Hebrews 13:1-15

The Sacrifice of Praise to God

What it says:

Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.
Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Heb 13:3  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Heb 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Heb 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Heb 13:11  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Heb 13:12  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Heb 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

What it means:

Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.

Believer’s Bible Commentary: The practical section of Hebrews continues with (five) exhortations concerning graces that should be developed. First is love of the brethren. There should be a sense of family relationship toward all true Christians and a recognition of this kinship by loving words and acts.

Rom 12:10  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

I. BROTHERLY LOVE: What is being described is not “love thy enemy” nor “love” in general, but “brotherly love.” The kind of love we show to one another as Christians.

In Rom 12:10 what are we told to “be?” Kindly affectionate to one another.

Define: Kindly – friendly and generous by nature, sympathetic and kind, pleasant, mild, or comfortable, gently, compassionately, sympathetically, benevolently, thoughtfully, helpfully (Antonym: cruelly)

Define: Affectionate – loving, demonstrative, warm, friendly, kind, (Antonym: cold)

How do we honor each other? by giving preference to one another.

Define: Preference – favorite, first choice, partiality, fondness, liking, (Antonym: indifference)

What is the antonym to preference? Indifference.

Let us not be indifferent to our fellow Christians. In view of the fact that outside the brotherhood they were being persecuted, it seems only natural that they are to create a refuge for one another and treat each other with love and honor. In other places in scripture we are told not to be partial but that is when someone was excluding someone else from the brotherhood because of how they looked or dressed. That kind of partiality is still a sin, because we know that God loves everyone. We are to, in honor, give preference to a Christian brother or sister. Yes, we should be partial to them and affectionate and kind in all matters and never indifferent. We are to be a refuge for each other.

Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:

What are we not to forget to do?  Entertain strangers.

II. HOSPITALITY: He is still talking about fellow Christians, even the ones who are strangers to us. We are to remember to entertain or host other Christians in their missionary travels and needs.

for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Whom might we be entertaining unawares? Angels.

BBC: This of course looks back to Abraham's experience with three men who were actually angelic beings (Gen 18:1-15). Even if we never have real angels in our homes, we may have men and women whose very presence is a benediction (blessing) and whose godly influence on our family may have results that reach on into eternity.

Heb 13:3  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them;

How are we to remember them that are in bonds? As if we were bound with them.

III. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY:

BBC: The third exhortation concerns care for imprisoned believers. This almost certainly means those who were jailed because of their testimony for Christ. They would need food, warm clothing, reading matter, and encouragement. The temptation would be for other believers to shield themselves from association with prisoners and thus from the danger of guilt by association. They should remember that in visiting prisoners, they were visiting Christ.

We do not often have the opportunity to visit a person who has been jailed for being a Christian but we, perhaps, know of them in other places around the world. We may apply this exhortation by praying for the persecuted church. If we have an opportunity to ease the burden of a Christian brother or sister we must be sure to act on it. He actually says that we are to remember those Christians who are in chains for the name of Christ, as if we were chained with them. Put yourself in their shoes and love them and understand them and provide for them that cannot provide for themselves.

and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Define: Adversity – misfortune, hardship, suffering, adverse happening, extremely unfavorable experience or event, difficulty, danger, harsh conditions, hard times (Antonym: privilege)

How are we to respond to those in trouble?  As if we were in the same circumstances.

He adds the phrase “in the body” so that we are to be looking to their physical needs and compassionate towards their circumstances – but our faith is to remain joyfully in the Lord as we support and exhort them to the same praise.

BBC: Compassion should also be shown for the mistreated; again this doubtless means persecuted Christians. The readers should resist any tendency to shield themselves from the danger that such compassion might involve. For ourselves, we can broaden the application of the verse to include sympathy for all suffering saints. We should remember that we are in the body also and therefore subject to similar afflictions.

