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Selected Verse: Hebrews 13:22 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Heb 13:22	King James	And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
suffer the word--The Hebrews not being the section of the Church assigned to Paul (but the Gentiles), he uses gentle entreaty, rather than authoritative command. few words--compared with what might be said on so important a subject. Few, in an Epistle which is more of a treatise than an Epistle (compare Pe1 5:12). On the seeming inconsistency with Gal 6:11, compare Note, see on Gal 6:11.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

suffer the word--The Hebrews not being the section of the Church assigned to Paul (but the Gentiles), he uses gentle entreaty, rather than authoritative command.

few words--compared with what might be said on so important a subject. Few, in an Epistle which is more of a treatise than an Epistle (compare Pe1 5:12). On the seeming inconsistency with Gal 6:11, compare Note, see on Gal 6:11.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Suffer the word of exhortation (ἀνέχεσθε τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως) For "suffer," rend. "bear with." See Act 18:14; Co2 11:1; Ti2 4:3. Do not become impatient at my counsels in this letter. The word of exhortation refers to the entire epistle which he regards as hortatory rather than didactic or consolatory. The phrase only in Act 13:15. I have written a letter unto you (ἐπέστειλα ὑμῖν) A.V. supplies a letter. Rend. "I have written unto you." The verb only here, Act 15:20; Act 21:25. Lit. to send, not letters only. Sometimes with ἐπιστολαὶ or ἐπιστολὰς letters added, as Neh 6:19; 1 Macc. 12:7. In N.T. always of sending a letter. In a few words (διὰ βραχέων) There is a suggestion of apology. Do not grow impatient. The letter is short. The phrase N.T.o , but comp. δἰ ὀλίγων, Pe1 5:12, and ἐν ὀλίγῳ briefly, Eph 3:3.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Suffer the word of exhortation (ἀνέχεσθε τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως)

For "suffer," rend. "bear with." See Act 18:14; Co2 11:1; Ti2 4:3. Do not become impatient at my counsels in this letter. The word of exhortation refers to the entire epistle which he regards as hortatory rather than didactic or consolatory. The phrase only in Act 13:15.

I have written a letter unto you (ἐπέστειλα ὑμῖν)

A.V. supplies a letter. Rend. "I have written unto you." The verb only here, Act 15:20; Act 21:25. Lit. to send, not letters only. Sometimes with ἐπιστολαὶ or ἐπιστολὰς letters added, as Neh 6:19; 1 Macc. 12:7. In N.T. always of sending a letter.

In a few words (διὰ βραχέων)

There is a suggestion of apology. Do not grow impatient. The letter is short. The phrase N.T.o , but comp. δἰ ὀλίγων, Pe1 5:12, and ἐν ὀλίγῳ briefly, Eph 3:3.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
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.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

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.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

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.

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