Ed Urzi

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).

The act of extending hospitality to strangers offers another potential benefit that goes beyond simple courtesy: “…by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it” (CEB). One Biblical example involves Abraham, the Old Testament patriarch. Abraham once entertained three men (who turned out to be God, accompanied by two angelic beings) when they unexpectedly arrived at his place of residence (see Genesis 18:1-33).

Later on, those same two angelic beings appeared to Abraham’s nephew Lot. Since Lot resided in the infamous town of Sodom, he pressed his visitors to remain within his home rather than face the dangerous prospect of an overnight stay in the town square. That approach was commendable but not successful, and Lot soon learned that his angelic guests were considerably more than they appeared.

One author provides some additional insight concerning this passage and its reference to angels…

“Though angels are normally invisible, they can nevertheless appear as men (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:26; John 20:12). Their resemblance to men can be so realistic, in fact, that they are actually taken to be human beings (Hebrews 13:2). Recall from the Old Testament that Abraham welcomed three ‘men’ in the plains of Mamre (Genesis 18:1-8). These ‘men’ walked, talked, sat down, and ate -just like normal men- but they were not men; they were angels (see Genesis 18:22; 19:1).

Now, we have no scriptural evidence that angels need food for sustenance. But apparently they can appear as men and eat like men during the course of fulfilling their assigned task in the realm of humanity. Thus, it is altogether possible that a particular person who helped you during a time of need in your past was actually an angel who appeared as a human. There is no reason to suggest that such appearances cannot occur today just as they did in biblical times.” ₍₁₎

Nevertheless, we should guard against the tendency to view every stranger as a potential angel in disguise. One source encourages us to take a reasoned view of this passage that allows for a natural interpretation: “He is not necessarily encouraging his readers to expect that those whom they entertain will turn out to be supernatural beings travelling incognito; he is assuring them that some of their visitors will prove to be true messengers of God to them, bringing a greater blessing than they receive.” ₍₂₎

(1) Rhodes, Ron, Angels Among Us Copyright © 1994 by Harvest House Publishers [pp. 79-80]

(2) The New International Commentary On The New Testament – The Epistle To The Hebrews, F. F. Bruce, General Editor © Copyright 1964, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, Michigan [pg. 391]

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2).

Earlier in verse one, the author of Hebrews instructed his audience to “Let brotherly love continue.” He will now move forward with a few strategies to implement that directive beginning in the following verse: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…” (ESV).

While some may associate this reference to “entertaining strangers” with the modern-day hospitality industry, such amenities were unavailable to the original audience for this epistle. In fact, there were few good options for overnight accommodations during that era, for the “inns” of that time were not like the professionally managed lodging places of today.

You see, the inns of the first century were often undesirable places to stay. One source tells us, “Well-to-do Romans avoided inns if possible, and either set up their own tents or stayed with friends. Roman writers… uniformly criticized inns for their adulterated wine, filthy sleeping quarters, extortionate innkeepers, gamblers, thieves, and prostitutes.” ₍₁₎ In addition, road conditions were typically poor during that time and travelers were often faced with the dangers posed by thieves and predatory animals.

Because of this, local hospitality was something that was very important from a cultural standpoint. Since many first-century Christians had been deprived of their homes and livelihoods through persecution, hospitality involved more than simply entertaining guests at a social function. Therefore, traveling ministers and Christians who were fleeing oppression often had to rely on help from other Godly men and women who lived where they stopped for the night.

However, hospitality could also be abused. The Old Testament book of Proverbs touches upon this subject in a straightforward manner: “Don’t set foot too frequently in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you” (Proverbs 25:17 ESV). First-century audiences also received some common-sense instruction on this subject from an early document known as the Didache. That commentary was written to provide the ancient church with ethical direction concerning various aspects of the Christian life. A portion of that work applies to our discussion of this passage…

“Let every apostle, when he cometh to you, be received as the Lord; but he shall not abide more than a single day, or if there be need, a second likewise; but if he abide three days, he is a false prophet. And when he departeth let the apostle receive nothing save bread, until he findeth shelter; but if he ask money, he is a false prophet.” ₍₂₎

(1) Edwin M. Yamauchi, On the Road with Paul, Christian History magazine, Issue 47 “Paul and His Times.”

(2) See Didache 11.4-6

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 13:1 NIV).

In addition to the characteristics of love that are given to us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, the Scriptures also provide us with several other elements that should guide our understanding of Hebrews 13:1. For instance…

“Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives” (Ephesians 4:2-3 GW).

