AN ARGUMENT PAPER OF HEBREWS
___________________
by
Mike H. Lei
March 20, 2009
This paper will first briefly discuss introductory items such as authorship, date, recipients, and occasion of the book of Hebrews. It will state the purpose of the book and develop the argument of the book in outline form. It will explain under each point what the writer is saying and why he says it.
The author of the book of Hebrews is unknown. Some proposed the author is Paul, but the internal evidence is overwhelming against it. Other suggestions are Barnabas, Luke, Silvanus, Prisilla, Apollos, and Clement of Rome.[1] The date of the book is before AD95 since Clement quotes from it. It should be before AD70 since the priestly service is being referenced. The recipients are probably second generation Hellenistic Jews since the references to OT are from the LXX and the writings have a distinct Hellenistic flavor.[2] The letter may have been written from Italy[3] or to those in Italy, although Jerusalem or Palestine has been proposed. The occasion for the writing is to help Hellenistic Jews believers to mature spiritually and warn them of the dangers of lapsing back to Judaism away from salvation in Christ.[4]
The purpose of the book is to show how great the salvation the believers have in Christ and why they must keep holding firmly to their faith.
Argument of Hebrews
I. Introduction (1:1-3)
The author opens by announcing that the word of God which has been spoken through the prophets has now finally come through His Son, who is the heir of all things and the creator of the universe. The author speaks about the Son, who is the radiance of God’s glory and exact representation of his being, sustaining the universe by his powerful word. The author wants to make it clear that in the past God spoke through chosen prophets, but in these last days, God has spoken to them directly through the Son of God. The author declares to the readers that now God’s Son is sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven after he provided purification for sins. The author wants the readers to know that what they are hearing now is from God directly through His Son, who provided for them purification for their sins and now sits victoriously in heaven with God the Father. The author wants the reader to know the source of their salvation is not from words preached by human prophets, but words and actions directly from God’s own Son, heir of all things and creator of the universe, the exact representation of His being. The author wants the reader to know how great is the message of their salvation, spoken by God through His Son.
II. The greatness of Christ the Savior compared to the angels (1:4-14)
After showing that the Son is incomparably greater than Old Testament prophets, the author shows the Son is incomparably greater than the angels. The Son is so superior to angels that His name as the Son of God has no comparison. No angel has been called “my Son” by God. No angel has been asked by God to be worshipped. But, God has called the angels to worship the Son. The angels are servants of God who are winds and flames of fire. Yet, the Son has a divine throne that will last forever. God has exalted the Son above all. Again, the author references passages about the Son as the creator of the universe, the eternal God. The Son, as God, will never change, even though creation will perish and wear out. God has reserved the place at his right hand for the Son. Finally, the author tells the readers that not only are the angels incomparable to the superiority of the Son, but the angels are send as ministering spirits to those who have inherited salvation through the Son. The author wants to show the readers that not only is their Savior superior to all the angels, but the angels are actually sent by God to serve them as heirs of salvation. The author is establishing the proper place of Christ in the believer’s life, the ultimate superiority of Christ the Savior. The author is also establishing the proper place of angels in the believers’ life, as ministering spirits to those who have received Christ as Savior. The author wants the readers not to mistake Christ the Savior as anything less than God Himself by showing His superiority to angels.
III. Warning against unbelief in the great message of salvation (2:1-4)
After having established the superiority of Christ to prophets and angels, the author now applies this knowledge to the message of salvation, which the readers have received. This message of salvation is from God through His Son, and testified through the works of the Holy Spirit. The author warns the readers that the message they heard is announced by Christ, confirmed by the apostles, and testified by the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of establishing the superiority of Christ is to let the readers know the message of salvation they heard is greater than the message they heard from angels through Moses since Christ is greater than the angels. They need to apply this truth by valuing the message of salvation from Christ greater than the message from angels through Moses.
IV. The greatness of Christ the Savior’s humanity for believers (2:5-18)
The author continues on the theme of Christ being superior to angels by showing that God created the world for man to have dominion. He explains that Psalm 8 is talking about Christ when it says that God made man a little lower than angels but crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet. These verses are explained in the light of the humanity of Christ. God will finally place everything under the feet of Christ. The author points again to the death of Christ to accomplish salvation for the believers. The author moves from the destiny of Christ to reign over all to talk about the purpose of God to bring believers as His sons to glory. He points out Jesus Christ as the author of their salvation is perfect through suffering. Since the believers have received salvation, now they are part of God’s family and Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. The author references Old Testament passages in Psalm 22:22, Isaiah 8:17, and Isaiah 8:18 to show the brotherhood of believers as children of God. The author points out Christ shares in the humanity of the children of God, so that by His death He may destroy the power of the devil and free believers from the fear of death. The author also called the children of God Abraham’s descendants. The author shows that Christ has to share the humanity of his brothers to be able to be their merciful and faithful high priest and to make atonement for their sins. Since Christ suffered temptation, He is able to help those being tempted. The author establishes the reason for Christ’ humanity so He can free and help those who are human. The author explains the Psalms to shows that Christ is the man who God will put everything under His feet. Thus, the author starts with the divinity of Christ as the Son of God and shows us why Christ is also made human to be like us in order that He can save us who are human.
