Read & explore together
Benediction and Farewell
These closing lines of Hebrews combine blessing, exhortation, personal news and greetings. The ending points readers to God’s work through Jesus, urges them to receive the message, and finishes with a word of grace for all.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
Hebrews 13:20–25 forms the letter’s farewell. The writer offers a prayer to the God of peace, asks that the readers be made complete to do God’s will, urges them to endure this word of exhortation, shares news about Timothy, sends greetings, and closes with grace.
Hebrews 13:20–25Main takeaway
This farewell teaches that God works through Jesus to prepare his people for his will, and the readers are urged to receive this message and remain in fellowship.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The God of peace and the great shepherdThe prayer begins with “the God of peace”. God is said to have “brought again from the dead” Jesus.
Explanation
The prayer begins with “the God of peace”. God is said to have “brought again from the dead” Jesus. Jesus is called “the great shepherd of the sheep” and is linked with “the blood of an eternal covenant”. These words give the blessing its focus and name Jesus clearly as “our Lord Jesus”.
02Made complete to do God’s willThe writer asks God to “make you complete in every good work to do his will”. God is also described as “working in you” what is “well pleasing in his sight”.
Explanation
The writer asks God to “make you complete in every good work to do his will”. God is also described as “working in you” what is “well pleasing in his sight”. This prayer is offered “through Jesus Christ”, and the verse ends by giving glory to him “forever and ever”.
03Endure this word of exhortationAfter the blessing, the writer directly urges the readers: “endure the word of exhortation”.
Explanation
After the blessing, the writer directly urges the readers: “endure the word of exhortation”. The letter is described in that way, as a message meant to urge and strengthen them. The writer also says, “I have written to you in few words”, which marks this as a brief closing appeal.
04News, greetings and graceThe farewell includes news that “our brother Timothy has been freed” and a possible visit if he comes soon.
Explanation
The farewell includes news that “our brother Timothy has been freed” and a possible visit if he comes soon. Then the writer tells the readers to greet “all of your leaders and all the saints”. “The Italians” also send greetings. The final line is simple and warm: “Grace be with you all.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the blessing describe God and Jesus?
List the names and phrases used in the prayer, including what God has done and the titles given to Jesus.
02What does the writer ask God to do in the readers?
Notice the verbs in Hebrews 13:21 about making them complete and working in them what pleases him.
03What appears in the closing after the prayer?
Trace the order of the exhortation, the news about Timothy, the greetings, and the final word of grace.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Hebrews 13:20–25
20Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,
21make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
22But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
23Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.
24Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.
25Grace be with you all. Amen.