“Never act from motives of rivalry or personal vanity, but in humility think more of each other than you do of yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 Phillips).

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV).

Together with these Scriptural precepts, we can also say that love is a quality that seeks another person’s highest good from a Biblical perspective. Taken together, these insights can help us put this directive from Hebrews 13:1 into practice.

These distinctions are important, for some expressions of “love” may be driven by physical attraction, emotional need, or a desire for self-gratification. Nevertheless, we can express genuine love whenever we “…give preference to one another in honor” (NASB) as we’re told in Romans 12:10.

Jesus was also quoted as saying, “…the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 TLB). While external displays of affection may signal the presence of love, the reality may be far different. Instead, we will find a far more reliable indicator of authentic love in the actions we choose to take on behalf of others. The following commentators encourage us to adopt a mature definition of love that goes beyond the mere external…

“We may not like all the brethren, but there is something in each of them that Christ loves. Let us try to discover it, or love them for His sake. We can love people with our mind and think for them, or with our strength and serve them, even though the heart is somewhat reluctant.” ₍₁₎

“You must have fervent charity towards the saints, but you will find very much about the best of them which will try your patience; for, like yourself, they are imperfect, and they will not always turn their best side towards you, but sometimes sadly exhibit their infirmities. Be prepared, therefore, to contend with ‘all things’ in them.” ₍₂₎

(1) Meyer, Frederick Brotherton. “Commentary on Hebrews 13”. “F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible’ Commentary”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/fbm/hebrews-13.html. 1914.

(2) Charles. H. Spurgeon, Love’s Labours (1881) https://www.ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/sermons27.iv_1.html

Hebrews chapter thirteen presents us with several practical exhortations to Godly living. Those exhortations are delivered in a rapid-fire manner over the first seventeen verses of this chapter before closing with a benediction and a few personal comments. The following commentary offers a brief overview  of Hebrews 13 that will help prepare us to enter the final section of this great Biblical book…

“This final chapter is a composite of admonitions which covers a wide range of topics. The author has finished the main thrust of the epistle. In chapter 13 he focuses upon the particular needs and problems of those to whom he is writing. These admonitions cluster around the basic topics of love, leadership, and last words” _(1).

So, the last chapter of Hebrews opens with a word of encouragement in verse one: “Let brotherly love continue.” This familiar reference to brotherly love is expressed by the word philadelphia in the original language of this verse. Several other Biblical passages render this word in a similar manner, including Romans 12:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:9 and 1 Peter 3:8.

“Philadelphia” is subsequently derived from the ancient Greek word phileo. “Phileo” is a word that conveys several related meanings, including…

• To approve of.
• To like.
• To treat affectionately or kindly.
• To welcome or befriend. ₍₂₎

Phileo describes the kind of love that is found among those who share common interests. For instance, this type of love reflects the affection, acceptance, fondness, and camaraderie that exists among a close group of friends who gather for a time of social interaction. Other words that help define this idea include fraternity, community, and brotherhood, among others.

These definitions take on added significance when we consider the following insight from the Biblical epistle of 1 John…

“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20).

Finally, we can look to the attributes of love that are recorded for us in the Biblical epistle of 1 Corinthians for guidance in putting this exhortation into practice…

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV).

(1) Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2580.

(2) G5368 phileo Thayer’s Greek Definitions https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=g5368

“For our God is indeed a devouring fire” (Hebrews 12:29 NET).

In addition to what we read here in Hebrews 12:29, this reference to a consuming (or devouring) fire also appears in several Old Testament passages (see Deuteronomy 4:24, Deuteronomy 9:3, and Exodus 24:17 for some examples).

The New Testament epistle of 1 Peter presents us with a similar idea: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV).

These trials and afflictions exert a purifying effect, one that is mirrored in other areas of life. For example, a self-cleaning oven operates at high levels of heat in order to melt away impurities. In a similar manner, we often heat metals to a liquid state to refine and purify them. Impurities that rise to the top of these liquefied metals are then skimmed away and discarded.

The heat of a trial or affliction serves to produce a similar effect. This helps explain why the New Testament epistle of James offers the following counsel…

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

James 1:12 later continues by saying, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Such difficulties may serve as an incubator for spiritual growth, or the means by which God polishes our character to help us reflect the image of Christ.