V. The greatness of Christ the Savior compared to Moses (3:1-6)
The author shows that Christ became human to die for our sins and is the faithful high priest to make atonement for us. Moses was the apostle and high priest to the nation of Israel. But, Jesus is worthy of greater honor than Moses. Jesus is the builder of the house of Israel, while Moses is part of the house of Israel as God’s servant. Christ is faithful as Moses was faithful to testify for God. Now, the believers are part of the house Christ has built, if they hold on to their hope and courage in Christ. The author wants the readers to understand how Moses is a type of Christ as a faithful servant and apostle, yet Christ is the ultimate faithful servant priest and apostle of God. The writer wants the reader to have proper view of Christ compared to Moses, as the builder compared to the building.
VI. Warning not to turn away from such a great Savior God (3:7-19)
The writer calls the readers his brothers, but warns them against a sinful and an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. He reminds them that the Holy Spirit already spoke about the consequences of unbelief when the first generation of rebellious Israelites that left Egypt died without entering the Promise Land. The first generation of rebellious Israelites walked through the Red Sea, yet turned away from God and suffered the consequence of not entering into God’s rest, the Promised Land God promised them. The writer is warning them from falling into the same sins as the first generation of rebellious Israelites, though they experienced God’s salvation, yet did not continue to hold fast to their faith in God. Therefore, the first generation of rebellious Israelites did not enter into God’s rest. The rest of God is the enjoyment of God’s promises and blessings. Even though the Israelites were saved by faith when they walked through the Red Sea, their unbelief prevented them from enjoying God’s promised rest for them. Therefore, they died without entering into the Promise Land. The believer after experiencing salvation must continue in faith or they will also experience the consequence of not entering into God’s rest, the blessings of salvation. They will suffer the consequence of God’s discipline in not being able to enjoy the promises of God’s rest.
VII. The great call of salvation still stands Today (4:1-11)
The author wants the readers to examine their hearts for any unbelief to the message of salvation. If they have found any unbelief in their hearts, they are to respond by faith in the gospel that they have heard. If they have not fully embraced the gospel message by faith, the author tells them that God gives this opportunity to respond to the gospel message. The author points out that just hearing the message of salvation is not enough. He shows that some of the rebellious first generation of Israelites did not combine faith with the message of salvation, therefore God declares that they will never enter into His rest. The author shows that faith in God is to obey God. The Sabbath-rest for the people of God is in the future. The author wants them to know that something much greater is awaiting them in their salvation. The author tells them that they must make every effort to enter into the rest of God by faith in the gospel. This gospel is so great that the consequence of unbelief is great. The author tells the readers that God’s great call of salvation is for today and they must live by faith in the gospel.
VIII. The greatness of the power of God’s word to judge the believers (4:12-13)
The writer continues to show the power of God’s word to save and to judge. The word of God has the power to judge the innermost thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The writer wants the reader to truly examine their hearts because there’s nothing that can be hidden from God. Everything is laid bare before God and they will one day give an account for everything in their life. Again, he wants the readers to embrace fully the message of salvation and not mistakenly thinks they can compromise any part of their faith. The word of God is powerful to save and judge the believers.
IX. The greatness of Jesus as believer’s High Priest (4:14-16)
The writer wants the readers to know the greatness of the High Priest Jesus, the Son of God, who has gone through the heavens. He calls the believers to hold firmly to the faith in the gospel message. The writer encourages the believers that even though they may experience weaknesses, they have such a High Priest who has experience temptation in every way and is able to grant them the grace and mercy to help in their needs. Thus, the believers are not to fear if they hold on to their faith that they might fail to receive the help they need. The writer encourages the readers to have confidence in Jesus, who will help them and grant them mercy and grace in their every weaknesses.
X. The greatness of Jesus’ priestly calling compared to Aaron (5:1-10)
The writer explains that God’s high priest must be selected and called by God, just as Aaron was called by God to be a high priest. The calling of Christ to be their High Priest is even greater since God calls Him “my Son” and declares him a priest in the order of Melchizedek, who preceded the priesthood of Aaron. Thus, the calling of Christ as High Priest is greater than the priesthood of Aaron. The writer shows that Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to God for Himself and for us. Jesus was fully obedient to God through His sufferings. Most importantly, through the obedience and suffering of Jesus, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. Jesus’ priesthood is in the order of Melchizedek, therefore it is greater than the priesthood of Aaron. The Levitical high priests are subject to sins just like the people they represent. They have to offer sacrifice for their sins as well as for the sins of the people. Yet, Jesus was perfect through His sufferings and offered up His obedience for the sins of the people. Thus, God has shown the honor and effectiveness of the priesthood of Jesus is far greater than that of Aaron. Only through Jesus is there eternal salvation because of the nature of Jesus’ priesthood.
