Hebrews 13:23 · Bible study
Hebrews 13:23 Commentary: Timothy Released or Dismissed?
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
A study of the Greek word apolelumenon in Hebrews 13:23.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The verse announces Timothy’s change of status, either release from prison or being sent on a mission.
- Key words: ἀπολελυμένον (apolelumenon, “released” or “dismissed”); τάχιον (tachion, “sooner” or “more quickly”).
- Main debate: Does the word refer to freedom from imprisonment or to being dispatched on a journey?
- Theological theme: Fellowship in suffering and hope; God’s sovereignty over timing; the value of partnership in the gospel.
- Best use: To illustrate early church connections and to show how a small detail can open questions about authorship and background.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.
KJV King James Version 1769
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Know ye that the brother Timotheus is released, with whom, if he may come more shortly, I will see you.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Know that our brother Timotheus is set at liberty; with whom, if he should come soon, I will see you.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom (if he come shortly) I will see you.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Sabed que nuestro hermano Timoteo está suelto; con el cual, si viniere más presto, os iré á ver.
Sabei que o nosso irmão Timóteo já está solto. Se ele vier depressa, com ele eu vos verei.
Sachez que notre frère Timothée a été relâché; s’ il vient bientôt, j’ irai vous voir avec lui.
Wisset, daß der Bruder Timotheus wieder frei ist; mit dem, so er bald kommt, will ich euch sehen.
Weet, dat de broeder Timotheus losgelaten is, met welken (zo hij haast komt) ik u zal zien.
Sappiate che il nostro fratello Timoteo è stato messo in libertà; con lui, se vien presto, io vi vedrò.
Wiedzcie o bracie Tymoteuszu, że jest wypuszczony, z którym (jeźlibym szybko przyszedł), oglądam was.
Знайте, что брат наш Тимофей освобожден, и я вместе с ним, если он скоро придет, увижу вас.
你們該知道，我們的 兄弟 提摩太 已經釋放了；他若 快 來，我必同 他 去見 你們。
Our brother Timothy has been let out of prison; and if he comes here in a short time, he and I will come to you together.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Hebrews 13:23
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree on one point: the Greek verb ἀπολελυμένον (apolelumenon, perfect passive participle of ἀπολύω) can bear either of two meanings. It often means “set free from confinement,” as in Acts 3:13 and 4:21. But it can also mean “sent away” or “dismissed,” as in Acts 13:3 and 15:30. The context of Hebrews 13:23 does not settle the question decisively.
Where they diverge is which sense fits the situation best. Adam Clarke and Albert Barnes argue that “sent away” fits better, because the rest of the New Testament never mentions Timothy in prison. Barnes points to Paul’s plan in Philippians 2:19, 23 to send Timothy to Philippi, and suggests this is that sending. John Calvin and John Gill, on the other hand, insist the verb’s core meaning is “to release, to set free,” and that the silence of the New Testament about Timothy’s imprisonment proves nothing, history is too fragmentary. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that imprisonment in Rome during Nero’s persecution is “intrinsically likely.”
All agree that Timothy was known to the letter’s recipients, and that the author hoped to visit them either with Timothy or shortly after him. In this, the verse offers a glimpse of early Christian fellowship, shared hardship, and the practical bonds that held the churches together.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Released from prison: The verb apoluo commonly means 'set free from bonds' (Acts 3:13, 4:21). Timothy may have been imprisoned in Rome during the Neronian persecution; his release is good news.
- Sent away on a mission: The word can also mean 'dismiss' or 'send forth' (Acts 13:3, 15:30). The connection with Philippians 2:19–24 suggests Paul had planned to send Timothy to Philippi, and this may be that event.
