SEV Biblia, Chapter 13:21
os haga perfectos en toda obra buena para que hagis su voluntad, haciendo l en vosotros lo que es agradable delante de l por Jess, el Cristo, al cual es la gloria por los siglos de los siglos. Amn.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hebrew 13:21
Verse 21. Make you perfect] katartisia umav? Put you completely in joint. See the note on "2 Cor. xiii. 9", where the meaning of the original word is largely considered. From the following terms we see what the apostle meant by the perfection for which he prays. They were to do the will of God in every good work, from God working in them that which is well pleasing in his sight. 1. This necessarily implies a complete change in the whole soul, that God may be well pleased with whatsoever he sees in it; and this supposes its being cleansed from all sin, for God's sight cannot be pleased with any thing that is unholy. 2. This complete inward purity is to produce an outward conformity to God's will, so they were to be made perfect in every good work. 3. The perfection within and the perfection without were to be produced by the blood of the everlasting covenant; for although God is love, yet it is not consistent with his justice or holiness to communicate any good to mankind but through his Son, and through him as having died for the offenses of the human race. To whom be glory for ever.] As God does all in, by, and through Christ Jesus, to him be the honour of his own work ascribed through time and eternity. Amen.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will , etc..] The Alexandrian copy reads, in every good work and word; as in ( Thessalonians 2:17) every good work is to be done: a good work is what is done in obedience to the command of God, and in faith, and from a principle of love, in the name and strength of Christ, and with a view to the glory of God; and every such work should be diligently attended to; such as concern God, and are of a moral nature, or of positive institution; and such as concern each other, whether as men or Christians: and the will of God is the rule of every good work, both as to matter and manner; whatever is not agreeably to the revealed will of God, let it have ever such a show of religion and holiness in it, it is not a good work; continuance in the performance of good works, and the perfection of them, are things to be desired of God; it requires grace to perform good works, and more grace to abound in them, and to keep men from being weary of well doing; and though the best of works are imperfect, yet perfection in them is desirable, and it is God alone that can make the saints perfect in any sense; (see 1 Peter 5:10). The Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it, strengthen you, or confirm you; saints need to be strengthened with spiritual strength, to perform good works; for they are weak and feeble, and unable of themselves to do anything spiritually good; without Christ they can do nothing, but through him strengthening them, they can do all things; and they have need to be confirmed in them, that they are the will of God, and that it is their duty to regard them. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, fit you: men are naturally unfit for good works; in order to do them aright, it is necessary that they should have knowledge of the will of God; that they be regenerated and created in Christ; that they be sanctified and cleansed, and so meet for the master's use; that they have the Spirit of God, and strength from Christ; and that they be believers in him: nor is there always a fitness in saints themselves, or a readiness to good works, only when God gives both will and power to do them; wherefore such a petition as this is very proper and pertinent; another follows, or the same carried on, and more largely expressed; though it rather seems to be a distinct one, and that in order to the former: working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; the good work of grace being necessary to the performance of good works; nor can any man do a good work well, unless he has the good work of grace wrought in him: grace is a work not of man, but of God; it is an internal work, something in a man's heart, and not anything without him, or done by him; and it is a gradual and progressive work; it is carried on by degrees, and is not yet perfect, though it will be. God is continually working in his people, carrying on his work, and will at length perform it; (see Gill on Philippians 1:6), and this is well pleasing in his sight; it is in his sight; it is obvious to his view, when it is not to others, nor to themselves, being the hidden man of the heart; and it is very agreeable to him; it makes men like unto him; hereby they become a suitable habitation for him, and are put into a capacity of serving him; to such he gives more grace, and on that grace he entails glory: and all this is through Jesus Christ ; all the grace necessary for the beginning and carrying on, and finishing of the good work of grace, and for the performance of every good work, comes through the hands of Christ, in whom all fulness of it dwells; and through the blood and intercession of Christ, by virtue of which it is communicated; and all become acceptable to God through him, as