Heb 13 - 23-25 - Christ - Source of Sustaining Grace

Heb 13 - 23-25 - Christ - Source of Sustaining Grace


Heb 13:23-25 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.

This final parting is typical of letters written to the various churches. Although the style of the language is not considered by many to be Pauline, the greeting itself, and the mention of Timothy with such fond interest are just some of the reasons that some people have believed Paul to be the author of this work.

The so-called "releasing" of Timothy does not necessarily signify that he had been imprisoned. It might simply mean that he had now been dispatched upon the matter of business. But certainly in less recent times, commentators, believing Paul to be the author, and seeing that this is written from Italy believe it to come from the time of Paul’s first imprisonment, and that Timothy was there with him. These are all matters of speculation. Indeed it could also be that Timothy had been kept by church needs in some other location (Ephesus, for example), or even that he had been detained by authorities elsewhere and, being lately made free in either one sense or the other and is actually in process of making his way to Italy to join the author. In any event, it seems that both Timothy and the author, whether it be Paul or not, are likely to travel together to Jerusalem.

The parting greetings end with the blessings of that great necessity for all believers in all places and circumstances - the sustaining grace of God.