Introduction: This is the theme of the entire epistle: Paul wanted these Jews to know that it was God=s purpose for them to be perfected in Christ as a result of the doctrinal and practical truths given to them in the letter. To be perfected and mature should be the lifetime goal of the believer.
Paul's ministry was focused on two specific areas of life: The redemption of lost people and the edification of the saints (their subsequent growth in wisdom and knowledge). He mentioned this growth principle in every epistle:
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Rom. 1:11-12
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Cor. 1:5-8
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18
My little
children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, I
desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt
of you.
Gal. 4:19-20
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Eph. 4:11-15
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Phil. 1:9-11
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Col. 1:9-11
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. I Thess. 2:11-13
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 2 Thess. 1:3
Now in Hebrews 13:20-21 the writer, most likely Paul the Apostle, expounds on the subject of personal growth. This personal spiritual growth and knowledge is due to the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the believer.
The spiritual goal of the God of peace, who raised Christ from the dead, is that every believer become perfect in every good work to do His will. He accomplishes this by working in the believer’s life that which is well pleasing in His sight, through the work of Christ. The believer’s life goal should be the same as the Savior’s eternal goal. It should be the focus of our lives.
It is the God of peace who ministers to believers through Christ.
13:20 "Now the God of peace@ - O de qeoV thV eirhnhV - "Those things, which we have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me, do. and the God of peace shall be with you." Phil. 4:9
"Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you." 2 Thess. 3:16
Paul was the only NT writer to use this title for Christ. There are many events in the life of Paul that led him to dwell upon this attribute of the Divine character, and he saw a close connection bit the peace of the believer and the peace of God offered through Christ. The concept of reconciliation carries with it the concept of peace between God and man. Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians,
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Eph. 2:14-15
“What can there he to disturb the
universe, when the Lord God reigns@
Dr. Excell
It is the God of power who raised Christ from the dead.
"that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus - the only mention in the epistle of Hebrews. The resurrection was the seal of Christ's perfected work, and consequently of our peace and perfection in His holiness!
I Pet. 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
It is the God of Purpose who sent his Son to guide His believers.
"that great shepherd of the sheep@ - What He did was for the sheep, "Because I live, ye shall live also." It is Christ’s daily watch care over His church.
The title "Shepherd of the sheep" and summarizes all other roles (names) of Christ found in the entire epistle to the Hebrews: **Savior, God the Son, God of Peace, Creator, Son, Apostle and High Priest, Author of eternal salvation, Minister of the sanctuary, Testator, Captain of our salvation, Anchor, Priest of the Most High God, This man, Author and finisher of our faith.
Christ's guiding hand is sensed throughout the epistle as a shepherd: caring, nurturing, teaching, protecting, and teaching.
Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
I Pet. 5:4 AAnd when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
Ps. 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Ps. 80:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
Eccl. 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Isa. 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Jer. 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
Eze. 34:23-24 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
John 10:11,12,14,16 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep...I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine…And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
"through the blood' of the everlasting covenant@ - The peace of God is the product of the blood of Christ at Calvary, the blood of the everlasting covenant.
Col. 1:20 "And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself..."
It is the God Perfection that will perform His ministry to the believer.
13:21 "Make you perfect in every good work to do his will" – katartisai – Aor Act - make perfect, mend, fit, frame, perfectly joined. This word carries with it the following concepts: To completely mend, what has been broken, or to repair and equip. lit. to make someone what they are to become in Christ. This concept is the focal point of the epistle - the perfection of the saints. Perfect means complete or literally, "the mending of the nets." It implies the removal of all that is bad and the supply of all that is good and needed in our lives. 2 Cor. 3:5 "Our sufficiency is of God."
"working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight" – We should let God's aim be our aim. We should fully accept the Lord’s work in our lives, without question. We should pray for His desire to be accomplished in our lives. After all, it is His work. The word of God in the believer’s life is that which is well pleasing in His sight. His wisdom pervades the life of every believer through the person and work of Christ.
"through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen." – the Son of God will be glorified, because of who He is. It is the Christian’s responsibility to desire the work of God in their lives, that would bring them to maturity and glorify Christ. This is a worthy ambition.