Hebrews 13:9

KJV

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be {G4064} not {G3361} carried about {G4064} with divers {G4164} and {G2532} strange {G3581} doctrines {G1322}. For {G1063} it is a good thing {G2570} that the heart {G2588} be established {G950} with grace {G5485}; not {G3756} with meats {G1033}, which have {G5623} not {G3756} profited {G5623} them that have been occupied {G4043} therein {G1722}{G3739}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Do not be carried away by various strange teachings; for what is good is for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods. People who have made these the focus of their lives have not benefited thereby.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.

American Standard Version

Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 13:9 serves as a crucial warning to believers, urging them to resist being swayed by varied and unfamiliar doctrines. It posits that true spiritual stability and inner strength are found in a heart firmly rooted in God's unmerited favor, rather than in adherence to external rituals or dietary observances that offer no genuine spiritual benefit. This verse reinforces the New Covenant's emphasis on grace over legalistic practices as the foundation for Christian living and growth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears in the concluding chapter of Hebrews, which shifts from deep theological exposition about Christ's superiority and the New Covenant to practical exhortations for Christian living. Following calls for brotherly love, hospitality, remembrance of prisoners, marital purity, and contentment (Hebrews 13:1-6), the author reminds the readers to remember their leaders and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7). The preceding verse, [Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the Same"), declares the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ, providing a foundational truth against which all doctrines should be measured. Thus, [Hebrews 13:9](/hebrews/13-9 "Hebrews 13:9 - Warning Against False Doctrines") naturally follows, warning against deviations from the steadfast truth embodied in Christ, contrasting it with the instability of "divers and strange doctrines" and the futility of "meats" or ritualistic observances. The chapter then continues with further exhortations regarding sacrifice, good works, and obedience to leaders.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of the Book of Hebrews was likely Jewish Christians in the first century who were experiencing persecution or social pressure, tempting them to revert to elements of Judaism. This reversion might have involved re-engaging with the Mosaic Law's ceremonial aspects, including dietary regulations and sacrificial systems, which were deeply ingrained in their cultural and religious heritage. The author of Hebrews has systematically argued for the superiority of Christ over the Old Covenant system, demonstrating that Christ's once-for-all sacrifice has rendered the old rituals obsolete (see [Hebrews 7-10](/hebrews/7-10 "Hebrews 7-10 - Christ's Superior Priesthood and Sacrifice")). "Meats" in this context refers not merely to food but to ceremonial foods, dietary laws, or perhaps even sacrificial meals associated with Jewish or pagan practices. The temptation was to seek spiritual standing or favor through adherence to these external observances, rather than through faith in Christ's finished work.
* **Key Themes:** [Hebrews 13:9](/hebrews/13-9 "Hebrews 13:9 - Warning Against False Doctrines") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Hebrews. Firstly, it underscores the **supremacy and sufficiency of Christ** by asserting that true spiritual establishment comes through grace, which is mediated by Christ, not through external rituals. Secondly, it highlights the **danger of apostasy and false teaching**, a recurring concern throughout the epistle, as the author warns against drifting away from the truth (e.g., [Hebrews 2:1](/hebrews/2-1 "Hebrews 2:1 - Drift Not Away")). Thirdly, it champions the **superiority of the New Covenant over the Old**, particularly in its emphasis on an internal transformation of the heart through grace, contrasting it with the external, temporal regulations of the Mosaic Law, which "have not profited them that have been occupied therein." This theme of New Covenant superiority is central to the author's argument, culminating in the declaration of a "better covenant" in [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Doctrines (Greek, _didachḗ'_):** From the verb *didaskō* (to teach), this word refers to instruction, teaching, or a body of doctrine. In this context, it signifies the various theological or practical teachings that were circulating and potentially drawing believers away from the truth. The use of "divers" (*poikílos*) and "strange" (*xénos*) emphasizes their varied, complex, and foreign nature, suggesting teachings not aligned with apostolic tradition or the core Gospel.
* **Heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** Figuratively, the heart represents the center of one's being—the seat of thoughts, feelings, will, and moral character. To have the heart "established" with grace means that one's inner person, their core beliefs and affections, are made firm and secure by God's unmerited favor, providing stability against external pressures and deceptive teachings.
* **Meats (Greek, _brōma'_):** This term refers to food, particularly in a ceremonial sense, encompassing articles allowed or forbidden by Jewish law. Here, it symbolizes external religious observances, especially dietary regulations or sacrificial meals. The author argues that preoccupation with such practices does not lead to spiritual profit or growth, contrasting their futility with the genuine establishment found in grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines."**: This opening imperative serves as a strong warning against instability in faith. The imagery of being "carried about" (Greek: *peripheresthe*) suggests being tossed to and fro, like a ship without an anchor, by the many varied (*poikílos*) and foreign (*xénos*) teachings that deviate from the truth. It underscores the importance of discernment and a firm grounding in sound doctrine to resist spiritual wandering.
* **"For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace;"**: This clause presents the antidote and the positive alternative to being swayed by false teachings. The conjunction "for" (*gar*) introduces the reason or explanation. It is inherently "good" (*kalós*), morally and intrinsically beneficial, for one's inner core—their beliefs, will, and affections—to be made firm and secure (*bebaióō*) by God's unmerited favor (*cháris*). Grace, not human effort or external observance, is the source of true spiritual stability.
* **"not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein."**: This final phrase clarifies what true spiritual establishment is *not* based upon. "Meats" here represents external, ceremonial practices, likely referring to Jewish dietary laws or sacrificial rituals. The critical point is that these practices "have not profited" (*ōpheléō*) those who "have been occupied therein" (*peripatéō* – literally, "walked in" or "lived by"). They yield no spiritual advantage, justification, or genuine growth, highlighting their inadequacy in comparison to the transformative power of grace.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several powerful **literary devices** in this verse to convey his message. The primary device is **Metaphor**, specifically the vivid imagery of being "carried about" (Greek: *peripheresthe*). This evokes the picture of a ship adrift without a rudder or anchor, tossed by waves of "divers and strange doctrines." This metaphor powerfully communicates the spiritual instability and danger faced by believers who lack a firm foundation. Directly contrasting this is the concept of the "heart be established with grace," which functions as an **Antithesis** or **Contrast**. The stability and firmness provided by grace are set in stark opposition to the aimless drifting caused by false teachings and the futility of ceremonial "meats." Furthermore, the verse uses **Admonition** and **Exhortation**, directly commanding the readers ("Be not carried about") and providing a clear reason for the command ("For it is a good thing"). The phrase "have not profited" also functions as an **Understatement** (or *litotes*), subtly implying that these practices are not just unhelpful but potentially harmful by diverting attention from what truly matters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 13:9 profoundly articulates a core theological truth of the New Covenant: the sufficiency of God's grace through Christ for salvation and sanctification, rendering external legalistic observances obsolete for spiritual standing. This verse builds upon the epistle's extensive argument for Christ's superiority over the Old Covenant, emphasizing that true spiritual nourishment and stability come from an internal work of grace, not from adherence to outward rituals. It warns against any teaching that would shift a believer's focus from the finished work of Christ and God's unmerited favor to human effort, asceticism, or ceremonial law. The "meats" symbolize any human-devised system or practice that attempts to add to or replace the radical simplicity and power of grace, ultimately proving unprofitable for genuine spiritual life and growth. This principle of being established in grace frees believers from the burden of seeking righteousness through works and anchors them in the unchanging truth of Christ.

