Read & explore together
Sacrifice, Obedience, and Prayer
Hebrews 13:15–19 calls the readers to offer praise to God through him, to keep doing good and sharing, to obey their leaders, and to pray for the writer and companions.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
These verses give direct instructions near the close of the passage. The writer speaks about sacrifices that please God, the responsibility of leaders who watch over souls, and a personal request for prayer, especially for a sooner return to the readers.
Hebrews 13:15–19Main takeaway
This passage teaches that honouring God includes praise, doing good, sharing, obeying leaders, and praying for us.
Explore the prayer
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A sacrifice of praise through himThe passage begins by urging the readers to “offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually”.
Explanation
The passage begins by urging the readers to “offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually”. This is done “through him”. The writer explains the sacrifice as “the fruit of lips” which proclaim allegiance to God’s name. The focus here is spoken praise offered regularly to God.
02Goodness and sharing are sacrifices tooThe next verse says the readers must not forget “to be doing good and sharing”. These actions are also described as sacrifices.
Explanation
The next verse says the readers must not forget “to be doing good and sharing”. These actions are also described as sacrifices. The writer adds that “with such sacrifices God is well pleased”. In this passage, practical generosity and active goodness belong with praise as offerings to God.
03Leaders watch on behalf of soulsThe readers are told, “Obey your leaders and submit to them”. The reason is that the leaders “watch on behalf of your souls” and will “give account”.
Explanation
The readers are told, “Obey your leaders and submit to them”. The reason is that the leaders “watch on behalf of your souls” and will “give account”. The writer wants their work to be done “with joy and not with groaning”, because that would be more beneficial for the readers.
04Pray for usThe writer then gives a direct request: “Pray for us”. He says they are persuaded that they have “a good conscience”, with a desire “to live honorably in all things”.
Explanation
The writer then gives a direct request: “Pray for us”. He says they are persuaded that they have “a good conscience”, with a desire “to live honorably in all things”. The request is then strengthened with an urgent appeal for prayer so that the writer may be restored to them sooner.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does verse 15 describe the “sacrifice of praise”?
Look for the phrase that explains it as “the fruit of lips” and notice what those lips say about God’s name.
02What two actions in verse 16 are called sacrifices that please God?
Read the verse carefully and identify the practical actions the readers must not forget.
03What reasons for prayer appear in verses 18–19?
Notice the writer’s words about a good conscience and honourable living, and also the request to be restored sooner.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Hebrews 13:15–19
15Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.
16But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
19I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.