Closing Words of Affection to Fellow Believers
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with you all. (Hebrews 13:22-25)
Addressing the readers one final time, the author calls them “brothers and sisters,” showing the family connection they have through Christ Jesus. In verse 22, the author gives two final comments in regards to the entire letter: first, stating that it is a letter “of exhortation,” meaning a letter of encouragement and challenge to live godly lives; second, it was written “to you briefly,” meaning a relatively shorter letter than what the author originally wanted to write but could not due to time constraints, yet full of many topics that the believers could work on.
In verse 23, we read good news of Timothy being released from prison. The readers of Hebrews may have been fully aware of Timothy’s imprisonment, but the author wanted to make sure that when Timothy visits them, he would be with the author to encourage and celebrate with the fellow believers.
Verse 24, the author emphasizes the believers to “greet all your leaders and all the saints.” The letter would have been read among the church members and leaders, but not everyone may not be present at that initial reading. Therefore, the author wanted to make sure that their greeting and letter would reach every single leader and member of the church this was addressed to. Not only that, but there were churches that from Italy that were sending their greetings as well.
Finally, verse 25 closes with a short but powerful sentence, “Grace be with you all.” No greater form of encouragement to a believer is the reminder of the reason why they are all together, God’s amazing grace upon them all. Through His grace, He sent His Son Jesus to provide the gift of salvation. Through this wonderful outpouring of grace, they are transformed and have the ability to now grow in the knowledge of Him, enacting the exhortations given to them through this letter.
May we, as believers, care for one another with the love of God, encouraging one another with news, and praying for one another. May we greet and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters here and abroad, being united in Christ no matter the distance between us. May we live worshipful lives in light of the wonderful gift of grace that our God has provided us.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
