Hebrews Home Page | Heb Rules Page | Sound of Grace

Introduction.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon once introduced the letter to the Hebrew saints with these words:

We have now reached that wonderful part of Holy Scripture which is found in the epistle to the Hebrews. To fully understand it we ought to study closely the Book of Leviticus.  Diamonds will only cut diamonds; the Word of God is its own expositor; the New Testament is the key of the old.

The epistle opens with the declaration that whatsoever was communicated by the prophets was spoken by God. He spoke whatsoever was uttered by his prophets. The Scriptures are very jealous on this subject; how different from the language of many who seem desirous to exclude God from being the author of his own word.

The Author.

To begin our study of the letter to the Hebrew church we must first note that there is no concrete evidence as to who was the author. Some have suggested that Paul was the author. Other names suggested are Apollos, Barnabas, and Paul's beloved companion Luke. Richard Belcher, in his valuable outline Teaching Helps In Hebrews1 suggested the following facts concerning the author:

  1. The author was not an apostle (2:3).
  2. He was a second generation Christian (2:3).
  3. He was a friend of Timothy (2:23).
  4. He was known to his first readers (6:9; 10:34; 13:7; 19:22).
  5. He was a skilled writer and scholar as evidenced by his purity of language and literary style.
  6. He reflects the doctrines of Paul.
  7. He was in the company of Italian Christians when he wrote, either writing from Rome or writing to Rome (13:24).
  8. He was probably a native Jew. (See his knowledge of Judaism and of the Septuagint throughout the book.)
  9. He had Hellenistic (Greek) influence in his background. (See his ability in language - vocabulary and style.)
  10. .He wrote with authority though not an apostle.
     

Belcher suggests the evidence lies in favor of Luke. Arthur Pink, in his well known Exposition of Hebrews2, has suggested the author is no less than Paul. Pink quotes Peter to make his claim.
 
 

2 Pet 3:15 (KJV),
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.
 

Personally, I think Richard Belcher's suggestion that Luke was the author is most interesting but I tend to think it could even be the work of John Mark or perhaps of Cleopas given that he had a firsthand opening of the Old Testament Scriptures by our Lord himself. Much given much expected?
 
 Luke 24:25-27 (KJV),
{25} Then he said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
{26} Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?"
{27} And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
 
Someone has said if the Spirit of God wanted us to know for sure he could have provided us with the author's telephone number.  Enough said; let us move on.

The Recipients

The next thing we should note is to whom was this letter addressed? It can be observed from our texts that
        they were obviously Jews (1:1);
        they were considered to be brethren (3:1);
        they were partakers of the heavenly call (6:4);
        they were known to the author (13:9).
 

Richard Belcher states the following about these professing Christians,

Thus they were second-generation Jewish Christians who had
        professed faith in Christ;
        displayed works of love in God's name;
        served the saints;
        formerly endured great suffering for Christ.
 

Our Study Texts: *Hebrews 1:1, 2.

{1} God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
{2 }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;

*All scripture references are KJV unless otherwise stated.
 

Central Theme.

Christ: The Promise Realized and Embodied

All God has spoken through the prophets of old was during the time which we now consider "B.C." that is, "Before Christ." If I may exercise a little liberty perhaps I could best express the writer's opening two verses with this short paraphrase:
   

God & God’s Son

Hebrews 1:1,
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

It is only fitting that the writer of this epistle to the Hebrews begins with God and His Son. God, in the communication of His word to mankind, reaches a culmination in the sending of His Son.
 

John 1:14,
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
 

All that is true of God's earlier word is supremely true of Jesus. The word of Jesus Christ is, in a special way, the word of God as it makes known, and brings into operation, the reconciliation with God which is His purpose for his elect.

 

2 Cor 5:18,
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Consider this3 thought for a moment:
So central are the words of Christ to the purpose of God in this world that the successful spread of the gospel is the growth of the word of God.


         Acts 12:24: "But the word of God grew and multiplied".

Rev 19:13b: "...his name is called The Word of God."

Heb 1:2,
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;
 
1 Pet.1:10-13,
{10} Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
{11} Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
{12} Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
{13} Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
 
Matt 11:27,
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
 
Mark 9:7,
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son: hear him." .
 
Heb.1:1,
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
 
                   Heb. 1:1: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through                      
                   the prophets at many times and in various ways," (NIV).  
 

My own opinion follows the reading from Genesis 1, "In the beginning God..." So here I prefer the rendering that both the KJV and the NASV provide.
 

  1. The next important thing we can see from verse one is how God is so consistent in his desire to talk and illuminate man. With the advent of His Son, God’s desire reaches its highest fulfillment, and in so doing, He demands of us the most careful hearing.

Spurgeon wrote,

"We have the clearest of all revelations. In Jesus we see far more of God than in all of the teachings of the prophets."
 

-------------------
Additional helps.

INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREW by B. W. Johnson

That this Epistle is entitled to a place in the NT Scriptures has been discussed but little in comparison with the question of its authorship. It is quoted at large by Clement of Rome before the close of the first century, by Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and others in the second century; is found in the Versions of the second century; is named in the Ancient Canons; and is affirmed to be a part of the Holy Scriptures by the Council of Antioch (A.D. 269), of Nice (A.D. 325), and by the later councils as well. On the other hand, both the ancient and modern church have been divided concerning the writer to whom it is to be ascribed. Contrary to the usual custom, the writer's name is not given in the opening verses nor in the closing salutations. It also differs somewhat in style from any other portion of the NT. Some have thought it improbable that Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, should have addressed an Epistle to the Hebrews.  For these reasons, and perhaps others, many devout critics have held that it was written by Barnabas, or by Apollos, or by Luke; even Clement of Rome has been named as the author. In the ancient church,  the East (with one consent) declared in favour of Paul, while the West asserted that it belonged to some other writer.  In modern times, however, the Latin Church has decided the question (by the weight of infallibility) in favour of the apostle to the Gentiles. Luther and Calvin both held that it was not Pauline, and have been followed by many moderns.

The limits of this work will not allow details concerning this discussion, and I will content myself with briefly stating reasons why I think it is to be ascribed to Paul.
 
 

  1. There is no proof whatsoever, of any kind, that any one else was the author; there is only conjecture.
  2. Paul is named as the author in the second century by Christian Fathers (disciples of men who had sat at the feet of the apostles).
  3. The greatest of the Ante-Nicene Fathers who make mention of its authorship affirm that it was written by Paul.
  4. It was written in Paul's lifetime, for the temple was evidently still standing; it was written by a friend of Timothy, written from Italy, and evidently written by one who was a prisoner.
  5. The salutation, or benediction with which it closes, is found in the other thirteen epistles of Paul, but is not found in the NT epistles of any other writer. Paul alone invokes GRACE upon those whom he addresses with his farewell words.
  6. The second Epistle of Peter, an Epistle evidently written to Hebrews, declares that Paul had written an Epistle to them. "As our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him hath written unto you; as also in all his Epistles," (2Pe 3:15-16). This refers to some particular letter, sent to the same persons whom Peter was addressing, and hence there seems to be little doubt that there existed, before Peter died, an Epistle to the Hebrews written by Paul.
  7. The argument is thoroughly Pauline. There can be no doubt, even if the language is not Paul's, that he inspired the thoughts. Hence, we are justified in concluding that the Epistle is really one of Paul's, even if his thoughts are in part clothed in the language of another writer.

 

It is addressed to HEBREWS; evidently Hebrew Christians; probably not so much those of Jerusalem as the "Dispersion," the multitudes of Jewish Christians in Gentile lands. It shows that those addressed were persecuted, were in danger of being tempted to fall away, and had not yet shed their blood for Christ. In order to strengthen them, the superiority of Christianity to Judaism is demonstrated by showing the superlative excellence of Christ. He is (1) superior to the prophets; (2) superior to the angels; (3) superior to Moses; (4) His priesthood is superior to that of Aaron, being a priest after the order of Melchizedek; (5) Then the superiority of the New Covenant to the Old is shown, being a better covenant, based upon better promises. This is shown in chaps. 8, 9, 10, and then follows, in the remaining chapters, an exhortation to steadfastness, based upon faith and strengthened by examples of the heroes of the faith.

It is evident from the closing words, whatever may have been the writer's reasons for not incorporating his name in the Epistle, that he was well known to those addressed. He asks their prayers, prays for them, speaks of visiting them with Timothy, and closes with the usual Pauline farewell benediction. (from B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with *Explanatory Notes.* 1889. (pp. 296-297))
 

Additional thoughts concerning the theme of Hebrews

SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT (over the Old)
Shown in the Key-word "Better" in the Epistle of Hebrews

Better Revelation: Hebrews 1:1-4,
{1} God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
{2}  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;
{3}  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, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
{4}  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Better Hope: Hebrews 7:19,
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God. {the bringing...: or, it was the bringing in}

Better Priesthood: Hebrews 7:20-28,
{20}  And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]:
{21}  (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) {without...: or, without swearing of an oath}
{22}  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
{23}  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
{24}  But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. {an...: or, which passeth not from one to another}
{25}  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. {to the...: or, evermore}
{26}  For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
{27}  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
{28}  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. {consecrated: Gr. perfected}

Better Covenant: Hebrews 8:6,
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. {covenant: or, testament}

Better Promises: Hebrews 8:6,
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. {covenant: or, testament}

Better Sacrifices: Hebrrews 9:23,
[It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Better Possessions: Hebrews 10:34,
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. {in yourselves...: or, that ye have in [or, for] yourselves}

Better Country: Hebrews 11:16,
But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Better Resurrection: Hebrews 11:35,
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
 

-------------

I hope that the above will prove helpful to those of you who may have limited study resources.
 

May our Lord bless each and every one of you as we venture together in what I believe may very well be a first of its kind Bible Study through the use of the Internet. - Moe
   

Credits:
1 Teaching Helps In Hebrews, Richbarry Press, P.O. Box 302, Columbia, SC 29202
2 Exposition of Hebrews, Arthur Pink, Baker Books
3 Portions of the above gleaned from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
4 The People's New Testament with *Explanatory Notes* 1889, by B. W. Johnson
 

Hebrews Home Page | Heb Rules Page | Sound of Grace