Limitless Word
And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16 · New American Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
  • KJV But to do good and to communicate forget not: 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.
  • 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 you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing well.
  • Gal 6:10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
  • Rom 12:13contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
  • Heb 6:10For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.
  • Heb 13:1–2Let brotherly love continue.
  • 1 Tim 6:18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
  • Eph 4:28Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
  • 2 Cor 9:12–13For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;
  • Phil 4:18But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
  • Matt 25:35–40for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
  • Luke 18:22When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.”
  • Ps 37:3Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
  • 1 Th 5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
  • Acts 10:38even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
  • Mic 6:7–8Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
  • Luke 6:35–36But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
  • Gal 6:6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.
  • 3 Jn 1:11Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
  • Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
  • Phlm 1:6that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
  • Phil 4:14However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
  • Ps 51:19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your 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.