The Meaning of Hebrews 13:15 Explained

Hebrews 13:15

KJV: 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.

YLT: through him, then, we may offer up a sacrifice of praise always to God, that is, the fruit of lips, giving thanks to His name;

Darby: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually to God, that is, the fruit of the lips confessing his name.

ASV: Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Hebrews 13:15 Mean?

Context Summary

Hebrews 13:14-25 - Praise, Prayer, And Peace
Notice that though the ancient sacrifices have been abolished, there is one which can never grow old-the sacrifice of praise. This incense must ever ascend from the heart-altar. And to this we must add the sacrifices of doing good and distributing our goods.
Perfection in the closing paragraph, Hebrews 13:21, means adjustment, the setting of a dislocated bone. We may be in the body of which Jesus is the Head, and yet be out of touch with Him. We need setting; and this is work which God will delegate to no angel, however exalted. He will do it Himself as tenderly and gently as possible, because He is the God of peace. Do you doubt it? Did He not bring the Shepherd to glory, and is He not able to bring the sheep also? Never rest until you are in living organic union with Jesus, that He may be able to work His will through you to your own great joy and for the hastening of the Kingdom [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 13

1  Various admonitions as to love;
4  to honest life;
5  to avoid covetousness;
7  to regard God's preachers;
9  to take heed of strange doctrines;
10  to confess Christ;
16  to give alms;
17  to obey governors;
18  to pray for the apostles
20  The conclusion

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 13:15

Through him [δι αυτου]
That is Jesus. He is our Priest and Sacrifice, the only efficient and sufficient one. Let us offer up Present active volitive subjunctive of αναπερω — anapherō “let us keep on offering up.” Jesus is living and let us go to him. A sacrifice of praise This phrase occurs in Leviticus 7:12; Psalm 54:8. The word αινεσις — ainesis (from αινεω — aineō to praise), common in lxx, is only here in N.T. The fruit of lips In apposition This use of ομολογεω — homologeō with the dative in the sense of praise like εχομολογεω — exomologeō is unique, though the papyri furnish examples in the sense of gratitude (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary). [source]
By him therefore [δἰ αὐτοῦ]
Rend. “through him.” Omit therefore. A.V. follows T.R. οὖν . Through Jesus, and not through the Jewish ritual. [source]
Let us offer [ἀναφέρωμεν]
Lit. bring up the offering to the altar. See James 2:21, where the full phrase occurs. For the phrase offer up through Jesus Christ, comp. 1 Peter 2:5. [source]
The sacrifice of praise [θυσίαν αἰνέσεως]
The Levitical term for a thank-offering. See lxx, Leviticus 7:2, Leviticus 7:3, Leviticus 7:5; 2 Chronicles 29:31; 2 Chronicles 33:16; Psalm 50:14, Psalm 50:23; Psalm 106:22; Psalm 115:8. Ἄινεσις praiseN.T.oOften in lxx, oClass. For “the sacrifice” rend. “a sacrifice.” The sacrifice of thanksgiving is to take the place of the animal sacrifice. For the emphasis on thanksgiving in N.T. see Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 1:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:18. The Rabbins had a saying, “in the future time all sacrifices shall cease; but praises shall not cease.” Philo says: “They offer the best sacrifice who glorify with hymns the savior and benefactor, God.” [source]
That is the fruit of our lips [τουτέστιν καρπὸν χειλέων]
Omit our. From lxx of Hosea 14:3, where the Hebrew reads, “we will account our lips as calves” (offered in sacrifice). Comp. Isaiah 57:19. [source]
Giving thanks to his name [ὁμολογούντων τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ]
The phrase N.T.oolxx. Rend. “of lips which make confession to his name.” [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 13:15

