XXXIX, 7.

7. How was brotherly love evident after Pentecost 33 C.E.?

⁷ Brotherly love was evident among Jesus’ disciples after Pentecost 33 C.E. So that many newly baptized believers from distant places could extend their stay in Jerusalem and learn more about God’s provision for salvation through Christ, “all those who became believers were together in having all things in common, and they went selling their possessions and properties and distributing the proceeds to all, just as anyone would have the need.”​—Acts 2:43-47; 4:32-37.

8. What proof is there that brotherly love exists among Jehovah’s Witnesses today?

⁸ Such brotherly love exists among Jehovah’s Witnesses in our time. For instance, after World War II, such love moved God’s people to carry out a two-and-a-half-year relief campaign. Witnesses in Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and other lands donated clothing and money to buy food for fellow believers in the war-torn countries of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, and Romania. This is only an example, for God’s servants more recently have shown such love for Christian victims of earthquakes in Peru and Mexico, storm winds in Jamaica, and similar disasters elsewhere. In this and many other ways, Jehovah’s people ‘let their brotherly love continue.’

Be Hospitable

9. (a) What godly quality is mentioned at Hebrews 13:2? (b) How did some unknowingly ‘entertain angels’?

⁹ Paul next mentioned another quality manifested by those who follow Christ, ‘render sacred service with godly fear and awe,’ and have Jehovah as their Helper. He urged: “Do not forget hospitality, for through it some, unknown to themselves, entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13:2) Who unknowingly “entertained angels”? Well, the patriarch Abraham was the host for three angels. (Genesis 18:1-22) Two of them departed, and his nephew Lot invited these very strangers into his home in Sodom. Before they could retire, however, Lot’s house was surrounded by a mob, “from boy to old man.” They demanded that Lot turn over his guests for immoral purposes, but he staunchly refused. Though Lot did not know it at first, he had entertained angels, who then assisted him and his daughters to escape death when ‘Jehovah rained down fire and sulphur from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah.’​—Genesis 19:1-26.

10. What blessings do hospitable Christians enjoy?

¹⁰ Hospitable Christians enjoy many blessings. They hear the enriching experiences related by their guests and benefit from their spiritually rewarding association. Gaius was commended for receiving fellow believers hospitably, “and strangers at that,” even as many of Jehovah’s people now entertain traveling overseers. (3 John 1, 5-8) Being hospitable is a qualification for appointment as an elder. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7, 8) It is also noteworthy that Jesus promised Kingdom blessings to sheeplike individuals who hospitably did good to his anointed “brothers.”​—Matthew 25:34-40.

Remember Those Persecuted

11. Why was the counsel of Hebrews 13:3 apropos?

¹¹ Those desiring to have Jehovah’s help and to ‘render sacred service to him with godly fear and awe’ must not forget fellow believers who are suffering. Paul understood the hardships endured by ill-treated Christians. Some time earlier, disciples had been scattered by persecution, and his coworker Timothy had just been released from prison. (Hebrews 13:23; Acts 11:19-21) Christian missionaries were also traveling about forming new congregations or upbuilding existing ones spiritually. Since many of the brothers and sisters then on the move were Gentiles, some Hebrew Christians might not have been sufficiently concerned about them. Appropriate, then, was the admonition: “Keep in mind those in prison bonds as though you have been bound with them, and those being ill-treated, since you yourselves also are still in a body.”​—Hebrews 13:3.

12. How may we apply the counsel to keep ill-treated fellow believers in mind?

¹² The Hebrews had “expressed sympathy for those in prison” but were not to forget such faithful fellow worshipers, whether they were Jews or Gentiles. (Hebrews 10:34) But what about us? How may we show that we keep ill-treated Christians in mind? In some cases it may be appropriate for us to appeal to governmental authorities by letter in an effort to assist fellow believers imprisoned for their faith in lands where the Kingdom-preaching work is banned. Especially should we remember them in our prayers, even mentioning some by name, if possible. Their persecution affects us deeply, and Jehovah hears our earnest petitions in their behalf. (Psalm 65:2; Ephesians 6:17-20) While we are not in the same prison cell, it is as though we are bound with them and able to offer help and encouragement. Spirit-begotten Christians certainly sympathize with ill-treated anointed ones. (Compare 1 Corinthians 12:19-26.) These have similar concern for their persecuted companions with earthly hopes, who also suffer ill-treatment of many kinds at the hands of persecutors. Such fellow feeling is appropriate, since all of us are in a human body and liable to undergo sufferings and persecution as worshipers of Jehovah.​—1 Peter 5:6-11.

