The Letter (Epistle) to the Hebrews

God having provided something better for us… Hebrews 11:40

Title

Letter (or Epistle) to the Hebrews or simply ‘To Hebrews’. There is no evidence that the title needs the Apostle Paul’s name in it as in versions of the King James translation; this was erroneously added much later.

Who wrote the book

The book itself does not provide an indication of the author. The ancient and not so ancient commentators suggest the author was either Paul, Luke, Barnabas or Clement, with the latter two having limited support. However, there is strong stylistic similarities with Luke & Acts, along with its lexical and theological similarities; thus authorship by Luke has strong evidential support. In any case:

The author was a Jew (Romans 3:2) because it was the Jews who God gave the oracles of God, and further this author had practical intimate knowledge of Judaism

The author was a believer in Jesus Christ.

When was it written

Before 70 AD with some putting it around AD 61-63[1], while others, based on the intense Jewish persecution of 64-66 AD put it in that period [2]. Of certainty, the book was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD because the fall is the sentinel referred to, which would bring physical death to those who returned to Judaism.

To whom was the book written

The title may also mean Hebrew speaking people, but the tenet is definitely Jewish with a presumption of an understanding of the Law – see Hebrews 5:12, 10:25, and clearly to Jewish Christians based on the title, having no manuscript without this title [3].

These are Jews who are undergoing persecution due to their non-compliance with the Law of Moses, and insistence the Messiah has come, died and risen to life. Some have suggested, it was particularly written to the believing Jewish priests mentioned in Acts 6:7 and who were under severe persecution. These had converted to Christianity and perhaps were living in Antioch in Syria (e.g. David L Allan [4]).

The occasion and purpose

It speaks to Christians who within a few short years have been extracted from 1500 years of Judaism which was based on the Law of Moses, during the period where the temple was still standing and operating, causing them a dilemma - how do they reconcile the work of Christ with the ongoing system of priesthood and sacrifice. Halley and others suggests it was to prepare Jews for the fall of Jerusalem, because the physical elements of the law were to be destroyed, no-longer needed, because Christ was far superior. However, the occasion, with five warnings concerns the desire by some believing Jews to return Judaism to reduce their persecution. However, this would entail Christ needing to die again, which could not happen. On the other hand, if they did return to the Law of Moses, their action would be irreversible and they would suffer loss due to divine punishment on Jerusalem, and unbelieving Jews in particular, being physical death (but not loss of salvation as some false teachers would have (Heb. 2:1-5; 3:7-9).

The purpose was to set out that Jesus Christ is superior to all, and hence Judaism had been superseded by the Law of Christ, that is, following the Law of Moses was to be substituted by following Christ in faith, the saviour of Jew and Gentile.

Arnold Fruchtenbaum points out[5]: The principle in Scripture is that, once a point of no return is reached, the offenders are subject to divine judgment; but the judgment is physical death, not spiritual judgment in the loss of salvation.

Of what or whom it speaks[6]

1. Jesus Christ: the superiority of Christ’s person (1:1 to 4:13)
2. Jesus Christ: the superiority of Christ’s work (4:14 to 10:18)
3. The Christian’s life (10:19 to 13:25)

It specifically mimics Leviticus – the Levitical law - showing the superiority of the priesthood of Christ – being after the order of Melchizedek – as compared with that of Aaron.

Application to Christians

Hebrews sets out the superiority of Christ over all other systems of religion; even over that of Moses and the Law. This book, like the Book of Romans, has great applicability to Christians of today. One aspect concerns physical punishment, in particular, physical death sighting the national Israel's unpardonable sin of rejecting the Messiah (which came with the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and dispersal of the Jews). It teaches the fundamentals of faith - what it is, and how it imputes righteousness (See chapter 11). For the Christian it encourages Christians not to grow weary: to hold fast to the truth (Heb. 10:23), to continue to meet together (Heb. 10:25).

Warning - Hebrews does not teach that salvation can be lost, as some have done; but rather some choices are irreversible - seeking forgiveness from God does not often undo the damage done - spiritual salvation is assured, but the ravages of sin will remain until the flesh dies.

Content

Divisions

The book can be divided into two divisions and four sections:[7]

Division I: The pre-eminence of Christ

1. Christ, the Son of God and His Glory (1:1 to 2:4)
2. Christ, the Son of Man, His glory and His salvation (2:5 to 4:13)
3. Christ as priest in the heavenly Sanctuary (4:14 - 10)

Division II: A Christian's response to the pre-eminent Christ

4. Instructions to Christians and exhortations (11 - 13).

Key words

1. Perfection, meaning maturity or complete
2. Eternal compared with temporal
3. Forever, a corollary to eternal
4. Heavenly contrasted with earthly
5. Better in contrast to what is good[8]

Principal or Key Verses

Principle verse

Hebrews 10:19-24

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

Key verses

Hebrews 1:1- 5 (NKJV)

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

Hebrews 2:9 (KJV)

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Hebrews 2:17 (NKJV)

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

For the word of God is quick [living], and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 5:8 (KJV)

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Hebrews 6:11 (KJV)

1And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 8:1 (NKJV)

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

Hebrews 9:11 (NKJV)

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV)

so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Hebrews 10:11-12 (KJV)

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 13:1 (KJV)

Let brotherly love continue…

Main ideas

The old and new are contrasted, with the perfectness of Christ emphasised. This the author does with the emphasis on the Heavenlies (15 times) – noting that the Law emphasises the earthly. Overall, one commentator divided the book into seven ideas [9]:

1. The old Law and Prophecies foreshadowed things to come: the substance of which is found in the New Covenant.
2. It tells the Jewish Christian that the old was a shadow of the new, which means the old needs to be put aside and new taken hold of, or put on.
3. The shadows were types of the new, the new antitypes of the old; the old prefigured the real, the real has now come.
4. The book notes that Judaism was good, but Christ is far better: we see the word or idea of ‘better’ (used 12 times) throughout the epistle[10]. Note that he is not disparaging of the old, but shows the new is far better.
5. The Law of Moses is shown not to be incomplete and superseded, but the new Law of Christ is be perfect – perfected in Christ.
6. The ordinances are shown to be temporary but the Law of Christ to be eternal; the earthly sanctuary (where men stood) is contrasted to Christ seated in his.
7. The conditional promises of the old is contrasted with the unconditional promises of the Law of Christ.

Comparison is made of Christ and his work to angels, Moses, Aaron (The High Priest who could not sit down) and The Law (Noting that chapter 11 is for exhortation). Compare this with the mount of transfiguration – Christ is compared with Moses (i.e. the Law) and the Elijah (the Prophets) but these were to be superseded by Christ (This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him).

Christ, the Son of God and His Glory (1:1 – 2:4)

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Christ, The Son of Man, His Glory and His salvation (2:5 – 4:13)

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Chapter 2:9: 9

Christ as priest in the heavenly sanctuary (4:14 – 10)

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; Chapter 10:12 (KJV)

Statistics [11]

Divisions             4
Chapters              13
Verses                  303
Words                  6897