Hebrews 13:22
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And I beseech you, brothers, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter to you in few words.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And I beseech you, brothers, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter to you in few words.
American Standard Version (ASV)
But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written unto you in few words.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But, brothers, take kindly the words which I have said for your profit; for I have not sent you a long letter.
Webster's Revision
And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter to you in few words.
World English Bible
But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
English Revised Version (ERV)
But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation: for I have written unto you in few words.
Definitions for Hebrews 13:22
Clarke's Hebrews 13:22 Bible Commentary
Suffer the word of exhortation - Bear the word or doctrine of this exhortation. This seems to be an epithet of this whole epistle: and as the apostle had in it shown the insufficiency of the Levitical system to atone for sin and save the soul; and had proved that it was the design of God that it should be abolished; and had proved also that it was now abolished by the coming of Christ, whom he had shown to be a greater priest than Aaron, higher than all the angels, the only Son of God as to his human nature, and the Creator, Governor, and Judge of all; and that their city was shortly to be destroyed; he might suppose that they would feel prejudiced against him, and thus lose the benefit of his kind intentions toward them; therefore he entreats them to bear the exhortation which, notwithstanding the great extent of the subject, he had included in a short compass.
I have written a letter unto you in few words - Perhaps it would be better to translate δια βραχεων επεστειλα ὑμιν, I have written to you briefly, as επιστελλειν often signifies simply to write, and this appears to be its meaning here.
Barnes's Hebrews 13:22 Bible Commentary
Suffer the word of exhortation - Referring to the arguments and counsels in this whole Epistle, which is in fact a practical exhortation to perseverance in adhering to the Christian religion amidst all the temptations which existed to apostasy.
For I have written a letter unto you in few words - This does not mean that this Epistle is short compared with the others that the author had written, for most of the Epistles of Paul are shorter than this. But it means, that it was brief compared with the importance and difficulty of the subjects of which he had treated. The topics introduced would have allowed a much more extended discussion; but in handling them he had made use of as few words as possible. No one can deny this who considers the sententious manner of this Epistle. As an illustration of this, perhaps we may remark that it is easy to expand the thoughts of this Epistle into ample volumes of exposition, and that in fact it is difficult to give an explanation of it without a commentary that shall greatly surpass in extent the text. None can doubt, also, that the author of this Epistle could have himself greatly expanded the thoughts and the Illustrations if he had chosen. It is with reference to such considerations, probably, that he says that the Epistle was brief.
Wesley's Hebrews 13:22 Bible Commentary
13:22 Suffer the word of exhortation - Addressed to you in this letter, which, though longer than my usual letters, is yet contained in few words, considering the copiousness of the subject.