Author: Unknown
Date: Before the year 70 A.D.
Theme: The superiority of Jesus Christ over the old covenant
Key Words: Better, therefore

Author: The epistle to the Hebrews doesn't identify its author, and Christian tradition doesn't offer a unanimous answer about his identity. Some experts point out certain evidence that point to Paul as its author, while others suggest that one of his co-workers, like Barnabas or Apollos, could have written the epistle. These speculations have been fruitless, and the best conclusion, perhaps, would be that of Origen, who affirmed in the third century that only GOD knew for sure who wrote this epistle.

The Holman Bible Handbook adds the following:

Christians in the Eastern Roman Empire regarded Paul as the author. Hebrews contains statements similar to Paul's view of the preexistence and creatorship of Christ (compare Heb. 1:1-4 with Col. 1:15-17). Both Hebrews 8:6 and II Corinthians 3:4-11 discuss the new covenant. These factors inclined some observers to consider Paul as the author.

Christians in the Western Roman Empire originally questioned Pauline authorship of Hebrews. They observed that the statement of 2:3 suggested that the author was not an apostle. Also the Old Testament quotations in Hebrews come from the Greek Septuagint, but Paul used both the Hebrew text and the Septuagint. Further, none of Paul's other writings are anonymous; and the polished Greek style of Hebrews does not resemble the explosive, dynamic style of most of Paul's writings. Shortly before A.D. 400, Christian leaders in the West extended acceptance to the Book of Hebrews. They absorbed it into the Pauline collection of writings without distinguishing it from the rest.

Tertullian advocated Barnabas as the author of Hebrews. Barnabas' background as a Levite would qualify him to write the book, but support for his authorship is lacking in the early church. Martin Luther suggested Apollos as the author. In Apollos' favor is his reputation for eloquence (Acts 18:24), but against him is the absence of early church tradition accepting him as author. Some have suggested Luke as the author. His knowledge of Greek would favor him, but Luke was a Gentile. The outlook of Hebrews is definitely Jewish. The nineteenth-century church historian Adolph Harnack mentioned Priscilla, the wife of Aquila, as the author. She and her husband would have known Pauline theology and Jewish practice, but the early church was silent about nominating her as author.

Modern Greek texts of Hebrews bear the title "To the Hebrews". It is best to accept this title and recognize that we cannot know for sure who wrote Hebrews. Despite our ignorance of the author, we can use and understand what he wrote.

Recipients: (HBH) The above title for Hebrews reflects the conviction that Jewish Christians were the original readers of the writing. Frequent appeal to the Old Testament, extensive knowledge of Jewish ritual, and the warning not to return to Jewish ritual support this conviction.

One might feel that the Jewish Christians who read Hebrews lived in Palestine. According to 2:3, however, the readers may not have seen nor heard Jesus during His earthly ministry. The verse suggests that the readers had been dependent on the first hearers of the Christian message to share it with them. Doubtless, most Palestinian Christians had heard Jesus' preaching and teaching. According to 6:10 the readers of Hebrews had resources enough to assist other believers. Palestinian Christians were poor and needed aid (Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26). These facts indicate that the readers were not from Palestine.

The statement in 13:24, "Those from Italy send you their greetings", sounds as if Italians away from their home were returning greetings to friends in Rome. If this is true, Rome is the probable destination of the writing. A second fact favoring this view is that a knowledge of Hebrews first appears in Clement's First Epistle, which was written in Rome.

Date and Place: The content of the epistle to the Hebrews indicates that it was written before the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem in the year 70 A.D. (10:11; 13:11). The only evidence that alludes to the place where the epistle was written is the salutation sent by "those of Italy" (13.24), which indicates that its author was in Rome or wrote to the Christians in Rome.

Background and Purpose: The majority of the first Christians were of Jewish origin. Apparently, they expected the immediate return of Christ, but the delay of his Second Coming, and the persecution against them (10:32-34), made them doubt whether they had made the right decision by becoming Christians. Thus they ran the risk of returning to Judaism.

