Hebrews 13:3

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Remember {G3403} them that are in bonds {G1198}, as {G5613} bound with them {G4887}; and them which suffer adversity {G2558}, as {G5613} being {G5607} yourselves {G846} also {G2532} in {G1722} the body {G4983}.

Remember those in prison and being mistreated, as if you were in prison with them and undergoing their torture yourselves.

Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are ill-treated, as being yourselves also in the body.

Hebrews 13:3 issues a powerful call to empathy and solidarity within the Christian community, urging believers to actively remember and identify with those who are suffering, particularly those imprisoned or facing severe hardship. This verse is part of the concluding exhortations in the Book of Hebrews, which shift from deep theological exposition to practical aspects of Christian living and social responsibility.

Context

The final chapter of Hebrews provides a series of practical instructions and moral duties for believers, following the epistle's profound theological arguments about the superiority of Christ and the new covenant. This verse specifically addresses the Christian's duty towards those facing adversity, a common reality for early Christians who often endured persecution, imprisonment, and various forms of suffering for their faith. The author reminds the audience that their spiritual journey is intertwined with the experiences of their fellow believers, emphasizing communal responsibility and love, echoing themes found throughout the New Testament regarding bearing one another's burdens.

Key Themes

  • Empathy and Solidarity: The phrase "as bound with them" goes beyond mere sympathy; it demands deep identification and active solidarity. Believers are called to feel the pain and restriction of those in bonds as if they themselves were in prison. This is a profound call to shared experience and compassionate action, mirroring the idea that if one member suffers, all suffer with it.
  • Shared Humanity and Vulnerability: "As being yourselves also in the body" serves as a stark reminder of our common human condition and physical vulnerability. It underscores that any believer could face similar trials or imprisonment, fostering humility and a sense of interconnectedness. This shared bodily existence is the basis for understanding and responding to the suffering of others.
  • Practical Compassion: "Remember them" implies more than just a thought; it calls for active concern, prayer, and practical support. For the persecuted early church, this could mean visiting prisoners, providing for their needs, or advocating for their release. This resonates with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25:36, where visiting the imprisoned is an act of service to Christ Himself.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "remember" (mnēmoneuete - μνημονεύετε) implies not just recalling to mind, but having an active, caring remembrance that leads to practical action. "In bonds" (desmiois - δεσμίοις) specifically refers to prisoners, those in chains. The phrase "as bound with them" (hōs syndededemenoi - ὡς συνδεδεμένοι) powerfully conveys the idea of being literally "chained together" or "bound alongside" them, emphasizing a deep, empathic connection. "Adversity" (kakouchoumenōn - κακουχουμένων) describes those who are being ill-treated or suffering hardship, encompassing a broader range of afflictions beyond just imprisonment. Finally, "in the body" (en sōmati - ἐν σώματι) points to our shared physical existence and vulnerability to suffering.

Practical Application

Hebrews 13:3 remains highly relevant today, urging believers to be acutely aware of and responsive to suffering in the world. This includes:

  • Praying for the Persecuted: Interceding for Christians and others who are imprisoned or facing hardship for their faith or human rights.
  • Supporting Those in Need: Actively seeking ways to support ministries that visit prisoners, provide legal aid, or offer relief to those suffering from poverty, injustice, or natural disasters.
  • Cultivating Empathy: Developing a heart that truly feels with those who suffer, rather than just pitying them from a distance. This involves listening, learning, and allowing their pain to impact us.
  • Acknowledging Shared Vulnerability: Recognizing that suffering is part of the human experience and that we are all susceptible to trials, fostering humility and a readiness to serve.

The verse calls for a radical compassion that transcends personal comfort, compelling believers to stand in solidarity with the afflicted, recognizing that in their suffering, we are all "in the body" together.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 25:36

    Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

  • Hebrews 10:34

    For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

  • Romans 12:15

    Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:26

    And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

  • Galatians 6:1

    ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

  • Galatians 6:2

    Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

  • Colossians 4:18

    The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen.
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