The Epistle to the
HEBREWS
Author: Unknown
Date: Before A.D. 70/CC Theme: The Superiority of Jesus Christ over the Old Covenant
Key Words: Better, Let Us
Author. Hebrews does not name its author, and there is no unanimity of tradition concerning his identity. Some scholars point out certain internal evidences that may indicate a Pauline authorship, while others suggest that one of Paul’s associates, such as Barnabas or Apollos, may have written the book. Speculation has proved fruitless, and the best conclusion may be that of Origen in the third century, who stated that only God knows for certain who wrote Hebrews.
Date and Location. The content of Hebrews indicates that it was written before the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 (10:11; 13:11). The only evidence concerning the site of the book’s writing is the greeting sent by “those from Italy” (13:24), perhaps indicating that the author was either in Rome or was writing to Christians in Rome.
Background and Purpose. The majority of early Christians were Jewish. Apparently they expected Christ to return soon, but the delay in His coming and the persecutions against them (10:32–34) caused them to wonder if they had made the right choice in becoming Christians. Consequently, they were in danger of returning to Judaism.
This epistle was written to wavering Jewish believers, encouraging them to stand fast in their faith. The writer points out the overwhelming superiority of Christ over all that they had experienced under the law. What is offered to them through Christ is so much better than that which is promised under the Mosaic economy they should never consider turning back. The author dwells on the incomparable glory of the Person and work of Christ, showing His supremacy over prophets (1:1–3), angels (1:4–2:18), Moses (3:1–19), Joshua (4:1–13), Aaron (4:4–7:18), and the whole ritual of Judaism (7:9–10:39).
Content. A key word of the epistle is “better,” used to describe Christ and the benefits of the gospel (1:4; 7:19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40).
Most of the blessings of Judaism had to do with earthly things: an earthly tabernacle or temple, earthly priests, earthly sacrifices, a covenant that promised earthly prosperity. In contrast, Christ is “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (l:3), where He dispenses heavenly blessings (3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 11:16; 12:22, 23).
The high point of the epistle is the presentation of the high priestly ministry of the Lord. Christ is High Priest, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchizedek, who had no predecessors and no successors in the priesthood. Thus, Melchizedek was a perfect type of Christ, who received the office of high priest by the direct call of God, not by inheritance (5:5, 6). Whereas the Aaronic priest had to offer sacrifices continually for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people, Christ once and for all offered His own sinless Person as the perfect sacrifice. In His flesh He experienced the testing that all believers know, and thus He is able to intercede compassionately on their behalf.
Chapter 11 lists some of the great heroes of faith of the Old Testament. Verses 4–35 record marvelous blessings and outstanding victories achieved through faith, while verses 36–38 record those who through faith endured great trial, suffering, and persecution. Significantly, there is no mention of the sins and shortcomings of those listed. The obvious reason is that the blood of Jesus Christ had blotted out the sins and failures, so that their iniquities are remembered against them no more.
Personal Application. Although Hebrews is specifically addressed to Jewish Christians, its teachings and practical admonitions are equally applicable to Gentile believers. In Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile (Col. 3:11). The church today needs the teaching provided in the Old Testament laws of worship, which this book so beautifully relates to Christ and the gospel of eternal salvation. Christianity is not something added on to Judaism. It is something new, but a fuller understanding of the Old Covenant gives a richer and more marvelous appreciation of the New Covenant of God’s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ.
While the epistle is primarily doctrinal in its content, it is also intensely practical. After each doctrinal passage the writer inserts a section in which he gives some very pointed and powerful admonitions based on the teachings presented. At least fifteen times he uses the expression “let” or “let us” (4:1, 11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:22, 23, 24; 12:1, 2, 28; 13:1, 5, 13, 15, 17).
Christ Revealed. To speak of Christ in Hebrews is to describe the entire book. In striving to keep his readers from apostasy, the writer emphasizes the superiority of Christ to all that has gone before in Old Testament times. Like no other book in the Bible, Hebrews points out the importance and the ministry of the preincarnate Christ. See “Background and Purpose” and “Content” above.
The Holy Spirit at Work. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is seen in a variety of ways, applying to both the Old and New Testament periods: gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry (2:4); witness to the inspiration of the Old Testament (3:7; 10:15); descriptive of the experience of believers (6:4); interpreting spiritual truth (9:8); assisting in the ministry of Jesus (9:14); insulted by apostasy (10:29).