What is clear: Whatever the precise meaning of apolelumenon, the verse describes a change in Timothy’s situation that allowed the author to hope for a visit to the readers with or after Timothy’s arrival.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of apolelumenon | The word can mean either 'set free from confinement' or 'sent away/dismissed.' Both usages appear in Acts. | Calvin, Gill, Cambridge Bible, and JFB argue it means release from prison, citing Acts 3:13 and 4:21. Barnes and Clarke argue it means sent away on a mission, citing Philippians 2:19, 24 and Acts 13:3. |
| Authorship of Hebrews | The author is someone closely associated with Timothy, known to the recipients, and able to travel. | Barnes uses the verse as evidence for Pauline authorship (Paul often refers to Timothy as brother). Calvin uses it to argue against Paul, noting that Paul usually calls Timothy 'son' and that the author appears to be at liberty while Paul was frequently imprisoned. Many modern scholars see it as compatible with either Paul or a companion like Luke. |
| Timothy's imprisonment | Nowhere else in the New Testament is Timothy explicitly said to have been imprisoned, but the historical record is incomplete. | Calvin and Gill think silence is not significant; Barnes and Clarke say the lack of evidence makes prison unlikely. Easton's Dictionary assumes imprisonment from this verse. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Timothy is a familiar figure in the New Testament. A native of Lystra, son of a Jewish mother and a Greek father (Acts 16:1), he became Paul’s trusted companion and fellow worker. Paul calls him “our brother” in several letters (1 Thessalonians 3:2; Philemon 1:1), though he more often calls him “my true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). The phrase “our brother Timothy” here links the author and readers in a shared relationship.
The letter to the Hebrews was written at a time when persecution was a real threat. The readers had already endured public reproach and the confiscation of property (Hebrews 10:32, 34). The author himself seems to have been in prison at some point (Hebrews 10:34, “you had compassion on the prisoners”), and he now writes to encourage them. The mention of Timothy’s release, or sending, is news that matters to a community that prays for its leaders.
The word τάχιον (tachion), a comparative adverb meaning “sooner” or “more quickly,” implies the author expects Timothy’s arrival earlier than anticipated. The author is no longer under obvious constraint; he can plan travel: “I will see you.” This fits a situation after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, or perhaps after the death of Paul, when a companion like Luke or Clement was free to move.
The verse also hints at the network of early Christian travel. Letters, visits and news kept scattered congregations connected. The single phrase “if he comes shortly” shows how dependent the early church was on trusted messengers who risked their safety to carry encouragement.
Textual Notes
None of the supplied commentaries mention significant text-critical variants for Hebrews 13:23. Adam Clarke notes that the word “our” (ἡμῶν) before “brother” is present in manuscripts A, C*, D* and many others, as well as the Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, Slavonic and Vulgate. The reading is well-supported. The position of Τιμόθεον (“Timothy”) after “brother” (τὸν ἀδελφὸν Τιμόθεον) matches Paul’s usual word order with proper names, as Vincent observes, though the evidence is not decisive. Consulted sources note no other significant variants in this verse.
Reception History
Hebrews 13:23 has received less attention in preaching than many other verses, but it has played a role in the long debate over who wrote the letter. The early church was divided on Hebrews’ authorship, some eastern churches accepted Paul as author, while western churches often attributed it to Barnabas, Luke or Clement. This verse became a key argument for each side. Those favoring Paul pointed to the natural mention of “Timothy our brother”; those opposing Paul noted that the author speaks of Timothy as an equal rather than as a spiritual son, and that the author appears free while Paul was a prisoner. Later readers have mined the verse for its glimpse of early Christian networking and pastoral care. It has been quoted in sermons on the value of news about fellow workers, and in hymn texts that celebrate reunion after separation.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Shared knowledge builds unity. The author tells the congregation something they likely did not know about Timothy. Transparency about leaders’ circumstances deepens trust and prayer.
- Freedom is a gift to be used for others. Whether Timothy was released from prison or sent on a mission, his release made him available to visit and strengthen the church.
- Plans for reunion express hope. “I will see you”, even with the word “if”, speaks of confident expectation. Christian hope is not abstract; it longs for face-to-face fellowship.
Five-point outline
- Good news travels. The author shares news about a fellow worker. News of answered prayer builds faith.
- Imprisonment is part of the Christian story. If Timothy was imprisoned, his release reminds us that God hears prayer and often delivers.
