Introduction to the Hebrew Letter
This magnificent epistle, from the standpoint of doctrinal contribution and literary excellence, is in many ways without peer among NT books. This book is of unparalleled importance in expounding the transition from the old Levitical economy to Christianity. It eloquently sets forth the foundation Judaism furnished Christianity in messianic type, symbolized in prophecy.
External evidence unmistakably attests the early existence of the epistle. Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Dionysius of Alexandria, and Theophilus of Antioch quote from it. Clement of Rome ( 1 st century A.D.) refers to it oftener than any other canonical New Testament book, adopting its words as on a level with the rest of the New Testament. As the writer of this epistle claims authority Clement virtually sanctions it, and this in the apostolic age. However, Marcion and the Muratorian Fragment do not recognize it.
? The ancients who handed down the tradition of its Pauline authorship must have had good reason for doing so, though God alone knows the certainty who was the actual writer. Eusebius, Origen, Athanasius, and others held that it was written by Paul, but the authorship has remained uncertain. The writer of the epistle does not mention his name, which is contrary to the custom of the apostle. Moreover, the writer to the Hebrews uses the LXX throughout except possibly at 10:30, whereas Paul employs both the Heb. text and the LXX. The style and vocabulary are not particularly Pauline. (Unger's Bible Dictionary )
? The writer was at the time in prison (Heb 13:3,19), had been formerly imprisoned in Palestine (Heb 10:34 KJV, "ye had compassion on me in my bonds." So the Sinaiticus and the Vaticanus manuscripts, but Alexandrinus manuscript "on the prisoners"). The salutation which he transmits from believers in Italy implies that Rome was the place of writing (Heb 13:24). The rhetorical character of the epistle may be one cause of his waiving the usual epistolary address. The intention expressed (Heb 13:23) to visit those addressed shortly with Timothy, just "set at liberty" and styled "our brother," accords with the authorship of Paul.( Fausset's Bible Dictionary)
It seems clear that the Temple was still in existence and the ritual still continued. The present tense is repeatedly used in this connection (8:4, 13; 9:4-9; 10:1-10; 13:10-11). The readers had evidently been Christians for a long time and had suffered severely. A date A.D. 67-69 would seem to fit the internal evidence.
The writer aims to establish the supremacy of Christ and Christianity (1:1-10:18) and to warn those who accepted Christ of the dangers of apostasy (6:4-8; 10:26-31; 13:14-17). In view of the outmoded nature of Judaism the writer also exhorts his readers to make a complete break with it (12:18-13:17). To accomplish this purpose the writer in closely knit argument establishes the superiority of Christ over angels, over Moses and Joshua, and over OT priesthood and ritual.
I. The Superiority of Christ over the Prophets( 1:1-3 ).
II. The Superiority of Christ over the Angels( 1:4-2:18 ).
A. Christ Is Superior because of His Deity( 1:4-14 ).
B. First Warning: Danger of Neglect( 2:1-4 ).
C. Christ Is Superior because of His Humanity( 2:5-18 ).
III. The Superiority of Christ over Moses( 3:1-4:13 ).
A. Christ Is Superior to Moses in His Work( 3:1-4 ).
B. Christ Is Superior to Moses in His Person( 3:5-6 ).
C. Second Warning: Danger of Unbelief( 3:7-4:13 ).
I. The Superiority of Christ's Priesthood( 4:14-7:28 ).
A. Christ Is Superior in His Position( 4:14-16 ).
B. Christ Is Superior in His Qualifications( 5:1-10 ).
C. Third Warning: Danger of Not Maturing( 5:11-6:20 ).
D. Christ Is Superior in His Priestly Order( 7:1-28 ).
II. The Superiority of Christ's Covenant( 8:1-13 ).
A. A Better Covenant( 8:1-6 ).
B. A New Covenant( 8:7-13 ).
III. The Superiority of Christ's Sanctuary and Sacrifice( 9:1-10:18 ).
A. Old Covenant's Sanctuary and Sacrifice( 9:1-10 ).
B. New Covenant's Sanctuary and Sacrifice( 9:11-10:18 ).
I. The Work of Jesus Calls Us To This( 10:19-11:40 ).
A. In appreciation of his sacrifice( 10:19-24 ).
B. Fourth Warning: Things that deny the power of his sacrifice( 10:25-39 ).
C. Description of our Faith( 11:1-3 ).
D. Heroes of Faith( 11:4-40 ).
II. Endurance of Faith( 12:1-29 ).
A. Our greatest hero( 12:1-4 ).
B. A Call to Endure God's Chastening( 12:5-13 ).
C. The importance of sanctification( 12:14-19 ).
C. Fifth Warning: Sinai or Zion?( 12:25-29 ).
III. A Call to Love( 13:1-17 ).
A. Love in the Social Realm( 13:1-6 ).
B. Love in the Religious Realm( 13:7-17 ).
IV. Conclusion( 13:18-25 ).
Nelson’s Dictionary
