And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

HEBREWS 13:22KJV
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Hebrews 13:22 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 13:22 mean?

Hebrews 13:22 is a personal appeal from the writer to the readers, asking them kindly to accept and be patient with the message of encouragement he has given, even though he has written only a brief letter. The writer calls the readers "brethren," showing warmth and a sense of family, and urges them not to dismiss his words.

The author of Hebrews is closing his letter and addressing fellow believers, likely Jewish Christians facing challenges. By calling his writing a "word of exhortation," he highlights that his purpose is to encourage and strengthen them, not to criticize. The mention of "few words" suggests the letter is shorter than it could have been, emphasizing the importance of what has been shared despite its brevity.

The Greek behind Hebrews 13:22

  • "παρακαλῶ" (parakalō, "beseech"): This word often means to urge, encourage, or comfort. The writer is not commanding but pleading in a gentle, brotherly way, which softens the tone of the request.
  • "ἀνέχεσθε" (anechesthe, "suffer"): This word means to bear with or endure. The writer is asking the readers to be patient with his message, perhaps because it contains challenging truths or corrections.
  • "λόγος" (logos, "word") and "παρακλήσεως" (paraklēseōs, "exhortation"): Together, these mean "a message of encouragement" or "an encouraging word." The writer frames the whole letter as something meant to build up and support the readers, not just instruct or warn.

Why Hebrews 13:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the letter’s tone is meant to be encouraging, not harsh or condemning, which can help readers approach the whole book with a sense of comfort rather than fear.
  • The writer’s humility in calling his letter "few words" shows an awareness of the readers’ situation and a desire not to overwhelm them, which reveals pastoral care.
  • By urging the readers to "suffer" or bear with his message, the verse acknowledges that encouragement can sometimes be challenging to hear, especially when it involves correction or calls for perseverance.

Where else these words appear

“letter” Greek G1989 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
  • Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

“words” Greek G1024 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
  • Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
  • Hebrews 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

“suffer” Greek G430 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
  • 2 Corinthians 11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

“exhortation” Greek G3874 · used in 28 verses

  • Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.