XI. The call of salvation to maturity (5:11-13, 6:1-3)
The writer would like to move on to talk about the implication of their salvation, instead of repeating the foundational truths about salvation. The writer wants the readers to move on to maturity in their salvation. The writer hopes the readers can become teachers of God’s words instead of still needing to listen to elementary truths of God’s words, which has already been spoken to them before. Yet, the writer will not hesitate to go back to the basics if necessary. The writer lists the following as elementary teachings: repentance from acts that lead to death, faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. The writer has already talked about faith in God and eternal judgment. These are elementary truths that he feels he must address before moving on to greater things about salvation.
X. Making sure the believers are certain in their salvation (6:4-12)
The writer shows the readers that it is impossible to crucify the Son of God again and again. They need to trust in Christ once for all, just as Christ died for them once for all. They should not think they can reject the gift of salvation after having tasted the goodness of the word of God, which the gospel. They would be committing the unpardonable sin if they continue to reject the message of salvation after hearing it and experiencing the goodness of salvation through fellowship with believers. If they claim to accept the message of salvation and later denying the truth of the message, they are in danger of being forever separated from God. After such dire warnings, the writer speaks gently to the reader as “dear friends” who he is confident of better things, the things that would accompany salvation. He doesn’t want there to be any chance that someone would not believe in the gospel, that’s why he warns them of the consequence of falling away. Yet, he believes that they are truly saved and would continue to enjoy the blessings of salvation. The writer points out the works of their saving faith are evident through the help the believers have shown to God’s people and how they continue to help them. He encourages them to continue in their good work which gives them confidence in their hope of salvation. He warns them not to become lazy, but imitate those who are faithful. The writer is again showing the greatness of the salvation the believers have experienced and how crucial it is for them to continue in their faith. He doesn’t want any of them to take any chances with their salvation by not truly continuing in the gospel and turn back to their old ways of unbelief. God knows those who are saved and those who are faithful. God will reward them for their faithfulness. The writer is so passionate about the greatness of salvation and horrors of not being saved that he wants the believers to be certain of their salvation and not treat their salvation lightly to the point of being deceived about whether they are truly saved.
XII. The greatness and certainty of God’s promise of salvation (6:13-20)
The author shows the reader that God’s promise is unchangeable when He swears by Himself to Abraham and to the heirs of His promises. The author wants to assure the reader that God’s promises are unchangeable because God can not lie and God does not change. Therefore, the believers have a hope that is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. The hope the believers have is held in the inner sanctuary, where Jesus went before us and entered on their behalf. The writer repeats the fact of Jesus’ priesthood in the order of Melchizedek in order to show the forever priesthood of Jesus, which offers the believers eternal hope in the promises of God. The writer wants the readers to know without a doubt that God’s promise of salvation is firm and secure which they have received. They can know this by the self-oath God made to Abraham and the eternal priesthood of Jesus.
XIII. Melchizedek as priest forever like Jesus is greater than Abraham (7:1-10)
The writer is wants the readers to know that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham since Abraham gave them a tenth of the plunder. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Therefore, the lesser person is blessed by the greater. The writer shows that Levi paid the tithe to Melchizedek through Abraham. Melchizedek is a priest forever because he has no recorded father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life. Therefore, Melchizedek is like Jesus the Son of God, who is priest forever and greater than Abraham. The writer wants to show that since Jesus is like Melchizedek as priest forever, Jesus is undoubtedly greater than Abraham because of Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek.
XIV. Jesus guarantees a better covenant than the Levitical priesthood (7:11-28)
The writer compares the priesthood of Jesus to the Levitical priests to show that Jesus is the forever perfect priest. Thus, Jesus can guarantee a better covenant. There is no way perfection can be attained through the Levitical priesthood. Since it is not possible to attain perfection, there needs to be another priest in the order of Melchizedek, not of Aaron. The covenant comes as a result of the law. The old law is from the Levitical priesthood, the new law is from the priesthood of Jesus who is in the order of Melchizedek. The writer wants the reader to see the contrast between the old and new covenant. The old covenant can’t make the people perfect because the priests are not perfect and die. The new covenant can make people completely saved because Jesus as their high priest is perfect and lives forever. The writer shows that Jesus as the high priest is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Jesus doesn’t need to offer sacrifices for sins day after day like the Levitical priests. Jesus just needs to sacrifice Himself for the people’s sins once for all. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice and lives forever. The writer is showing how Jesus brings a greater covenant because He is perfect and lives forever.
