AUTHORSHIP AND DATE UNCERTAIN.
The epistle is anonymous and has been ascribed to Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Apollos and various other persons. The most that can be said is that the weight of opinion seems to favour the Pauline authorship.
PURPOSE. The epistle was apparently written primarily to Hebrew Christians. These converts were in constant danger of relapsing into Judaism, or at least of attaching too much importance to ceremonial observances. The chief doctrinal purpose of the writer was to show the transcendant glory of the Christian dispensation, as compared with that of the Old Testament.
KEY WORD, “Better.” By following this word the reader will discover the main current of thought. Other recurrent words and phrases: “Sat down,” referring to Christ’s finished work # Heb 1:3, 10:12 12:2
“Heavenly,” calling # Heb 3:1
priest # Heb 4:14
gift # Heb 6:4
substance # Heb 10:34
country # Heb 11:16
city # Heb 12:22
“Let Us,” a series of eleven exhortations:
1. “Fear” # Heb 4:1
2. “Labor” # Heb 4:11
3. “Come boldly to the throne of grace” # Heb 4:16
4. “Go on” # Heb 6:1
5. “Draw near” # Heb 10:22
6. “Hold fast” # Heb 10:23
7. “Consider one another” # Heb 10:24
8. “Lay aside every weight and run with patience” # Heb 12:1
9. “Have grace” # Heb 12:28
10. “Go forth” # Heb 13:13
11.”Offer the sacrifice of praise” # Heb 13:15
The epistle may be divided into two parts. Part I, chiefly doctrinal; Part II, chiefly practical.
SYNOPSIS.
PART I.
SECTION I. THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST
Ch. 1.
(1) Over the prophets, because of his divine glory # Heb 1:1-3
(2) Over the angels.
(a) Having a better name # Heb 1:4
(b) Acknowledged as the only begotten son by the Father # Heb 1:5
(c) Angels commanded to worship him # Heb 1:6
(d) Exalted above the angels to the eternal throne at the right hand of God # Heb 1:8-14
Ch. 2.
(e) His message is transcendant in importance, and it is perilous to disregard it # Heb 2:1-4
(f) Jesus made a little lower than the angels, dies for mankind that he may bring many sons into his own glory with the Father, and destroy him who had the power of death # Heb 2:9-14
SECTION II. THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD
Ch. 2. (cont.)
(1) He assumed human nature.
(a) Preparatory for his work of reconciliation # Heb 2:16,17
(b) His temptation prepared him to succour the tempted # Heb 2:18
Ch. 3.
(2) An appeal to consider Christ’s priesthood # Heb 3:1
(3) His preëminence over Moses as a servant, Christ being a son # Heb 3:2-6
(4) Parenthesis, The failure of Israel.
(a) To enter in to the Canaan-rest # Heb 3:7-11
(b) They were excluded because of unbelief # Heb 3:12-19
Ch. 4.
(c) A warning to the church not to follow the example of unbelieving Israel, but to enter into the rest of faith # Heb 4:1-8
(d) The believer rests in the work of redemption and ceases trusting in his own works # Heb 4:9-11
(e) The power of The Word of God # Heb 4:12,13
The Subject of the Priesthood of Christ, resumed.
(1) The sympathetic priesthood of Christ as an encouragement to steadfastness and prayer
# Heb 4:14-16
Ch. 5.
(2) The high priest, his office and work:
(a) Taken from among men # Heb 5:1
(b) Sympathetic because of his own weaknesses # Heb 5:2
(c) Presents an offering for himself, as well as for the people # Heb 5:3
(d) Divinely chosen # Heb 5:4
(3) Characteristics of Christ’s priesthood.
(a) Divinely chosen after a new order # Heb 5:5,6
(b) He offered up earnest prayers for deliverance in a submissive spirit # Heb 5:7,8
(c) Became author of eternal salvation # Heb 5:9,10
(4) Parenthetic rebuke, appeal, warning, and commendation.
(d) Rebuke, for dullness and immaturity # Heb 5:11-14
Ch. 6.
(e) An appeal for progress in doctrinal truth # Heb 6:1-3
(f) A warning respecting those who, having enjoyed the higher privileges of the new dispensation, turn away from Christ # Heb 6:4-8
(g) A commendation of the church, and a confidence that believers will continue faithful and inherit the promises # Heb 6:9-12
The subject of Christ’s priesthood again resumed.
(5) The certainty of the fulfillment of the divine promises.
(a) Illustrated in the life of Abraham # Heb 6:13-15
(b) Confirmed by an oath # Heb 6:16,17
(c) Like an anchor to the soul # Heb 6:18,19
(d) Assured by our heavenly high priest # Heb 6:20
Ch. 7.
(6) The priesthood of Melchisedec a type of Christ’s.
