Devine Scripture

Hebrews 13:15

What does Hebrews 13:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 13:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 13:15 means

Through Jesus, believers now offer continual sacrifice, not of animals but of praise to God. This is the “fruit of lips” that confess his name—public, thankful acknowledgment of who he is and what he has done. The access and acceptability of this worship are “through him”; our praise is mediated by Christ the great high priest. Continual praise does not mean nonstop singing, but a steady rhythm of gratitude and confession in all seasons. Such worship is not less sacrificial than the old system; it costs pride, convenience, and silence before a watching world. Yet it delights God and nourishes faith, aligning hearts with the realities of the new covenant.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let us then make offerings of praise to God at all times through him, that is to say, the fruit of lips giving witness to his name.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

through him, then, we may offer up a sacrifice of praise always to God, that is, the fruit of lips, giving thanks to His name;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

By him therefore let us offer [the] sacrifice of praise continually toGod, that is, [the] fruit of [the] lips confessing his name.

Context

With hope set on the city to come (v.14), the writer describes new-covenant worship (v.15): praise through Jesus. He immediately pairs this with concrete love (v.16), showing that acceptable worship includes both lips and life. These sacrifices replace preoccupation with ritual “meats” (v.9) and flow from Christ’s once-for-all offering (vv.10–12). The next section (v.17) returns to church order and relationships with leaders.

v.14For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come.

v.15This passage

v.16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 3:16

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.

  • Psalms 18:49

    Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah, among the nations, And will sing praises unto thy name.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:16

    And he built up the altar of Jehovah, and offered thereon sacrifices of peace-offerings and of thanksgiving, and commanded Judah to serve Jehovah, the God of Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:31

    Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto Jehovah; come near and bring sacrifices and thank-offerings into the house of Jehovah. And the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt-offerings.

  • Ezra 3:11

    And they sang one to another in praising and giving thanks unto Jehovah, saying, For he is good, for his lovingkindness endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.

  • Ephesians 2:18

    for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.

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