XV. Jesus serves in a better ministry than the Levitical priesthood (8:1-6)
The writer shows the Jesus serves in the heavenly sanctuary while the Levitical priests serve the copy of the heavenly sanctuary on earth. Therefore, Jesus serves in a better sanctuary than the Levitical priesthood. The writer shows that Moses made the sanctuary based on the heavenly picture he has seen on the mountain. Jesus offered the better gifts and sacrifices compared to the Levitical priests because Jesus offered the perfect gift and sacrifice, which is Himself. Therefore, Jesus serves in the superior ministry compared to the Levitical priest because he mediates a better covenant. The better covenant is founded on better promises compared to the old. Thus, the writer shows the covenant of salvation Jesus mediates is greater than the old covenant based on the type of sanctuary and quality of gifts and sacrifices offered.
XVI. The great effect of the new covenant compared to the old covenant (8:7-13)
The writer points out that God found fault with the old covenant because of the Israelites’ unfaithfulness. They did not remain faithful to the covenant and thus God turned away from them. The problem of the old covenant is that the people didn’t keep the covenant with God. But God promised that with the new covenant He will put His laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. With the new covenant, the people will belong to God and God will be their God. All the people who belong to God in the new covenant will know God through the laws God put on their hearts and God will forgive their sins and not remember their wickedness. The new covenant will do for the people what the old covenant can’t do. It will bring the people to God and enable them to be faithful. In the old covenant the people were not faithful because the covenant was not able to make the people faithful. It can just reveal the fact that the people were unfaithful. Yet, this new covenant will have the effect of wiping out the people’s sins and making them faithful to God from the inside. Thus, the writer shows that God calls this the “new” covenant and the old covenant is now obsolete. The writer is showing the old covenant is obsolete and will soon disappear. God has not forgotten Israel, that’s why he made the new covenant with the house of Israel. The writer wants the readers to know God has not forgotten them as Jewish Christians. God is fulfilling His promises to the Jews by giving them the new covenant through Jesus. The Jewish Christians need to accept the new covenant and not go back to the old covenant because the old covenant is now obsolete.
XVII. Jesus enters through the greater and more perfect tabernacle (9:1-14)
The writer now moves to describe the method of worship in the tabernacle in the first covenant. He begins by describing the layout of the tabernacle, with the lampstand, the table, and consecrated bread. This is the Holy Place. In the Most Holy Place is the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubims who overshadow the atonement cover. The writer shows only the high priest can enter into the inner room, only once a year to offer sacrifices for himself and sins of the people. The writer notes that the high priest must shed animal blood for the animal sacrifices. This illustrates what must take place in the heavenly tabernacle, where Jesus enters as high priest to minister. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The earthly tabernacle requires the blood of goats and bulls and ashes of a heifer to be sprinkled on the people to make them outwardly clean. The blood of Christ is able to cleanse their consciences from sins which lead to death so they can serve the living God. The writer compares what the high priest did in the earthly tabernacle with what Christ did in the perfect heavenly tabernacle. While the old covenant tabernacle can only cleanse the people outwardly from ceremonially uncleanness, the new covenant tabernacle can cleanse a person’s inner conscience from sins. The people cleansed through the new covenant can now serve the living God with a clear conscience. The writer shows how Christ enters the greater and perfect tabernacle through His own blood to obtain the salvation now the believers have received. The writer wants the readers to know that their salvation is through the greater and perfect tabernacle by the blood of Christ.
XVIII. The greatness of the blood of Christ to obtain forgiveness of sins (9:15-28)
The writer wants the reader to see the difference between the blood of Christ compared to the blood of animals offered in sacrifices in the earthly sanctuary. The first covenant like the new covenant is put into effect through death of the sacrifice and blood must be shed to sprinkle to make the articles and people holy. Christ’s death and shedding of blood can cleanse the people from the sins committed under the first covenant. In the new covenant, since the blood of Christ is from the perfect Lamb, it can set a person free from sins committed under the first covenant. Unlike the high priest in the first covenant, Christ used His own blood to enter into the heavenly sanctuary. He doesn’t have to enter into the sanctuary with some other animal’s blood again and again like the Levitical high priest. The writer shows that Christ needs only to die once for their sins, just as a person is destined to die once. The readers need to take note that this is the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Christ. The writer shows the readers that the blood of Christ is shed only once, but can provide eternal salvation for those who are waiting for His return. The reader need not go back to the old covenant to obtain forgiveness of sins. Now, they are cleansed once for all by the blood of Christ through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The writer shows there is a future hope when Christ returns again to bring salvation to believers.
