Chapter
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Verse

Hebrews 13:18

ESV Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
NIV Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
NASB Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
CSB Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.
NLT Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.
KJV Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
NKJV Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

What does Hebrews 13:18 mean?

Prior verses contained instructions for Christian living. They included references to obedience and submission under spiritual leaders. The reason for this, as provided in this letter, is to avoid putting undue stress on those leaders (Hebrews 13:17). God holds those who claim to teach His Word to a higher standard (James 3:1), and makes them accountable for how they lead the people (Mark 9:42; Titus 2:1). When the people of a church frustrate their leadership, it causes those pastors, elders, or teachers to "groan." This was described using the same Greek root words as used in Romans 8:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:2–4. Rather than obstructing those who make a godly, sincere attempt to lead, believers ought to cooperate in a spirit of love and submission.

This verse presents a request for prayer which matches very well with the call for believers to submit to their spiritual leaders. A person truly following God, as a teacher, is not arrogant or proud (Ephesians 4:1–2). Instead, he should be humble and have the attitude of a servant (John 13:14–15). Here, the writer of Hebrews demonstrates that exact approach. After a long letter, filled with brilliant exposition of Scripture, he asks for prayer, specifically to ensure that his conduct is honorable and his conscience is clear.

The next verse specifies another facet of this prayer request: that he would be quickly able to see his readers again.
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