The following commentator ties these ideas together with our passage from Hebrews 12:29…

“As someone has well pointed out, fire will destroy what it cannot purify, but it purifies what it cannot destroy… We are passing through the fire which is designed either to destroy that which can be destroyed, or to purify that which can never be destroyed … God is leading us through these trials and through the difficulties of our day, in order that we may learn to cry with old Job, back there in the oldest book of the Bible, ‘He knoweth the way that I take, when he has tried me I shall come forth as gold,’ (Job 23:10 KJV).” ₍₁₎

(1) Excerpted with permission from Never Give Up © 1965 by Ray Stedman Ministries. All rights reserved. Visit www.RayStedman.org for the complete library of Ray Stedman material. Please direct any questions to webmaster@RayStedman.org

“For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).

Earlier in Hebrews 4:13, our author shared an important truth: “…no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account” (NET). He then followed with an encouraging message for those who have accepted Christ: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

That bold confidence allows us to enter a loving, trusting relationship with our Creator, secure in knowing that we are approved by Him in Christ. Nevertheless, our author will not permit us to adopt a shallow, syrupy view of that relationship. Thus, Hebrews 12:29 establishes an important balance that should temper of view of the sovereign God who is a “consuming fire.”

Consider the following insight from the pen of the well-known author C. S. Lewis…

“God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from. He is our only possible ally, and we have made ourselves His enemies. Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun. They need to think again. They are still only playing with religion. Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger—according to the way you react to it. And we have reacted the wrong way.” ₍₁₎

Thus, we should recognize that our relationship with our heavenly Father is held in tension….

• We must recognize the truth that underscores Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” To adopt Lewis’ terminology, we have reacted the wrong way and the Lord laid our punishment upon Christ.
• We also recognize the truth of Romans 8:15: “…you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.'” (NLT).

So while the Scriptures teach us to adopt a childlike faith, there is a difference between “childlike” and “childish.” Therefore, in the words of Hebrews 12:28, “Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe” (GNT). That mindset reflects “…a wholesome regard for a holy God and His standards and requirements, which if a person violates, he must suffer the consequences.” ₍₂₎

(1) C S Lewis, Mere Christianity New York : MacMillan Pub. Co., 1952. [p 38]

(2) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament (Hebrews 12:27-29 ) Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, (Hebrews 12:28 ESV).

The fleeting nature of life is a realization that often catches up with us over time. For instance, we can see the transitory character of life in the rise and fall of nations throughout history. We can see it in the neighborhoods and landscapes that have changed over the years. We can see it in the machinery and appliances that break down, wear out, or become obsolete. Then there are the personal and emotional challenges that come with the prospect of life without a friend, mentor, or loved one who has passed away.

We may awake one day to find that musical tastes have changed, the language of the next generation is different, or the familiar landmarks of youth have ceased to exist. As cultures change and new generations rise up to replace the old ones, we may eventually come to feel as if we are living in a world that has become increasingly remote and unfamiliar.

For some, these hard realities may prompt a desire to return to a past where life was supposedly better. But as appealing as that may seem, the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes offers an important word of advice: “Don’t long for ‘the good old days.’ This is not wise” (Ecclesiastes 7:10 NLT). Those words were composed almost three millennia ago, and they are still relevant today.

Even if the “good old days” were better in certain respects, they were still populated by fallible human beings who acted in accord with their fallen natures. Because of this, the “good old days” were probably not as good as we remember. Thus, we may seek to return to a history that never really existed in our desire to turn back the clock. In the words of Ecclesiastes 7:10, that is not wise.

This, along with our text from Hebrews 12:28, should encourage us to look forward and not back. While there is a place for nostalgia and pleasant memories of days gone by, this passage should encourage us to adopt a far more beneficial mindset…

‘”Let us be thankful,’ he says, ‘that the kingdom which we receive is unshakable; and in that spirit of thankfulness let us offer acceptable worship to God.’ To the grace of God the proper response is a grateful heart, and the words and actions that flow from a grateful heart are the sacrifices in which God takes delight.” ₍₁₎

(1) The New International Commentary On The New Testament – The Epistle To The Hebrews, F. F. Bruce, General Editor © Copyright 1964, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, Michigan [pg. 384]

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).

This reference to a kingdom that “cannot be shaken” calls our attention to Jesus’ parable of the two builders from the Gospel of Matthew…

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).

We considered this parable briefly in our earlier look at Hebrews chapter eleven, but there are certain other elements that relate to our text from Hebrews 12:28. For instance, this parable clearly points to something other than bad weather and sensible construction principles. So what do these builders, their houses, the foundations they built on, and the bad weather represent?

