The hebrews are warned of the sin and danger of unbelief. A writer would do well just studying the prologues of luke, acts, and hebrews. Hebrews in the picture study bible the book of hebrews with. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. There is no doubt that the book of hebrews is one of the big hitters in the new testament, for in it there is a great wealth of information regarding the person of christ, and just how exactly he was indeed the perfect sacrifice able to cover our sins. Hebrews intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. The book of hebrews shows the superiority of christianity over. I have developed study notes from my reading of the book. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included after romans among the books written by the apostle paul. The epistle of hebrews from the holy bible new international version niv book 58 please note we have increased the volume and the pitch of the audio for a clearer sound, so this speed. Apr 11, 2009 hebrews is one of the most significant books in the new testament for understanding the relationship between the old and new covenants. Basically, god created the world and then made an agreement with the people living in it. Walter martin, founder of the christian research institute and writer of the bestselling book kingdom of the cults. This course consists of three textbooks and 12 audio lessons by bible teacher, dr.
Hebrews, an anonymous new testament 1 homily with closing greetings normally associated with the letter genre, written before c. Should it be listed with the rest of the new testament. The foundations of christianitythe jewish sacrificial systemthe power of jesusjesus as high. It shows you how the old pointed to the new, how the former. One such example is its use of the word fire which apocalyptically refers to gods judgment see hebrews 10. The text does not mention the name of its author, but was traditionally attributed to paul the apostle. God is not called father of the believers hebrews 12. It is in many ways an enigma, but it is also in many ways the clearest teaching in the whole nt about the value of christ and his ministry on our behalf before god. The writer of hebrews seems to suggest the israel was about to experience another day of the lord where they would experience his judgment hebrews. He is greater than angels, the torah, moses, the promised land, priests, melchizedek, sacrifices, and the covenant. Significantly, the book makes no reference to the destruction of the temple at jerusalem in ad 70, and the author wrote as if the sacrificial system were still in existence hebrews 10.
This summary of the book of hebrews provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of hebrews. It shows how to strengthen true christian faith and how jesus will eliminate sin and death forever. The term is often used to describe or call the semitic israelites who lived during the nomadic era before the pre monarchic period. Jesus christ is clearly greater than anything that the old covenant. Nov 18, 2015 the book of hebrews is a great study on christology. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and. Hebrews 11 background information with maps and images.
Learn what the bible teaches in the book of hebrews. The supremacy of gods son long ago, at many times and in many ways, god spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. Jesus is greater, so hold fast to him overviewbible. The book of hebrews elevates jesus above historical people. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. In hebrews, the author shows how jesus is the ultimate revelation of gods love and mercy and is worthy of our devotion. There are a couple reasons why this might be the case. Jesus christ is clearly greater than anything that the old covenant had produced. Hebrews overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by john owen, an english nonconformist church leader and theologian. Theres been speculation in the past that it was the apostle paul but i think we dont know who wrote it. Oct 15, 2015 watch our overview video on the book of hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. For whom was the document intended, where does it fit in the historical narrative, and why was it written.
Study on the road or teach directly from your tablet. The commentary section includes running commentary on the. I have a whole new appreciation for lukedoctor, historian, and linguistic master. The apostle paul wrote the book of hebrews in about 61 c. The book of hebrews helps us to understand the relationship between jewish and gentile believers, and between israel and the church. The studies themselves are not intended to be comprehensive or complete commentaries on the biblical passages, but rather a survey of the basic story line, a brief analysis on the features of the text that serve to communicate its message, and a summary of the theological communication of the passages as a basis for further reflection. The epistle to the hebrews was probably written for jewish christians. It is addressed to jewish christians who were being pressured to renounce their confidence in jesus. Ill begin teaching the book of hebrews in my sunday school class on 11062016. The author of the letter to the hebrews remains shrouded in mystery. The book of hebrews is about jesus and how he guarantees a new and better covenant of grace. And hebrews presents christ and his service in the heavens as antitype and fulfilment of the old testament instructions of service.
Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. We have no definite information about where and when hebrews was written, or to whom it was addressed. The book of hebrews doesnt actually tell us who wrote it, and i dont think we really know who wrote the book of hebrews. The main theme of the book of hebrews can be found in the opening verses. The book of hebrews exalts jesus and shows that he is superior to the sacrifices of old.
Biblical scholars use the term hebrews to designate the descendants of the patriarchs of the hebrew bible old testamenti. The book of hebrews compares and contrasts jesus to key historical people and events from the old testament. Although there are arguments against the pauline authorship of hebrews, those arguments are not valid enough to defeat the traditional belief that paul is the author. By surpassing most traditional commentaries, lanes work unveils hebrews as a sermon rendered by a concerned preacher to his roman church.
Bible study series on the book of hebrews chapter by chapter. The superior worth and dignity of christ above moses is shown. If you are interested to find out more facts about ancient hebrews, check out the following information below. The hebrews, in particular the jewish believers, were suffering under intense persecution which was causing a lot of them to consider returning to their old rituals mosaic law. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of hebrews, and the following are five of the best. This was taken as evidence that paul had written it, and some eastern churches accepted hebrews as canonical earlier than in the west. Introductionthe book of the new testament routinely known as hebrews is a difficult nut to crack. Introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book to our modern world. Early manuscripts bear the title to the hebrews, which reflects the ancient assumption that it was written to jewish christians as well as gentile christians who previously had been drawn to.