* [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Fast in Liberty")
* [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow vs. Substance")
* [Ephesians 4:14](/ephesians/4-14 "Ephesians 4:14 - No Longer Children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an age characterized by a proliferation of information and diverse spiritual claims, Hebrews 13:9 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. We are constantly exposed to a myriad of teachings, some subtly deviating from biblical truth, others overtly heretical. This verse serves as a timeless call to spiritual discernment, urging us not to be passively "carried about" by every new theological trend or spiritual fad. Our spiritual stability and true progress are not found in adherence to man-made rules, legalistic interpretations, or superficial observances, but in understanding, embracing, and resting in God's sovereign grace, which is revealed and applied through Jesus Christ. It encourages believers to diligently study God's Word, cultivate a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit who guides into all truth, and prioritize the essential, unchanging truths of the Gospel. Our hearts must be firmly established in grace, providing an unshakeable anchor against the shifting tides of false doctrine and the deceptive allure of ritualism.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "divers and strange doctrines" might be subtly influencing my beliefs or practices today, and how can I discern them?**
* **How does my understanding of God's grace contribute to the stability of my heart, and where might I be tempted to rely on "meats" (external practices) for spiritual assurance?**
* **In what ways can I actively pursue being "established with grace" in my daily life, and what practical steps can I take to deepen my grounding in biblical truth?**

### FAQ
**What are "divers and strange doctrines" in the context of Hebrews 13:9?**

Answer: "Divers and strange doctrines" refer to varied, complex, and unfamiliar teachings that deviate from the foundational truths of the Gospel and the apostolic tradition. In the context of the early church, these could have included Gnostic ideas, ascetic practices, or, more likely for the audience of Hebrews, a temptation to revert to the ceremonial laws and rituals of Judaism (like dietary laws or sacrificial systems) as a means of gaining spiritual merit or favor, rather than relying solely on Christ's finished work. The author warns against any teaching that would draw believers away from the simplicity and sufficiency of God's grace in Christ, emphasizing that such teachings are spiritually unprofitable and lead to instability. The unchanging nature of Christ, declared in [Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the Same"), serves as the ultimate standard against which all doctrines must be measured.

**Why does the author contrast "grace" with "meats"?**

Answer: The contrast between "grace" and "meats" is central to the verse's message. "Grace" (Greek: *cháris*) signifies God's unmerited favor, His divine influence on the heart, and the spiritual benefits derived from faith in Christ. It represents the New Covenant's emphasis on an internal, spiritual reality. "Meats" (Greek: *brōma*), on the other hand, symbolizes external, ceremonial observances, particularly dietary laws or sacrificial meals from the Old Covenant or other religious systems. The author contrasts these two because he wants to highlight that true spiritual establishment, stability, and profit come only through grace, not through adherence to outward rituals or human-devised rules. The point is that these external practices "have not profited" those who engaged in them, meaning they do not bring about justification, sanctification, or genuine spiritual growth. This aligns with the broader New Testament teaching that salvation and spiritual life are by grace through faith, not by works of the law (e.g., [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 13:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of the grace that establishes the heart and the truth that guards against "divers and strange doctrines." Christ himself is the "good thing" by which our hearts are made firm, for in Him "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness in Christ")). He is the unchanging Son of God, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the Same")), providing the unwavering anchor for our faith amidst theological instability. The "meats" and ritualistic observances that "have not profited" are rendered obsolete by Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, which completely fulfills the Old Covenant law and ceremonial requirements ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ inaugurated a New Covenant founded on grace, not works, offering true spiritual profit and eternal life to all who believe. Therefore, to be established with grace is to be established in Christ, who is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption ([1-corinthians/1-30](/1-corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")). He is the living bread, the true spiritual nourishment that truly profits and sustains the soul, in stark contrast to any temporary or external "meats" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 4:14

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;

1 Timothy 6:3

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

1 Timothy 6:5

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Ephesians 5:6

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Romans 14:6

He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Romans 16:17

¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Romans 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.