Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Two manifestations of "brotherly love," hospitality and care for those in bonds.
Be not forgetful--implying it was a duty which they all recognized, but which they might forget to act on (Hebrews 13:3, Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:16). The enemies of Christianity themselves have noticed the practice of this virtue among Christians [JULIAN, Epistles, 49].
entertained angels unawares--Abraham and Lot did so (Genesis 18:2; Genesis 19:1). To obviate the natural distrust felt of strangers, Paul says, an unknown guest may be better than he looks: he may be unexpectedly found to be as much a messenger of God for good, as the angels (whose name means messenger) are; nay more, if a Christian, he represents Christ Himself. There is a play on the same Greek word, Be not forgetful and unaware; let not the duty of hospitality to strangers escape you; for, by entertaining strangers, it has escaped the entertainers that they were entertaining angels. Not unconscious and forgetful of the duty, they have unconsciously brought on themselves the blessing.
Remember--so as to imitate: not to invoke in prayer, as Rome teaches.
have the rule--rather, "who have had the rule over you": your spiritual leaders.
who--Greek, "the which": such persons as.
have spoken unto you--"spake" (so the Greek aorist means) during their lifetime. This Epistle was among those written later, when many of the heads of the Jerusalem Church had passed away.
whose faith--even unto death: probably death by martyrdom, as in the case of the instances of faith in Hebrews 11:35. Stephen, James the brother of our Lord and bishop of Jerusalem, as well as James the brother of John (Acts 12:2), in the Palestinian Church, which Paul addresses, suffered martyrdom.
considering--Greek, "looking up to," "diligently contemplating all over," as an artist would a model.
the end--the termination, at death. The Greek, is used of decease (Luke 9:31; 2 Peter 1:15).
of their conversation--"manner of life": "religious walk" (Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 4:22; 1 Timothy 4:12; James 3:13). Considering how they manifested the soundness of their faith by their holy walk, which they maintained even to the end of that walk (their death by martyrdom).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Hebrews 6:11
Hebrews 12:4
Hebrews 13:7
Hebrews 13:8
Hebrews 13:9
Hebrews 13:17
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