Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of hebrews, and the following are five of the best. Ethan smith, pastor of the congregational church in poultney, vermont, argued that the native americans were scattered israelites who would soon be restored into the gospel fold. Yet we should not give up just because it is difficult. Although hebrews is not written in apocalyptic language, it does employ it. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry new. The book of hebrews was written for the jews who had accepted jesus as their messiah. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. Out of the 27 books in the new testament, the book of hebrews is the only one where the author remains a mystery. Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. In chapter 10 yahusha warns his disciples that they will find hostility within the jewish community when they attempt to witness to them. Introductionthe book of the new testament routinely known as hebrews is a difficult nut to crack. Josephus antiquities of jews book 1, chapter 6, paragraph 4 sala was the son of arphaxad. Bible study and commentary jesus, our chief priest a bible study in easyenglish 2800 word vocabulary on the book of hebrews keith simons easyenglish is a system of simple english designed by wycliffe associates uk.
This is also the most natural interpretation of the people in. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. Christocentric commentary series a commentary on the epistle to the hebrews jesus better than everything james a. Within the new testament literature itself there are other examples of literature without statement of authorship or destination. We need only look at the first few verses of the book to realize that this is unlike any other epistle in the canon. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. The commentary section includes running commentary on the. Summary of hebrews, the general epistles and revelation. The conjunction te is used most frequently in lukes writings and hebrews. This smaller section emerges as a theological micro cosm of the book as a whole.
It is in many ways an enigma, but it is also in many ways the clearest teaching in the whole nt about the value of christ and his ministry on our behalf before god. Or it may seem to be about rules for ceremonies, like leviticus. He explains how jesus is a better sacrifice than animals and is greater than angels and a greater high priest. Bible study series on the book of hebrews chapter by chapter. The antijudaic statements of the gospel of matthew begin in chapter 10 and continue in chapter 15,22,23 and 27. For centuries, church fathers and biblical scholars have sought to identify the author of hebrews. Epistle to the hebrews is given by clement of alexandria in his work called hypotyposis institutions. Covenant contrasts in the book of hebrews barnes bible charts 8. The epistle to the hebrews is a unique book in the new testament. Hebrews is the original name of judeans or later called jews in english due to the fact that they are the descendants of heber. Covenant contrasts in the book of hebrews bible charts. He shows that christ is superior to the old covenant. The death of christ is spoken of as for the redemption of the transgressions which were under the first covenant 9.
Upon close inspection, these seven themes can be seen to function as a forceful appeal for the readers not. Waldron copy right 1999 171 walden lane harriman, tn 37748 8653764453 permission granted to make copy without alteration and not for commercial purpose. Hebrews has the structure not of a letter, but of a sermon. God is not called father of the believers hebrews 12. Introduction to hebrews 6 but the writer to the hebrews argues the case for christ and christianity in the face of this attack. Introduction to hebrews 10 isaiah gives some remarkable insights into the apocalyptic language used in the bible. Whether you are just beginning your new life with christ, or have been a christian for many years, this study guide is for you.
The believers are seen as men on earth having free entrance to god and a heavenly calling by the work of christ. In this work, kenneth schenck represents the complex argument of hebrews in terms of the salvation story it tells. The toughest part of planning a lesson is finding where to start. Bible scholars believe one of the following three people are most likely to have written it. Hebrews is one of the most significant books in the new testament for understanding the relationship between the old and new covenants.
The authorship of hebrews one can not be dogmatic or conclusive regarding the human author of the book of hebrews. He was the coeditor of innovation in mission and the author or coauthor of lifeguide studies such as exodus. Written at a level for college and seminary students, understanding the book of hebrews shows how this early christian sermon utilized the events, settings, and characters of the salvation story line to remind the christian audience that christ has provided. Study guide for hebrews by chuck smith blue letter bible. The work itself is now lost, but clements testimony, embracing that of pantaenus, is given in an extract from it, preserved by eusebius in the fourteenth chapter of the sixth book of his ecclesiastical history. Hebrews bible commentaries free online downloadable. By setting forth basic information that we do know about the book, we will begin our study by providing a foundation. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and superior in comparison to anything. Nearclassical style of the prologues of luke, acts, and hebrews. The author of the book of hebrews teaches that this is true about each old testament book. God has also given to him a name that is greater than theirs.
Hebrews differs in some respect with the other epistles of the nt. Pdf understanding the book of hebrews download full. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. The doctrinal center of the book of hebrews david j. It is deep and full of sometimes difficult to understand terms and theology. The epistle to the hebrews is not the only document of antiquity that is devoid of the details of origin and destination. Johns epistles, for example, do not contain his name or. It is obvious that there are certain lessons in the epistle to the hebrews that are found nowhere else in the bible. How to use this book welcome to the faith foundations study guide on hebrews. Every one alive daily expresses faith in something. Chapter 3 of the book of hebrews christ and moses chapter 4 of the book of hebrews the sabbath additional notes the rest of god chapter 5 of the book of hebrews christs qualifications as high priest additional notes mrs.
Sermons from hebrews 3 the epistle to the hebrews introduction to the epistle introduction 1. They were in danger of slipping back into the traditions of judaism because they had not put down roots in the soil of christianity. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of. The arguments and reflections in their whole form and spirit, even more than in the special details, are addressed to hebrews, men, that is, whose hearts were filled with the thoughts, the hopes, the consolations, of. But this guide will give you a little bit of framework to help you as you start studying it on your own. Hebrews with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. For some particular reasons, the writer of the book of hebrews did not pen his name on the book. Macleod dean of the graduate program emmaus bible college, dubuque, iowa the question of emphasis or the doctrinal center of hebrews, is a vital one. The book of hebrews is an exhortation to experienced christians to not ignore the program of redemption but to press forward into the rest of god, into the fullness of the divine salvation and inheritance. For almost a century critics of the authenticity of the book of mormon have claimed that view of the hebrews, first published by ethan smith in 1823 2d ed. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Hebrews, a study guide from the executable outlines series by mark a.
Or it may seem only to contain songs and prayers, like psalms. Subject of book this book is on the book of hebrews which is believed to be written by paul, even though he never mentions his name. No one can live a single day without exercising faith faith in the physical world. The rest of god is the state of abiding in the center of gods will, in christ, as one by one the several aspects of the believers. In other words, if we would take the epistle to the hebrews out of the bible, what would this do to our understanding of the truth of god or of the gospel. The author of hebrews is unknown but we know that god inspired him, just as he inspired the authors of the other books in the bible. The use of the phrase en gar to is found only in hebrews 2.
Seven theological themes in hebrews gordon college. Study of the book of hebrews let us study the book of hebrews the subtitle is an obvious reference to the hortatory study hortatory subjunctive subjunctive mood wish or desire. Hebrews chapter 1 the old testament is about jesus hebrews 1. White on bible study chapter 6 of the book of hebrews steadfastness in the faiththe covenant oath additional notes. This guide focuses on the book of hebrews, and it should be especially helpful if. It is designed to help you discover, through personal study and group discussion, the incredible riches of gods word, and. Some points of comparison, perspectives in religious studies. A book may seem to be about history, for example 2 samuel. Written at a level for college and seminary students, understanding the book of hebrews shows how this early christian sermon utilized the events, settings, and characters of the salvation story line to remind the christian audience that christ. However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius.