Like other New Testament epistles, the last chapter of Hebrews incudes some final exhortations recorded in rapid fire succession (Hebrews 13:1-5; cp. 1 Cor. 16:13-16; 2 Cor.13:11-12; 2Thess.5:12-28). There are commands or exhortations sprinkled throughout the thirteenth chapter of Hebrews, but the first five verses contain six exhortations breathlessly presented: Let brotherly love continue, Do not forget to entertain strangers, Remember the prisoners, Let marriage be honorable and the bed undefiled; Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.
Love seems to be the common thread weaving its way through each of these exhortations. The first four of these exhortations seem to be related to our responsibility to love people. First, we must continue to love our brothers and sisters in Christ; second, we must love the strangers God brings across our path; third, we must remember those who are imprisoned for their faith in Christ. The fourth has to do with acts we should associate with love between a man and his wife. Sexual relations are appropriate only between a man and a woman who are married. The fifth command literally indicates that our lives should be free from the love of money with the sixth being a corollary – be content with what you have.