THURSDAY May 28, 2026
Brotherly Love
Let brotherly love continue.
Hebrews 13:1
As we conclude this incredible book of Hebrews, Paul had a lot of miscellaneous matters to discuss, and he saved them until the end. In Hebrews 13, we are going to learn about some of the everyday topics that we discuss among ourselves. Paul will talk about brotherly love, hospitality, the duty to those imprisoned for their faith, marriage, contentment, remembering church leaders who have given us God’s Word, and following their faith. He continues with our unchangeable Christ, strange doctrines, the simple topic of sharing with others, obedience, and submission. Paul ends with a request for prayer and a final benediction, exhortation and farewell.
Remember, in the book of Hebrews, Paul the Apostle was writing to a Jewish congregation that had been suffering greatly. They faced persecution and difficulty and were thinking of turning back to Judaism. So in Hebrews, Paul told them that there was a better way, and that way was through Jesus Christ, which is what Jesus taught: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
Jesus is a better Priest, and He offered a better sacrifice––Himself. He came to die for the sins of the world (John 3:16). Therefore, there was no need to go back to the Old Testament sacrifices. All they needed was Jesus! It was Jesus who also taught us to love one another: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).
Paul began verse 1 by telling believers that they were to continue in brotherly love. It is interesting that the word Paul uses for “love” here is not the Greek word agape; it’s the word phileo. It is a friendship love––a brotherly love. This is the kind of close relationship we should have as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Jesus said that the world will know we are Christians, not by our preaching, not by our teaching, but by our love (John 13:35).
Brotherly love is still the distinguishing badge of every true Christian.
~Matthew Henry~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