the persons of the Lord's people, so the grace that is wrought in them, and the works that are done by them: to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen ; either to God the Father of Christ, and the Father of mercies, and God of salvation; and as he is the God of peace, and the bringer of Christ from the dead; the appointer, provider, and giver of the great Shepherd; the author and finisher of all good in his people: or to Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through whom all grace and good things come; to him does this doxology of right belong; he has a glory both as God, and as Mediator; and the glory of both is to be given to him: the glory of his deity, by asserting it; by attributing all divine perfections and works unto him; by worshipping of him, and by ascribing the efficacy of his mediatorial actions to it: and the glory of salvation and redemption is to be given to him, who alone has obtained it; by discarding all other Saviours; by trusting alone in him; by looking to him alone for peace, pardon, justification, sanctification, and eternal life: and this glory should be ascribed continually, for ever and ever, as it will be by angels, and saints to all eternity, The word Amen is added, to show that the apostle assented to it, and wished it might be, and that he firmly believed it, and so asserted that it would be; for it is expressive of assent, asseveration, and prayer.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-21 - We must, according to our power, give to the necessities of the soul and bodies of men: God will accept these offerings with pleasure, an will accept and bless the offerers through Christ. The apostle the states what is their duty to living ministers; to obey and submit to them, so far as is agreeable to the mind and will of God, made known in his word. Christians must not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn. The people must search the Scriptures, and so fa as the ministers teach according to that rule, they ought to receiv their instructions as the word of God, which works in those tha believe. It is the interest of hearers, that the account their ministers give of them may be with joy, and not with grief. Faithfu ministers deliver their own souls, but the ruin of a fruitless an faithless people will be upon their own heads. The more earnestly the people pray for their ministers, the more benefit they may expect from their ministry. A good conscience has respect to all God's commands and all our duty. Those who have this good conscience, yet need the prayers of others. When ministers come to a people who pray for them they come with greater satisfaction to themselves, and success to the people. We should seek all our mercies by prayer. God is the God of peace, fully reconciled to believers; who has made a way for peace an reconciliation between himself and sinners, and who loves peace of earth, especially in his churches. He is the Author of spiritual peac in the hearts and consciences of his people. How firm a covenant is that which has its foundation in the blood of the Son of God! The perfecting of the saints in every good work, is the great thing desire by them, and for them; and that they may at length be fitted for the employment and happiness of heaven. There is no good thing wrought in us, but it is the work of God. And no good thing is wrought in us by God, but through Christ, for his sake and by his Spirit.
Greek Textus Receptus
καταρτισαι 2675 5659 υμας 5209 εν 1722 παντι 3956 εργω 2041 αγαθω 18 εις 1519 το 3588 ποιησαι 4160 5658 το 3588 θελημα 2307 αυτου 846 ποιων 4160 5723 εν 1722 υμιν 5213 το 3588 ευαρεστον 2101 ενωπιον 1799 αυτου 846 δια 1223 ιησου 2424 χριστου 5547 ω 3739 η 3588 δοξα 1391 εις 1519 τους 3588 αιωνας 165 των 3588 αιωνων 165 αμην 281
Vincent's NT Word Studies
21. Make you perfect ( katartisai umav). The verb is aptly chosen, since the readers are addressed as a body - the flock of Christ. The prayer is for the complete mutual adjustment of all the members of the flock into a perfected whole, fitted to do the perfect will of God. See on 1 Peter v. 10, and comp. notes on 2 Tim. iii. 17; 1 Cor. i. 10; 2 Corinthians xiii. 11. Ignatius uses the word of the church's being joined (kathrtismenoi) in common subjection to the Bishops and the Presbytery (Eph. ii), and of himself as one composed or settled into union (eiv enwsin), that is, avoiding division in the church (Philad. 8); and again to the Smyrnaeans (1) "I have perceived that ye are settled or compacted in faith immovable, being, as it were, nailed on the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ in flesh and in spirit."
In every good work (en panti agaqw). A.V. follows T.R. ergw work. Rend. "in every good thing."
To do his will (eiv to poihsai to qelhma autou). To the end that you do, etc.
Working in you ( poiwn en hmin). Rend. "in us." A.V. follows T.R. uJmin you. For "working" rend. "doing." The word plays on poihsai to do. "Make you perfect to do his will, he doing in us what is well-pleasing in his sight."
That which is well-pleasing in his sight (to auareston enwpion autou). Comp. Eph. v. 10. The phrase N.T.o . Euareston usually with the simple dative, as Rom. xii. 1; xiv. 8; Eph. v. 10; Philippians iv. 18. Comp. 1 John iii. 22.