When it comes to persecution, remember that it could just as easily be you who is persecuted. If they are kept from earning a living, because of the name of Christ, then help them. Provide what you can as if you yourself, who are also in the body of Christ, were being forced into bad circumstances. Have compassion for them.

Heb 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled:

IV. PURITY and CHASTITY:

What is honorable? Marriage.

“In all” means in all circumstances, whether you are married to another Christian or not, the office of marriage, itself, is honorable. For married folks to indulge in the pleasures of the bed is no sin (the bed undefiled).

but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

But…. there are those who are not married who indulge.

Define: Whoremongers – sexually indiscriminate men (or women) who especially frequent prostitutes and practice infidelity as a habit; those who “sleep around.” (Monger, meaning: peddler, dealer, trader, salesman – similar to “rumormonger” or “fishmonger”)

Define: Adulterers – a married person having sex with someone other than their marriage partner, unfaithful, disloyal, betrayers, cheater, charlatan, rogue; in the Bible it also means idol worshipers,

What will God do to them? Judge.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness;

V. CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT:

Define: Conversation -- G391ἀναστροφή, anastrophē, an-as-trof-ay', behavior: - conversation.  – performance, actions, deeds, activities, manners, conduct, life style

Define: Covetousness – greed, greediness, materialism, acquisitiveness, avariciousness, gluttony, hoarding (Antonym: generosity)

We are not to be greedy in our behavior, but to be generous and kind.

Wuest Word Studies: The word "conversation" today is limited in its meaning to converse between two or more persons. In 1611 A.D., when the Authorized Version was translated, it meant what the Greek word means, "manner of life, behavior." The words "without covetousness" are the translation of aphilarguros, made up of phileo "to be fond of," arguros "silver," and Alpha prefixed, the total word meaning "without fondness for silver." The exhortation is against covetousness in the form of love of money.

and be content with such things as ye have:

Define: Content – happy, satisfied, pleased, comfortable, at ease, gratified

What are we to be content with? Such things as ye have.

This does not mean we are not to have goals. It means that we are not to complain about our present circumstances. We know from previous lessons that to complain about our lives is to complain about God, which is sin. If we are not to complain we must learn to be content as Paul was:

Php_4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

WWS: The word "content" is the translation of a Greek word used by the Stoic school of philosophy which taught that man should be sufficient to himself for all things. It means "to be independent of external circumstances." It speaks of self-sufficiency and competency. But Paul’s self-sufficiency was not of the Stoic kind. It was Christ-sufficiency. Paul’s independence was not Stoic independence, but dependence upon Christ. He found his sufficiency in Christ. He was independent of circumstances because he was dependent upon Christ. …

1Ti_6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Paul and his companions were traveling missionaries. They roamed far from their homes so each day they sought shelter and food and sometimes they did not have shelter so it was good to be content with food and the clothes on their backs. They were happy to be teaching Christ to the world. They also sometimes sojourned with other Christians for a period of time but they had learned to be content -- for the joy that was set before them.

Wuest Word Studies: Paul was self-sufficient because he was Christ-dependent. The word "content," therefore, in our Hebrew passage means more than "satisfied." It refers to the ability of the Christian dependent upon the Holy Spirit, to be independent of outward circumstances. The words "such things as ye have" are the translation of tois parousia, literally, "the things which are at present around one," namely, one’s circumstances.

for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Who will God never leave? Thee. Me.

Whom will He never forsake? Thee. Me.

Mat_28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Deu_31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,

What may we say? The Lort is my helper.

How may we say it? Boldly!

Define: Helper – succorer, the one who provides help, or relief, comfort, and aid; assistant, aide, collaborator

and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

What else may we say? I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

What would a person have to have in order to say these two lines boldly and sincerely? Faith in Jesus.

The person who says this would have to have read the line before it which says : "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. "

When we recall that the words we are to boldly say are fully based on God’s previous promise then we will have the strength and fortitude to actually walk ahead into uncertain circumstances with our faith in God strong and intact!! The person who says this has real living faith in Jesus Christ.

