ACC ~ Hebrews 13 v15 - 16

BEAR ALL THINGS THANKFULLY. CHRYSOSTOM: Let us bear all things thankfully, be it poverty, be it disease, be it anything else whatever, for God alone knows the things expedient for us, “for we do not know how to pray as we ought.” We, then, who do not know even how to ask for what is fitting unless we have received of the Spirit, let us take care to offer up thanksgiving for all things, and let us bear all things nobly. Are we in poverty? Let us give thanks. Are we in sickness? Let us give thanks. Are we falsely accused? Let us give thanks. When we suffer affliction, let us give thanks. This brings us near to God. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 33.8.

BEING CONCERNED ABOUT FELLOW BELIEVERS. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: He calls it “doing good” in order to praise what takes place and “fellowship” because they are concerned about their fellow believers … and so with zeal they seek to meet their needs. FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 13.16.

MERCY IS THE TRUE SACRIFICE. AUGUSTINE: In the words of the prophet Micah, a distinction is clearly drawn between the fact that God does not require sacrifices as they are in themselves and the fact that God does desire the offerings that are symbolized by these sacrifices. … That is why the words “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice”must be understood to mean that one sacrifice is to be preferred to another, since what is commonly called a sacrifice is merely a symbol of the true sacrifice. For, mercy is the true sacrifice. Hence, “such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” CITY OF GOD 10.5.

HYMNS ONLY THROUGH HIM. THEODORET OF CYR: Hymn singing offered to God is of no benefit to us apart from faith in the Son. Since it was to the Hebrews he wrote, who were in the habit of honoring the Father alone, he felt he had to add “through him.” INTERPRETATION OF HEBREWS 13.

SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE. THEODORET OF CYR: He brought out the sacrifice of praise that is pleasing to God. To it he linked also that of doing good, which he was right to refer to as sharing.. . . Elsewhere the divine apostle says, “Our abundance supplies for their need so that their abundance may be for your need for a balance to be achieved.” Sharing, then, is also repayment: one person gives money, another returns a blessing, and the person in need is in the stronger position. INTERPRETATION OF HEBREWS 13.

Heb