1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Commentary
Vs. 1 "Let brotherly love continue."
In going deep into the Word of God we can often forget that having faith In the Lord Jesus Christ has real life implications and responsibilities. And one of the most important of these is that Christians have love for one another, for that is the only mark of a true disciple, not knowledge, not wisdom, and not by trying to exemplify ones spiritual gifts or talents (1 Cor.14), but love (1 Cor13). For Jesus said: "By this is how all will know that your my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
Therefore amongst believers having and showing genuine love for each other is the only real standard by which one may judge whether they are truly are a Christian and whether they are truly walking and living in harmony with God (1 John 3:10-15; 16-19; 4:7-8, 20-11).
Vs. 2 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."
Strangers here obviously refers to fellow Christians who are not personally known to us but who are likely fleeing from persecution, in the early church this was the norm not the exception. Now in a broader sense a stranger is anyone who is not a relative or a friend. And so hospitality is to be part and parcel of being a Christian not just because it is the right thing to do, but as stated here by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels which itself moves into another area of the spiritual war that we and they are in.
Vs. 3 "Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also."
Believers who are imprisoned or are being persecuted for our faith In Christ should never be forgotten or abandoned by us in their time of need. The Lord Jesus Christ made this clear in His exhortation given in Matthew 25:31-46. And so to care for one of the "least" of these in their time of need is just as one is caring for Christ.
Vs. 4 "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge."
Heterosexual marriage is the only form of marriage established by God and thus is the only form that is good and sound but also justifiable in the sight of God (Genesis 2:18-24; Lev. 18:22-29; 20:13, 15-16, 22-23; Rom 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim 1:9-10). That said marriage is not commanded (1 Cor. 7), nor is it to be forbidden (1 Tim 4:1-3). For as the Word of God makes clear only in a marriage relationship is sexual intercourse (the highest form of personal intimacy) to be expressed between a man and a woman; for only when one has made a lifetime commitment to their spouse is this union between a man and a woman holy and sanctified in the sight of God. Otherwise sexual intercourse is just sin, defiling and corrupting those who partake in it in that fashion, because it is being exercised outside of the realm for which God intended it to be enjoyed, and that is between a man and his wife which is to bind them in love in their marriage. And so outside of that sanctified realm there is only serving the sinful human nature and it's lusts which not only distorts and perverts it for it's own pleasure's sake, but also in pursuing sexual pleasure as an end in of itself, only leads one into deeper bondage to it, which carries it's own consequences, both in this life and for eternity, as is being made clear here when the Word of God says fornicators and adulterers God will judge. And so as with all sin when the pleasure ends there is always the fallout from it; sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, guilt, shame (if one has not been given over to a debased mind); not to mention all of the emotional, physiological, relational and even societal damage that is always a by product of ones own sin (Prov. 2:10-22; 6:20-35, vs. 26; 7:1-27, vs. 26-27; 10:27 etc.). And so outside of a heterosexual marriage sexual intercourse only defiles the bed, and thus comes under the judgement of God. Therefore we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must not walk in the degenerate ways of this world that believes that "liberty" and "freedom" is found by living by ones own uncontrolled passions and lusts. Now if you have been living a sexually immoral life there is hope for you if you come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. For God does not want to condemn you for your sins (John 3:16-17); rather He wants to save you from them and the Judgment to come by transforming you by His Holy Spirit, who will indwell you the moment you repent and believe, and thus He will begin making you into who He always intended you to be. Therefore don't delay come home to Jesus Christ today (Luke 15:11-32; Rom 10:9-10, 13).
Vs. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Throughout the Scriptures contentment is always upheld as a godly virtue that not only forwards ones own peace and well being, but also the peace and well being of others (consider Deut. 5:21; Job 31:24, 25, 28; Psalm 10:3; Psalm 119:36; Prov. 1:19; 15:27; 22:16; 23:4-5; 30:8-9; Ecc. 4:7-8; 5:10; Isaiah 1:23; 57:17; Jer. 17:11; 22:13-23; 51:13; Micah 2:2; 3:11; 7:3; Mark 7:21-23; Luke 12:15-21; 33-34; Rom 13:9; 1 Cor. 5:11, 6:9-11, vs. 10; 1 John 2:15-17 etc.). Now the fact that God Himself will never leaves us or forsake us who believe in His Son is not only the greatest of comfort, but also the greatest treasure that you and I have. For in a world where nothing lasts or remains having God's everlasting Presence, Peace and Love is way beyond just satisfying and reassuring, but with Jesus I find rest (Matt. 11:28-30). "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (see 1 Tim 6:6-10). Therefore let us all live and love as Christ would have us all do, "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints" Eph. 5:3
Commentary
Vs. 1 "Let brotherly love continue."
