Devine Scripture

Hebrews 13:21

What does Hebrews 13:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 13:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 13:21 means

The prayer asks God to equip believers with everything necessary to do his will, working in them what pleases him through Jesus Christ. Holiness is not self-generated; God himself forms it within his people. The goal is practical obedience—“every good thing”—fitted to God’s desires. The means is divine workmanship in the heart, mediated by Christ. The closing doxology—“to whom be the glory for ever and ever”—returns glory to Jesus, from whom and for whom all Christian living flows. This verse gathers the chapter’s commands into a single plea: that God would supply, shape, and sustain what he requires, so that his people glorify Christ in all things.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Make you full of every good work and ready to do all his desires, working in us whatever is pleasing in his eyes through Jesus Christ; and may the glory be given to him for ever and ever. So be it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

make you perfect in every good work to do His will, doing in you that which is well-pleasing before Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom <FI>is<Fi> the glory--to the ages of the ages! Amen.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will; doing in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

perfect you in every good work to the doing of his will, doing in you what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for the ages of ages. Amen.

Context

Continuing the benediction begun in verse 20, this verse articulates the petition and offers praise. It concludes the main exhortations by rooting obedience in God’s active grace through Jesus. With the theological and pastoral heart expressed, the writer moves to final personal remarks (vv.22–24) and a closing wish of grace (v.25), tying together exhortation, community ties, and dependence on divine favor.

v.20Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,

v.21This passage

v.22But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation: for I have written unto you in few words.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 5:13

    And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever.

  • John 16:23

    And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.

  • 1 John 2:17

    And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

  • Philippians 4:18

    But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.

  • Revelation 4:6

    and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

  • Ephesians 2:10

    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

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