Hebrews 13:15-16 meaning

The Pauline Author reiterated that animal sacrifices and the Old Covenant are inferior to the New Covenant. However, we are still called to through Him continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God (v 15). Of course, our sacrifices would mean nothing without the foundational sacrifice that Christ Jesus made. He is the foundation of our faith, and all sacrifices must be offered through faith in Him.

The Pauline Author lists the sacrifices that are pleasing to God, first offering praise, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name (v 15). Giving thanks to His name means to confess His name. It is pleasing to God when we openly and willingly confess His name and our faith in Him. Hebrews 10:23 tells us to "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." The book of Hebrews is a call to hold firm in the faith and finish well, endure until the end. When we have faith, it is a pleasing sacrifice to God.

God is also pleased when we do good and share: And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (v 16). At the beginning of this chapter, the Pauline Author asked these believers to let brotherly love continue. It is pleasing to God when we do good to our fellow believers and share what we have with them, and with others. Fostering brotherly love will also help believers remain faithful and finish ("teleo") well.