1Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
3For I say through the grace that was given me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. 4For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another, 6having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. 10In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another, 11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the saints, and given to hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. 17Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 19Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This opening verse of Hebrews is unusual among epistles, as the author does not introduce himself or the recipients. Instead, the author immediately affirms the divine origin of past revelations while emphasizing the superior revelation now given through Christ.
“At sundry times”—God’s previous revelations were given in many parts, progressively unfolding throughout history rather than all at once. These came in various forms—historical accounts, prophecies, poetry, proverbs, and direct messages—adapted to the needs of the people.
“In divers manners”—God used various methods to communicate His will: direct speech, dreams, visions, and other supernatural means. In contrast, His final revelation comes directly through His Son.
“In times past”—The period of written divine revelation began with Adam (Genesis 3) and concluded with Malachi, covering 3,331 years. No prophetic writings were recorded from Malachi to the start of Jesus’ ministry, an interval of 460 years.
“Unto the Fathers” refers to the Jewish ancestors to whom these revelations were given.
“By the prophets”—The term prophet here broadly includes all who conveyed God’s messages, not just those who predicted the future (cf. Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 14:1).
The Old Testament revelation was fragmented and delivered in many ways, while the final and complete revelation came in one person—Jesus Christ