A little forward from my husband's Old Scofield Study Bible (which I
HIGHLY recommend to ANYONE for great KJV based study!) on the book of
Hebrews:
Writer: The authorship of Hebrews has been in
controversy from the earliest times. The book is anonymous, but the
reference in 2 Peter 3:15 seems conclusive that Paul was the writer. See
also Hebrews 13:23. All agree that, whether by Paul or another, the
point of view is Pauline. We undoubtedly have here the method of Paul's
synagogue addresses. No book of Scripture more authenticates itself as
inspired.
Date: From internal evidence it is clear that Hebrews was written before the destruction of the Temple, A.D. 70 (cf. 10:11).
Theme: The doctrinal passages reveal the purpose of the book. It was
written with a twofold intent: (1) To confirm Jewish Christians by
showing that Judaism had come to an end through the fulfillment by
Christ of the whole purpose of the law; and (2) the hortatory
[HOR'TATORY, a. Encouraging; inciting; giving advice; as a hortatory
speech] passages show that the writer had in view the danger ever
present to Jewish professed believers of either lapsing back into
Judaism, or of pausing short of true faith in Jesus Christ. It is clear
from the Acts that even the strongest of the believers in Palestine were
held to a strange mingling of Judaism and Christianity (e.g. Acts
21:18-24), and that snare would be especially apt to entangle professed
Christians amongst the Jews of the dispersion.
The key word is
"better." Hebrews is a series of contrasts between the good things of
Judaism and the better things of Christ. Christ is "better" than angels,
than Moses, than Joshua, that Aaron; and the New Covenant than the
Mosaic Covenant. Church truth does not appear, the ground of gathering
only being stated (13:13). The whole sphere of Christian profession is
before the writer; hence exhortations necessary to warn and alarm a mere
professor.
Hebrews is in six divisions, but these include five parenthetic passages of exhortation.
I. The great salvation 1:1-2:18 (2:1-4, parenthetic).
II. The rest of God, 3:1-4:16 (all parenthetic).
III. Our great High Priest, 5:1-8:6 (5:11-6:12, parenthetic).
IV. The new covenant and the heavenly sanctuary, 8:7-10:39 (10:26-39, parenthetic).
V. The superiority of the faith-way, 11:1-40.
VI. The worship and walk of the believer-priest, 12:1-13:25 (12:3-17, parenthetic).
Date: From internal evidence it is clear that Hebrews was written before the destruction of the Temple, A.D. 70 (cf. 10:11).
Theme: The doctrinal passages reveal the purpose of the book. It was written with a twofold intent: (1) To confirm Jewish Christians by showing that Judaism had come to an end through the fulfillment by Christ of the whole purpose of the law; and (2) the hortatory [HOR'TATORY, a. Encouraging; inciting; giving advice; as a hortatory speech] passages show that the writer had in view the danger ever present to Jewish professed believers of either lapsing back into Judaism, or of pausing short of true faith in Jesus Christ. It is clear from the Acts that even the strongest of the believers in Palestine were held to a strange mingling of Judaism and Christianity (e.g. Acts 21:18-24), and that snare would be especially apt to entangle professed Christians amongst the Jews of the dispersion.
The key word is "better." Hebrews is a series of contrasts between the good things of Judaism and the better things of Christ. Christ is "better" than angels, than Moses, than Joshua, that Aaron; and the New Covenant than the Mosaic Covenant. Church truth does not appear, the ground of gathering only being stated (13:13). The whole sphere of Christian profession is before the writer; hence exhortations necessary to warn and alarm a mere professor.
Hebrews is in six divisions, but these include five parenthetic passages of exhortation.
I. The great salvation 1:1-2:18 (2:1-4, parenthetic).
II. The rest of God, 3:1-4:16 (all parenthetic).
III. Our great High Priest, 5:1-8:6 (5:11-6:12, parenthetic).
IV. The new covenant and the heavenly sanctuary, 8:7-10:39 (10:26-39, parenthetic).
V. The superiority of the faith-way, 11:1-40.
VI. The worship and walk of the believer-priest, 12:1-13:25 (12:3-17, parenthetic).
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