{3} Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for {b} he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

(3) Covetousness is condemned, against which is set a contented mind with that which the Lord has given.

(b) Even the Lord himself.

People's New Testament

13:5 Without covetousness. Without manifesting a stingy or grasping spirit.

For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. See Jos 1:5. With such an assurance we may well be content with what we have.

Wesley's Notes

13:5 He - God. Hath said - To all believers, in saying it to Jacob, Joshua, and Solomon. Gen 28:15; Jos 1:5; 1Chr 28:20.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5. conversation-"manner of life." The love of filthy lust and the love of filthy lucre follow one another as closely akin, both alienating the heart from the Creator to the creature.

such things as ye have-literally, "present things" (Php 4:11).

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee-A promise tantamount to this was given to Jacob (Ge 28:15), to Israel (De 31:6, 8), to Joshua (Jos 1:5), to Solomon (1Ch 28:20). It is therefore like a divine adage. What was said to them, extends also to us. He will neither withdraw His presence ("never leave thee") nor His help ("nor forsake thee") [Bengel].

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

13:1-6 The design of Christ in giving himself for us, is, that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship. Here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties, especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and duty is covetousness, an over-eager desire for the wealth of this world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves. Having treasures in heaven, we may be content with mean things here. Those who cannot be so, would not be content though God raised their condition. Adam was in paradise, yet not contented; some angels in heaven were not contented; but the apostle Paul, though abased and empty, had learned in every state, in any state, to be content. Christians have reason to be contented with their present lot. This promise contains the sum and substance of all the promises; I will never, no, never leave thee, no, never forsake thee. In the original there are no less than five negatives put together, to confirm the promise: the true believer shall have the gracious presence of God with him, in life, at death, and for ever. Men can do nothing against God, and God can make all that men do against his people, to turn to their good.