By surpassing most traditional commentaries, lanes work unveils hebrews as a sermon rendered by a concerned preacher to his roman church. Walter martin, founder of the christian research institute and writer of the bestselling book kingdom of the cults. 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 term kreitton literally, more excellent or better permeates the book. The book of hebrews shows the superiority of christianity over the judaic system under the law of moses. He writes,i appeal to you, brothers and sisters, bear with my word of exhortation, for i have written to you briefly hebrews. Hebrews 2 new international version niv warning to pay attention. 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. 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. On the other side, the latest likely date for the book would be around a. Sproul explains the critical questions about the canonicity of hebrews and why we can have full confidence in its inclusion in the new testament. The author of the letter to the hebrews remains shrouded in mystery. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things.
The book of hebrews compares and contrasts jesus to key historical people and events from the old testament. The book of hebrews exalts jesus and shows that he is superior to the sacrifices of old. In acts 15, the judaisers prompted the jerusalem council by insisting that gentile believers be baptized and keep the law. Nov 18, 2015 the book of hebrews is a great study on christology. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry new. The book of hebrews is about jesus and how he guarantees a new and better covenant of grace. 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. The author of hebrews wrote to exhort his audience to reject local jewish teachings and to remain faithful to jesus. 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. Scripture by scripture explanation of the book of hebrews. 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. Therefore, this book exhorted the jewish christians to continue in their faith in jesus in the face of persecution. The book of hebrews ties together the old and new testaments better than any other in the new testament.
The main theme of the book of hebrews can be found in the opening verses. The book of hebrews helps us to understand the relationship between jewish and gentile believers, and between israel and the church. 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. One such example is its use of the word fire which apocalyptically refers to gods judgment see hebrews 10. 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. 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.
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. The book of hebrews elevates jesus above historical people. The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism. Introductionthe book of the new testament routinely known as hebrews is a difficult nut to crack. Biblical scholars use the term hebrews to designate the descendants of the patriarchs of the hebrew bible old testamenti. Jun 15, 2008 some of the ancient and most foundational concepts of our faith can be difficult to understand. Watch our overview video on the book of hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. 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. 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. Even early in the churchs history, a christian as learned as origen. 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. These folks knew about angels, the old testament heroes, the devil, and moses tabernacle, but someone thought they needed to know a little more. Hebrews overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by john owen, an english nonconformist church leader and theologian.
The apostle paul wrote the book of hebrews in about 61 c. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of hebrews, and the following are five of the best. 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 gods love and mercy and is worthy of our devotion. Bible study series on the book of hebrews chapter by chapter. In other words, they insisted that gentiles become jewish proselytes. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. 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. The superior worth and dignity of christ above moses is shown. This was taken as evidence that paul had written it, and some eastern churches accepted hebrews as canonical earlier than in the west. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. Basically, god created the world and then made an agreement with the people living in it. Although hebrews is not written in apocalyptic language, it does employ it. Humble, cautious fear is urged, lest any should come short of the promised rest, through unbelief.
Jesus christ is clearly greater than anything that the old covenant had produced. There are a couple reasons why this might be the case. Theres been speculation in the past that it was the apostle paul but i think we dont know who wrote it. The epistle to the hebrews was probably written for jewish christians. Study on the road or teach directly from your tablet. Who it was that really wrote the epistle hebrews, god only knows. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. That is why this is the most christcentered book in the new testament. Ill begin teaching the book of hebrews in my sunday school class on 11062016. 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. Hebrews in the picture study bible the book of hebrews with. Difficulty in todays church, hebrews must be one of the least read, least studied, and therefore seemingly least valued books of the new testament. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. If you are interested to find out more facts about ancient hebrews, check out the following information below.
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. It is addressed to jewish christians who were being pressured to renounce their confidence in jesus. Hebrew, any member of an ancient northern semitic people that were the ancestors of the jews. 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. Learn what the bible teaches in the book of hebrews. Audience, date and purpose one cannot rightly discern or fully appreciate the message of hebrews without due consideration to background information and contextual matters. The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. Hebrews is a book of better things and here we find that christ has entered into a better priesthood.
Jesus christ is clearly greater than anything that the old covenant. It was a pretty sweet deal, but things werent working out so well. We have no definite information about where and when hebrews was written, or to whom it was addressed. The book of hebrews shows the superiority of christianity over. 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. Both luke and the author of hebrews are described by most new testament scholars as the most literary writers of the new testament 9. As we studied through the book of hebrews, several overarching topics kept popping up again and again. As there is no other name known for the epistle it probably goes back to a very old tradition. 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 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. I have a whole new appreciation for lukedoctor, historian, and linguistic master.
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. 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 commentary section includes running commentary on the. God is not called father of the believers hebrews 12. Hebrews, an anonymous new testament 1 homily with closing greetings normally associated with the letter genre, written before c. In hebrews, the author shows how jesus is the ultimate revelation of god. 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. For this reason, the book of hebrews must have been written after pauls death, which took place sometime around a. It shows how to strengthen true christian faith and how jesus will eliminate sin and death forever.
It shows you how the old pointed to the new, how the former. I have developed study notes from my reading of the book. Jesus is greater, so hold fast to him overviewbible. 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. The hebrews are warned of the sin and danger of unbelief.
Should it be listed with the rest of the new testament. Hebrews 11 background information with maps and images. There is also a lot to be said about the pearl of unbelief, or falling away from the faith. 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. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry. Hebrews bares no mention of the destruction of the jewish temple in jerusalem by titus in ad 70 28. 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. Many regard the book of hebrews as the 14th epistle of paul. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included after romans among the books written by the apostle paul. Hebrews with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
A writer would do well just studying the prologues of luke, acts, and hebrews. And of necessity of faith in christ, and of stedfastly following him. Hundreds of relevant easy to understand teaching points. Hebrews intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. The epistle starts off as a written sermon and closes in the form of an epistle. If you want to see the supremacy and sufficiency of christ, read this book. Sometime between ad 68 and 95 probably ad 6869 26 a. And hebrews presents christ and his service in the heavens as antitype and fulfilment of the old testament instructions of service.
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. The text does not mention the name of its author, but was traditionally attributed to paul the apostle. Hebrews differs in some respect with the other epistles of the nt. The foundations of christianitythe jewish sacrificial systemthe power of jesusjesus as high. 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. Should christians ever turn away from the faith, or should they hold fast to. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews is one of the books. 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. 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.
Hebrews is known and cited by clement of rome in 1 clement ad 95 27 b. The term is often used to describe or call the semitic israelites who lived during the nomadic era before the pre monarchic period. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. The book of hebrews doesnt actually tell us who wrote it, and i dont think we really know who wrote the book of hebrews. 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. Hebrews, on the other hand, presents a more organized argument in comparison to any nt book.
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. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. Hebrews 2 niv warning to pay attention we must pay. For whom was the document intended, where does it fit in the historical narrative, and why was it written. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. The book of hebrews also makes a contrast between the tabernacle and its sacrifices and the sacrifice of christ. This course consists of three textbooks and 12 audio lessons by bible teacher, dr. Hebrews was written for christians who had been in the church for a while. 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. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries.
The title to the hebrews only appears in the 2nd century with clemens of alexandria around 150 215 ac. Since the epistle is filled with references to hebrew history and religion and does not address any. The book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus.
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