Hebrews 13:15-16: Such Sacrifices
2024-03-09
So, if we do not offer sacrifices, and Jesus ended all sacrifices with His sacrifice, what can we do? These next two verses show us what we do.
Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)
“By him...” By whom? The antecedent is Jesus Christ. By Him we can come before the Father, so the things that follow are done in His name.
We offer the “sacrifice of praise.” Consider the discussion here.
The verse also defines further what the “sacrifice of praise” is: “the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” We all know the danger of lip service and words without action. Well, the action comes in the next verse. There is the danger of the Pharisees’ public praying as well. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5). However, here, we see that it is good to give thanks to God with words, whether in our minds, or audibly, or in written form.
We offer these sacrifices “continually.” “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8). “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4), because our names are written in the Book of Life. Because our salvation is eternal, we can never stop thanking Him.
Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)
The good-doing and the communication is also a result of our regenerate and thankful hearts. What exactly are these things? The word for “do good” is hapax legomenon, so there is not anywhere else to look for a definition. However, we know that doing good works is important. He saved us for this purpose. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). Good works are of great practical value to others. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8). Since love is central in the Christian faith, active goodness to others is central.
The word for “communicate” is in the Bible 18 times. Twelve times it is translated “fellowship.” That could be a possibility here, but there is probably a better interpretation in the other usages.
Elsewhere, it is translated “contribution” and “distribution.” For contribution, we read: “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26). This contribution is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8-9. This was a gift that was brought to Jerusalem because of the terrible persecution they underwent, just like we saw earlier in this epistle. There is a place for giving no matter how poor one is. We read this of the Macedonians: “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8:2).
Concerning distribution, we read: “Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men” (2 Corinthians 9:13). This is the same offering mentioned in Romans 15:26.
God is pleased with the sacrifice of praise in the previous verse and the sacrifice of giving to others. “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). Jesus knew it was more important to love and save others, even if they were undesirable crooks. Loving others was more important than offering the correct sacrifices even before Jesus went to the cross. Giving to and loving others is the real sacrifice.