Hebrews Introduction

Author 

The author of Hebrews is unknown; we only know that the author was male, having used the masculine participle in referring to himself (11:32), and he was not an eyewitness to Jesus (2:3). Many speculations have been made about authorship, but it is certainly clear that the man who penned the letter remained anonymous. On the other hand, those to whom this letter was written were clearly known to the author, and, whoever the author was, he possessed a high level of affection for those to whom he was directing his remarks (13:19).


Date and Purpose 

It would seem the book was written after the death of Paul and shortly after Timothy had spent some time in prison (13:23). It was also likely during a season of intense persecution, with references in the book calling the recipients to remember they had endured suffering (10:32), even the plundering of their own property (10:34), and to show compassion to others who had been arrested (10:34; 13:3).

It also seems Hebrews may have been written before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. We draw this conclusion from the many references to the Jewish system of sacrifice, presented as a present reality (7:27-28; 8:3-5; 9:7-8; 10:1-3).

Some, including me, consider Hebrews to be a manuscript of a single sermon. For this reason, I refer to it not as a letter but as a book. It has all the components of a sermonic gem, from its careful progression; to its appeals and pleadings; then its warnings against: 

  • drifting away (2:1-4)

  • hardening their hearts (3:13-16)

  • failing to reach the promise (4:1-2)

  • failing to mature in Christ (6:1-3)

  • failing to draw near (10:19-20)

  • failing to hold fast to their confession (10:23)

  • failing to be committed to gathering together (10:25)

  • continuing in sin (10:26; 12:1)

  • failing to persevere (10:39)

  • continuing in bitterness (12:15)

  • continuing in sexual immorality (12:15)

The whole of the book is expository, meaning it exposes Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures, proving the superiority of Christ to all else.

Thus, the purpose of this book is to encourage followers to remain faithful to Christ, who is superior to prophets, angels, former leaders, the Jewish sacrificial system, and the priesthood.

While the author did confront false teaching (13:9-10), the aim of the book is to address followers who seem wearied in persecution and have begun to lapse in their growth in Christ, regressing to being fed by others rather than feeding themselves (5:11-14), and even beginning to make a habit of not attending the gathering for worship (10:25).

The author seemed to cry out throughout the entire sermon for those committed to Christ to endure, remain faithful, and not revert to religious ways because Christ is superior to all.


Outline

  • Christ Is Better Than the Prophets and Angels (1:1-2:18)

  • Christ Is Better Than Moses and Joshua (3:1-4:13)

  • Christ Is Better Than Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood (4:14-10:18)

  • Entering and Enduring Is Better Than Shrinking Back and Being Destroyed (10:19-39)

  • Faith and Faithfulness Are Better Than Refusing and Rejecting (11:1-13:25)