XIX. The greater sacrifice of Christ for the forgiveness of sins (10:1-18)
The writer continues to show that the law can’t make the people perfect, yet it requires the same sacrifices repeated year after year. That’s the reason why there’s an end to the sacrifices. If the worshippers can be cleansed by the sacrifices prescribed by the law, then they would not feel guilty about their sins. The sacrifices are an annual reminder of their sins. The writer makes the point that the sacrifices of bulls and goat can’t take away sins. The writer quotes Psalm 40:6-8 which says God desires the obedient suffering of Christ to accomplish what the blood of bulls and goats can’t accomplish. Jesus came to do God’s will which the sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings can’t accomplish. It is the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ that can make the believer holy. The writer shows how the priests have to stand and perform his religious duties, endlessly again and again offering the same sacrifices. Yet, as priest Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time and sat down at the right hand of God. When Jesus made perfect those who have been forgiven, there’s no longer a need for sacrifice for sin. The writer wants the readers to know they don’t need any more sacrifice for sin because the sacrifice for sin offered by Christ is enough for all times. Only His sacrifice is able to accomplish the forgiveness of sins and perfecting those who are forgiven. Those who have been forgiven are made perfect forever and are being made holy. God has done this inside the believer’s hearts and minds to save them and give them the new covenant. God has promised not to remember their sins any more. The writer wants the readers to know that they don’t have to offer sacrifices or depend on another high priest to offer sacrifices for their sins. The writer wants the readers not to think the blood of bulls or goats have any power to cleanse them from their sins. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse them from their sins. This cleansing is once for all, therefore, they shouldn’t think they need to go back to the old system to deal with their sins.
XX. Encouragements and warnings to hold on to the salvation (10:19-39)
After having presented all the evidence of the greatness of Christ and the salvation through Him, the author now urges the reader to live out the salvation. The writer points out the confidence they have to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. This is a new and living way opened for us through Christ’s body, which is the curtain of the heavenly tabernacle. Christ is the believer’s high priest over the house of God. So, they can draw close to God with a fully assured heart with faith and have their hearts cleansed from a guilty conscience and body cleansed from all sins by Spirit baptism. The writer urges the readers to hold on to such a great salvation with unswerving hope because God is so faithful to us. The writer urges the readers to spur one another on toward love and good deeds and not give up meeting together as they waits for the second coming of Christ.
The writer again warns the readers against sinning against God in unbelief. If the reader keeps sinning in unbelief after knowing all these truth, then there is no more sacrifice they can depend on to save them from their sins. They should only expect the judgment and fire of God to consume them. If there is a severe punishment to break the Law of Moses, the reader should be warned there’s even a greater consequence to trample the Son of God under foot and treat the gospel and the blood of Christ as unholy and insult the Spirit of grace. God is loving and just. God will avenge on those who treat His Son and the Holy Spirit in defiant way. God will judge His people and it is a fearful thing to be in God’s judgment. The writer is warning the readers from falling away and sinning against God by treating the gospel with contempt.
However, the writer reminds the readers of their former conduct when they first heard the gospel, how they stood their ground in the face of suffering. They were publicly exposed to insult and persecution. They stood by those who were persecuted. They sympathized with those believers who were imprisoned and joyfully accepted the confiscation of their property. They knew they had better and lasting possessions. The writer urges them not to throw away their confidence, which will be richly rewarded. He reminds them that when they have done the will of God, they will receive what He has promised. God says the righteous will live by faith and if he shrinks back, God will not be pleased. If the readers shrink back, they will be destroyed, but the writer urges them to believe and be saved. The writer is warning the readers against apostasy where they turn away from their faith after having endured persecutions and sufferings for the faith. The judgment of God for such falling away is very great because of the great salvation they have rejected and despised. The writer is urging the readers to hold fast to their faith and draw near to God instead of abandoning their faith and insulting the grace of God. The writer is convinced of the reader’s faith by their previous works of faith, but the writer is also concerned that some might fall away. He wants to warn the readers of the grave dangers and the judgment of God if they were to fall away. He is not saying they have fallen away. He is not saying they will get the condemnation of God. He is just warning them to hold on to their faith and reminding them of their faith which he has seen in their sufferings and support of those being persecuted. The writer is warning them that after having received such a great salvation and the greatness of Christ in this salvation, they should be careful to treat the grace of God with respect. If they disrespect God’s grace and continue to sin against the grace of God, they should expect fearful judgment from God. God has not changed. The writer knows the readers are familiar with God’s judgment on His enemies in the Old Testament. The reader should not think God has changed and now will not judge as He did in the past. The writer calls falling away from belief in the gospel as trampling the Son of God underfoot. He wants the readers to realize what they would be doing if they reject the gospel message that they have received. Yet, the writer is convinced that the readers will hold on to their belief and be saved by the gospel they have heard. The writer urges the readers not to throw away the gift they have received. They should not doubt their salvation and turn back to the old ways of Judaism. They should be assured of their salvation and continue in it. Otherwise, they are treating their great salvation with contempt. The writer wants the readers to continue in their faith and warns them of the results of giving up their faith. The writer wants the readers to know there is no other way to salvation. They need to hold on to the gospel message and not turn back.
