Hebrews 13:19 - Exposition

And I beseech you the more abundantly (the Pauline word, περισσοτέρως ) to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. The author of the Epistle proceeds here for the first time to speak of himself individually; and what he thus says shows that the Epistle was addressed to some definite circle of Hebrew Christians, and one which he had been among before. What circumstances, whether of imprisonment or other hindrances, were in the way of his revisiting them does not appear. We remark that this verse again reminds us strongly of St. Paul (cf. Philemon 1:22 ). The possibility may be here noted that, if the Epistle was composed by one of St. Paul's friends, and sent under his authority, he may have himself dictated this concluding portion (beginning possibly at Hebrews 13:17 ) which is in a more epistolary style than the rest, and contains personal allusions.