Hebrews
Purpose
Hebrews is the great New Testament sermon on the supremacy of Christ, written to Jewish Christians who, under pressure and weariness, were tempted to drift back from their confession toward the old covenant shadows from which Christ had called them. The author's argument unfolds by comparison: Christ is greater than the prophets, for he is the Son; greater than the angels, for he is the eternal King seated at God's right hand; greater than Moses, for he is the Son over God's house; and greater than the levitical priests, for he is a priest forever "after the order of Melchizedek," who has entered the true sanctuary in heaven with his own blood, securing an eternal redemption and inaugurating a better covenant built on better promises. The old covenant could never perfect the worshipper; the new does, once for all, through the single, sufficient sacrifice of the Son. Interwoven with the argument are five solemn warnings against drifting away, and the great eleventh chapter on faith, the "assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen," crowned by the call to run with endurance, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
Author
Anonymous; proposed candidates include Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, and Priscilla
Time Period
Written c. 60-90 AD
Key Themes
- The supremacy of Christ
- The new covenant
- Christ our High Priest
- Faith and endurance
- The once-for-all sacrifice
- Warning against falling away
Outline
Christ superior to angels and Moses (ch. 1–4): the Son's final word, his deity and reign, the first warning against drift, Jesus crowned with glory through suffering, and the rest that remains. Christ the great High Priest (ch. 5–7): appointed by God, the order of Melchizedek, and the unchangeable priesthood. The better covenant and sacrifice (ch. 8–10): the new covenant promised, the heavenly sanctuary, and the one offering that perfects for all time, with the warning against willful sin. Faith and endurance (ch. 11–12): the roll-call of the faithful, looking to Jesus, and the Father's discipline. Concluding exhortations (ch. 13): brotherly love, the unchanging Christ, sacrifices of praise, and obedience to leaders.