Hebrews Overview

Intent

The author (unnamed, but probably Paul) is trying to convince his readers to exchange the good things of Judaism for the better things of Christ, trade the "shadow of things to come" for the actual substance.

Hebrews 8:1-2 is the “thesis statement” of the letter, (we can be confident of this because the author writes “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying”). In more complex words this thesis is that: Jesus is the true “high priest” who is seated at the right hand of God in Heaven.

Authorship

Hebrews doesn't attribute who its author is. The majority opinion is that it is probably Paul, but many other ideas have been suggested and some still consider it a mystery that it will never be solved.

Evidence for Paul’s Authorship of Hebrews

1. Tradition: even by the 300s AD, accurate or not, tradition was asserting the letter was written by Paul.
2. Accompanied by Timothy: Hebrews 13:23 mentions that the author of the letter was expecting Timothy to accompany him if he came quickly. From 1 Corinthians 1:1, Colossians 1:1 and 1 Thessalonians 1:1 we know Timothy accompanied Paul. There is no biblical evidence of Timothy accompanying any other specific epistle authors. This is not conclusive evidence that Paul wrote the book, however it is supportive of the conjecture that Paul is the author.
3. Familiar with Jewish Tradition: The author seems well-aquainted with the old testament and Jewish customs and traditions. This would be consistent with Paul's background as a Jewish convert.
4. In Chains: Hebrews 10:34 reveals the author had been in chains. This is consistent with Paul's background.
5. Separated from the Jews: In Hebrews 13:19 the author reveals a need to be "restored" to the recipients of the letter. We know from reading the letter that the audience is the Hebrews, or Jews. This is consistent with Paul's background.
6. A Sign in Every Epistle: In Second Thessalonians (3:17-18) Paul writes that his “salutation” in “his own hand” (ie. not a secretary’s hand) “is a sign of every epistle”. This salutation typically includes “so I write, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen”. Compare Hebrews 13:25 to Rom. 16:24, 1 Cor. 16:23-24, 2 Cor. 13:14, Gal 6:18, Eph. 6:24, Phil. 4:23, Col. 4:18, 1 Thess. 5:28, 2 Thess. 3:18, 1 Tim. 6:21, 2 Tim. 4:22, Titus 3:15, and Philemon 1:25. Then notice that none of the other epistles use the word grace as a salutation or blessing (though 2 Peter 3:18 does grace in a different context: instruction/exhortation rather than salutation/blessing)
7. Pray for Us: In Hebrews 13:18, the author asks the readers to “Pray for us”. The only other places in the New Testament that phrase appears are 1 Thess. 5:25 and 2 Thess. 3:1, which are, coincidentally, letters by Paul.
8. Separated from the Love of Christ: Having lists of 17 things that can separate you from the love of Christ appear in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. Romans and Galatians are both authored by Paul.
9. Choice of Book Naming: All the other epistles by Paul are named after the church they are written to. The general epistles (which are not written by Paul) are named after their authors. Hebrews is named after the audience, not the author. The King James version goes so far as to use the heading "The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews". Not a substantial reason to attribute the letter to Paul, but it certainly is interesting.
10. Chosen by God: Acts 9:15 names Paul as a chosen vessel of God's to bring God's name before the children of Israel, among others.
11. Who Else is Probable? If it wasn't Paul who wrote it, then who did? Scholars have investigated individuals such as Apollos, Barnabus, Priscilla, and others. However, there is a lack of supportive evidence (and in some cases non-supportive evidence) that any of these individuals is plausibly the author.

Why Isn't Everyone Convinced?