Marriage Must Be Honorable

13. In essence, what did Paul say at Hebrews 13:4?

¹³ Following Christ’s example and ‘rendering sacred service to Jehovah with godly fear and awe’ should affect our concern for others in many ways. Having said that “you yourselves also are still in a body,” Paul mentioned a relationship having a bodily, or physical, aspect that afforded opportunity to show proper regard for others. (Hebrews 13:3) He gave Hebrew Christians this exhortation: “Let marriage be honorable among all, and the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.” (Hebrews 13:4) How appropriate this counsel, since sexual immorality was prevalent in the Roman Empire! Present-day Christians also need to heed these words in view of the world’s low moral standards and the fact that each year thousands are disfellowshipped from the congregation because of sexual immorality.

14. Why would you say that marriage is honorable?

¹⁴ Among those who did not hold marriage in high esteem were the Essenes of Paul’s time. They were usually celibates, like some in clerical circles today who wrongly consider celibacy to be holier than matrimony. By what Paul told Hebrew Christians, however, he clearly indicated that marriage is honorable. High regard for it was evident when Naomi expressed this wish for her widowed daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah: “May Jehovah make a gift to you, and do you find a resting-place each one in the house of her husband.” (Ruth 1:9) Elsewhere, Paul himself pointed out that ‘in later periods of time some would fall away from the faith, forbidding to marry.’​—1 Timothy 4:1-5.

15. Who were designated as fornicators and adulterers at Hebrews 13:4, and how would God judge them?

¹⁵ Hebrews once under the Law but taken into the new covenant knew the commandment: “You must not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14) But they were in an immoral world and needed the warning: “Let . . . the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.” Among the fornicators are unmarried persons who engage in sexual intercourse. Adulterers more particularly are married individuals who cohabit with those not their mates, defiling their own marriage bed. Since unrepentant practicers of fornication and adultery merit God’s adverse judgment, they will neither be admitted into heavenly New Jerusalem nor enjoy life eternal on earth under Kingdom rule. (Revelation 21:1, 2, 8; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) This warning not to defile the marriage bed should also make married Christians avoid defiling sexual conduct with their mates, though there is nothing unclean about proper physical intimacies within marriage.​—See The Watchtower, March 15, 1983, pages 27-31.

Content With the Present Things

16, 17. What was said at Hebrews 13:5, and why did the Hebrews need this counsel?

¹⁶ We will find contentment if we follow our Exemplar and ‘render sacred service with godly fear and awe,’ confident that Jehovah is our Helper. Getting deeply involved in materialistic pursuits can be such a temptation. But Christians must not succumb to it. The Hebrews were told: “Let your manner of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For he has said: ‘I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5) Why did the Hebrews need this counsel?

¹⁷ Perhaps the Hebrews were overly concerned about money because they recalled the “great famine” in the reign of Claudius Caesar (41-54 C.E.). That famine was so bad that Christians elsewhere sent relief provisions to their brothers in Judea. (Acts 11:28, 29) According to the Jewish historian Josephus, the famine lasted for three years or more, causing oppressive poverty in Judea and Jerusalem.​—Antiquities of the Jews, XX, 2, 5; 5, 2.

18. The counsel at Hebrews 13:5 provides what lesson for us?

¹⁸ Is there a lesson here for us? Yes, for no matter how poor we may be, we should not love money or be overly concerned about it. Instead of being anxious about material security, possibly even becoming covetous, we should be “content with the present things.” Jesus said: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and [God’s] righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25-34) He also showed that we should concentrate on being “rich toward God” because ‘our life does not result from the things we possess.’ (Luke 12:13-21) If love of money is threatening our spirituality, then, let us heed Paul’s counsel to the Hebrews and also remember that “godly devotion along with self-sufficiency” is “a means of great gain.”​—1 Timothy 6:6-8.

Trust in Jehovah

19. What assurance did God give Joshua, and how should this affect us?

¹⁹ As Jesus’ followers who are seeking to ‘render sacred service with godly fear and awe,’ we must place our trust not in money but in our heavenly Father, whose help is vital. Whatever problems we face, we should remember his assurance: “I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Here Paul alluded to God’s words to Joshua: “I shall neither desert you nor leave you entirely.” (Joshua 1:5; compare Deuteronomy 31:6, 8.) Jehovah never deserted Joshua, and He will not forsake us if we trust in Him.