The epistle was written to the Jewish believers who wavered, to encourage them to stand firm in the faith. The author emphasizes the overwhelming superiority of Christ over everything they had experienced under the Law. That which is offered them through Christ is much better that what they were promised under the Mosaic dispensation, to which nobody should consider returning. The author leans on the incomparable glory of the person and work of Christ, and shows his supremacy over the prophets (1:1-3), angels (1:4-2:18), Moses (3:1-19), Joshua (4:1-13), Aaron (4:14-7:18) and all the ritual of Judaism (7:19-10:39).

Content: A key word in this epistle is "better", used to refer to 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 benefits of Judaism have to do with earthly things: an earthly tabernacle or temple, human priests, sacrifices and a covenant that promises prosperity in this world. In contrast, Christ "is seated at the right hand of Majesty in the heavens" (1:3) from whence he dispenses heavenly blessings (3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 11:16; 12:22,23).

The culminating point of the epistle is the presentation of the ministry of the LORD as High Priest. Christ is High Priest, not according to the order of Aaron, but of Melchizedek, who had no predecessors nor successors in the priesthood. Thus, Melchizedek was a perfect type of Christ, who received the office of High Priest be the direct calling of GOD, not by inheritance (5:5,6). While the priest in the tradition of Aaron had to continually offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as those of the people, Christ offered his immaculate person once for all as the perfect sacrifice. In his flesh he received the proof (or test) that all believers know, and for that reason is able to intercede compassionately in their favor.

Chapter 11 offers a list of some of the great Old Testament heroes of the faith. Verses 4-35 remembers wonderful blessings and extraordinary victories achieved through faith, as much as verses 36-38 refer to those who, thanks to faith, resisted great trials, sufferings and persecution. Curiously, no mention is made of their sins and limitations. The obvious reason is that the blood of Jesus Christ had erased their sins and faults, so that their iniquities will never again be imputed to them.

Literary Form: (HBH) The language of Hebrews is elegant and carefully constructed. Its excellent Greek does not clearly show up in English translations that strive for readability.

Was the writer penning a letter to a specific group of Christians, or was the letter a summary of a sermon made available to several Christian congregations? The reference to "I do not have time to tell" in 11:32 seems to indicate a sermon; however, the writer knew specific details about the congregation (5:11-12; 6:9-10; 10:32-34; 12:4; 13:7). This suggests a letter written to a specific location. The statement in 13:22 also requires that we view the writing as a letter penned in the style of a earnest warning to a specific congregation.

Theology: (HBH) The Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes the person of Christ. It present s a Jesus who is truly human (2:18), realistically tempted (4:15), and obedient to death (3:2; 13:12). The suffering of Jesus taught Him the value of obedience (5:8).

Hebrews also emphasizes the finality of Christ's work. The sacrifices offered by Jewish priests in the temple reminded the worshipers of sin, but the sacrifice of Christ removed sin (10:1-4). The priests of Judaism repeatedly offered sacrifices that did not take away sin (10:11). Christ's single offering of Himself forever removed the sin that hindered fellowship with GOD (10:12-14).

The Illustrated Bible Dictionary adds:

In a spirit similar to Stephen's defense before the Jewish Sanhedrin (Acts 7), Hebrews sets out to show that Christianity is superior to Judaism because of the person of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of GOD, the Great High Priest, and the Author of salvation. Christ stands as the peak of revelation, superior to angels (1:1-2:9) and to Moses (3:1-6). He is the Son of GOD, the reflection of GOD's own glory and, indeed, the very character and essence of GOD (1:3). Whatever revelations appeared before Jesus were but shadows or outlines of what was to appear in Him.