WWS: The word (forsake) in its (Greek) totality means "to abandon, desert, leave in straits, leave helpless, leave destitute, leave in the lurch, let one down." There are three negatives before this word, making the promise one of triple assurance. It is, "I will not, I will not, I will not let thee down, leave thee in the lurch, leave thee destitute, leave thee in straits and helpless, abandon thee." All of which means that our God will come to our rescue when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances.

Psa_121:1-2  …I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

Mat 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Define: Persecution – to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication to persecute: - ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press toward. -- harassment, maltreatment, bullying, singling out, hounding, harrying, discrimination, stalking – all because we believe in Jesus Christ.

We need to remember also that we are talking about being treated unkindly because we believe in Christ. If someone is having a bad day and treats us poorly or rudely because of it, that is not the same thing. That is not persecution. If someone simply contradicts something we’ve said, that is not persecution.

The people he was writing to were being persecuted harshly. Our persecution does not usually come in such harsh physical packages as theirs did. In fact, ours may not even look like “persecution,” it might look more like prejudice or someone having a “bad opinion” of us or disagreement with us because we are Christians.

We often fear what we call “confrontation” -- or other situations in which we feel uncomfortable. We sometimes need to take a step back and ask ourselves “What is it that I really fear?” Do I fear looking bad in front of others? Do I fear that I am not up to the task at hand? Do I need some more preparation? Do I need to put my trust in the Holy Spirit who will guide me and bring to mind everything He has taught me? There is no need to fear, for the Lord has already promised: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1Pe_4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Heb 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

There are three instructions given in this verse:

1.    Remember them which have the rule over you who have spoken unto you the word of God

Adam Clarks’s Commentary on the Bible: Remember your guides, των ἡγουμενων, who have spoken unto you the doctrine of God.

There is true purity of doctrine that was taught by the Apostles who had lived with and known Jesus Christ in their own personal lives. The people this letter was written to had been taught by those who walked with Christ. We, of course, do not have that privilege, but we do have their writings from which we can glean and gather all that we need to know about Jesus. Our gospel is Christ. Our doctrine is Christ.

Rom_1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom_15:19  Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

1Co_1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1Co_1:23-24 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

2.    Whose faith follow

We are to follow the faith of the Apostles. They are our leaders and guides. We must choose to follow present day leaders who truly teach the Bible and what it teaches. The only tradition we follow is the tradition of Christ. The love of Christ. The power of Christ. The grace of Christ. Our faith behavior should be patterned after their faith behavior towards Jesus Christ.

3.    Considering the end of their conversation

ACCB: “The issue of whose course of life most carefully consider.” They lived to … do good; they were faithful to their God and his cause; they suffered persecution; and for the testimony of Jesus died a violent death. God never left them; no, he never forsook them; so that they were happy in their afflictions, and glorious in their death. Carefully consider this; act as they did; keep the faith, and God will keep you.

We are to consider the goal of their behavior which was based on the following statement that shows that Jesus Christ is God:

Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Jesus Christ is the same when? At all times! Yesterday. Today. And forever.

The reason for the Apostles persistent faith is that Jesus Christ, being God, does not change. He is as steadfast today as He was 2,000 years ago. He will be the same forever -- so we can be steadfast in Him. We live by the gospel of Christ, alone.

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.

To be “carried about” means to drift along with the changing tides of false teachings.

Define: Diverse – (divers) varied, miscellaneous, assorted, various, sundry, different, unlike, distinct, opposite

Define: Strange – odd, bizarre, eccentric, peculiar, unexpected or extraordinary, unfamiliar, complicated, exotic, unusual

Define: Doctrine – rule or principle, the body of ideas taught to people as truthful or correct, policy, principle, set of guidelines, canon, creed, code of belief, system of belief

Any doctrine that does not glorify Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the glorious grace of God the Father is a strange doctrine. Any doctrine that differs from what the Bible teaches is a diverse and foreign doctrine.

