Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.
These cross references all relate to the idea of being discerning about what teachings we accept. They emphasize the need to be wary of false teachings and to be on guard against those who would seek to lead us away from God's truth. They also emphasize the importance of grace and the sufficiency of God's grace in strengthening us, rather than relying on external sources such as food. In addition, they remind us of the importance of being rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the sound words of Scripture, rather than being swayed by human cunning and craftiness.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Romans 14:6: The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. | Both passages emphasize the importance of honoring God in our actions and thoughts. Hebrews 13:9 warns against being led away by strange teachings, instead emphasizing the importance of grace in strengthening our hearts. Romans 14:6 encourages us to observe and eat in honor of the Lord, and to give thanks to God for all that he has done. |
| Galatians 1:6-9: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. | Both passages address the importance of keeping to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:9 emphasizes that it is grace that strengthens the heart, not dietary rules or other teachings, while Galatians 1:6-9 warns against those who distort the gospel and teaches that anyone who does so should be accursed. |
| Ephesians 4:14: so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. | Both passages emphasize the importance of avoiding false teachings. Hebrews 13:9 warns against being led away by strange teachings, suggesting that they do not benefit those devoted to them. Ephesians 4:14 further warns against being tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, emphasizing the need to stay grounded in the truth. |
| Ephesians 5:6: Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. | Both passages emphasize the importance of avoiding false teaching. Hebrews 13:9 warns against being led away by "diverse and strange teachings," which can lead to a focus on external practices rather than an internal transformation of the heart. Ephesians 5:6 cautions against being deceived by empty words, as this can lead to the wrath of God coming upon those who disobey. |
| 1 Timothy 6:3-5: If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. | Both passages emphasize the importance of avoiding false teachings and embracing the truth of the gospel. Hebrews 13:9 warns against allowing ourselves to be led away by false teachings, calling us to be strengthened by grace instead of foods that have not benefited those devoted to them. 1 Timothy 6:3–5 further explains why we should avoid false teachings, noting that they produce envy, dissension, slander, and other negative effects among those who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth. |
| 1 John 4:1: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Both passages emphasize the importance of testing what we hear and believing, as we should only be led by teachings that are from God. Hebrews 13:9 cautions against being led away by strange and diverse teachings, as they are not beneficial and only serve to weaken the heart. 1 John 4:1 encourages us to test the spirits and to be discerning, as there are many false prophets in the world. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and mercy that strengthens our hearts. We thank You for Your Word which guides us in truth and protects us from false teachings and doctrines. Help us to be discerning, that we may not be deceived by empty words and fall prey to the schemes of the enemy. Give us the courage to stand firm in our faith and to boldly proclaim Your truth in a world of deception and lies. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.