Be not carried about (μὴ παραφέρεσθε)

A.V. follows T.R. περιφέρεσθε. Rend. "carried away." The present tense indicates a present and active danger.

With divers and strange doctrines (διδαχαῖς ποικίλαις καὶ ξέναις)

For "doctrines" rend. "teachings." These teachings represent various phases of one radical error - the denial of Jesus's messiahship and of his messianic economy as superseding Judaism and all other means of salvation. Among them the writer's mind would naturally turn to the prescriptions concerning clean and unclean meats and sacrificial festivals. See next clause. These teachings were various as contrasted with the one teaching of the gospel; they were strange as they differed from that teaching. Comp. Galatians 1:6-9. For ποικίλαις see on 2 Timothy 3:16.

That the heart be established (βεβαιοῦσθαι τὴν καρδίαν)

There is an emphasis on heart as well as on grace. These strange teachings all emphasized externalism, in contrast with Christianity, which insisted upon the purification of the heart and conscience. The contrast is strongly stated in Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 9:14, and the Epistle constantly directs the readers to the heart as the true point of contact with God, and the source of all departures from him. See Hebrews 3:8, Hebrews 3:10, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7, Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 8:10; especially Hebrews 10:22. Hence, the writer says, "it is good that the solid basis of your assurance before God be in the heart, purged from an evil conscience, so that you can draw near to God with a firmly-established confidence, with a true heart, in full assurance of faith": Hebrews 10:22; comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:22.

With grace, not with meats (χάριτι οὐ βρώμασιν)

The heart is the proper seat of the work of grace. Free grace is the motive-power of Christ's sacrifice (2 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 1:15); it is behind the blood of the new covenant, and is the energetic principle of its saving operation. See Romans 5:2, Romans 5:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:29. With meats stands for the whole system of ceremonial observances, in contrast with grace, working on the heart. See Hebrews 9:10. This ceremonial system yielded no permanent benefit to those who lived under it. See Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 9:13, Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:2, Hebrews 10:4.

Which have not profited them that have been occupied therein (ἐν οἶς οὐκ ὠφελήθησαν οἱ περιπατοῦντες)

Lit. in the which they who walked were not profited. Περιπατεῖν to walk about is often used to express habitual practice or general conduct of life. See Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 10:3; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:7; Colossians 4:5.

Hebrews 13:9 Parallel Commentaries

carried.

Matthew 24:4,24 And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you...

Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Romans 16:17,18 Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned...

2 Corinthians 11:11-15 Why? because I love you not? God knows...

Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel...

Ephesians 4:14 That we from now on be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men...

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God on the children of disobedience.

Colossians 2:4,8 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words...

2 Thessalonians 2:2 That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us...

1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits...

1 Timothy 6:3-5,20 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ...

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God...

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you...

it is.

Acts 20:32 And now, brothers, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up...

2 Corinthians 1:21 Now he which establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God;

Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness...

2 Thessalonians 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.

2 Timothy 2:1,2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...

not with. See on ch.

Hebrews 9:9,10 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices...

Leviticus 11:1-47 And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them...

Deuteronomy 14:3-21 You shall not eat any abominable thing...

Acts 10:14-16 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean...

Romans 14:2,6,17 For one believes that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats herbs...

1 Corinthians 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication...

1 Corinthians 8:8 But meat commends us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

Colossians 2:16-20 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days...

1 Timothy 4:3-5 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats...

Titus 1:14,15 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth...