3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Hebrews 13:3
Explanation
The connection between verse 2 and 3 is there. Being hospitable to those who need hospitality, especially because of persecution seemed to be an emphasis in verse 2. He has people two situations in mind.
People in Bonds and People in Adversity
In verse three we are reminded to remember those who are “in bonds”, meaning shackles. This speaks to people in prison, especially because of their faith. This would have included people like the apostle Paul. He related all of the persecution that he experienced in his letter to the Corintians.
21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:21-28
How do we remember them? The preacher tells us- “as bound with them.” The idea is that we make it as prevelant an issue for us as it is for them. He speaks to the same with those in adversity- “as being yourselves also in the body”.
How would you pray if you were in chains? Intensely and constantly.
How would you pray if you were being persecuted? The same way.
This is how we should pray for them.
How would you seek relief in those situations? We would do everything we should and everything we could. This is the way we should help those in these situations.
Application
Here are three situations where these kinds of things happen in my experience today.
- Missionaries on foreign fields.
- People in our church who are experiencing health, relational, or financial challenges.
We are not yet in the place where there is prominent religious intolerance in the states that leads us to prison. That may yet come.
It does happen prevalently all over the world. We must do what we can to help those in need.
Response
Lord, help me be open and caring when it comes to those in this kind of need. Give me the opportunity to help. Amen