In going deep into the Word of God we can often forget that having faith In the Lord Jesus Christ has real life implications and responsibilities. And one of the most important of these is that Christians have love for one another, for that is the only mark of a true disciple, not knowledge, not wisdom, and not by trying to exemplify ones spiritual gifts or talents (1 Cor.14), but love (1 Cor13). For Jesus said: "By this is how all will know that your my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
Therefore amongst believers having and showing genuine love for each other is the only real standard by which one may judge whether they are truly are a Christian and whether they are truly walking and living in harmony with God (1 John 3:10-15; 16-19; 4:7-8, 20-11).
Vs. 2 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."
Strangers here obviously refers to fellow Christians who are not personally known to us but who are likely fleeing from persecution, in the early church this was the norm not the exception. Now in a broader sense a stranger is anyone who is not a relative or a friend. And so hospitality is to be part and parcel of being a Christian not just because it is the right thing to do, but as stated here by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels which itself moves into another area of the spiritual war that we and they are in.
Vs. 3 "Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also."
Believers who are imprisoned or are being persecuted for our faith In Christ should never be forgotten or abandoned by us in their time of need. The Lord Jesus Christ made this clear in His exhortation given in Matthew 25:31-46. And so to care for one of the "least" of these in their time of need is just as one is caring for Christ.
Vs. 4 "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge."
Heterosexual marriage is the only form of marriage established by God and thus is the only form that is good and sound but also justifiable in the sight of God (Genesis 2:18-24; Lev. 18:22-29; 20:13, 15-16, 22-23; Rom 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim 1:9-10). That said marriage is not commanded (1 Cor. 7), nor is it to be forbidden (1 Tim 4:1-3). For as the Word of God makes clear only in a marriage relationship is sexual intercourse (the highest form of personal intimacy) to be expressed between a man and a woman; for only when one has made a lifetime commitment to their spouse is this union between a man and a woman holy and sanctified in the sight of God. Otherwise sexual intercourse is just sin, defiling and corrupting those who partake in it in that fashion, because it is being exercised outside of the realm for which God intended it to be enjoyed, and that is between a man and his wife which is to bind them in love in their marriage. And so outside of that sanctified realm there is only serving the sinful human nature and it's lusts which not only distorts and perverts it for it's own pleasure's sake, but also in pursuing sexual pleasure as an end in of itself, only leads one into deeper bondage to it, which carries it's own consequences, both in this life and for eternity, as is being made clear here when the Word of God says fornicators and adulterers God will judge. And so as with all sin when the pleasure ends there is always the fallout from it; sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, guilt, shame (if one has not been given over to a debased mind); not to mention all of the emotional, physiological, relational and even societal damage that is always a by product of ones own sin (Prov. 2:10-22; 6:20-35, vs. 26; 7:1-27, vs. 26-27; 10:27 etc.). And so outside of a heterosexual marriage sexual intercourse only defiles the bed, and thus comes under the judgement of God. Therefore we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must not walk in the degenerate ways of this world that believes that "liberty" and "freedom" is found by living by ones own uncontrolled passions and lusts. Now if you have been living a sexually immoral life there is hope for you if you come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. For God does not want to condemn you for your sins (John 3:16-17); rather He wants to save you from them and the Judgment to come by transforming you by His Holy Spirit, who will indwell you the moment you repent and believe, and thus He will begin making you into who He always intended you to be. Therefore don't delay come home to Jesus Christ today (Luke 15:11-32; Rom 10:9-10, 13).
Vs. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Throughout the Scriptures contentment is always upheld as a godly virtue that not only forwards ones own peace and well being, but also the peace and well being of others (consider Deut. 5:21; Job 31:24, 25, 28; Psalm 10:3; Psalm 119:36; Prov. 1:19; 15:27; 22:16; 23:4-5; 30:8-9; Ecc. 4:7-8; 5:10; Isaiah 1:23; 57:17; Jer. 17:11; 22:13-23; 51:13; Micah 2:2; 3:11; 7:3; Mark 7:21-23; Luke 12:15-21; 33-34; Rom 13:9; 1 Cor. 5:11, 6:9-11, vs. 10; 1 John 2:15-17 etc.). Now the fact that God Himself will never leaves us or forsake us who believe in His Son is not only the greatest of comfort, but also the greatest treasure that you and I have. For in a world where nothing lasts or remains having God's everlasting Presence, Peace and Love is way beyond just satisfying and reassuring, but with Jesus I find rest (Matt. 11:28-30). "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (see 1 Tim 6:6-10). Therefore let us all live and love as Christ would have us all do, "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints" Eph. 5:3
Vs. 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Of all that the Lord has done and continues to do for us, the fact that He is also our helper (Psalm 118:6) means that neither their threats nor their schemes can ever separate us from Him, nor thwart His plans for us (Jer. 29:11). Therefore child of God whatever you do in the Name of the Lord do boldly and confidently knowing that it is the Lord who is with you and He will not forsake you, even unto death.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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