Beware of Diverse and Strange Teachings
Compare Hebrews 13:9; Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 4:16; and Hebrews
6:19, 20. Where is grace obtained? How are our hearts strength­
ened?
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The relationship between false teachings and foods, touched on in
Hebrews 13:9, probably does not refer to the distinction between clean
and unclean foods.
Why?
First, Paul does not seem concerned in the epistle with the distinc-
tion between clean and unclean foods. We know from Acts 15 that the
early Christian church affirmed both that believers are saved by grace
(Acts 15:7–11) and that they should continue to observe some food
regulations (Acts 15:19, 20). The distinction between clean and unclean
foods and other biblical regulations are not opposed to grace. In fact,
Paul argues that the new covenant has put the law in the heart (Heb.
8:10–12). What the author makes very clear, however, is that animal
sacrifices and the Levitical priestly mediation in the sanctuary have
been superseded by the superior sacrifice and priestly mediation of
Jesus (Heb. 8:4, 5; Heb. 10:1–18).
Second, the context suggests that Paul is criticizing the audience not for
abstaining from certain foods but for partaking of them with the hope of
somehow obtaining grace or merit (Heb. 13:9). He is probably warning
against participating in Jewish ritual or cultic meals that were cele­brated
as an extension of the animal sacrifices in the temple and which were sup-
posed to provide spiritual benefits, or grace. But grace is not mediated
through these meals; grace comes only through the sacrifice and priestly
mediation of Jesus Christ. Believers “have an altar” (Heb. 13:10), the
cross of Christ, from which they can eat (John 6:47–58).
In Hebrews, “grace” comes from the throne of God (Heb. 4:16). This
grace, mediated through Christ, is an “anchor,” “sure and steadfast,”
that is fastened to God’s throne itself (Heb. 6:19, 20; compare with
Heb. 4:16). It is this grace, which we receive through the sacrifice of
Christ, that provides stability and assurance to our hearts. When the
heart has been “established” in this way, it will not be “carried about”
by new doctrines (Heb. 13:9), nor will it “drift away” from God (Heb.
2:1, NKJV).
Dwell on Christ’s complete sacrifice. Why, then, is the idea of
anything that we do “adding” to this sacrifice contrary to the
gospel and the grace that is found in Jesus?