Hebrews 13:16
“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Following the call to offer the sacrifice of praise, this verse adds practical goodness and generosity as sacrifices that please God, completing the picture of acceptable worship.
What Does Hebrews 13:16 Mean?
Hebrews 13:16 reminds believers not to neglect doing good and sharing with others, because God is well pleased with such sacrifices. Paired with the previous verse about the sacrifice of praise, this one rounds out the picture: alongside praise offered with the lips, God desires practical goodness shown with the hands. Worship that pleases God includes both words and deeds.
The command has two parts. "To do good" calls for active kindness and beneficial action toward others. "To communicate" here means to share -- to give of what one has, to hold possessions in common and extend generosity to those in need. The phrase "forget not" gently warns that these things can easily slip from our priorities; they require intentional remembrance, like the hospitality urged earlier in the chapter. The reason given is significant: "with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Acts of goodness and generosity are counted as sacrifices, offerings that genuinely delight God. This elevates everyday kindness and sharing to the level of worship. In a letter so concerned with sacrifice and priesthood, the closing application is striking in its simplicity: the offerings God now seeks are praise from grateful lips and goodness from generous lives. Together they form a fitting response to all that He has given through Christ.
In the Original Language
The Greek koinōnia ("communicate") means sharing or fellowship, and euaresteō ("well pleased") means to be pleasing or acceptable.
Cross References
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
- Hebrews 13:15
“I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”
- Philippians 4:18
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
- Galatians 6:10
Application
Remember that doing good and sharing generously are forms of worship that please God, and make them a deliberate part of your daily life.