XXI. The witnesses of faith to encourage the believers (11:1-39)
After showing the readers how great is their salvation and the reasons to hold on to their faith, the writer now encourages the believers with examples of faith from the past. The writer first tells the readers what is real faith like – it is being sure of what they hope for and certain of what they do not see. This should be how the believers should believe in God’s promises, especially for their salvation. God is pleased with firm faith. The writer points to the basic belief in God’s creation as faith. He starts with Abel offering the better sacrifice and how his actions of faith still speaks to us today. Next, the writer shows how Enoch pleased God by his faith and did not experience death. The writer shows both the blessings and sufferings from faith, yet most importantly these faithful people pleased God. The writer wants the readers to be believers with faith to believe God is there and will reward them for earnestly seeking Him. The example of Noah is to show the holy fear and righteousness that result from faith. The example of Abraham is to shows that Abraham is looking for a heavenly city and not an earthly city in his faithful journey. Abraham also shows how God can miraculously make a barren woman have a child and from this one man will come descendants as numerous as the starts in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. The writer points out that these people did not see God fulfill all the things promised by God before they die. Yet, they have faith in all of God’s promises and know their time on earth is as aliens and strangers. In the same way, the believers must imitate their faith to believe in all of God’s promises even if they are not fulfilled in their lifetime and see their life on earth as aliens and strangers. Abraham shows he has faith in God being able to resurrect Isaac if he were to offer him up as a sacrifice. The writer wants to show how much more should the readers believe in their own resurrection since Jesus has already been resurrected. Abraham experienced the “resurrection” of Isaac, but now the believers have experienced the actual resurrection of Jesus and will one day experience resurrection. The writer describes how Isaac and Jacob blessed their children because they believe in God’s promises. The writer wants the readers to know their faith is shown through their actions. Joseph believed in God’s promises and gave instructions about his bones. Joseph believes in the future exodus of the Israelites. The writer wants the readers to also have faith that they have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness to God’s kingdom. They have been set free from the bondage of sins. Just as Moses’ parents recognize that Moses is not an ordinary child, the writer wants the believers to see how unique is the birth of Christ that He is not an ordinary man. Moses sets an example of faith by his refusing to enjoy the pleasures of Egypt and chose to be mistreated with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he looks forward to his reward from God. In the same way, the writer wants the readers to choose to be with God’s people suffering the persecutions rather than to forsake God and enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. Moses shows that he did all God wanted him to do, such as leaving Egypt despite threats from Pharaoh and keeping the Passover. In the same way, believers are to keep the Communion and leave the pagan or Jewish religious practices despite the threats of persecution. Since the Israelite people passed through the Red Sea, believers should also by faith be baptized and experience the baptism to a new life in Christ. The believers should also engage in spiritual warfare by prayer just as the Israelites walked around the walls of Jericho seven days before it fell. The other examples of faith such as Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets are to show theses heroes of faith did great things for the kingdom of God by faith and experienced great deliverance form the Lord, yet some met great sufferings and painful death because they want a better resurrection. In the same way, believers can do great things for God’s kingdom by faith and should hold firm even if they have to suffer great trials and even death. The reason for such a great faith is because they value the heavenly city of God more than the earthly dwelling and the world is not worthy of them. The writer concludes this section by pointing out that all of these people were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. What the believers now received is something the past faithful were looking forward to. And the believers have more to look forward to in the future when Christ will come back again. Thus, the faiths of the past heroes are to combine with the faiths of the believers now to show how perfect is God’s plan and the perfecting of all of the believers in the past and present. The writer wants them to understand the significance of their faith is part of the testimony of God to show how His promises will be perfectly fulfilled in them as well as in the heroes of faith in the past.
XXII. The results of hardship as discipline is righteousness and peace (12:1-13)
After presenting the heroes of faith to the readers, the writer goes on to show how they must run with perseverance the race marked out for them. They are to throw off any sins that hinder them from running the race. These sins include growing weary and losing heart in the midst of persecutions. They must run with eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith. Since Jesus suffered the shame of the cross and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God, the readers can be encouraged to endure oppositions. The writer wants to show that what they suffer can’t compare to the sufferings of Christ. Thus, they can always look to Christ as their example and victory. The writer knows how in the face of opposition a believer can become weary and lose heart, so the writer encourages the believers with the heroes of faith and ultimately with the example of Christ. The writer reminds the readers that in their struggles they have not have to shed blood. In their struggles, they may lose heart and felt God’s discipline is too much. The writer wants the readers to know that they are being disciplined because God loves them. They are going through painful trials for their benefit. God doesn’t discipline for no reason. The writer reminds the readers that as believers in Christ, God addresses them as sons. Like Christ, they should see the love of the heavenly Father in the midst of their trials and be obedient just as the Son was obedient unto death.
