22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. 24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Verses 22–25 conclude the book of Hebrews with salutations.
13:22
And I appeal to you, brethren,
The book of Hebrews concludes with entreaty, not a command.
bear with the word of exhortation,
This phrase is an appeal to listen carefully to what the author said in the book of Hebrews.
for I have written to you in few words.
The author did not say everything about the High Priesthood of Christ in the book of Hebrews. What he said was “few” in comparison to what he could have said.
13:23
Know that our brother Timothy has been set free,
The mention of Timothy here may indicate that Paul was the author of Hebrews, but this is not certain (see Introduction to Hebrews at the top of this page). Timothy may have been in prison and then “set free.”
with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
The writer and Timothy hope to come to the readers of Hebrews quickly.
13:24
Greet all those who rule over you,
The concluding two verses are the author’s greeting and benediction. The author greets those who are in leadership of the readers of Hebrews.
and all the saints.
God wrote the Bible for every Christian, not just the clergy.
Those from Italy greet you.
The book of Hebrews may have been written from Italy. The other possibility is that the reference is to a group of Italians who sent their greetings.
13:25
[The] Grace be with you all.
The definite article “the” before “grace” particularizes God’s grace that He gave in Christ. All that Hebrews has said about Christ is His provision for the Christian.
The author commits the congregation to God’s grace (Tit 3:15). Grace is central to God’s way of doing things because grace is what God provides for every believer.
Amen.
“Amen” means so be it. This is an assertion that God’s grace will be with the congregation.
PRINCIPLE:
God’s grace provides for the church.
APPLICATION:
Previously in Hebrews, Christians were invited to come boldly or confidently unto the throne of grace (He 4:16). God’s grace stands available to every believer (He 2:9; 4:16; 10:29; 12:15; 13:9). All that the Christian must do is appropriate it by faith. God is enough to meet any need that we might have.