The book of hebrews, youll discover the power of being inseparably linked with the historic, living savior, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole. The write strongly warns the hebrew christian to remain faithful to the christian religion and its principles and to separate from judaism, which had served its purpose and which was about to lose their rituals, sacrifices, and temple. The book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus. Sep 02, 2009 introduction to new testament rlst 152 there are many ways of interpreting the text, and ancient methods of interpretation may seem bizarre to our modern sensibilities. The term kreitton literally, more excellent or better permeates the book. Sproul explains the critical questions about the canonicity of hebrews and why we can have full confidence in its inclusion in the new testament. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins. Hebrews differs in some respect with the other epistles of the nt. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter.
That is why this is the most christcentered book in the new testament. Hebrew, any member of an ancient northern semitic people that were the ancestors of the jews. Since the epistle is filled with references to hebrew history and religion and does not address any. In acts 15, the judaisers prompted the jerusalem council by insisting that gentile believers be baptized and keep the law. Hebrews was written for christians who had been in the church for a while. Even early in the churchs history, a christian as learned as origen. It was a pretty sweet deal, but things werent working out so well. Difficulty in todays church, hebrews must be one of the least read, least studied, and therefore seemingly least valued books of the new testament. Hebrews 2 new international version niv warning to pay attention. Hundreds of relevant easy to understand teaching points.
The book of hebrews shows the superiority of christianity over the judaic system under the law of moses. In some modern languages, including armenian, greek, italian, romanian, and many slavic languages, the name hebrews survives as the standard ethnonym for jews, but in many other languages in which there exist both terms, it is considered derogatory to call modern jews hebrews. Hebrews 2 niv warning to pay attention we must pay. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of christ jesus 2. Therefore, this book exhorted the jewish christians to continue in their faith in jesus in the face of persecution. This course is an indepth study of the letter to the hebrews, and is designed to provide a working knowledge of the book, including an understanding of the proper relationship between the old and new testaments and confirm the superiority of jesus and his gospel. These folks knew about angels, the old testament heroes, the devil, and moses tabernacle, but someone thought they needed to know a little more. The epistle starts off as a written sermon and closes in the form of an epistle. There is also a lot to be said about the pearl of unbelief, or falling away from the faith.
This summary of the book of hebrews provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of hebrews. Watch our overview video on the book of hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. On the other side, the latest likely date for the book would be around a. Jun 15, 2008 some of the ancient and most foundational concepts of our faith can be difficult to understand. The book of hebrews also makes a contrast between the tabernacle and its sacrifices and the sacrifice of christ. And of necessity of faith in christ, and of stedfastly following him. Clement of alexandria suggests that paul wrote the book originally in hebrew and that luke translated it into greek, though the greek of hebrews bears no resemblance to translation greek e. Welcome to the book of hebrews a sermon to the baptized the letter to the hebrews is more appropriately called the sermon to the hebrews. Who it was that really wrote the epistle hebrews, god only knows. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included. In hebrews, the author shows how jesus is the ultimate revelation of god. Hebrews is a book of better things and here we find that christ has entered into a better priesthood.
The author of hebrews wrote to exhort his audience to reject local jewish teachings and to remain faithful to jesus. Both luke and the author of hebrews are described by most new testament scholars as the most literary writers of the new testament 9. When god ordains men to act in the priesthood on behalf of other men, he knows that those priests are also weak, sinful, and infirm, and need an offering for their own sins. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry. Hebrews with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Many regard the book of hebrews as the 14th epistle of paul. For this reason, the book of hebrews must have been written after pauls death, which took place sometime around a. The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. In other words, they insisted that gentiles become jewish proselytes. Hebrews bares no mention of the destruction of the jewish temple in jerusalem by titus in ad 70 28. The book of hebrews solves this problem by arguing that the hebrew scriptures also foretold that the messiah would be a priest although of a different sort than the traditional levitical priests and jesus came to fulfill this role, as a sacrificial offering to god, to atone for sins. As there is no other name known for the epistle it probably goes back to a very old tradition. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry new.
The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. Oct 17, 2011 this does create a platform or foundation upon which todays christian believers can find traction, context and understanding in the book of hebrews. Humble, cautious fear is urged, lest any should come short of the promised rest, through unbelief. As we studied through the book of hebrews, several overarching topics kept popping up again and again. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus.
The main themes in hebrews include the superiority of christ, the superiority of the new covenant, and urgent calls for the believer to persevere in his faith. The book of hebrews 2 credits thank you for signing up to begin your studies with this free twocredit course that will take you versebyverse through the book of hebrews. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. Sometime between ad 68 and 95 probably ad 6869 26 a. Hebrews is known and cited by clement of rome in 1 clement ad 95 27 b. Scripture by scripture explanation of the book of hebrews. Walter martin, founder of the christian research institute and writer of the bestselling book kingdom of the cults, quipped in his usual tongueincheek manner that the book of hebrews was written by a hebrew to other hebrews telling the hebrews to stop acting like hebrews. Although hebrews is not written in apocalyptic language, it does employ it. Should christians ever turn away from the faith, or should they hold fast to. If you want to see the supremacy and sufficiency of christ, read this book. Hebrews, on the other hand, presents a more organized argument in comparison to any nt book. The book of hebrews ties together the old and new testaments better than any other in the new testament. When hebrews talks about faith, therefore, it must help us to see the object of faith, because our faith will be strong if we believe and understand that the object of our faith is strong. He writes,i appeal to you, brothers and sisters, bear with my word of exhortation, for i have written to you briefly hebrews.
The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews is one of the books. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things. The title to the hebrews only appears in the 2nd century with clemens of alexandria around 150 215 ac. Audience, date and purpose one cannot rightly discern or fully appreciate the message of hebrews without due consideration to background information and contextual matters.