THE closing chapter of this epistle is made up almost entirely of exhortations to the performance of various practical duties. The exhortations relate to the following points: -- brotherly love, Heb 13:1; hospitality, Heb 13:2; sympathy with those in bonds, Heb 13:3; fidelity in the marriage relation, Heb 13:4; contentment, Heb 13:5,6; submission to those in authority, Heb 13:7,8; stability in the doctrines of religion, Heb 13:9-15; benevolence, Heb 13:16; obedience to those entrusted with office, Heb 13:17; and special prayer for him who wrote this epistle, Heb 13:18,19. The epistle then closes with a beautiful and impressive benediction, Heb 13:20,21; with an entreaty that they would receive with favour what had been written, Heb 13:22; with the grateful announcement that Timothy, in whom they doubtless felt a great interest, was set at liberty, Heb 13:23; and with a salutation to all the saints, Heb 13:24,25.

Verse 1. Let brotherly love continue.Implying that it now existed among them. The apostle had no occasion to reprove them for the want of it, as he had in regard to some to whom he wrote, but he aims merely to impress on them the importance of this virtue, and to caution them against the danger of allowing it ever to be interrupted. See Barnes "Joh 13:34".

{b} "continue" 1 Pe 1:22