NT-Hebrews-Nov14

what is Hebrews

  • “word of exhortation” letter form, warning Christians to not fall back to Judaism

unknowns

author

  • few scholars believe Paul wrote it

  • technically anonymous

  • language is very different from Paul’s letter

  • Appears to be second generation (Heb2:3)

  • typically circulated with Paul’s letters

  • male (11:32), connected to Paul, well educated

  • skilled writer, knows Greek OT, probably Jewish, Currently Luke is most popular candidate

date

  • range from 50-90, probably 65AD (Nero’s persecution)

  • location

knowns

destination: unknown but specific group of Jewish Christians

  • Perhaps in Rome (heb13:24)

occasion

  • persecution of Jewish Christians

  • Heb 10:32-36

  • group in danger of slipping back into Judaism to avoid persecution

2 important events

  • edict of Claudius, 49AD - Jews expelled from Rome and property confiscated (Acts 18:1-4)

  • Nero’s Persecution, 54-68 AD (Heb 12:1-3)

purpose

  • Christ fulfills and is better than Judaism

  • why: 1, lest they drift away (2:1-4), fall under discipline (3:12), 2 Foci, Majesty of Jesus, Jesus is God’s final answer

  • 3 exhortations: 1. hold fast to God 2. Hold fast to belief 3. Hold fast to each other

  • Warnings: danger of rejecting Christ, dangers of pretending to be a non-Christian

Text

Chapter by chapter

  1. Christ is better than prophets

  2. Better than Angels (first warning passage)

  3. 3-4 Better than Moses (Second warning passage)

  4. 4-10 Christ is better than Aaron(third and fourth warning)

  5. 11-12 life of faith(fifth warning)

  6. 13 conclusion

Contribution to the canon

  1. warning on abandoning the Faith a. disregarding salvation b. disbelieving sufficiency of God c. despising Spirit of God d. disobeying God

  2. Superiority of Jesus: superior to a. Angels b. Moses c. Levitical priesthood d. sacrifices

  3. Necessity of Faith a. Definition of Faith: The assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. b. Without faith according to Hebrews: it is impossible to please God without faith.

  4. Challenges and Rewards of Endurance a. according to Heb 12:1-3: i. be mindful of the cloud of witnesses ii. Run the race efficiently iii. Fix your eyes on Jesus b. Discipleship in Hebrews: i. hold fast to your confession ii. Approach God with confidence iii. Move in obedience to God

  5. Importance of reproof according to Hebrews 12:4-9 a Discipline is an indicator that: i. God loves me ii. I am a child of God iii. it’s for your ultimate good