Hebrews 13 · Verse 6

Hebrews 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hebrews 13:6, King James Version

Hebrews 13:6 in other translations

BSB	So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
WEB	So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
ASV	So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?
YLT	so that we do boldly say, ‘The Lord is to me a helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.'
DARBY	So that, taking courage, we may say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid: what will man do unto me?
BBE	So that we say with a good heart, The Lord is my helper; I will have no fear: what is man able to do to me?
Webster	So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.

What does Hebrews 13:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

6. may--rather as Greek, expressing confidence actually realized, "So that we boldly (confidently) say" (Psa 56:4, 11; 118:6). Punctuate as both the Hebrew and the Greek require, "And (so) I will not fear: what (then) shall man do unto me?" 7. Remember--so as to imitate: not to invoke in prayer, as Rome teaches. have the rule--rather, "who have had the rule over you": your spiritual leaders. who--Greek, "the which": such persons as. have spoken unto you--"spake" (so the Greek aorist means) during their lifetime. This Epistle was among those written later, when many of the heads of the Jerusalem Church had passed away. whose faith--even unto death: probably death by martyrdom, as in the case of the instances of faith in He 11:35. Stephen, James the brother of our Lord and bishop of Jerusalem, as well as James the brother of John (Ac 12:2), in the Palestinian Church, which Paul addresses, suffered martyrdom. considering--Greek, "looking up to," "diligently contemplating all over," as an artist would a model. the end--the termination, at death. The Greek, is used of decease (Lu 9:31; 2Pe 1:15). of their conversation--"manner of life": "religious walk" (Ga 1:13; Ep 4:22; 1Ti 4:12; Jas 3:13). Considering how they manifested the soundness of their faith by their holy walk, which they maintained even to the end of that walk (their death by martyrdom).

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 6. So that we may boldly say. Without any hesitation or doubt. In all times of perplexity and threatening want; in all times when we scarcely know whence the supplies for our necessities are to come, we may put our trust in God, and be assured that he will not leave us to suffer. In the facts which occur under the providential dealings, there is a ground for confidence on this subject which is not always exercised even by good men. It remains yet to be shown that they who exercise simple trust in God for the supply of their wants are ever forsaken. Comp. Ps 37:25.

The Lord is my helper. Substantially this sentiment is found in Ps 27:1, Ps 118:6. The apostle does not adduce it as a quotation, but as language which a true Christian may employ. The sentiment is beautiful, and full of consolation. What can we fear if we have the assurance that the Lord is on our side, and that he will help us? Man can do no more to us than he permits, and of course no more than will be for our own good; and, under whatever trials we may be placed, we need be under no painful apprehensions, for God will be our Protector and our Friend.

(f) "boldly say" Ps 27:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 6 So that we may boldly say - We, in such circumstances, while cleaving to the Lord, may confidently apply to ourselves what God spake to Joshua and to Solomon; and what he spake to David, "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do." God is omnipotent, man's power is limited; howsoever strong he may be, he can do nothing against the Almighty.

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…

Read the full comment on Hebrews 13:1-6 →

Hebrews 13:6 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.

ὥστεhōsteSoG5620

θαρροῦνταςtharrountasare confidentG2292

ἡμᾶςhēmasweG3165

λέγειν·legeinto say:G3004

κύριοςkurios[The] Lord [is]G2962

ἐμοὶemoimyG1473

βοηθός,boēthoshelper,G998

καὶkaiandG2532

οὐounotG3756

φοβηθήσομαι·phobēthēsomaiI will be afraid;G5399

τίtiwhatG5101

ποιήσειpoiēseiwill doG4160

μοιmoito meG3165

ἄνθρωπος;anthrōposman?G444

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

Cross references for Hebrews 13:6

Psalms 118:6-9
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Psalms 27:1-3
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psalms 124:8
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Psalms 56:4
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psalms 56:11-12
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
Psalms 54:4
Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Psalms 33:20
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
Psalms 63:7
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

boldly.
4:16; 10:19; Eph 3:12
The Lord.
Ge 15:1; Ex 18:4; De 33:26,29; Ps 18:1,2; 27:1-3,9; 33:20; 40:17
Ps 54:4; 63:7; 94:17; 115:9-11; 118:7-9; 124:8; 146:3; Isa 41:10,14
Ro 8:31
I will.
Ps 56:4,11,12; 118:6; Da 3:16-18; Mt 10:28; Lu 12:4,5

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

Context

Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Read all of Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13:6 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	De tal manera que digamos confiadamente: El Señor es mi ayudador; no temeré lo que me hará el hombre.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	en sorte que, pleins de confiance, nous disions: « Le ✶Seigneur est mon aide et je ne craindrai point: que me fera l’homme? ».
German Elberfelder 1871	so daß wir kühn sagen mögen: "Der Herr ist mein Helfer, und ich will mich nicht fürchten; was wird mir ein Mensch tun?"
Latin Clementine Vulgate	ita ut confidenter dicamus: Dominus mihi adjutor: non timebo quid faciat mihi homo.