Some refer to the Book of Hebrews as the “better book.” It compares the Old Testament ceremonial system and its fulfillment, highlighting how the fulfillment is, in every instance, better than the type that pointed to the antitype. It is arguably the best link between Old Testament religious practice and New Testament theology in the Bible. The way Old Testament heroes of faith are highlighted and linked to New Testament principles of faith is remarkable.
Authorship and Date
The Book of Hebrews was traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul and, therefore, appeared among the other Greek, Old Syriac Peshitta, and Latin manuscripts translations of epistles attributed to him. Paul identifies himself in all the other epistles attributed to him. However, there are some epistles attributed to him that he likely did not author, though they contain attribution to Paul in their opening verses.
Most scholars today do not believe Paul was the author of Hebrews. The Book of Hebrews has no attribution to Paul as the author, and the language and style differ from that of the authentic Pauline Epistles. Eusebius, in his History of the Church, recorded why Origen doubted the Pauline authorship of Hebrews in the 3rd century but was not certain enough to deny it altogether.
Hebrews has the most polished use of Greek in the New Testament, and it is not impossible that an amanuensis (secretary) did the writing on behalf of Paul. The way the epistle reflects on the Temple indicates that the author was unaware of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, which likely dates the document to before 70 CE. If Paul or an amanuensis did the writing, it dates to around 63 or 64 CE. Some scholars, however, date it to between 70-100 CE, which eliminates Paul as the author.
Hebrews 2:3 suggests that the author was not one of the disciples, nor had they received any special revelation as Paul had (1 Corinthians 11:23; Galatians 1:11-12). Paul could, therefore, not have been the author. The author had to be someone known to, and having authority in, the apostolic church. Tertullian suggested Barnabas, a Levite with close connections to Paul, while Martin Luther suggested Apollos, an eloquent Jewish Christian who had close ties to Paul. In the end, the authorship of Hebrews is unclear but that does not take away from the phenomenal contribution the epistle makes.
Historical Context
More than one theory about the historical context that motivated the writing of Hebrews exists. One suggests that the epistle had a Jewish Christian audience in mind who authorities persecuted in Jerusalem. Another argues that the epistle had a Jewish congregation in Rome in mind, which would explain why the epistle made its first appearance there.
Yet another theory suggests that Hebrews addresses the contention between extreme Judaizers who wanted new believers to convert to Judaism as a prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit and antinomians who opposed the Law and called for its complete rejection.
Structure
The superiority of God’s Son (Hebrews 1:1-4)
The Son of God as creator and savior receives focus in this short pericope.
The superiority of Jesus to the angels (Hebrews 1:5-2:18)
The distinction between Christ and the angels highlights the superiority of Jesus over other created heavenly beings. It emphasizes how Christ was the founder of faith and bringer of salvation, acts the angels could never perform.
The superiority of Jesus to Moses (Hebrews 3:1-4:13)
This section shows how Jesus is so much more than Moses, who Jews rightly recognized for his contribution to matters of faith in Judaism. Christ, however, far supersedes Moses in significance and efficacy in delivering the people of God from bondage and giving them rest.
The superiority of the high priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-7:28)
The high priest served as a type of Christ. The high priesthood of Christ, being the antitype, fulfills the earthly version. It comes to its fullness as the Old Testament symbol meets the reality of Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.
The superiority of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:1-10:18)
Hebrews explains and demonstrates the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old, showing how Christ is the principal actor in establishing it.
Exhortations on Faith (Hebrews 10:19-12:29)
The revelation about Christ in the previous chapters now culminates in the theses of faith. Because Christ is superior in all aspects to what was before, it allows the believer to stand in faith with greater surety. The text highlights Old Testament heroes and shows how they believed without ever seeing the promise fulfilled. It encourages the readers who have seen the fulfilled promise in Jesus to draw strength from it to endure to the end.
Concluding Exhortations and Benediction (Hebrews 13:1-25)
The author explains how faith manifests in holy living as a sacrifice that pleases God.
Main Themes
The Supremacy of Christ
Christ is highlighted as the founder and perfecter of the faith. The supremacy of Christ is depicted by showing how Christ is the antitype to the various types in the sanctuary system that pointed to him. These include, but are not limited to, the rest, Melchizedek, the high priest, and the sacrifice.
Faith and perseverance
Approximately two-and-a-half chapters are dedicated to the topic of faith. It highlights how the Old Testament heroes acted from faith and how it reflected in their actions.
Warning against apostasy
Though not a single unit within the epistle, the recurring warnings against apostasy become a theme in and of itself. Passages that address it are scattered throughout the book (Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:12-19; 6:4-6; 10:26-31)
Holy living
The last chapter of Hebrews is a mini-thesis on holy living. It encourages the reader to embrace ethical living as a demonstration of salvation manifesting in love, hospitality, purity, and respect for leaders.
Key Passages
Hebrews 1:1-4
“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. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
Hebrews 4:14-15
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
The author starts to explain the supremacy of the high priesthood of Christ and emphasizes the empathy he has with every believer.
Hebrews 11:1-2
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.”
Verse one is the clearest definition of faith in scripture. The rest of the chapter shows how that definition is recognizable in the great heroes of faith in the Old Testament.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The relevance of the thesis on faith which started in chapter 10:19 now becomes evident as the author applies it to the life of the contemporary believer.
Contemporary Significance
Believers often struggle to understand the relevance and significance of the Old Testament to the New Testament. Similarly, some Jewish Christians in the 1st century (and thereafter) needed insight into the relationship between the Jewish faith and Christianity. Hebrews beautifully illustrates the supremacy of Christ in the light of the Old Testament sanctuary system with its offices and ceremonies that pointed to the ministry of the One who would fulfill them, Jesus.
Understanding what faith is and seeing how salvation in the Old Testament was the same as today helps the contemporary believer to understand and learn from the examples the Old Testament faith heroes set. It inspires us today to live a life of dedication and commitment like they did and it shows us how to recover from failures like those they struggled with.
Hebrews teaches believers to remain steadfast in the face of suffering and persecution. It highlights how adverse circumstances build character and guides the believer to interpret struggles in life as opportunities for growth.
