18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Commentary
In wrapping up the Author of Hebrews begins by requesting prayer, not just for himself, but for those who are with him, who are coworkers with him in the Gospel; which is a critical part of any ministry teams success. Now his interjecting with the statement "for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably," indicates not only were they living honest and honorable lives before God and man in their serving the Lord Jesus Christ; (consider Acts 23:1; 24:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:12; 2 Tim 1:3 etc. antithesis Titus 1:15); but likely in stating as much they must have come under some rather severe or unjust character assaults at some point by their detractors to have to state as much now (gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary). While verse nineteen in urging their prayers so that he may be restored to them the sooner maybe indicating that this epistle may have been written while he was incarcerated for his faith In Christ? (again gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary), but even if not his desire to see them, and be with them, is indicating that they were much than just people he ministered the gospel too, but they were his beloved friends.
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Commentary
In wrapping up the Author of Hebrews begins by requesting prayer, not just for himself, but for those who are with him, who are coworkers with him in the Gospel; which is a critical part of any ministry teams success. Now his interjecting with the statement "for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably," indicates not only were they living honest and honorable lives before God and man in their serving the Lord Jesus Christ; (consider Acts 23:1; 24:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:12; 2 Tim 1:3 etc. antithesis Titus 1:15); but likely in stating as much they must have come under some rather severe or unjust character assaults at some point by their detractors to have to state as much now (gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary). While verse nineteen in urging their prayers so that he may be restored to them the sooner maybe indicating that this epistle may have been written while he was incarcerated for his faith In Christ? (again gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary), but even if not his desire to see them, and be with them, is indicating that they were much than just people he ministered the gospel too, but they were his beloved friends.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
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