Key Themes in Hebrews

Outline

1:1-3                Introduction

1:4–2:18          Jesus Christ superior to the angels

3:1-6                Jesus Christ superior to Moses

3:7–4:13          The promise of entering into God’s rest

4:14–5:10       Jesus Christ as the compassionate high priest

5:11–6:20       Human weakness and divine faithfulness

7:1-28              Jesus Christ as a high priest like Melchizedek

8:1–9:28          The priest and sacrifice of the new covenant

10:1-18            Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is once and for all

10:19-39         A call to action

11:1-40            The faith of the Old Testament heroes

12:1-13            Faithful to the end

12:14–13:19   A final warning and encouragement

13:20-25         Concluding blessing and greetings

Background and setting

Hebrews was written to a group of first-century Christians who were in danger of giving up. Times were hard (10:32-34). The letter appeals to all these severely tested believers to keep their faith firmly anchored to the moorings of truth, to maintain their steady confidence in Christ and to press on to mature Christian stability (2:1; 3:6; 6:1). This letter’s primary exhortation is an appeal for endurance, using various Old Testament examples (6:15; 11:27). Most significant of all, Jesus endured (12:2-3). These Jewish Christians could endure by looking to Christ.

Ever since early Christian times the writer of this letter has remained anonymous. Some have argued for Paul, although its literary style is quite unlike Paul’s writings. Some have argued for Barnabas (see Ac 13–14 for more on Barnabas). The gifted, if anonymous, author was used by God’s Spirit as he delivered his word of exhortation (13:22) and his precise identity is a secondary matter.

The traditional Greek title of the letter ‘to Hebrews’ goes back at least to the late second century. Many modern writers think that the author had mainly Jewish-Christian readers in mind. As to the precise location of this group or church we cannot be sure. It is probably safe to assume that Hebrews was written in the second half of the first century, possibly in the early ad 80s; the letter was known to Clement of Rome at the end of the first century.

Themes and relevance

God’s word is of primary significance in the life of every Christian believer. In Christ that essential revelation of God’s nature became a personified word (1:2-3); the divine nature, perfect life, vital teaching, unique sacrifice and victorious achievement of Christ are God’s greatest and final message to us. The Son is supreme. He is greater than the prophets of Old Testament times (1:1), than the angels (1:3–2:18), than Moses (3:1-6) and Joshua (4:1-10). This revelation of God in Christ is a crucial and decisive word (2:1-4). It demands a verdict. It is also an appealing word (3:7-8, 12-13). The word must be received with faith or it is not likely to benefit the hearers, and it must be acknowledged by obedience (4:2, 6, 11). It is, after all, not only persuasive but powerful (4:12-16).

We are directed to the work of Christ in Hebrews 7–10, contrasting the priesthood and sacrifices of the old covenant with Christ. Human beings are guilty and need Christ’s work, that redemptive sacrifice by which alone we are forgiven (9:22; 10:18-22). Through the work of Christ, the person who is cleansed and liberated is dedicated to God. Sanctification is an important theme in this letter (2:11; 10:10, 14, 29; 13:12).

Jesus came into this world as the perfect revelation of God’s mind and message (1:2-3). He came from God determined to pursue the Father’s will (10:5-7). Although addressed clearly as God (1:8), the humanity of our Lord is a theme which pervades the whole letter (e.g. 2:10, 17-18; 4:15; 5:7-8; 7:14, 26; 9:14; 12:2-3; 13:12). Christ was raised from the dead (13:20). He lives for ever (7:24) and is now exalted at the Father’s right hand (7:26; 8:1; 10:12), where he appears for us in the presence of God (9:24). In that holy place (6:19; 9:12) he intercedes for us (7:25) and will certainly appear a second time to bring salvation, in the ultimate sense, to those who are waiting for him (9:28).

In an age of religious pluralism this letter directs us to the uniqueness of Christ’s redemptive work. The importance of this letter is also to be discerned in its interpretation of basic human problems, relevant in every generation, such as guilt and the need for purification (1:3), how human beings are supposed to be (2:8-14) and the reality and fear of death (2:15).

Hebrews has a vigorous doctrine of the Christian life, dealing with apostasy (falling away, chapters 3–4) and the need to persevere (e.g. 10:10, 14). The Christian life has a sacrificial dimension following Christ’s example (5:7-9). Against the reality of opposition, Hebrews emphasises the truth that there is a man in heaven who endured opposition and knows how we feel. Hebrews reminds us that we are never alone, that the Lord who lived on this earth has the same compassion and strength, and that he is our changeless friend, alongside us in the experiences of everyday life and determined to stay with his people for ever (13:8). Every generation of Christians needs a renewed summons to courageous living and to renewed confidence in a God who is faithful (11:11). When believers encounter hard times, they need not only a reminder of the past (11:1-40), but also a vision of the future (12:22-29), of the city of the living God to which they belong and of the kingdom which cannot be shaken.

The new Tyndale New Testament Commentary volume on Hebrews is by David G. Peterson, and is one of our November 2020 Releases. This blog post was extracted from the notes in the Bible Speaks Today NIV Study Bible.