20. (a) What is the yeartext for 1990? (b) Without fear, what should we continue to do?

²⁰ God’s unfailing help will be emphasized among Jehovah’s Witnesses in the months ahead, for their 1990 yeartext reads: “Be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper.’” These words are found at Hebrews 13:6, where Paul quoted the psalmist and told the Hebrews: “So that we may be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Psalm 118:6) Though persecuted, we are not fearful, for humans can do no more than God permits. (Psalm 27:1) Even if we must die as integrity keepers, we have the resurrection hope. (Acts 24:15) So let us continue to follow our Exemplar in ‘rendering sacred service with godly fear and awe,’ confident that Jehovah is our Helper.

Offer Sacrifices That Please Jehovah

“Through [Jesus Christ] let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.”​—HEBREWS 13:15.

1. What did Jehovah urge sinful Israelites to do?

JEHOVAH is the Helper of those offering acceptable sacrifices to him. Therefore, his favor once rested upon Israelites who offered animal sacrifices. But what happened after they repeatedly sinned? Through the prophet Hosea, they were urged: “Do come back, O Israel, to Jehovah your God, for you have stumbled in your error. Take with yourselves words and come back to Jehovah. Say to him, all you people, ‘May you pardon error; and accept what is good, and we will offer in return the young bulls of our lips.’”​—Hosea 14:1, 2.

2. What were ‘the young bulls of the lips,’ and how did the apostle Paul allude to Hosea’s prophecy?

² So it was that God’s ancient people were encouraged to offer to Jehovah God ‘the young bulls of their lips.’ What were these? Why, sacrifices of sincere praise! Alluding to this prophecy, the apostle Paul urged Hebrew Christians to “offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15) What can help Jehovah’s Witnesses to offer such sacrifices today?

“Imitate Their Faith”

3. In essence, what did the apostle Paul say at Hebrews 13:7, raising what question?

³ Applying the counsel Paul gave the Hebrews will enable us to offer acceptable sacrifices to our Great Helper, Jehovah God. For instance, the apostle wrote: “Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7) To whom did Paul refer when he said, “Remember those who are taking the lead among you,” or “are governors of you”?​—New World Translation Reference Bible, footnote.

4. (a) According to the Greek text, what are those “taking the lead” doing? (b) Who are those “taking the lead” among Jehovah’s Witnesses?

⁴ Paul spoke of those “taking the lead,” or governing. (Heb 13 Verses 7, 17, 24) The English word “govern” is derived through Latin from the Greek ky·ber·naʹo, meaning to “steer a ship, direct, govern.” Christian elders govern by using their “abilities to direct” (Greek, ky·ber·neʹseis) in providing leadership and guidance in local congregations. (1 Corinthians 12:28) But the apostles and other elders in Jerusalem served as a body to give guidance and counsel to all the congregations. (Acts 15:1, 2, 27-29) Today, therefore, a governing body of elders provides spiritual oversight for Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.

5. Why and how should we pray for congregation elders and members of the Governing Body?

⁵ Local elders and members of the Governing Body take the lead among us; hence, we should respect them and pray that God grant them the wisdom needed to govern the congregation. (Compare Ephesians 1:15-17.) How fitting that we remember any ‘who spoke the word of God to us’! Timothy was taught not only by his mother and grandmother but also later by Paul and others. (2 Timothy 1:5, 6; 3:14) So Timothy could contemplate how the conduct of those taking the lead turned out and was able to imitate their faith.

6. Whose faith should we imitate, but whom do we follow?

⁶ Such individuals as Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Rahab, and Moses exercised faith. (Hebrews 11:1-40) Thus, we can imitate their faith without hesitation because they died loyal to God. But we can also ‘imitate the faith’ of loyal men now taking the lead among us. Of course, we do not follow imperfect humans, for we keep our eyes on Christ. As Bible translator Edgar J. Goodspeed said: “The heroes of old are not the believer’s models, for in Christ he has a better pattern . . . The Christian runner must fix his eyes upon Jesus.” Yes, ‘Christ suffered for us, leaving a model for us to follow his steps closely.’​—1 Peter 2:21; Hebrews 12:1-3.