Well, we can apply this parable by placing ourselves in the role of these builders. Their homes represent our lives. We “build” those lives through the choices and decisions we make. The solid rock foundation represents Jesus and His teachings from the Scriptures. As we’re told in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “…no one can ever lay any other real foundation than that one we already have– Jesus Christ” (TLB).

Those who build their lives on God’s Word are building on a solid foundation, both now and in eternity. To use our terminology from Hebrews 12:28, that foundation is one that cannot be shaken. The sand foundation represents a life that is built on something other than Jesus and His teachings. Those who hear these teachings but decline to act upon them are like a shortsighted contractor who builds a home on the sand without a sound foundation.

That second home may look good on the outside and endure for a while. But much like a structure that has not been built upon a reliable base, it is certain to collapse when its foundation is shaken. In light of this, our text from Hebrews 12:28 encourages us to “…be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe” (GNT).

“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ This phrase, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of things that are shaken–that is, things that have been made–in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain” (Hebrews 12:26-27 ESV).

Our text from Hebrews 12:26-27 represents good news or bad news, depending on your perspective. For instance, let’s consider this passage from an analytic viewpoint…

“Scientifically, the end of the world must be viewed as a foregone certainty. Whether from the failure of its energies when the sun is at last burned out, or by the cataclysmic engulfment of the earth by the sun, one or the other being certain to come eventually, the earth must be viewed as having a terminator at the end of its course. There can be no scientific projection of an eternity for our earth.” ₍₁₎

While that clinical outlook is rather bleak, we can take no solace from an overview of history either…

“What does this world depend upon? Governments, politics, administration, education, legislation? These things are the fundamentals of history – the things men reckoned on, rested on, and counted on to keep human life going – but every one of them is something that can be shaken.” ₍₂₎

The same may be said of our political institutions….

“Men want to make the world safe, but no man can make this world safe, nor can any world organization such as the United Nations make it safe. It is not even safe for me to walk at night down the street on which I live.” ₍₃₎

The good news is that eternity will be far different from these assessments of our world today. Instead, the value system of eternity will exemplify the virtues of “…a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). This echoes Jesus’ encouraging message from Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (NET).

So in view of God’s promise to “shake not only the earth but also the heavens,” we would do well to adopt the spiritual perspective reflected in our passage from Hebrews 12:26-27…

“According to Haggai 2:5-7, all things in the world will be ‘shaken’ in the coming judgment period, but the things which cannot be shaken will remain -that is, God’s kingdom (12:28), His salvation (Is 51:6), Christ’s words (Ma 24:35), and those who do God’s will (1 Jo 2:17).” ₍₄₎

(1) Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on Hebrews 12”. “Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/hebrews-12.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999. [verse 27]

(2) Ray C. Stedman and James D. Denney, Adventuring through the Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to the Entire Bible (Discovery House, 1997).

(3) J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee, “Hebrews 12:15-29  Danger Signal: The Peril Of Denying” Copyright 1981 by J. Vernon McGee

(4) Institute for Creation Research, New Defender’s Study Bible Notes Hebrews 12:27 https://www.icr.org/bible/Hebrews/12/27/

“whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.’ Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain” (Hebrews 12:26-27).

The passage quoted above calls upon an image from one of Israel’s less prominent (but equally authoritative) prophets…

“For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:6-7 ESV).

However, the Old Testament prophet Haggai was not the only prophetic voice to employ this imagery…

“Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the Lord of hosts in the day of his fierce anger” (Isaiah 13:13).

The New Testament epistle of 2 Peter also expresses a similar idea in an apocalyptic framework…

“The day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day heaven will pass away with a roaring sound. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and be destroyed. The earth and everything that people have done on it will be exposed. All these things will be destroyed in this way. So think of the kind of holy and godly lives you must live as you look forward to the day of God and eagerly wait for it to come. When that day comes, heaven will be on fire and will be destroyed. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and melt” (2 Peter 3:10-12 GW).

Thus, we have four Biblical witnesses who testify to the approach of this all-encompassing, catastrophic event. That event will ultimately lead to the complete dissolution of the universe, along with every material thing we know today. To borrow an illustration from our text in Hebrews 12:27, everything that can be shaken, will be shaken during that time.

Nevertheless, that future reality should not provoke a sense of dread, fear, or apprehension among God’s people. Instead, we should join in the triumphal declaration of 2 Peter 3:13: “But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides” (NET).