The writer urges the readers to endure hardship as discipline. They are not to complain or get discouraged. The writer asks the readers if their father also discipline them. If the believers are undergoing trials, they should rejoice that they are true sons. Only true sons are disciplined by the father. If they don’t get disciplined, then they are not true sons of God. The writer compares the discipline of earthly father to the Heavenly Father. They respect their earthly fathers for their discipline and they are imperfect fathers. How much more should they appreciate and accept the discipline of God who is perfect and knows that is good for them. God’s purpose in disciplining is so they can share in His holiness. The blessing of salvation is being perfected and being made holy. Thus, God accomplishes holiness in them through the discipline of hardship. The writer sympathizes with the hardships of the believers by acknowledging that discipline is not pleasant at the time, but painful. However, the writer point out the result of discipline is it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. The benefit of discipline is the spiritual maturity God has promised the believers. The writer also tells the believers that God promises in the new covenant to give them a new heart and they will know Him from the inside. Through the discipline, God is accomplishing His purpose to produce righteousness and peace that He has promised to the believers. God is being faithful when He disciplines the believers as sons. Therefore, the writer urges the believers to strengthen their feeble arms and weak knees and continue the race full speed ahead. There should be nothing to hinder the believers from running the race. If they feel like they are disabled and lame in the race, God is able to heal them and make them continue running the race. The key point of this section is to encourage and rebuke the believers if they have become discouraged and complain about the hardships they have encountered as believers. This is all part of the new covenant, which God has promised to the believers. God will perfect His people in their faith with the new covenant of salvation that Christ has accomplished through His death and resurrection. The writer wants the readers to see the examples of faith and know their hardships are not in vain. Most importantly, the writer wants the believers to get up and continue to run the race with perseverance, throwing off anything that may hinder them, including doubts, discouragement, complaints, and disrespect of God’s discipline.
XXIII. The greatness of the kingdom they receive requires their holiness (12:14-29)
The writer shows how they need to make effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy because they have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Without holiness no one can see God. He warns the readers again about missing the grace of God by having a bitter root grow up and causes trouble and defile many. He warns them against letting anyone in their midst from leading them astray from holiness. There should not be any sexual immorality. The example of Esau is to show how godless he was to sell his inheritance rights as the oldest son for a bowl of soup. In the same way, the writer doesn’t want the readers to sell their rights to God’s kingdom and the inheritance for some sinful pleasures. The people should not wait until it is too late to seek holiness, like Esau who pleaded for the blessings afterwards but was not granted. The writer wants the readers to know that God is still holy as when He displayed His holiness to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. However, because of the new covenant they don’t have to come to the Mount Sinai where God appeared in fire and smoke and darkness. The consequence of touching the mountain was death, even for an animal. Moses even trembled with fear at the mountain. The believers don’t have to approach God with such trembling fear because of what Jesus has done. Now, when the believers approach God they are coming to the heavenly city of Jerusalem, Mount Zion, the city of the living God. They can now come to God to enjoy the presence of the thousands of angels in joyful assembly because of what Jesus has accomplished on the cross. The believers are now the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. They can come to God the judge along with the spirits of righteous men made perfect and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Again, the writer shows them how great they can approach God compares to the Israelites who saw the terrifying presence of God on Mount Sinai. If the readers continue to refuse to listen to such a great God, they should not expect their judgment will be les than those God warned on earth before them. Now, God is warning them from heaven through Jesus Christ. God’s voice shook the earth when He spoke on Mount Sinai. Now, He will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. He will shake all created things so that only those that cannot be shaken will remain. What cannot be shaken is God’s eternal kingdom established through Jesus Christ. The writer wants the readers to see how their holiness is required to approach such a holy God and they must guard against anything that may corrupt their holiness because God is a consuming fire. If they refuse to listen to God, they will face very horrible consequences. The writer doesn’t want the readers to miss the grace of God and fall into the judgment of God. The writer wants the reader know that since they have received such a great grace of God in salvation, they must be thankful and worship God according to His grace shown to them. Otherwise, their judgment will be great just as the greatness of the grace they have received.
