3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
3 Remember the prisoners
The word “remember” indicates that the readers of Hebrews already knew that prisoners needed prayer and support. Paul asked the Colossians to “remember his imprisonment” (Co 4:18).
as if chained with them
Believers were to identify with prisoners as if they were in prison with them. Fellow Christians are to identify with others who are in prison (1 Co 12:26).
—those who are mistreated—
Hebrew Christian prisoners were in a dreadful condition in jail.
since you yourselves are in the body also.
The meaning here could be that all people possess a similar physical body. Anyone might face the same mistreatment as those who are currently undergoing trial.
PRINCIPLE:
Love expresses itself in identification with others in difficulty.
APPLICATION:
Identification with other people’s problems is not difficult if we put ourselves in their place. If we have been without a job, then we can identify with others who are also unemployed. We are to seek out those in trouble to help them see that they are not alone in their difficulty (Mt 7:12). We are willing to be with them in their duress.
My wife and I met by ministering to those in prison. This ministry may be intimidating to some, but the warm welcome of prisoners should allay any fear of doing this service. These people desperately need a message of hope.
