Category: s) Hebrews

The earliest manuscripts head the writing “the Hebrews”, which later was expanded to “The Epistle to the Hebrews.” It’s exact date of writing is not known, but there is strong internal and external evidence that it was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. AD 68 or AD 69 are dates commonly posited. We know from Clement of Rome in his writing that by the end of the first century he was in possession of the manuscript.

The exact audience is likewise unknown, but the title and content show that the audience was Jewish Christians. The book deals with a common problem early in the church, the Jewish struggle to know how exactly to place Jesus and His sacrifice in the context of God’s will for man. Continue reading “A Short Introduction to Hebrews” →

We are to mimic our Lord in faithfulness. Christ was faithful to His Father, and the Holy Spirit calls for us to be faithful. Israel is given as an example here, but an example to avoid rather than follow. They rebelled against God, and it cost an entire generation their inheritance in the land of promise. God said, “So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest” (11, cf. Psalm 95:11).

The rebellion of the Jews is well described, “They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways” (10). This is a problem in every generation. Men determine to do their own will, often because they do not even know God’s, but often because they ignore God because they prefer their own way.

We must not be guilty of the same. We must not depart from God, which He categorizes as an “evil heart of unbelief” (12). Instead, our call to be Christians is a call to faithfulness. We are to “hold our steadfastness to the end” (14). This is the Holy Spirit’s description of partaking of Christ!

In the Hebrew writer’s general efforts to show the superiority of the new to the old, he here makes a central and strong argument. This would be especially stirring to the Jewish Christians, as our Lord is compared to perhaps the most significant individual in the establishment of their nation and old law — Moses.

First, Jesus was fully faithful to his Father in heaven, as Moses was faithful. But, as was written, “For this one has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses”! Why? Because of the fundamental difference between Moses and Jesus.

Moses was a man. A servant. Jesus is God the Son. Moses is described as “a house”, where Jesus is described as the Builder of the house, thus worthy of more honor.

When we contrast the Old to the New, it is not merely a consideration of the relative merits. They’re both from God, they are both Holy. But it was God’s plan to supplant, in these last days, a limited law with His supreme gift to mankind. His Son!

The first 6 verses of Hebrews 3 compare and contrast Jesus with Moses.  First, the comparison in verses 1-2.

We begin with identification of Jesus as the Apostle and High priest of our confession. Notice the definite article. He is ‘the’ Apostle — a delegate or ambassador. In these last days, Jesus was the One (the only One) sent to man by God. He is also the only High Priest of the New Covenant, of the order of Melchizedek, (cf. Hebrews 6:20). He is the only high priest needed.  “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Like Moses, Jesus was “faithful to Him who appointed Him” (2). He Himself said, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). Moses was faithful as well, living his life in service to Jehovah. There are differences between the two, but as stewards, fulfilling God’s desire for them, they were certainly alike in their faithfulness to execute God’s will!

Here in our text the writer talks about why Jesus did what He did while on earth. Since we humans and flesh and blood, Jesus too became fully human (cf. John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8). His intent in coming was to free us from the bondage of sin and death, by gaining the victory over the devil, “him who had the power of death” (14). He did this through His death on the cross, serving as a sufficient sacrifice for sin.

Jesus did not do this for angels, but for humankind, “the seed of Abraham” (16). It was necessary for our redemption that Jesus become in all points like we are (Philippians 2:8; Hebrew 4:14-15). He is unique, both man and God. His humanity makes Him a “merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God”(17) i.e. no one can take his position as  both our High Priest, and our propitiation for sins.

In being a man, He was tempted like us. So, this gives Him the power to aid us in our own temptations. Praise be to God.

This Jesus, who was crowned with glory following his death (9) is a fitting sacrifice, and a fitting high priest for mankind. The word “fitting” indicates that which is proper or as it should be. In fact, the etymology “to be conspicuous” properly gives the essence, Jesus was the obvious choice to be the “captain of our salvation” (10).

This is shown in His suffering. Remember, the Jews at this time for the most part rejected the idea of a suffering Savior. As Paul wrote, the preaching of the gospel was a “stumbling block to Jews” (1 Corinthians 2:2). They were looking for a triumphant rebellion bringing a restoration of David’s physical throne. What they got was a man who was executed as a criminal.