XXIV. A concluding call to practically live out the their salvation faith (13:1-25)
The writer concludes his letter by calling and reminding the believers to live out their faith practically. The writer asks the readers to keep love each other as brothers and to show hospitality to strangers. He reminds them of the good work to remember their fellow believers in prisons and those being persecuted. The writer reminds them to be holy and not commit sexual immorality. The writer warns them against the dangers of greed, the love of money, and be content with what they have. They can be content because God has said He will never leave them or forsake them. The believers can have confidence at all times that the Lord is their helper and they are not afraid of any attacks from others. The writer reminds the readers to submit to their leaders who are teaching them the word of God. It may be that some of them are not listening to their leaders, therefore the writer has to remind them again to listen and imitate the way of life of the leaders. Apparently the leaders are still faithful to the word of God. The writer reminds them that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever because they have started to listen to other voices that are not from the word of God. The writer reminds them not to listen to other kinds of strange teachings, which talks about ceremonial foods. The believers are to be strengthened by the grace of God and not by some ceremonial food of the Jewish customs. The writer reminds them that they can partake of the food of Christ that those who don’t believe in Christ can’t, even the priests who ministers at the temple. The writer reminds the readers that Christ died outside of the city of Jerusalem just as the animals that were sacrificed into the Most Holy Place as an sin offering were burned outside the camp. The writer calls the believers to go outside the “camp” of Jewish customs and regulations to suffer along with Christ the disgrace of being cut-off from His people, because the city they seek for is not the earthly Jerusalem, but the heavenly Jerusalem. The writer reminds them to continually give praise to God as a sacrifice of praise, to continually praise the name of Jesus. The readers are called to keep doing what is good and share with others as they had done before. The writer wants them to know God is pleased with their previous faithful good work and sharing with others who have need. Again, the writer calls the readers to obey their leaders and submit to their authority. The leaders have been entrusted with the flock to watch over them and they must give an account to God. The writer tells the readers that by joyfully submitting to their leaders, they are making the leaders’ work a joy not a burden and it will also benefit them as well as the leaders. The writer asks the readers to also pray for them that they will live honorably with a clear conscience. The writer also asks for prayers that they can come back to be with the recipients of the letter. Finally, the writer prays for the God of peace who through the blood of Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep will equip them with everything good for doing his will and work in them to do what is pleasing to him, through Christ and all glory belong to Him for ever and ever. He concludes this prayer with amen. After the prayer, the writer urges them to accept and bear with what he considers to be a short letter of exhortation. He also informs them that their brother Timothy has been released from prison. The writer hopes to come with Timothy if he arrives soon to visit the recipients. Finally, the writer sends greetings to all the leaders and all God’s people who are reading this letter. Also, the people from Italy send their greetings to the recipients. The writer concludes with a benediction of grace to all the readers.
XXV. Summary
The book of Hebrews is a letter of exhortation to the believers, who were probably Jewish Christians, to remind them of the foundation of their new faith in Christ is build not on the old Jewish laws and customs. Their faith is build upon the promised Son of God who has come in the world to die for their sins on the cross and rose victoriously and is now in heaven sitting at the right hand of God. The Son of God has accomplished salvation for them through the shedding of His blood. Jesus is greater than all the prophets, angels, Moses, Aaron, and high priests. Jesus’ priesthood is greater than the Levitical priesthood because it is in the order of the priesthood of Melchizedek, which is forever. Jesus as high priest ministers at the perfect heavenly tabernacle instead of the earthly tabernacle of the Levitical high priest. The blood of Jesus is able to accomplish the cleansing and forgiveness of sins unlike the blood of sacrificial animals, which can only remind the people of their sins and make them ceremonially clean on the outside. The believers have a hope of such a great salvation, that the writer again and again warns them not to turn back to their old ways to follow rules and regulations which can’t save them, and is a rejection of the works of God through Christ. They should expect a great judgment from God if they insist on turning away form the gospel message back to their old ways. They should hold on to their faith and continue to do works of faith despite the persecutions. The writer is convinced of the reader’s salvation, but warns them of the dangers if they were to forsake their faith and turn away from God’s grace. The writer urges them to keep doing what they had done when they first believed. They must not become weary and lose heart. The writer shows them how the heroes of faith endured much sufferings and how they did much for the kingdom of God even though they haven’t seen or experienced the promises of God that the believers are now enjoying. The believers have been given a new covenant and a new heart to follow God. They will not be forsaken or rejected by God if they continue in their faith. The writer wants the readers to firmly hold on to their faith and submit to their leaders who are teaching them the true word of God, instead of listening to other voices to distract them from following God. The book of Hebrews is a great letter of exhortation to believers to know the greatness of their salvation and Savior and to be careful to hold on to their faith because of such a great grace they have received. The book of Hebrews shows both the greatness of the grace of God if the people believe and the greatness of judgment of God if the people reject the grace of God. This is a great book to encourage believers to keep walking in their faith and not lose hope in the promises of God.
Bibliography
Holy Bible, Chinese/English (Union,NIV). Hong Kong: International Bible Society (H.K.) Ltd., 1997.
Toussaint, Stanley D. BE107 The Epistles to the Hebrews Notes. Dallas: Dallas Theological Seminary, 2005.
Wigoder, Geoffrey. The Illustrated Dictionary and Concordance of the Bible: New Revised Edition. New York: Sterling Publishing, 2005.
[1] Geoffrey Wigoder. The Illustrated Dictionary and Concordance of the Bible: New Revised Edition (New York: Sterling Publishing, 2005), 403.
[2] Stanley D. Toussaint, BE107 The Epistles to the Hebrews Notes (Dallas: Dallas Theological Seminary, 2005), 1-3
[3] Wigoder, The Illustrated Dictionary and Concordance, 403.
[4] Toussaint, BE107 The Epistles to the Hebrews Notes, 3.
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