2 Corinthians 9:13 Your professed subjection [ὑποταγῇ τῆς ὁμολογίας ὑμῶν]
A vicious hendiadys. Lit., as Rev., the obedience of your confession; that is, the obedience which results from your christian confession. Ὁμολογία is once rendered in A.V. confession, 1 Timothy 6:13; and elsewhere profession. Both renderings occur in 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:13. Rev., in every case, confession. A similar variation occurs in the rendering of ὁμολογέω , though in all but five of the twenty-three instances confess is used. Rev. retains profess in Matthew 7:23; Titus 1:16, and changes to confess in 1 Timothy 6:12. In Matthew 14:7, promised (A.V. and Rev., see note), and in Hebrews 13:15, giving thanks; Rev., which make confession. Etymologically, confession is the literal rendering of ὁμολογία , which is from ὁμόν together λέγω tosay; con together, fateor to say. The fundamental idea is that of saying the same thing as another; while profess (pro forth, fateor to say ) is to declare openly. Hence, to profess Christ is to declare Him publicly as our Lord: to confess Christ is to declare agreement with all that He says. When Christ confesses His followers before the world, He makes a declaration in agreement with what is in His heart concerning them. Similarly, when He declares to the wicked “I never knew you” (“then will I profess, ὁμολογήσω ”), a similar agreement between His thought and His declaration is implied. The two ideas run into each other, and the Rev. is right in the few cases in which it retains profess, since confess would be ambiguous. See, for example, Titus 1:16. [source]
Galatians 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit [ὁ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματος]
The phrase N.T.oFruit, metaphorical, frequent in N.T., as Matthew 3:8; Matthew 7:16; John 4:36; John 15:8; Romans 1:13; Romans 6:21, etc. We find fruit of light (Ephesians 5:9); of righteousness (Philemon 1:11); of labor (Philemon 1:22); of the lips (Hebrews 13:15). Almost always of a good result. [source]
Hebrews 10:22 Sprinkled from an evil conscience [ῥεραντισμένοι - ἀπὸ συνειδήσεως πονηρᾶς]
This qualification for a right approach to God is stated typologically. As the priests were sprinkled with the sacrificial blood and washed with water before ministering, so do you who have now the privilege and standing of priests in approaching God, draw near, priestlike, as sharers in an economy which purges the conscience (Hebrews 9:14), having your consciences purged. Your own hearts must experience the effects of the great sacrifice of Christ, - pardon, moral renewal, deliverance from a legal spirit. On the priesthood of believers see 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9; Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6. This idea is dominated in our epistle by that of Christ's priesthood; but it is not excluded, and is implied throughout. See Hebrews 13:15. For sprinkled, see on 1 Peter 1:2. [source]
1 Peter 2:5 To offer up [ἀνενέγκαι]
The usual Old-Testament (Septuagint) term for offering of sacrifice. Lit., to bring up to the altar. Compare Hebrews 13:15. The force of ἀνά , up, appears in the fact of the altar being raised. The word is often used of carrying from a lower to a higher place. Thus Matthew 17:1; Luke 24:51. In this sense 1 Peter 2:24of this chapter is suggestive, where it is said that Christ bare ( ἀνήνεγκεν ) our sins: carried them up to the cross. See note there. [source]
Revelation 14:4 For they are virgins [παρτενοι γαρ εισιν]
Παρτενος — Parthenos can be applied to men as well as women. Swete takes this language “metaphorically, as the symbolical character of the Book suggests.” Charles considers it an interpolation in the interest of celibacy for both men and women. If taken literally, the words can refer only to adultery or fornication (Beckwith). Jesus recognised abstinence only for those able to receive it (Matthew 19:12), as did Paul (1 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:32, 1 Corinthians 7:36). Marriage is approved by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:3 and by Hebrews 13:4. The New Testament exalts marriage and this passage should not be construed as degrading it.Whithersoever he goeth (οπου αν υπαγει — hopou an hupagei). Indefinite local clause with modal αν — an and the present active indicative of υπαγω — hupagō The Christian life is following the Lamb of God as Jesus taught (Mark 2:14; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:59; John 1:43; John 21:19, etc.) and as Peter taught (1 Peter 2:21) and John (1 John 2:6).Were purchased from among men First aorist passive indicative of αγοραζω — agorazō repeating the close of Revelation 14:3.First fruits (απαρχη — aparchē). See for this word 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5. This seems to mean that the 144,000 represent not the whole, but only a portion of the great harvest to come (Matthew 9:37), not only the first installment, but those marked by high spiritual service to God and the Lamb (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5). [source]
Revelation 14:4 Were purchased from among men [ηγοραστησαν απο των αντρωπων]
First aorist passive indicative of αγοραζω — agorazō repeating the close of Revelation 14:3.First fruits (απαρχη — aparchē). See for this word 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5. This seems to mean that the 144,000 represent not the whole, but only a portion of the great harvest to come (Matthew 9:37), not only the first installment, but those marked by high spiritual service to God and the Lamb (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5). [source]
Revelation 14:4 First fruits [απαρχη]
See for this word 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5. This seems to mean that the 144,000 represent not the whole, but only a portion of the great harvest to come (Matthew 9:37), not only the first installment, but those marked by high spiritual service to God and the Lamb (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5). [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 13:15 mean?

Through Him then we should offer [the] sacrifice of praise through everything to God that is [the] fruit of [the] lips confessing the name of Him
Δι’ αὐτοῦ οὖν ἀναφέρωμεν θυσίαν αἰνέσεως διὰ παντὸς τῷ Θεῷ τοῦτ’ ἔστιν καρπὸν χειλέων ὁμολογούντων τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ

Δι’  Through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
ἀναφέρωμεν  we  should  offer 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: ἀναφέρω  
Sense: to carry or bring up, to lead up.
θυσίαν  [the]  sacrifice 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: θυσία  
Sense: a sacrifice, victim.
αἰνέσεως  of  praise 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: αἴνεσις  
Sense: praise, a thank offering.
διὰ  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
παντὸς  everything 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
Θεῷ  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τοῦτ’  that 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
καρπὸν  [the]  fruit 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: καρπός  
Sense: fruit.
χειλέων  of  [the]  lips 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: χεῖλος  
Sense: a lip, of the speaking mouth.
ὁμολογούντων  confessing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ὁμολογέω  
Sense: to say the same thing as another, i.
ὀνόματι  name 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.