- Service may look like being sent. If “sent away” is the meaning, Timothy’s obedience reminds us that our freedom is not for our own comfort.
- Partnership across distance. The author’s plan to visit shows how leaders depend on one another. No one serves alone.
- The “if” of God’s providence. “If he comes shortly”, the author acknowledges that plans are subject to God’s timing, yet he does not stop hoping or preparing.
Illustration hooks
- The joy of a church when a pastor who had been hospitalized is finally discharged and able to visit again.
- The uncertainty of travel plans: waiting for a connecting flight, knowing you’ll see family on the other side, and how the waiting changes the quality of the hope.
- Hearing good news about a missionary whose safety you were praying for. The announcement creates a moment of shared relief.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Bible include so many personal details like this?
- How can I pray for leaders who are far away or whose situation I don’t know?
- Does my church have enough connection with other believers to know how to pray for them?
Leading a Discussion
Hebrews 13:23 is a single verse tucked into the closing of a powerful letter. It tells us something about Timothy, about the author’s situation, and about how the early church stayed connected. This passage invites a small group to reflect on how news of fellow believers affects our own faith and prayer.
Discussion questions
- What news about Timothy does the author share? Why would the original readers care about this?
- The Greek word apolelumenon can mean either “released from prison” or “sent away on a task.” What difference would each meaning make for how we read this verse?
- Read Philippians 2:19, 24. How does Paul talk about sending Timothy there? Does that information help you decide which meaning fits here?
- What does the author’s plan, “if he comes shortly, I will see you”, tell you about his relationship with the church he is writing to?
- If you were part of this congregation, how would the news about Timothy affect your view of the author and your own situation?
- How does knowing about other believers’ hardships and deliverances strengthen your own faith? Can you think of a recent example from your church or from missionaries you support?
- This verse shows the author is free to travel. How does the context of the whole letter (which speaks of suffering and perseverance) shape the way you hear this hopeful note?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Acts 16:1 | He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed, but his father was a Greek. |
| Acts 16:3 | Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. |
| Romans 15:25 | But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints. |
| Romans 15:28 | When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain. |
| I Thessalonians 3:2 | and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith, |
| I Timothy 6:12 | Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. |
| II Timothy 1:8 | Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God, |
| Philemon 1:1 | Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that "set at liberty" does not mean Timothy was released from prison but rather that he was sent away, likely on a mission to Macedonia. He also notes that the writer of this epistle, presumably Paul, was himself at liberty and able to visit the readers.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes argues that Timothy was not released from prison but sent away on a mission. The phrasing better fits someone dispatched on an errand whose return is expected, and this aligns with Paul's practice of sending Timothy after his own circumstances became clear.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible proposes that "released" likely means Timothy was freed from prison after heeding Paul's summons to Rome during the Neronian persecution. His youth and gentle character may explain his liberation, though the same word could simply mean being sent out on a mission. This remains reasonable conjecture.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Note clarifies that Timothy has been freed from imprisonment ("delivered" meaning released), not simply sent on an errand. Paul's plan to visit with Timothy depends on whether he arrives soon, showing their close partnership in ministry.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill considers two possibilities for Timothy's release: either Paul sent him on a mission, or he was freed from imprisonment, possibly as a fellow prisoner in Rome. Since Timothy was well known among Jewish believers, this was good news to the Hebrews. Paul expected him to come soon and hoped to visit together.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB clarifies that "set at liberty" means Timothy has been released from prison. Paul intends to wait for Timothy to join him, but will not delay his journey to the Hebrews much longer if Timothy does not come soon. This implies Paul was
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry urges believers to pray for their ministers as a vital duty, because ministers need the people's prayers to be taught, strengthened, and made successful. He adds that the more earnestly people pray for them, the more benefit they themselves will receive from their ministry.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights Paul's pattern of placing the proper name before "brother" when naming a companion, as here with Timothy. He also notes the Greek word rendered "set at liberty" refers specifically to release from confinement, though the event in view is otherwise unknown.