(a) Having a great name and belonging to an eternal order # Heb 7:1-3
(b) Honored with tithes by Abraham, and superior to the Aaronic priesthood # Heb 7:4-10
(7) The summary of the preeminent qualities of Christ’s priesthood:
(a) Like that of Melchisedec, it belonged to an eternal order, and was confirmed by a divine oath # Heb 7:11-22
(b) Is unchangeable and infinite in power # Heb 7:23-25
(c) Was sinless and perfect, and made one complete sacrifice # Heb 7:26-28
Ch. 8.
(d) is now exercised in the heavenly sanctuary # Heb 8:1-5
(e) Mediates through a better covenant # Heb 8:6-13
Ch. 9.
(f) The ancient rites and ceremonies, and the sacrifices performed by the priests were only types# Heb 9:1-10
(g) The redemptive work of Christ and his blood cleansing from sin, are sublime realities # Heb 9:11-15
(h) The institutes of the old covenant prefigured the perfect sacrificial work of Christ in the new # Heb 9:16-28
Ch. 10.
(i) The oft-repeated Jewish sacrifices were not effectual to take away sin. While Christ, by his one great sacrifice, completed the redemptive work for mankind, and “sat down at the right hand of God,” awaiting the consummation of the divine plan. # Heb 10:1-18
PART II. CHIEFLY PRACTICAL TEACHINGS AND EXHORTATIONS.
(1) The privilege of entering into the divine presence through the sacrifice and priesthood of Christ # Heb 10:19-21
(2) Exhortations.
(a) To draw near in worship with full assurance, having prepared the heart # Heb 10:22
(b) To steadfastness, mutual encouragement, and faithful attendance upon the means of grace # Heb 10:23-25
(3) Warnings respecting the perils of backsliding.
(a) The penalty visited upon despisers, under the Mosaic law # Heb 10:26-28
(b) The worse fate of those who dishonour Christ’s sacrifice and the gracious spirit of God # Heb 10:29-31
(4) A reminder to the Hebrew believers, of their previous fortitude in enduring afflictions and an exhortation to patience and perseverance # Heb 10:32-39
Ch.11.
(5) A roll call of the heroes and heroines of faith.
(a) the sphere of faith # Heb 11:1-3
(b) Notable examples of faith:
Abel # Heb 11:4
Enoch # Heb 11:5,6
Noah # Heb 11:7
Abraham and Sarah # Heb 11:8-19
Isaac, Jacob and Joseph # Heb 11:20-22
Moses and his parents # Heb 11:23-29
Joshua and Israel # Heb 11:30
Rahab # Heb 11:31
Other worthies # Heb 11:32-40
Ch. 12.
(6) Spiritual athletics, the Christian race.
(a) The audience, the preparation, and how to run # Heb 12:1
(b) Eyes upon the Master at the goal, remembering his victory # Heb 12:2
(c) The inspiration when weary # Heb 12:3,4
(d) The value of hardship and correction in training # Heb 12:5-10
(e) The good results of hardship and chastening # Heb 12:11
(f) An exhortation to sturdiness and straightforwardness # Heb 12:12,13
(7) Exhortations respecting peaceableness, purity, and watchfulness against evil influences # Heb 12:14,15
(8) Warnings concerning selling out life’s blessings # Heb 12:16,17
(9) A contrast between Mount Sinai of the Old Testament and Mount Sion of the New.
(a) Mount Sinai with its awful manifestations of divine power # Heb 12:18-21
(b) Mount Sion with the glorious company within the heavenly Jerusalem # Heb 12:22-24
(10) Solemn warning respecting the heeding of the heavenly message in regard to the mutability of earthly things and the permanence of God’s kingdom # Heb 12:25-28
Ch. 13.
(1) Final exhortations respecting Christian Duties.
(a) Social duties # Heb 13:1-6
(b) Duty to religious leaders # Heb 13:7
(c) An unchangeable Christ should inspire steadfastness in Christian doctrine
# Heb 13:8,9
(d) The duty of Christian separation # Heb 13:10-14
(e) The duty of thanksgiving, benevolence and obedience to rulers
# Heb 13:15-17
(2) Concluding Words
(a) A request for prayers, and a blessing pronounced # Heb 13:18-21
(b) Final salutation and benediction # Heb 13:22-25
CHOICE SELECTIONS.
Suffering, a preparation for priesthood # Heb 2:9-18
The rest of faith # Heb 4:1-11
Spiritual maturity # Heb 5:12 – 6:2
The new covenant # Heb 8:8-13
“The Faith Chapter”–The roll call of heroes, ch. 11 # Heb 11:1
The chapter on “Spiritual Athletics and the Christian Race.” Hardship, correction and chastening, as a preparation for victory. # Heb 12:1-13