Hebrews 13 · Verse 1

Hebrews 13:1

Let brotherly love continue.
Hebrews 13:1, King James Version

Hebrews 13:1 in other translations

BSBContinue in brotherly love.
WEBLet brotherly love continue.
ASVLet love of the brethren continue.
YLTLet brotherly love remain;
DARBYLet brotherly love abide.
BBEGo on loving your brothers in the faith.
WebsterLet brotherly love continue.

What does Hebrews 13:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

He 13:1-25. Exhortation to Various Graces, Especially Constancy in Faith, Following Jesus amidst Reproaches. Conclusion, with Pieces of Intelligence and Salutations.

1. brotherly love--a distinct special manifestation of "charity" or "love" (2Pe 1:7). The Church of Jerusalem, to which in part this Epistle was addressed, was distinguished by this grace, we know from Acts (compare He 6:10; 10:32-34; 12:12, 13). continue--Charity will itself continue. See that it continue with you.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER 13

THE closing chapter of this epistle is made up almost entirely of exhortations to the performance of various practical duties. The exhortations relate to the following points:--brotherly love, Heb 13:1; hospitality, Heb 13:2; sympathy with those in bonds, Heb 13:3; fidelity in the marriage relation, Heb 13:4; contentment, Heb 13:5,6; submission to those in authority, Heb 13:7,8; stability in the doctrines of religion, Heb 13:9-15; benevolence, Heb 13:16; obedience to those entrusted with office, Heb 13:17; and special prayer for him who wrote this epistle, Heb 13:18,19. The epistle then closes with a beautiful and impressive benediction, Heb 13:20,21; with an entreaty that they would receive with favour what had been written, Heb 13:22; with the grateful announcement that Timothy, in whom they doubtless felt a great interest, was set at liberty, Heb 13:23; and with a salutation to all the saints, Heb 13:24,25.

Verse 1. Let brotherly love continue.Implying that it now existed among them. The apostle had no occasion to reprove them for the want of it, as he had in regard to some to whom he wrote, but he aims merely to impress on them the importance of this virtue, and to caution them against the danger of allowing it ever to be interrupted. Jn 13:34.

(b) "continue" 1Pet 1:22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

Exhortations to hospitality to Strangers, Heb 13:1, Heb 13:2. Kindness to those in bonds, Heb 13:3. Concerning marriage, Heb 13:4. Against covetousness, Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6. How they should imitate their teachers, Heb 13:7, Heb 13:8. To avoid strange doctrines, Heb 13:9. Of the Jewish sin-offerings, Heb 13:10, Heb 13:11. Jesus suffered without the gate, and we should openly confess him and bear his reproach, Heb 13:12, Heb 13:13. Here we have no permanent residence; and while we live should devote ourselves to God, and live to do good, Heb 13:14-16. We should obey them that have the rule over us, Heb 13:17. The apostle exhorts them to pray for him, that he might be restored to them the sooner, Heb 13:18, Heb 13:19. Commends them to God in a very solemn prayer, Heb 13:20, Heb 13:21. Entreats them to bear the word of exhortation, mentions Timothy, and concludes with the apostolical benediction, Heb 13:22-25. Verse 1 Let brotherly love continue - Be all of one heart and one soul. Feel for, comfort, and support each other; and remember that he who professes to love God should love his brother also. They had this brotherly love among them; they should take care to retain it. As God is remarkable for his φιλανθρωπια, philanthropy, or love to man, so should they be for φιλαδελφια, or love to each other. See the note on Tit 3:4.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 13:1-6
The design of Christ in giving himself for us, is, that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship. Here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties, especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and duty is covetousness, an over-eager desire for the wealth of this world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves. Having treasures in heaven, we may be content with mean things here. Those who cannot be so, would not be content though God raised their condition. Adam was in paradise, yet not contented; some angels in heaven were not contented; but the apostle Paul, though abased and empty, had learned in every state, in any state, to be content. Christians have reason to be contented with their present lot. This promise contains the sum and substance of all the promises; "I will never, no, never leave thee, no, never forsake thee." In the original there are no less than five negatives put together, to confirm the promise: the true believer shall have the gracious presence of God with him, in life, at death, and for ever. Men can do nothing against God, and God can make all that men do against his people, to turn to their good.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Hebrews 13:1 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἩHē<the>G3588
φιλαδελφίαphiladelphiaBrotherly loveG5360
μενέτω.menetōshould abide.G3306

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hebrews 13:1

  • 1 John 4:20-5:1

    If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

  • 1 Peter 3:8

    Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

  • 1 Peter 1:22

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

  • 2 Peter 1:7

    And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

  • 1 Peter 2:17

    Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

  • 1 John 2:9-10

    He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

  • Romans 12:9-10

    Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

  • 2 John 1:5-6

    And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

  • Hebrews 10:24

    And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3

    We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

  • Hebrews 6:10-11

    For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

  • John 13:34-35

    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 Divers admonitions as to charity;
4 to honest life;
5 to avoid covetousness;
7 to regard God's preachers;
9 to take heed of strange doctrines;
10 to confess Christ;
16 to give alms;
17 to obey governors;
18 to pray for the apostles.
20 The conclusion.

6:10,11; 10:24; Joh 13:34,35; 15:17; Ac 2:1,44-46; 4:32; Ro 12:9,10
Ga 5:6,13,22; Eph 4:3; 5:2; Php 2:1-3; 1Th 4:9,10; 2Th 1:3; 1Pe 1:22
1Pe 2:17; 3:8; 4:8; 2Pe 1:7; 1Jo 2:9,10; 3:10-18,23; 4:7-11,20,21
1Jo 5:1; 2Jo 1:5,6; Re 2:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Hebrews 13:1

    Let brotherly love continue.

  • Hebrews 13:2

    Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Read all of Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		PERMANEZCA el amor fraternal.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Que l’amour fraternel demeure.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Die Bruderliebe bleibe.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Caritas fraternitatis maneat in vobis,