Key To Absolute Victory the Book of Hebrews Bible Study

Feb 19, 2025

HEBREWS

Introduction

AUTHOR: Uncertain DATE: 64-68

Authorship - Many suggestions have been made for the author of this anonymous book, Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, Silas, Aquila and Priscilla, and Clement of Rome. There are both resemblances and dissimilarities to the theology and style of Paul, but Paul frequently appeals to his own apostolic authority in his letters, while this writer appeals to others who were eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry (2:3). It is safest to say, as did the theologian Origen in the third century, that only God knows who wrote Hebrews.

Three questions are involved in determining the readership of this letter:

(1) What was the racial background of these readers? Although some have held that they were Gentiles, all evidence points to their Jewish background—the title of the book, "to the Hebrews," the references to the prophets and angels ministering to Israel, and the citations concerning the Levitical worship.

(2) Where did they live? Palestine or Italy have been the answers most often given. The preference seems to be Italy, for these readers were not poor (and the saints in Palestine were, 6:10; 10:34; Rom 15:26); the Septuagint is used exclusively for quotations from the Old Testament (one would not expect this if the readers were Palestinian); and "Those from Italy greet you" (13:24) sounds as though Italians outside of Italy are sending greetings back home.

(3) What was their spiritual condition? Most were believers (3:1), though, as in every church group, there were doubtless some who merely professed Christianity. The author calls this letter a "word of exhortation" (13:22) necessitated by the fact that some were in danger of abandoning their faith in Christ and reverting to Judaism. The readers were being persecuted, though not to the point of being martyrs (10:32-34; 12:4), and, in the face of this, some were running the risk of becoming apostate. The letter is a stirring apologetic for the superiority of Christ and Christianity over Judaism in terms of priesthood and sacrifice.

Date Various dates have been suggested for the writing of Hebrews, from the 60 s to the 90 s. However, its use in the book of 1 Clement, which was written in A.D. 95, requires a date some time before that. The lack in the book of any reference to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem as the divine proof that the Old Testament sacrificial system was finished argues strongly for a date before A.D. 70. In addition, the mention of Timothy's recent release (13:23), if it was in connection with his ministry to Paul in Rome, requires a date in the late 60 s.

Style The author displays outstanding literary and rhetorical skill. His style is a model of Hellenistic prose. Both the author and his readers are very familiar with the Old Testament in the Greek translation (the Septuagint). There are 29 direct quotations from the Old Testament plus 53 clear allusions to various other passages. These are used to demonstrate both the finality of the Christian revelation and its superiority to the old covenant.

Contents: The theme of the book is the superiority of Christ and thus of Christianity. The words "better," "perfect," and "heavenly" appear frequently. The outline shows how the theme is developed by proving that Christ is superior both in His person and His priesthood. Favorite passages include 2:3 (so great a salvation), 4:12 (the living Word of God), 4:16 (the throne of grace), 7:25 (the intercession of Christ), 11:1 (the description of faith), 11:4-40 (the heroes of faith), 12:1-2 (the Christian race), and 13:20-21 (a great benediction).

OUTLINE OF HEBREWS

I. The Superiority of the Person of Christ, 1:1-4:16

A. Christ Is Superior to the Prophets, 1:1-4

B. Christ Is Superior to the Angels, 1:5-2:18

1. In His divine person, 1:5-14

2. In His saving proclamation, 2:1-4

3. In His delivering purpose, 2:5-18

C. Christ Is Superior to Moses, 3:1-6

D. Christ Is the Supreme Object of Faith, 3:7-4:16

1. The catastrophe of unbelief, 3:7-19

2. The consequences of unbelief, 4:1-10

3. The cure for unbelief, 4:11-16