“Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:21).
The character and power of God should give us great confidence. In today's passage, the author of Hebrews expresses the blessing he desires for his audience to receive. Because God is unchanging, we can be certain that He will do what verse 21 tells us He can do.The author expresses his first desire: that God will “equip” us with everything good, so that we may do His will. Given the description of God’s character in verse 20, we can be confident that God will certainly equip His elect with all of the graces and gifts that they need. Moreover, the fact that we are promised gifts from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12) and that we have been given sound doctrine from the apostles also demonstrates to us that God has equipped, and will continue to equip all of His servants.
Hebrews 13:21 explains that God not only equips us, He also works in us to produce that which is pleasing in His sight. The good works we produce are indeed our works, accomplished by God’s grace. These works, commanded by the author (see 12:12–17; 13:1–19) do not save us; rather, they evidence our salvation, since the Spirit produces good works only in those who are in Christ Jesus.
Coram Deo
John Calvin commented that “our works, performed by the odor of Christ’s grace, emit a sweet fragrance in God’s presence, while otherwise they would have a fetid smell.” Our works do not justify us; yet, they do sanctify us by God’s grace. When you do good, remember that God receives such works as sweet-smelling incense.
Passages for Further Study
- Ps. 141:2
- Mal. 1:11
- Eph. 2:10
- Phil. 4:18
- Rev. 5:8
