Limitless Word
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13:16 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
  • BSB And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
  • NKJV But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
  • NASB And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
  • NLT And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Believers must not neglect doing good and sharing with others, for such sacrifices please God. Practical love and generosity are acceptable offerings to Him.

Overview

Alongside the sacrifice of praise, the author names doing good and sharing as sacrifices that delight God. Worship is thus not only verbal but lived out in tangible kindness and generosity. This reflects the gospel's transforming power, producing love toward others as an expression of gratitude for Christ's self-giving.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 22

  • 2 Th 3:13But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
  • Gal 6:10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
  • Rom 12:13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
  • Heb 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
  • Heb 13:1–2Let brotherly love continue.
  • 1 Tim 6:18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
  • Eph 4:28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
  • 2 Cor 9:12–13For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
  • Phil 4:18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
  • Matt 25:35–40For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
  • Luke 18:22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
  • Ps 37:3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
  • 1 Th 5:15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
  • Acts 10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
  • Mic 6:7–8Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
  • Luke 6:35–36But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
  • Gal 6:6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
  • 3 Jn 1:11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
  • Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
  • Phlm 1:6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
  • Phil 4:14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
  • Ps 51:19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (3)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Hebrews videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Hebrews 13:16YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on HebrewsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.

How Hebrews 13:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.