1. The Letter is Anonymous: Paul signed his other letters. Some are unconvinced because the letter itself doesn't say who wrote it. But we know that someone had to have written it, anonymous or not.
2. Phraseology and Composition: Some think some certain Greek phraseology and composition of sentences in the letter is dis-similar from other letters of Paul's. Are people reading too much into this? Did Paul work with someone else to write this letter? Did someone translate it for him? Or could it have been written by someone else entirely?
3. Old Testament Quotations: All Quotations are only from Septuagint (LXX, greek OT), rather than literally translated from Hebrew, in the places where the two versions have slightly different wordings. Most of Paul's other letters use a mix of both translations (though nothing would stop him from using only one translation for this particular letter). Is this evidence of Paul not reciting scriptures from memory but copying them word for word? Or evidence of another author?
4. Satan likes to cast doubt: One of Satan's favorite strategies of tearing apart our faith is casting doubt on God's word--that's exactly what he's been doing since man was in the Garden of Eden--did God really say that? Casting doubt on a small part of the bible could cast a larger doubt on the divine inspiration of the whole. Was the letter to the Hebrews really by a credible author? Is it really inspired by God? If I were in Satan's shoes, I think I'd try to get people up in arms debating doubtful details like whether or not this letter was written by Paul rather than on the more important issues of faith presented in the letter.

Why Would Paul Stay Anonymous?

Many Jews considered Paul to be traitor and a “sell-out” for converting to Christianity (at the same time, many Christians did not trust him either due to his early days when he persecuted Christians). The Jews sometimes would even riot when Paul showed up (Acts 21:27-28, 22:22-23), and may have been fearful of him (lest he uproot parts of their culture such as rituals or ceremonies). He’s not someone to whom the Jews were eager to listen. Remaining anonymous would keep the focus more on his message, rather than on the author.

When would Paul have written this book?

Most scholars believe the book was written at some point between 30 and 70 AD though exact dates very. Many believe Hebrews was written after Paul's first imprisonment (implied by Heb. 13:23) but before his second arrest, while he was living in a rented house" in Rome (mentioned in Acts 28:30). According to Chuck Missler, “it was clearly written prior to the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. In fact the impending destruction of the Temple of Judaism may have been one of the reasons that God had Paul show them how they needed, as Christian believers, not only to accept Christ, but to come out of Judaism (Cf. 1 Cor 9:20). Note Acts 9:15.” (Chuck Missler) It is plausible that if the letter had been written after the destruction of the temple, the tone would have been different in discussing the tabernacle, and likely the argument would have been structured differently to mention that recent event, since it could be a significant pillar in the argument that the old things are fading away.

Major Themes

Hebrews by “Train of Thought” Segments:

Chuck Missler breaks down the topics slightly differently, providing interesting insight:

Big Ideas in Hebrews

• Jesus is God’s son with authority. He has more power and esteem than the angels, Moses, and the prophets.
• Everything will be under the subjection of Jesus (eventually)
• Consider Jesus
• Come to the throne of mercy and grace
• Press on to spiritual maturity
• There is a hope we have that is an anchor to the soul
• Perfection is not possible through the law, a change was needed
• The first covenant was dedicated with blood, so will the second be
• Heavenly things were purified once and for all with a better sacrifice
• We can have confidence to enter the holy place
• Draw near to Jesus with full assurance of faith
• Faith has substance and is evidence of the supernatural (things unseen)
• Fix your eyes upon Jesus, laying aside weight and sin
• We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken
• Have grace, serve God with reverence and Godly fear
• Let brotherly love continue.

Key Verses

Segment 1
1:1-2 God...spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his Son…
1:4 …He [Jesus] has by inheritance obtained a much more excellent name than they.
Segment 2
2:1 Therefore we must give more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Segment 3
3:1 …consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus… 3:8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness 4:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
Segment 4
4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Segment 5
6:1-2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying aside the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Segment 6
7:11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, not man.
Segment 7
9:18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated with blood.
Segment 8
9:26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
10:10 By that [New Covenant] we will have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.
Segment 9
10:19,22 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holies by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Segment 10
11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Segment 11
12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Segment 12
12:28 Therefore, since ware receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
Segment 13
13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

Chapter Navigation

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