For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;

Define: Established – start or set up something that is meant to continue or be permanent, place something permanently, confirm the truth of something, to become generally accepted or recognized, to cause to grow stronger and successfully in a new place. Set up, found, institute, start, create, begin, launch,

What is to be established? The heart.

With what is the heart to be established? With grace.

What is a heart established with grace called? A good thing!

There has been a contrast made between “carried about” and “established.” There is also a contrast between “strange doctrines” and “grace.” Do you see that being carried about or floating in a whirlpool of strange doctrines distracts us, and others, from Jesus Christ and God’s grace? We must make sure our hearts are established and stabilized with grace. It is God’s power and grace that saves us and keeps us. The heart must be founded on Jesus Christ and growing in God’s eternal grace. Jesus Christ and grace alone.

Eph_2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

The heart is not to be established with what? Meats. (Material/physical things and rituals.)

What has being occupied with meats done for them? Not profited them.

Rom_14:15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

He has reduced the entire old Levitical system down to the word “meats” which no longer profits those who are still practicing the old ways. The OT system of sacrifices has been entirely replaced by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ – so the author is reminding the new believers that there is no profit in going back to the old outdated system, especially when grace and freedom have been placed in front of them! Which would you rather have: meats or grace?

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

What do we have? An altar.

Who has no right to eat at our altar? Them which serve the tabernacle/temple.

They are occupied with their “meats” and serve in the tabernacle but they have no right to eat at the altar of grace which we have, for they have rejected it.

BBC: Let us not miss the triumph of the words, “We have an altar.” They are the Christian's confident answer to the repeated taunts of the Judaizers. Our altar is Christ, and therefore it includes all the blessings that are found in Him. Those who are connected with the Levitical system have no right to partake of the better things of Christianity. They must first repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ as only Lord and Savior

Heb 13:11  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

What happened to the blood of the animal sacrifices? It was brought into the sanctuary.

What happened to the bodies of the animal sacrifices? They were burned without (outside) the camp.

The animals were sacrificed and their blood was brought into the sanctuary by the high priest to make the sin offering, but their bodies – all the rest of the animal – was burned outside the camp -- and later outside Jerusalem.

Heb 13:12  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

With what did Jesus sanctify the people? His own blood.

Where did he suffer?  Outside the gate of the city.

By sacrificing his own blood Jesus sanctified and set apart to God, those who believe in Him. He suffered outside the gate of the city, just as all previous sacrifices for sin had done but Jesus changed life and history by His sacrifice.

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp,

Define: Go forth -- G1831 ἐξέρχομαι, exerchomai, ex-er'-khom-ahee, … to issue (literally or figuratively): - come-(forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.

Who are we going forth unto? Jesus (him outside the camp)

Our author is again showing us the better thing for us to do. We must abandon the old camp and leave the old city behind. Give up the former refuge that is no longer safe, and go forth unto Jesus. This is his way of saying we need to leave the Levitical system with it priests and daily sacrifices behind. We have a new altar in Jesus Christ who has entered heaven and sits on the right hand of God as our High Priest. We modern day Christians have different things, places, and former refuges that we must leave behind in order for us to forge ahead in Jesus.

What kinds of things do modern or gentile Christians leave behind in order to go forth unto Jesus? Old ways, sin, erroneous beliefs, false teaching, evolution, etc.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: Believers should seek to have their hearts established in simple dependence on free grace, by the Holy Spirit, which would comfort their hearts, and render them proof against delusion. Christ is both our Altar and our Sacrifice; he sanctifies the gift. The Lord's supper is the feast of the gospel passover. Having showed that keeping to the Levitical law would, according to its own rules, keep men from the Christian altar, the apostle adds, Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp; go forth from the ceremonial law, from sin, from the world, and from ourselves. Living by faith in Christ, set apart to God through his blood, let us willingly separate from this evil world. Sin, sinners, nor death, will not suffer us to continue long here; therefore let us go forth now by faith and seek in Christ the rest and peace which this world cannot afford us.

bearing his reproach.

