20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The benediction of Hebrews (vv. 20–21) is a prayer, a petition to equip the saints.
13:20
Now may the God of [source] peace
The congregation to whom Hebrews was written was in danger of division. They needed the “God of peace” to give them unity; He is the source of our peace (Ro 15:33; 16:20; 2 Co 13:11; Php 4:9; 1 Th 5:23; 2 Th 3:16).
who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead,
God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrection and ascension are evidence that God accepted the work of Christ on the cross.
that great Shepherd of the sheep,
Jesus is the “great Shepherd of the sheep.” Hebrews called Jesus the “great High Priest,” now He is referred to as the “great Shepherd.” The shepherd protects sheep from predators; he leads sheep to green pastures and water. Jesus will lead believers through any danger or provide resources they may need.
through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
The “covenant” here is the New Covenant. This “eternal” covenant stands in contrast to the Mosaic Covenant, which was temporary.
“Through the blood” is the basis of the New Covenant. Christ’s shed blood is the foundation for the believer’s acceptance to God.
13:21
make you complete [equip, repair, mend, put in order] in every good work to do His will,
Verse 21 gives the main point of verse 20—God supplies what is necessary for the Christian. The prayer here is that God would provide for the church, equip the church, to do His will.
The Greek uses “complete” for setting a broken bone and mending a fishing net. God is in the business of repairing Christian lives and putting things back together.
working in you what is well pleasing in His sight,
God is at work in us. Whatever we do in God’s will, it is God doing the doing.
through Jesus Christ,
Christ works in the believer to make him presentable to God (Php 1:11).
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
We give glory to Christ because He does the doing. The “amen” is a ratification of the prayer.
PRINCIPLE:
God is at work in every believer.
APPLICATION:
The New Testament presents God at work in the believer (Php 2: 13). He is sufficient to meet any need that the Christian might have (2 Co 3:5).
