The interpretation timeline

Heb 13:22

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

3 Patristic · 1 Orthodox · 1 Catholic

Heb 13:22 · Douay-Rheims
“And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of consolation. For I have written to you in a few words.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
373
A.D.
Ephrem the Syrian Patristic
c. A.D. 306–373
“"I appeal to you, brethren, bear with my words of exhortation"—I wrote and proved that all those traditional customs on which you pride yourselves are only traces of this new gospel which was preached to you through Christ. "I have written to you briefly," in accordance with your strength; if you are just adequate to your task, I will write to you more, but if you have reached perfection, you do not need any of these words.”
Source
407
A.D.
John Chrysostom Patristic
A.D. 347–407
“"And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation, for indeed I have written a letter unto you in few words." Seest thou that what he wrote to no one else, he writes to them? For (he means) I do not even trouble you with long discourse. And having written thus much, he said this was little, in comparison with what he was going to say. As he says also in another place, "As I wrote to you in few words: whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." (Eph. iii. 3, 4.) And observe his wisdom. He says not, "I beseech you, suffer the word of" admonition, but "the word of exhortation," that is, of consolation, of encouragement. No one, he means, can be wearied at the length of what has been said (Did this then make them turn away from him? By no means: he does not indeed wish to express this): that is, even if ye be of little spirit, for it is the peculiarity of such persons not to endure a long discourse.”
Source
719 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1126
A.D.
Theophylact of Ohrid Orthodox
c. 1055–1107
“Do you not see? He offers them what he offered to no one else. He does not say "persuasions," but "exhortations," that is, encouragements, reassurances toward endurance, since he was addressing his words to those who had been subjected to persecution. Despite the fact that he said so much, he still says "not much," of course in comparison with what he wished to say. He speaks to them here as if to say: even though you are fainthearted, bear with me, for no one should refuse on the grounds that much has been said, although, as we see, this does happen among the fainthearted. For they cannot endure a lengthy discourse.”
Source
1274
A.D.
Thomas Aquinas Catholic
1225–1274
“Then (v. 22) he adds a petition in which he excuses himself; then he concludes the epistle. In regard to the first he does three things: first, he gives his excuse; secondly, he recommends the messenger through whom he writes (v. 23); thirdly, he sends several greetings (v. 24). He says, therefore, in regard to the first: I appeal to you, brethren, bear with my word of exhortation [consolation], i.e., patiently bear with the words of this epistle, in which, even though I have rebuked some of you, it is all for your consolation: 'What things soever are written, are written for our consolation' (Rom. 15:4). Then he shows why they should bear with it patiently, when he says, for I have written to you briefly. This is true in regard to the mysteries contained in it; for almost all the mysteries of the New Testament are contained in this epistle. But short talks are most welcome; because if they are good, they will be heard eagerly. If they are bad, they are a little boring: 'Let your words be few' (Ec 5:1).”
Source
Undated date unknown
Oecumenius Patristic
c. A.D. 550
“"bear with the word of encouragement." Gladly accept the encouragement sent to you through the letters from me. Paul does not say, of counsel or exhortation, but, because of the tribulations in which they were, he speaks of encouragement, that is, of consolation, of the call to endure. "for I have written to you briefly." Briefly, as it relates to what is to be said in the future, there are indeed many things, if everything has been said.”
Source
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.