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.
that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
The cross references for Hebrews 12:16 all relate to the importance of avoiding sexual immorality and other forms of sin. They emphasize the need for self-control and living a life of holiness. They also point to the consequences of sin, such as God's judgment and being excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven. All of these references serve to remind us of the importance of avoiding sin and living a life of holiness.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Genesis 25:31-34: Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. | Both passages refer to the story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a single meal. In Hebrews 12:16, the author is warning against being sexually immoral or unholy like Esau. In Genesis 25:31-34, the account of Esau selling his birthright is described in detail. Esau is portrayed as disregarding the importance of his birthright and instead, selling it for a single meal. |
| Acts 15:29: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” | Both passages discuss the importance of avoiding sexual immorality. Hebrews 12:16 specifically mentions Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal, as an example of what not to do. Acts 15:29 emphasizes the importance of abstaining from sexual immorality, along with other prohibitions, in order to do well. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:15-20: Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, | Both passages emphasize the importance of avoiding sexual immorality. Hebrews 12:16 explains that Esau sold his birthright for a single meal, and thus acted immorally, as an example of what not to do. 1 Corinthians 6:15–20 explains that our bodies are members of Christ, and that sexual immorality is a sin against our own body. We should flee from sexual immorality, and remember that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. |
| Hebrews 13:4: Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. | Both passages emphasize the importance of sexual purity and holiness in the eyes of God. Hebrews 12:16 references Esau's immoral behavior in selling his birthright for a single meal, while Hebrews 13:4 calls on all to honor marriage and keep the marriage bed undefiled, as God will judge those who are sexually immoral and adulterous. Both passages serve as a reminder to live a life of moral purity and holiness in order to please God. |
| Revelation 22:15: Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. | Both passages refer to the consequences of immoral behavior. Hebrews 12:16 speaks of Esau's immorality, specifically that he sold his birthright for a single meal. Revelation 22:15 speaks of the fate of those who practice immorality, saying they will be outside of God's presence. Taken together, these passages emphasize the need to live a life of moral purity in order to remain in God's presence. |
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of marriage and the blessing of being joined together in holy matrimony. We ask that You would help us to honor marriage and keep our marriage beds undefiled. We pray for Your protection against sexual immorality and all other forms of sin that can lead us away from You.
We also ask for Your help in recognizing and avoiding the temptations of the world. Help us to flee from sexual immorality and all other temptations we may face. Give us strength to resist the desires of the flesh and to instead seek after Your will for our lives.
We thank You for Your mercy and grace, and for Your faithfulness to forgive us when we fail. We ask that You would use us to share the Good News of Your love and forgiveness with others, so that they may experience the same freedom and joy that we have found in You.
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.