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
HEBREWS
Author: Unknown
Date: Before A.D. 70/CC Theme: The Superiority of Jesus Christ over the Old Covenant
Key Words: Better, Let Us
Author. Hebrews does not name its author, and there is no unanimity of tradition concerning his identity. Some scholars point out certain internal evidences that may indicate a Pauline authorship, while others suggest that one of Paul’s associates, such as Barnabas or Apollos, may have written the book. Speculation has proved fruitless, and the best conclusion may be that of Origen in the third century, who stated that only God knows for certain who wrote Hebrews.
Date and Location. The content of Hebrews indicates that it was written before the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 (10:11; 13:11). The only evidence concerning the site of the book’s writing is the greeting sent by “those from Italy” (13:24), perhaps indicating that the author was either in Rome or was writing to Christians in Rome.
Background and Purpose. The majority of early Christians were Jewish. Apparently they expected Christ to return soon, but the delay in His coming and the persecutions against them (10:32–34) caused them to wonder if they had made the right choice in becoming Christians. Consequently, they were in danger of returning to Judaism.
This epistle was written to wavering Jewish believers, encouraging them to stand fast in their faith. The writer points out the overwhelming superiority of Christ over all that they had experienced under the law. What is offered to them through Christ is so much better than that which is promised under the Mosaic economy they should never consider turning back. The author dwells on the incomparable glory of the Person and work of Christ, showing His supremacy over prophets (1:1–3), angels (1:4–2:18), Moses (3:1–19), Joshua (4:1–13), Aaron (4:4–7:18), and the whole ritual of Judaism (7:9–10:39).
Content. A key word of the epistle is “better,” used to describe Christ and the benefits of the gospel (1:4; 7:19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40).
Most of the blessings of Judaism had to do with earthly things: an earthly tabernacle or temple, earthly priests, earthly sacrifices, a covenant that promised earthly prosperity. In contrast, Christ is “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (l:3), where He dispenses heavenly blessings (3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 11:16; 12:22, 23).
The high point of the epistle is the presentation of the high priestly ministry of the Lord. Christ is High Priest, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchizedek, who had no predecessors and no successors in the priesthood. Thus, Melchizedek was a perfect type of Christ, who received the office of high priest by the direct call of God, not by inheritance (5:5, 6). Whereas the Aaronic priest had to offer sacrifices continually for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people, Christ once and for all offered His own sinless Person as the perfect sacrifice. In His flesh He experienced the testing that all believers know, and thus He is able to intercede compassionately on their behalf.
Chapter 11 lists some of the great heroes of faith of the Old Testament. Verses 4–35 record marvelous blessings and outstanding victories achieved through faith, while verses 36–38 record those who through faith endured great trial, suffering, and persecution. Significantly, there is no mention of the sins and shortcomings of those listed. The obvious reason is that the blood of Jesus Christ had blotted out the sins and failures, so that their iniquities are remembered against them no more.
Personal Application. Although Hebrews is specifically addressed to Jewish Christians, its teachings and practical admonitions are equally applicable to Gentile believers. In Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile (Col. 3:11). The church today needs the teaching provided in the Old Testament laws of worship, which this book so beautifully relates to Christ and the gospel of eternal salvation. Christianity is not something added on to Judaism. It is something new, but a fuller understanding of the Old Covenant gives a richer and more marvelous appreciation of the New Covenant of God’s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ.
While the epistle is primarily doctrinal in its content, it is also intensely practical. After each doctrinal passage the writer inserts a section in which he gives some very pointed and powerful admonitions based on the teachings presented. At least fifteen times he uses the expression “let” or “let us” (4:1, 11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:22, 23, 24; 12:1, 2, 28; 13:1, 5, 13, 15, 17).
Christ Revealed. To speak of Christ in Hebrews is to describe the entire book. In striving to keep his readers from apostasy, the writer emphasizes the superiority of Christ to all that has gone before in Old Testament times. Like no other book in the Bible, Hebrews points out the importance and the ministry of the preincarnate Christ. See “Background and Purpose” and “Content” above.
The Holy Spirit at Work. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is seen in a variety of ways, applying to both the Old and New Testament periods: gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry (2:4); witness to the inspiration of the Old Testament (3:7; 10:15); descriptive of the experience of believers (6:4); interpreting spiritual truth (9:8); assisting in the ministry of Jesus (9:14); insulted by apostasy (10:29).
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