7. How should Hebrews 13:8 affect our attitude toward suffering for Jesus Christ?

⁷ Focusing attention on God’s Son, Paul added: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Faithful witnesses such as Stephen and James had displayed immovable integrity, after Jesus’ steadfast pattern. (Acts 7:1-60; 12:1, 2) Since they were willing to die as followers of Christ, their faith is worthy of our imitation. In the past, at present, and even in the future, godly persons do not beg off from suffering martyrdom as Jesus’ disciples.

Avoid False Teachings

8. How would you paraphrase Paul’s words at Hebrews 13:9?

⁸ The unchangeableness of Jesus’ personality and teachings should make us cling to what he and his apostles taught. The Hebrews were told: “Do not be carried away with various and strange teachings; for it is fine for the heart to be given firmness by undeserved kindness, not by eatables, by which those who occupy themselves with them have not been benefited.”​—Hebrews 13:9.

9. To what superior things did Paul point in the letter to the Hebrew Christians?

⁹ Jews pointed to such things as the spectacular giving of the Law at Mount Sinai and the lasting kingship of David. But Paul showed Hebrew Christians that although the instituting of the Law covenant was awesome, Jehovah more forcefully bore witness with signs, portents, powerful works, and distributions of holy spirit when the new covenant was inaugurated. (Acts 2:1-4; Hebrews 2:2-4) Christ’s heavenly Kingdom cannot be shaken, as was the earthly kingship of Davidic rulers in 607 B.C.E. (Hebrews 1:8, 9; 12:28) Moreover, Jehovah gathers anointed ones before something far more awe-inspiring than the miraculous display at Mount Sinai, for they approach heavenly Mount Zion.​—Hebrews 12:18-27.

10. According to Hebrews 13:9, by what is the heart given firmness?

¹⁰ The Hebrews therefore needed to avoid being “carried away with various and strange teachings” of Judaizers. (Galatians 5:1-6) Not by such teachings but ‘by God’s undeserved kindness can the heart be given firmness’ so as to remain steadfast in the truth. Some apparently argued about foods and sacrifices, for Paul said that the heart was not made firm “by eatables, by which those who occupy themselves with them have not been benefited.” Spiritual benefits result from godly devotion and appreciation for the ransom, not from undue concern about eating certain foods and observing particular days. (Romans 14:5-9) Moreover, Christ’s sacrifice made Levitical sacrifices ineffective.​—Hebrews 9:9-14; 10:5-10.

Sacrifices That Please God

11. (a) What is the essence of Paul’s words at Hebrews 13:10, 11? (b) What figurative altar do Christians have?

¹¹ Levitical priests ate meat from sacrificial animals, but Paul wrote: “We have an altar from which those who do sacred service at the tent [the tabernacle] have no authority to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is taken into the holy place by the high priest for sin are burned up outside the camp” on Atonement Day. (Hebrews 13:10, 11; Leviticus 16:27; 1 Corinthians 9:13) Christians have a figurative altar denoting approach to God on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice that atones for sin and results in Jehovah’s forgiveness and salvation to eternal life.

12. At Hebrews 13:12-14, what were anointed Christians urged to do?

¹² Paul does not press the analogy with Atonement Day, yet he adds: “Hence Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate” of Jerusalem. There Christ died and provided the completely effective propitiatory sacrifice. (Hebrews 13:12; John 19:17; 1 John 2:1, 2) The apostle Paul urged fellow anointed Christians: “Let us, then, go forth to him [Christ] outside the camp, bearing the reproach he bore, for we do not have here a city that continues, but we are earnestly seeking the one to come.” (Hebrews 13:13, 14; Leviticus 16:10) Though we are reproached as Jesus was, we persevere as Jehovah’s Witnesses. We ‘repudiate ungodliness and worldly desires and live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things’ while looking to the new world. (Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:13; 1 John 2:15-17) And anointed ones among us earnestly seek the “city,” the heavenly Kingdom.​—Hebrews 12:22.

13. Sacrifices that please God do not consist simply of what?

¹³ Paul next mentioned sacrifices that please God, writing: “Through him [Jesus] let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name. Moreover, do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15, 16) Christian sacrifices do not consist simply of humanitarian works. People in general do such things. For instance, this happened when people of many nations came to the aid of earthquake victims in Soviet Armenia in late 1988.

