Hebrews 13 · Verse 22

Hebrews 13:22

And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
Hebrews 13:22, King James Version

Hebrews 13:22 in other translations

BSBI urge you, brothers, to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have only written to you briefly.
WEBBut I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
ASVBut I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation: for I have written unto you in few words.
YLTAnd I entreat you, brethren, suffer the word of the exhortation, for also through few words I have written to you.
DARBYBut I beseech you, brethren, bear the word of exhortation, for it is but in few words that I have written to you.
BBEBut, brothers, take kindly the words which I have said for your profit; for I have not sent you a long letter.
WebsterAnd I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter to you in few words.

What does Hebrews 13:22 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
22. suffer the word--The Hebrews not being the section of the Church assigned to Paul (but the Gentiles), he uses gentle entreaty, rather than authoritative command. few words--compared with what might be said on so important a subject. Few, in an Epistle which is more of a treatise than an Epistle (compare 1Pe 5:12). On the seeming inconsistency with Ga 6:11, compare Note, see on Ga 6:11.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 22. Suffer the word of exhortation. Referring to the arguments and counsels in this whole epistle--which is, in fact, a practical exhortation to perseverance in adhering to the Christian religion amidst all the temptations which existed to apostasy.

For I have written a letter unto you in few words. This does not mean that this epistle is short compared with the others that the author had written, for most of the epistles of Paul are shorter than this. But it means, that it was brief compared with the importance and difficulty of the subjects of which he had treated. The topics introduced would have allowed a much more extended discussion, but in handing them he had made use of as few words as possible. No one can deny this who considers the sententious manner of this epistle. As an illustration of this, perhaps we may remark, that it is easy to expand the thoughts of this epistle into ample volumes of exposition, and that in fact it is difficult to give an explanation of it without a commentary that shall greatly surpass in extent the text. None can doubt, also, that the author of this epistle could have himself greatly expanded the thoughts and the illustrations if he had chosen. It is with reference to such considerations, probably, that he says that the epistle was brief.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 22 Suffer the word of exhortation - Bear the word or doctrine of this exhortation. This seems to be an epithet of this whole epistle: and as the apostle had in it shown the insufficiency of the Levitical system to atone for sin and save the soul; and had proved that it was the design of God that it should be abolished; and had proved also that it was now abolished by the coming of Christ, whom he had shown to be a greater priest than Aaron, higher than all the angels, the only Son of God as to his human nature, and the Creator, Governor, and Judge of all; and that their city was shortly to be destroyed; he might suppose that they would feel prejudiced against him, and thus lose the benefit of his kind intentions toward them; therefore he entreats them to bear the exhortation which, notwithstanding the great extent of the subject, he had included in a short compass. I have written a letter unto you in few words - Perhaps it would be better to translate δια βραχεων επεστειλα ὑμιν, I have written to you briefly, as επιστελλειν often signifies simply to write, and this appears to be its meaning here.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 13:22-25
So bad are men, and even believers, through the remainders of their corruption, that when the most important, comfortable doctrine is delivered to them for their own good, and that with the most convincing evidence, there is need of earnest entreaty and exhortation that they would bear it, and not fall out with it, neglect it, or reject it. It is good to have the law of holy love and kindness written in the hearts of Christians, one towards another. Religion teaches men true civility and good breeding. It is not ill-tempered or uncourteous. Let the favour of God be toward you, and his grace continually working in you, and with you, bringing forth the fruits of holiness, as the first-fruits of glory.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Hebrews 13:22 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.

ΠαρακαλῶParakalōI exhortG3870
δὲdenowG1161
ὑμᾶς,humasyou,G4771
ἀδελφοί,adelphoibrothers,G80
ἀνέχεσθεanechesthedo bear withG430
τοῦtoutheG3588
λόγουlogouwordG3056
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
παρακλήσεως·paraklēseōsof exhortation;G3874
καὶkaionlyG2532
γὰρgarforG1063
διὰdiainG1223
βραχέωνbracheōnfew wordsG1024
ἐπέστειλαepesteilaI have writtenG1989
ὑμῖν.¶huminto you.G4771

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

Cross references for Hebrews 13:22

  • Hebrews 3:1

    Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

  • 1 Peter 5:12

    By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:1

    We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

  • Galatians 6:11

    Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

  • Hebrews 12:1-2

    Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • Hebrews 10:19-39

    Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. …

  • 2 Corinthians 5:20

    Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

  • Hebrews 13:1-3

    Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

  • Hebrews 12:12-16

    Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; …

  • Hebrews 12:25-28

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

  • Hebrews 4:1

    Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:1

    Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
suffer.
1-3,12-16; 2:1; 3:1,12,13; 4:1,11; 6:11,12; 10:19-39
12:1,2,12-16,25-28; 2Co 5:20; 6:1; 10:1; Phm 1:8,9
for.
Ga 6:11; 1Pe 5:12

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

Context

  • Hebrews 13:21

    Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Hebrews 13:22

    And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

  • Hebrews 13:23

    Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

Read all of Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13:22 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Empero os ruego, hermanos, que soportéis la palabra de exhortación; porque os he escrito en breve.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or je vous exhorte, frères, à supporter la parole d’exhortation, car ce n’est qu’en peu de mots que je vous ai écrit.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich bitte euch aber, Brüder, ertraget das Wort der Ermahnung; denn ich habe euch auch mit kurzen Worten geschrieben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Rogo autem vos fratres, ut sufferatis verbum solatii. Etenim perpaucis scripsi vobis.