But, the Hebrew writer says that Jesus was “of one” with those who accepted His redemptive act. “For both He who sanctified and those who are being sanctified are all of one” (11).

Jesus is our elder Brother, and we are so thankful that “He is not ashamed to call [us] brethren” (11).

The writer here sounds a warning concerning a possibility that many religious people today deny. It is possible for a Christian to sufficiently lose his faith in God as to be described as departing from Him. This warning (and the very need for it) denies the Calvinists view that a child of God cannot sin as to be lost. The Hebrew writer says he can, and the warning indicates that some do!

So, how do we avoid losing our faith? “Beware!” The first step is to acknowledge the possibility. “Exhort one another daily.” This phrase points out the important responsibility each Christian has to edify and encourage his brothers and sisters in Christ. (See also Hebrews 10:24-25 to note the importance of our assemblies in delivering such exhortations). “While it is called ‘Today’” indicates an urgency the writer wishes to impart to his exhortation.

Steadfastness is necessary to enjoy the fruits of being “partakers of Christ.” Only those who continue their faithful service to God “to the end” will enjoy the fruits of their labor.

The book of Hebrews contains a series of contrasts designed to establish the supremacy of Jesus Christ, and His covenant with mankind. The first of these contrasts consists of a comparison between Christ and angels.

1. Verse 4 indicates that Jesus is superior to the angels because His Father granted an inheritance to Him as a Son.
2. Jesus is superior to the angels because He is, in fact, God’s only begotten Son (5)
3. Jesus is seen to be superior in that God declares we are to worship Him, where angels are not to be worshipped. Rather they serve as ministering servants (6-7). Jesus is, in fact, God, reigning on His throne in righteousness (8-9).
4. Jesus is superior because He is the Creator of the universe. While the universe is temporal, and will one day cease to exist, its Creator is eternal and incorruptible. (10-12).

The angels are ministering spirits, appointed by God to serve us. In contrast God has exalted the Christ, and appointing for Him a place at His right hand, reigning in Heaven. He is not a servant, He is our Lord! (13-14).

The Hebrew writer here shows the place of preeminence given to Jesus as God’s Son. In so doing, he establishes an order with God being first, angels second and man third.

In the beginning, the Word was God (cf. John 1:1). The Word then became flesh (cf. John 1:14), and this event is referred to by Paul as an experience where the Son of God was humbled, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Paul continued in that passage, “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (vs. 9). This passage in Hebrews agrees with that assessment.

Because of Jesus’ death, the payment for sin was paid. God ordained Jesus as Savior, and the proof of this choosing is found in the resurrection (cf. Acts 2:32-36). God has exalted Him. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, ruling in the kingdom. He is above every name, both human and angelic. He is the Son of God. He has been crowned, and we are subject to Him alone.

Hebrews 1:1-4

The first four verses of both the first and second chapters of Hebrews are similar in that they declare the superiority of the words of our Lord. However, while the second chapter points out the responsibility we have to heed and obey the words of Jesus, the first chapter keeps the focus on the Lord Himself.

The words spoken by Jesus are superior because of who Jesus is. He is the Heir of all things. He is the Creator of the universe (cf. John 1:1-4). He is the personification of God, and our blessed Redeemer. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and is presently reigning in His kingdom at the right hand of the Father. He is superior to the angels, and as stated by the writer, “has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (4).

These words serve as the premise of the Hebrew epistle. The Hebrew Christian should not place his trust in the Old Covenant. Rather, he should turn to the New. Salvation is in the words, sacrifice and mediation of Jesus Christ. All who have gone before are flawed, and unable to save. In these last days, God has spoken to us “through His Son.”

Hebrews 2:1-4

The book of Hebrews contains numerous comparisons between God’s covenant with the Hebrews, and the covenant ratified with the blood of His son Jesus. The comparisons are intended to establish the superiority of the New (Jesus’ covenant) over the Old (Hebraic covenant).

One of these comparisons centers on the messengers God utilized under the Old covenant (described here as “the word spoken through angels [messengers]”), and Jesus Himself, the messenger of the New Covenant.

Since Jesus is Lord, His words carry the greatest authority. If God held the Jews accountable to the instructions He gave them through the agency of His servants, He will certainly hold us accountable to the instructions given to us by the Son of God himself.

So, we must “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” To fail in this is to forfeit our eternal standing before God.