Hebrews 13 · Verse 18

Hebrews 13:18

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Hebrews 13:18, King James Version

Hebrews 13:18 in other translations

BSBPray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
WEBPray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
ASVPray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
YLTPray for us, for we trust that we have a good conscience, in all things willing to behave well,
DARBYPray for us: for we persuade ourselves that we have a good conscience, in all things desirous to walk rightly.
BBEMake prayers for us, for we are certain that our hearts are free from the sense of sin, desiring the right way of life in all things.
WebsterPray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

What does Hebrews 13:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. Pray for us--Paul usually requests the Church's intercessions for him in closing his Epistles, just as he begins with assuring them of his having them at heart in his prayers (but in this Epistle not till He 13:20, 21), Ro 15:30. "Us," includes both himself and his companions; he passes to himself alone, He 13:19. we trust we have a good conscience--in spite of your former jealousies, and the charges of my Jewish enemies at Jerusalem, which have been the occasion of my imprisonment at Rome. In refutation of the Jews' aspersions, he asserts in the same language as here his own conscientiousness before God and man, Ac 23:1-3; 24:16, 20, 21 (wherein he virtually implies that his reply to Ananias was not sinful impatience; for, indeed, it was a prophecy which he was inspired at the moment to utter, and which was fulfilled soon after). we trust--Greek, "we are persuaded," in the oldest manuscripts. Good conscience produces confidence, where the Holy Spirit rules the conscience (Ro 9:1). honestly--"in a good way." The same Greek word as "good conscience." Literally, "rightly," "becomingly."

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. Pray for us. This is a request which the apostle often makes in his own behalf and in behalf of his fellow-labourers in the gospel. See 1Thes 5:25. Eph 6:18,19.

For we trust we have a good conscience, etc. Acts 24:16. The apostle here appeals to the uprightness of his Christian life as a reason why he might claim their sympathy, he was conscious of an aim to do good; he sought the welfare of the church; and having this aim he felt that he might appeal to the sympathy of all Christians in his behalf. It is only when we aim to do right, and to maintain a good conscience, that we can with propriety ask the prayers of others, or claim their sympathy. And if we are "willing in all things to live honestly," we may expect the sympathy, the prayers, and the affections of all good men.

(c) "good conscience" Acts 24:16 (*) "honestly" "desirous of behaving ourselves well"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 Pray for us - Even the success of apostles depended, in a certain way, on the prayers of the Church. Few Christian congregations feel, as they ought, that it is their bounden duty to pray for the success of the Gospel, both among themselves and in the world. The Church is weak, dark, poor, and imperfect, because it prays little. We trust we have a good conscience - We are persuaded that we have a conscience that not only acquits us of all fraud and sinister design, but assures us that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have labored to promote the welfare of you and of all mankind. To live honestly - Εν πασι καλως θελοντες αναστρεφεσθαι· Willing in all things to conduct ourselves well - to behave with decency and propriety.

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…

Read the full comment on Hebrews 13:16-21 →

Hebrews 13:18 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.

ΠροσεύχεσθεProseuchesthedo prayG4336
περὶperiforG4012
ἡμῶν·hēmōnus;G3165
πειθόμεθαpeithomethawe are assuredG3982
γὰρgarforG1063
ὅτιhotithatG3754
καλὴνkalēna goodG2570
συνείδησινsuneidēsinconscienceG4893
ἔχομενechomenwe haveG2192
ἐνeninG1722
πᾶσινpasinall thingsG3956
καλῶςkalōswellG2573
θέλοντεςthelontesdesiringG2309
ἀναστρέφεσθαι.anastrephesthaito conduct ourselves.G390

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

Cross references for Hebrews 13:18

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:25

    Brethren, pray for us.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1

    Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

  • Colossians 4:3

    Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

  • Acts 24:16

    And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

  • Romans 15:30

    Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

  • Ephesians 6:19-20

    And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:12

    That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

  • 1 Peter 2:12

    Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

  • 1 Peter 3:21

    The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

  • Acts 23:1

    And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

  • 1 Peter 3:16

    Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pray.
Ro 15:30; Eph 6:19,20; Col 4:3; 1Th 5:25; 2Th 3:1
we have.
Ac 23:1; 24:16; 2Co 1:12; 1Ti 1:5; 1Pe 3:16,21
in all.
Ro 12:17; 13:13; Php 4:8; 1Th 4:12; 1Pe 2:12

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Hebrews 13:18

    Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

  • Hebrews 13:19

    But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Read all of Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Orad por nosotros: porque confiamos que tenemos buena conciencia, deseando conversar bien en todo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Priez pour nous, car nous croyons que nous avons une bonne conscience, désirant de bien nous conduire en toutes choses.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Betet für uns; denn wir halten dafür, daß wir ein gutes Gewissen haben, da wir in allem ehrbar zu wandeln begehren.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Orate pro nobis: confidimus enim quia bonam conscientiam habemus in omnibus bene volentes conversari.