Hebrews:

[Rob Morgan]

Hebrews:

Hebrews stands alone among the New Testament epistles in its style and approach, and it is the only New Testament book whose authorship remains a real mystery. This profound work builds a case for the superiority of Christ through a cumulative argument in which Christ is presented as "better" in every respect. ln His person He is better than the angels, Moses, and Joshua; and in His performance He provides a better priesthood, covenant, sanctuary, and sacrifice. Evidently, the readers are in danger of reverting to Judaism because of the suffering they are beginning to experience for their faith in Christ. However, by doing so, they would be retreating from the substance back into the shadow. ln addition to his positive presentation of the supremacy of Christ, the writer intersperses five solemn warnings about the peril of turning away from Christ (2:1-4;3:7-4:.l3;5:11-6:20; l0:.l9-39; 12:25-29). These parenthetical warnings include cautions against neglect (2:1-4) and refusal (12:25-29). After using the Old Testament to demonstrate the superiority of Christ's person (1 :1 -4:1 3) and the superiority of Christ's work {4: I4- I 0: 18), the writer applies these truths in a practical way to show the superiority of the Christian’s walk of faith (10:19-13:25).

The Superiority of Christ’s Person (1: 1 -4: 13): instead of the usual salutation, this epistle immediately launches into its theme - the supremacy of Christ even over the Old Testament prophets (1: l-3). Christianity is built upon the highest form of divine disclosure; the personal revelation of God through His incarnate Son. Christ is therefore greater thon the prophets and He is also greater than the angels, the mediators of the Mosaic Low (1:4-2:18; see also 2:2, Acts 7:53). This is seen in His name, His position, His worship by the angels, and His incarnation. The Son of God partook of flesh and blood and was "made like His brethren” in all things (2:17) in order to bring "many sons to glory" (2: I 0). Christ is also superior to Moses (3:1 -6), for Moses was a servant in the house of God, but Christ is the Son over God's household. Because of these truths, the readers are exhorted to avoid the divine judgment that is visited upon unbelief (3:7-4:13). Their disbelief had prevented the generation of the Exodus from becoming the generation of the conquest, and the rest that Christ offers is so much greater than what was provided by Joshua. The readers are therefore urged to enter the eternal rest that is possessed by faith in Christ.

The Superiority of Christ's Work (4:14-10: 18): The high priesthood of Christ is superior to the Aaronic priesthood (4:14-7:28). Because of His incarnation, Christ can "sympathize with our weaknesses,” having been "in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (4:15). Christ was not a Levite, but He qualified for a higher priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek. The superiority of Melchizedek to Levi is seen in the fact that Levi, if effect, paid tithes through Abraham to Melchizedek (7:9-10). Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek and "the lesser is blessed by the better" (7:7). The parenthetical warning in 5:.11-6:20 exhort the readers to "go on to perfection," (6:1), by moving beyond the basics of salvation and repentance.

By divine oath (7:2l), Christ has become a permanent and perfect High Priest and "the Mediator of a better covenant" (8:6). The New Covenant has made the old covenant obsolete (8:6- 13). Our Great High Priest similarly ministers in "the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation" (9:11). And unlike the former priests, He offers Himself as a sinless and voluntary sacrifice once and fore all (9:1-10:'18).

The Superiority of the Christian’s Walk of Faith (10 19-13:25): The author applies what he has been saying about the superiority of Christ by warning his readers of the danger of discarding their faith in Christ (10:10-39). The faith that the readers must maintain is defined in chapter 11, verses 1-3, and illustrated in chapter 1 1, verses 4-40. The triumphs and accomplishments of faith in the lives of Old Testament believers should encourage the recipients of "something better" (11:40) in Christ to look "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (12:2). Just as Jesus endured great hostility, those who believe in Him will sometimes have to endure divine discipline for the sake of holiness (12:1-29). The readers are warned not to turn away from Christ during such times, but to place their hope in Him. The character of their lives must be shaped by their dedication to Christ ('13:1-'19), and this will be manifested in their love of each other through their hospitality, concern, purity, contentment, and obedience. The author concludes this epistle with one of the finest benedictions in Scripture (13:20-21) and some personal words (13:22-25).