Christ is also the Great High Priest (4:14). Whereas earthly priests inherited their office, Christ was appointed by the direct call of GOD (5:5-6). Whereas earthly priests followed in the lineage of Aaron, Christ, who has no successors, is a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek (7:17). Whereas earthly priests ministered within temples made with human hands, Christ ministers within the true sanctuary - the eternal house of GOD (8:2; 9:24). Whereas earthly priests offered animal sacrifices for their sins as well as for those of the people, Christ offered the one perfect sacrifice which never need be offered again - His sinless self (5:3; 10:4-14).

As the unique Son of GOD who made the supreme sacrifice of Himself to GOD, Jesus is described by the author of the book of Hebrews as the "author of their salvation" (2:10), the "finisher of our faith" (12:3), and the "great Shepherd of the sheep" (13:20). Christ saves His people from sin and death, and He saves them for fellowship with GOD. In Hebrews salvation is called the "rest" of GOD (4:1), "eternal inheritance" (9:15), the "Most Holy Place" (9:12). These three emphases - Jesus as Son, High Priest, and Savior - are drawn together in one key passage:

Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by GOD as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek" (5:8-10).

In light of Christ's preeminence, the author urges his readers to hold fast to the true confession and endure whatever suffering or reproach is necessary on its behalf (4:14; 6:18; 13:13).

Special Considerations: (IBD) Two passages in Hebrews often trouble Christians. In 6:4-6 and 10:26 the author warns that if a person willingly turns from fellowship with Christ, he can no longer be forgiven. The intent of these verses is to cause Christians to remember the great cost of GOD's grace and to take their profession of faith seriously. The intent of these verses is not to cause believers to doubt their salvation. There is no example in the Bible where anyone who desired the forgiveness of Christ was denied it.

The backbone of this epistle is the finality of Christ for salvation. This wonderful truth is no less urgent for us today than it was for the original readers of Hebrews. The rise of cults, with their deceptive claims of security, is but one example of the many things that appeal for our ultimate loyalty. Hebrews reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (13:8). Because of His perfect sacrifice of Himself, He is still the only Mediator between us and GOD. Only Jesus is the true Author of our salvation.

Personal Application: Although the epistle to the Hebrews is specifically dedicated to the Christian Jews, its teachings and practical warnings may be applied to Gentile believers. In Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile (Col. 3:11). The church nowadays needs the teachings offered by the laws and prescriptions of the Old Testament, that Hebrews relates so beautifully with Christ and the gospel of eternal salvation. Christianity isn't something added on to Judaism. It's something new, however, a profound knowledge of the Old Testament, gives a richer and more wonderful appreciation of the new covenant of GOD's grace through our LORD Jesus Christ.

Although the epistle is fundamentally doctrinal in its content, it's extremely practical. After each doctrinal passage, the writer inserts a section in which some accurate and eloquent admonitions based in the teaching are presented. It uses the expression "then" twenty times, "therefore" nine times and "thus" six (1:13; 2:1,14,18; 3:1,11; 4:1,3,9,11,14,16; 6:1; 7:4,11,17,18,19,22; 8:4; 9:15,17,23; 10:2,18,19,30,35; 11:1,15; 12:1,28; 13:13,15,18,20).

Christ Revealed: To speak of Christ in the letter to the Hebrews is to completely describe the letter. In his effort to keep his readers away from apostasy, the author emphasizes the superiority of Christ over all that preceded Him in the Old Testament. As no other book of the Bible, the epistle to the Hebrews points out the importance and the ministry of the preincarnated Christ. See the sections, "Background and Purpose" and "Content".

The Holy Spirit in Action: The ministry of the Holy Spirit is seen in many ways, in relation to the Old as well as the New Testament: gifts of the Holy Spirit for the ministry (2:4); testimony of the divine inspiration of the Old Testament (3:7; 10:15); description of the believers' experiences (6:4); interpretation of spiritual truth (9:8); assistance to Jesus' ministry (9:14); and insulted by apostasy (10:29).

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