Hebrews 13 · Verse 16

Hebrews 13:16

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13:16, King James Version

Hebrews 13:16 in other translations

BSBAnd do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
WEBBut don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
ASVBut to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
YLTand of doing good, and of fellowship, be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.
DARBYBut of doing good and communicating of your substance be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
BBEBut go on doing good and giving to others, because God is well-pleased with such offerings.
WebsterBut to do good, and to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

What does Hebrews 13:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. But--But the sacrifice of praise with the lips (He 13:15) is not enough; there must be also doing good (beneficence) and communicating (that is, imparting a share of your means, Ga 6:6) to the needy. with such--and not mere ritualistic sacrifices.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. But to do good, and to communicate, forget not. To communicate or impart to others; that is, to share with them what we have. The Greek word means, having in common with others. The meaning is, that they were to show liberality to those who were in want, and were to take special pains not to forget this duty. We are prone to think constantly of our own interests, and there is great danger of forgetting the duty which we owe to the poor and the needy. On the duty here enjoined, Gal 6:10.

For with such sacrifices God is well pleased. He is pleased with the sacrifices of prayer and of praise; with the offerings of a broken and a contrite heart; but he is especially pleased with the religion which leads us to do good to others. This was eminently the religion of his Son, the Lord Jesus; and to this all true religion prompts. The word "sacrifices" here is not taken in a strict sense, as denoting that which is offered as an expiation for sin, or in the sense that we are, by doing good, to attempt to make atonement for our transgressions, but in the general sense of an offering made to God. God is pleased with this, (1.) because it shows in us a right state of heart;

(2.) because it accords with his own nature. He does good continually, and he is pleased with all who evince the same spirit.

(g) "communicate" Rom 12:13 (h) "such sacrifices" Php 4:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 But to do good and to communicate - These are continual sacrifices which God requires, and which will spring from a sense of God's love in Christ Jesus. Praise to God for his unspeakable gift, and acts of kindness to men for God's sake. No reliance, even on the infinitely meritorious sacrifice of Christ, can be acceptable in the sight of God if a man have not love and charity towards his neighbor. Praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God, with works of charity and mercy to man, are the sacrifices which every genuine follower of Christ must offer: and they are the proofs that a man belongs to Christ; and he who does not bear these fruits gives full evidence, whatever his creed may be, that he is no Christian.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 13:16-21
We must, according to our power, give to the necessities of the souls and bodies of men: God will accept these offerings with pleasure, and will accept and bless the offerers through Christ. The apostle then states what is their duty to living ministers; to obey and submit to them, so far as is agreeable to the mind and will of God, made known in his word. Christians must not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn. The people must search the Scriptures, and so far as the ministers teach according to that rule, they ought to receive their instructions as the word of God, which works in those that believe. It is the interest of hearers, that the account their ministers give of them may be with joy, and not with grief. Faithful ministers deliver their own souls, but the ruin of a fruitless and faithless people will be upon their own heads. The more earnestly the people pray for their ministers, the more benefit they may expect from their ministry. A good conscience has respect to all God's commands, and all our duty. Those who have this good conscience, yet need the prayers of others. When ministers come to a people who pray for them, they come with greater satisfaction to themselves, and success to the people. We should seek all our mercies by prayer. God is the God of peace, fully reconciled to believers; who has made a way for peace and reconciliation between himself and sinners, and who loves peace on earth, especially in his churches. He is the Author of spiritual peace in the hearts and consciences of his people. How firm a covenant is that which has its foundation in the blood of the Son of God! The perfecting of the saints in every good work, is the great thing desired by them, and for them; and that they may at length be fitted for the employment and happiness of heaven. There is no good thing wrought in us, but it is the work of God. And no good thing is wrought in us by God, but through Christ, for his sake and by his Spirit.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Hebrews 13:16 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.

τῆςtēs<the>G3588
δὲdeAndG1161
εὐποιΐαςeupoiiasthe goodG2140
καὶkaiandG2532
κοινωνίαςkoinōniasof sharingG2842
μὴmēnotG3361
ἐπιλανθάνεσθε·epilanthanesthedo be forgetful;G1950
τοιαύταιςtoiautaiswith suchG5108
γὰρgarforG1063
θυσίαιςthusiaissacrificesG2378
εὐαρεστεῖταιeuaresteitaiis well pleasedG2100
ὁho<the>G3588
θεός.¶theosGod.G2316

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

Cross references for Hebrews 13:16

  • Galatians 6:10

    As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:13

    But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

  • Romans 12:13

    Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

  • Hebrews 6:10

    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.

  • Hebrews 13:1-2

    Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

  • 1 Timothy 6:18

    That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

  • Ephesians 4:28

    Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

  • Philippians 4:18

    But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:12-13

    For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

  • Matthew 25:35-40

    For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? …

  • Psalms 37:3

    Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  • Luke 18:22

    Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
to do.
1,2; Ps 37:3; Mt 25:35-40; Lu 6:35,36; Ac 9:36; 10:38; Ga 6:10
1Th 5:15; 2Th 3:13; 3Jo 1:11
communicate.
Lu 18:22; Ro 12:13; 2Co 9:12,13; Ga 6:6; Eph 4:28; Php 4:14
1Ti 6:18; Phm 1:6
with such.
6:10; Ps 51:19; Mic 6:7,8; Php 4:18

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

Context

  • Hebrews 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.

  • Hebrews 13:16

    But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

  • Hebrews 13:17

    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Read all of Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y de hacer bien y de la comunicación no os olvidéis: porque de tales sacrificios se agrada Dios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais n’oubliez pas la bienfaisance, et de faire part de vos biens, car Dieu prend plaisir à de tels sacrifices.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Des Wohltuns aber und Mitteilens vergesset nicht, denn an solchen Opfern hat Gott Wohlgefallen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Beneficentiæ autem et communionis nolite oblivisci: talibus enim hostiis promeretur Deus.