Hebrews 13:9

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Cross-references

Hebrews 9:10 lists food and drink regulations as temporary, supporting the critique of relying on them.

Hebrews 9:9 Parallel

Hebrews 9:9 explains that old covenant sacrifices cannot perfect conscience, underlying why foods don't benefit.

In Hebrews 7:18, the former commandment is set aside as weak and useless — the same logic applies to foods in Hebrews 13:9, which do not benefit.

In Romans 14:17, the kingdom is not about eating and drinking; Hebrews similarly shifts focus from foods to grace for heart strength.

Colossians 2:8 Related theme

In Colossians 2:8, Paul warns against being taken captive by human tradition and empty deceit—very similar to the warning about strange teachings.

In Ephesians 4:14, Paul uses the same 'carried about by every wind of doctrine' imagery—direct parallel to being carried away by strange teachings.

In Colossians 2:16-20, Paul warns against judgment over food and drink, echoing Hebrews' caution against being carried away by such teachings.

Galatians 1:6–9 Related theme

In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul curses anyone preaching a different gospel—reinforcing the warning against strange teachings that deviate from grace.

In 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Paul specifically warns about those forbidding marriage and requiring abstinence from foods—direct link to the 'foods' issue in Hebrews.

In 1 Timothy 4:3-5, false teachers forbid foods; Hebrews warns against such strange teachings, affirming grace over dietary rules.

2 Timothy 2:1 repeats the exact command to be strengthened by grace, reinforcing the main point.

In 1 Corinthians 8:8, food does not commend us to God; Hebrews says it does not strengthen the heart, aligning on food's neutrality.

Titus 1:14 Parallel

Titus 1:14 warns against Jewish myths and human commands, echoing the same concern about being led away by strange teachings and food regulations.

Romans 16:17 calls believers to watch out for those causing divisions against sound doctrine, paralleling the warning in Hebrews 13:9.

Titus 1:15 Parallel

Titus 1:15 teaches that to the pure all things are pure, reinforcing that inner purity matters, not external food rules.

Acts 20:30 Parallel

Acts 20:30 predicts false teachers from within who draw disciples away, mirroring the warning about strange teachings in Hebrews 13:9.

In Acts 10:14-16, Peter's vision declares all foods clean, directly supporting Hebrews' point that foods are not spiritually beneficial.

Matthew 24:24 warns of false prophets who lead astray, illustrating the deception that Hebrews 13:9 cautions against.

Matthew 24:4 records Jesus' warning against being led astray, directly paralleling the admonition in Hebrews 13:9 to avoid strange teachings.

1 John 4:1 Related theme

1 John 4:1 adds a test for spirits, enabling discernment against strange teachings.

Jude 1:3 Related theme

Jude 1:3 calls to contend for the faith, a direct action against strange teachings.

Galatians 2:13 describes Barnabas being carried away by hypocrisy about eating — directly tying to the warning about being carried away by dietary teachings.

Colossians 2:20 asks why submit to regulations about food — a direct parallel to not being carried away by teachings about foods.

In 2 Peter 1:12, believers are 'established in the truth' — directly opposing being 'carried away by strange teachings' in Hebrews.

Leviticus 11:2 Historical context

Leviticus 11:2 gives the actual food regulations that Hebrews 13:9 says do not benefit — showing what 'regulations about food' refers to.

Isaiah 55:2 Parallel

Isaiah 55:2 calls for seeking what truly satisfies rather than worthless labor, similar to Hebrews' warning against empty food regulations.

Matthew 15:9 condemns worship based on human rules, directly paralleling the warning against strange teachings that do not benefit.

2 Corinthians 11:3 warns against being led astray from pure devotion to Christ — a direct parallel to not being carried away by strange teachings.

Matthew 15:11 declares that what enters the mouth does not defile, directly supporting Hebrews' dismissal of food regulations.

Mark 7:15 Parallel

Mark 7:15 parallels Matthew 15:11 with the same teaching that external things do not defile, reinforcing Hebrews' point about food rules.

1 Corinthians 13:3 says outward acts without love gain nothing — directly paralleling that foods without grace bring no benefit.

In 2 Corinthians 11:11-15, Paul warns about false apostles disguised as angels of light—echoing the danger of being led astray by deceptive teachers.

In 1 Timothy 4:8, bodily training is contrasted with godliness — Hebrews similarly contrasts grace with foods; both show external practices lack lasting benefit.

In 1 Timothy 1:4, Paul warns against myths and genealogies that promote speculations — both caution against unprofitable teachings.

1 Timothy 6:3–5 Related theme

In 1 Timothy 6:3-5, Paul warns about those teaching a different doctrine and causing friction—parallel to the warning against strange teachings.

In 1 Timothy 4:16, Timothy is urged to watch his teaching closely — Hebrews warns against being carried away; both emphasize doctrinal vigilance.

In 1 Corinthians 6:13, food is temporary; Hebrews says it doesn't benefit, both downplaying dietary concerns in spiritual life.

Romans 14:2 Parallel

In Romans 14:2, Paul addresses differing views on eating; Hebrews warns against being carried away by such disputes, emphasizing grace.

Acts 20:32 Related theme

Acts 20:32 commends believers to God's word of grace, which builds up and counters strange doctrines.

2 Corinthians 1:21 reminds that God establishes believers in Christ, the source of strength, not foods.

2 Thessalonians 2:17 prays for hearts to be established in good work, echoing strengthening by grace.

Psalm 112:8 Allusion

Psalm 112:8 describes a heart made secure, echoing the theme of a heart strengthened by grace, though in a different context.