“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
My Notes
What Does Hebrews 13:15 Mean?
The writer of Hebrews redefines sacrifice for the new covenant: it is no longer animals on an altar but praise from the lips. The sacrifice of praise — offered continually, not just on holy days — is the believer's ongoing offering.
"By him" — the sacrifice is offered through Christ. Your praise does not reach God on its own merit. It is carried by Christ, the mediator. His worthiness makes your offering acceptable.
"Continually" sets the frequency: always. Not just when things are good. Not just in worship services. Continually — in every circumstance, in every season, without ceasing.
"The fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" connects praise to speech. The lips that could complain, curse, or gossip instead produce fruit — thankfulness directed at God's name. The mouth becomes an altar. The words become offerings.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What makes praise a 'sacrifice' — when does it cost you something to worship?
- 2.How does offering praise 'by him' (through Christ) change your confidence in worship?
- 3.What does 'continually' look like in your daily routine?
- 4.What is your mouth currently producing — the fruit of praise or something else?
Devotional
Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. Sacrifice. The word is deliberate. Praise is not always easy. Sometimes it costs something to praise — it requires faith in the dark, gratitude in the difficult, worship when everything in you wants to complain.
By him. Through Christ. Your praise does not need to be perfect. It needs to be offered through the one who makes imperfect offerings acceptable. He is your access. He is your mediator. Your praise reaches God because of him.
Continually. Not just on Sundays. Not just when things are going well. Continually — a lifestyle of offering thanks. In the hospital room. In the traffic jam. In the grief. In the ordinary Tuesday that feels like nothing. Continually.
The fruit of our lips. Your mouth is an altar. And what you put on it matters. Praise is fruit — something living, something grown, something that nourishes. Complaint is not fruit. Gossip is not fruit. The sacrifice God wants is the fruit of lips that give thanks.
What is your mouth producing today — fruit or thorns? The altar is your lips. The offering is praise. And the mediator who carries it to God is already standing by.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise,.... For temporal and spiritual mercies; particularly for…
By him, therefore - The Jews approached God by the blood of the sacrifice and by the ministry of their high priest. The…
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise - He has now fulfilled all vision and prophecy, has offered the…
The design of Christ in giving himself for us is that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good…
the sacrifice of praise A thanksgiving (Jer 17:26; Lev 7:12), not in the form of an offering, but something which shall…
Cross References
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