14. Offering God an acceptable sacrifice lays stress on what work?

¹⁴ The sacred service we render to Jehovah “with godly fear and awe” is founded on the self-sacrificing kind of love Jesus displayed. (Hebrews 12:28; John 13:34; 15:13) This service stresses our preaching work, for through Christ as High Priest ‘we offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.’ (Hosea 14:2; Romans 10:10-15; Hebrews 7:26) Of course, we “do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others,” including, even, others than “those related to us in the faith.” (Galatians 6:10) Especially when fellow Christians experience calamity or are in need or distress, we render loving help materially and spiritually. Why? Because we love one another. We also want them to be able to hold fast the public declaration of their hope without wavering, “for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”​—Hebrews 10:23-25; James 1:27.

Be Submissive

15. (a) How would you paraphrase the counsel of Hebrews 13:17? (b) Why show respect for those who are taking the lead?

¹⁵ To render acceptable sacrifices, we must cooperate fully with God’s organization. Without harping on the matter of authority, Paul wrote: “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.” (Hebrews 13:17) We should respect the appointed elders who take the lead in the congregation, so that they do not have to sigh with distress over our lack of cooperation. Our failing to be submissive would prove burdensome to the overseers and would result in our spiritual harm. A cooperative spirit makes it easier for elders to render assistance and contributes to unity and the progress of the Kingdom-preaching work.​—Psalm 133:1-3.

16. Why is it appropriate to be submissive to those taking the lead among us?

¹⁶ How appropriate that we be submissive to those taking the lead! They teach at our meetings and help us in the ministry. As shepherds, they seek our welfare. (1 Peter 5:2, 3) They help us to maintain a good relationship with God and the congregation. (Acts 20:28-30) By submitting to wise and loving oversight, we show respect for the Supreme Overseer, Jehovah God, and his Deputy Overseer, Jesus Christ.​—1 Peter 2:25; Revelation 1:1; 2:1–3:22.

Be Prayerful

17. What prayers did Paul request, and why could he rightly ask for them?

¹⁷ Since Paul and his associates were separated from the Hebrews, perhaps because of persecution, he said: “Carry on prayer for us, for we trust we have an honest conscience, as we wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things. But I exhort you more especially to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” (Hebrews 13:18, 19) If Paul had been a devious person with a seared conscience, what right would he have had to ask the Hebrews to pray that he join them? (Proverbs 3:32; 1 Timothy 4:1, 2) Of course, he was an honest minister, who in good conscience withstood Judaizers. (Acts 20:17-27) Paul was also confident that he would be able to rejoin the Hebrews sooner if they prayed for that to occur.

18. If we expect others to pray for us, what questions might we ask ourselves?

¹⁸ Paul’s request for the prayers of the Hebrews shows that it is proper for Christians to pray for one another, even by name. (Compare Ephesians 6:17-20.) But if we expect others to pray for us, should we not be like the apostle and make sure that we ‘have an honest conscience and are conducting ourselves honestly in all things’? Are you honest in all your dealings? And do you have the same confidence in prayer that Paul had?​—1 John 5:14, 15.

Closing Words and Exhortation

19. (a) What was Paul’s prayerful wish for the Hebrews? (b) Why is the new covenant an everlasting covenant?

¹⁹ Having sought the prayers of the Hebrews, Paul expressed a prayerful wish, saying: “Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus, equip you with every good thing to do his will, performing in us through Jesus Christ that which is well-pleasing in his sight; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20, 21) With a peaceful earth in view, “the God of peace” resurrected Christ to immortal life in heaven, where Jesus presented the merit of his shed blood that validated the new covenant. (Isaiah 9:6, 7; Luke 22:20) It is an everlasting covenant because those on earth receive permanent benefits from the services of the 144,000 spiritual sons of God who reign with Jesus in heaven and who are in the new covenant. (Revelation 14:1-4; 20:4-6) It is through Christ that God, to whom we ascribe glory, ‘equips us with every good thing needed to do his will and be well-pleasing in his sight.’

20. How would you paraphrase and explain Paul’s closing exhortation to the Hebrew Christians?

²⁰ Uncertain about how the Hebrews would react to his letter, Paul said: “Now I exhort you, brothers, to bear with this word of encouragement [to listen to God’s Son, not Judaizers], for I have, indeed, composed a letter to you in few words [considering its weighty content]. Take note that our brother Timothy has been released [from prison], with whom, if he comes quite soon, I shall see you.” Probably writing from Rome, the apostle hoped that he along with Timothy would visit the Hebrews in Jerusalem. Then Paul said: “Give my greetings to all those who are taking the lead [as hardworking elders] among you and to all the holy ones [those having the heavenly hope]. Those in Italy send you their greetings. The undeserved kindness [of God] be with all of you.”​—Hebrews 13:22-25.