What are we to bear?  His repraoch.

Remember the words “the reproach of Christ?” Remember the phrase “the recompence of the reward?”

Heb_11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

What is the reproach of Christ? The attack, shame, blame, of the cross.

The reproach of Christ is the anger, the criticism, the blame that he bore from the sinners who placed Him on the cross. In the previous lesson we looked at why he did this: for the joy that was set before Him.

He saw the end (resurrection and new life) from the beginning – which is “the recompense of the reward” – “the joy that was set before him.” Jesus was given a Name which is above all Names because of His obedience to God. At the same time we were given new life in Christ -- eternal life in heaven – and… His same reproach here on Earth.

What did Moses have unto “the recompense of the reward?” Respect.

We show our respect for Jesus’ reproach and sacrifice and also His resurrection and our baptism of new life – when we bear his reproach, as He did, with humility and grace. We bear his reproach (meaning the same one) because we belong to Him. He is our Redeemer and Savior. He ushered in the age of grace. He is the Son of God and our High Priest.

Joh 15:20-21  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Our author is telling his Hebrew believers that we must, once and for all, leave the old world of sin behind and pursue our new lives of freedom and love in Christ! In so doing we may also incur the wrath, misunderstanding, and mistreatment of worldly men who do not know God or Jesus Christ, His Son.

Summarized Bible: Our Lord Jesus was the perfect anti-type of the sin offering, being offered “without the gate,” a striking illustration of His humiliation as a sin bearer. The believer is therefore exhorted to go forth from the ceremonial law, from sin, from the world, and identify himself with Christ, being willing to bear His reproach in gratitude for the salvation He has provided.

Heb 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

What do we have here on Earth? No continuing city.

What do we seek? One to come.

A continuing city is a permanent everlasting city. We have no permanent place of safety here on Earth. Jesus has made a place for us in Heaven! We seek the continuing city to come! We seek the New Jerusalem where Jesus is!!

Heb 13:15  By him

By Jesus Christ.

Act_4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

This is astounding to me. We have been given a name which saves us. Jesus gave His life and His name to us. To be called a Christian is a privilege and an honor. We sometimes forget that, based on the opposition to His name that we are all familiar with in our culture. When we count our blessings, let us remember the name of Jesus Christ and give thanks continually that we may freely claim His name as our own. Let us strive to live lives worthy of His name.

Php 2:10-11  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,

Define: Offer – present, put forward, submit, extend, volunteer, give

What kind of sacrifice are we to offer? Praise.

Define: Praise – honor, pay tribute to, go into raptures over, admire, commend, extol

To whom do we offer praise? To God.

How often? Continually.

The sacrifice that Jesus, the Son of God made is the one that God accepted -- and then He recompensed all of us with new life in Him. Jesus offered. God the Father accepted and raised Him from the dead. We benefited. We have much to be thankful for!!

Col 1:12-13  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Vincent’s Word Studies: The sacrifice of thanksgiving is to take the place of the animal sacrifice. ….The Rabbins had a saying, “in the future time all sacrifices shall cease; but praises shall not cease.” Philo says: “They offer the best sacrifice who glorify with hymns the savior and benefactor, God.”

Eph 5:17-21  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

“That is” means what follows is a description of what was previously said. What was previously said was: “let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.”

What comes after the “that is?” The fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

What is “the fruit of our lips?” The words we speak and sing.

Conclusion: to praise God, means to thank Him. “The fruit of our lips” – the things that we say and sing to God in gratitude and appreciation. We give all credit to the God who rescued us. And what wonderful things we have to say concerning our God – giving thanks, merit, and acknowledgment to His name forever.

Col_2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Rev_7:12  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Read our verses again:

Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.
Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Heb 13:3  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Heb 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Heb 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Heb 13:11  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Heb 13:12  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Heb 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.