Summary of hebrews, the general epistles and revelation. Hebrews summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of hebrews for bible study or sunday school lessons. The name of the book itself tells us that this book was written to the jews, all of which are hebrews. For this reason, the book of hebrews must have been written after pauls death, which took place sometime around a.
It also emphasizes how jesus was able to endure persecution and crucifixion on the cross to bring us into everlasting fellowship with. If you think about the new testament of the bible at all, you may wonder about the name given one of the books. And he offers no manner of greeting, such as is usually found at. The superior worth and dignity of christ above moses is shown. The book of hebrews is quite challenging, claims commentary author donald guthrie, since there are many open questions about authorship, historical setting and audience. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome.
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. Again, he did not say about any angel, i will be his father, and he will be my son 2 samuel 7. No other book so eloquently defines christ as high priest of christianity, superior to the aaronic priesthood, and the. The second part of this paper provides the historical context of hebrews 2. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. 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. The book will appeal to many readers, both pastors and the interested reader it may be a bit much for a novice but would be a good book to have on the shelf as you will grow into understanding hebrews and this commentary will certainly help you understand its message biblical theology. Jan 02, 2020 this book presents christ as the author and perfecter of our faith hebrews 12. The title, to the hebrews, which appears in the earliest known copy of the epistle is not a part of the original manuscript. And of necessity of faith in christ, and of stedfastly following him. Hebrews is commonly referred to as a letter, though it does not have the typical form of a letter. The author of the letter to the hebrews remains shrouded in mystery. Taken together, these themes distinguish the book of hebrews from books that we know were written by paul. I believe that a study of the book of hebrews may be the next step for us as a church as we seek to grow in our desire for greater intimacy with christ, greater faith, and bolder acts of service.
These folks knew about angels, the old testament heroes, the devil, and moses tabernacle, but someone thought they needed to know a little more. The literary structure of the book of hebrews 187 the key to the structure is to be found in six literary devices used by the author. The conjunction te is used most frequently in lukes writings and hebrews. The use of the phrase en gar to is found only in hebrews 2. The author does not identify himself or those addressed, which letter writers normally did.
Promisefulfilment,already but not yet eschatology, typology, the spatial orientation of hebrews a number of complex words for a beginner but hopefully familiar to mid level readers biblical and theological themes there is an excellent biblical and theological themes at the end of the book pages 435500 god in hebrews jesus christ. The letter to the hebrews cliffsnotes study guides book. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as. In fact, hebrews and pauls writings hold many concepts and teachings in common.
For centuries, church fathers and biblical scholars have sought to identify the author of hebrews. It is obvious that there are certain lessons in the epistle to the hebrews that are found nowhere else in the bible. Epistle to the hebrews is given by clement of alexandria in his work called hypotyposis institutions. Hebrews differs in some respect with the other epistles of the nt. Biblical studies from the book of hebrews lesson 1 general introduction overview oftentimes, while watching t. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews is one of the books of the new testament. A summary of the book of hebrews limerick reformed fellowship. The author of this epistle is relentless in his effort to reveal christ as greater than the prophets, angels, moses, and the levitical priests. 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 early church father clement quoted from the book of hebrews in a. An easyenglish commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the letter to the hebrews. Bible scholars believe one of the following three people are most likely to have written it.
The book of hebrews elevates jesus above historical people and. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and superior in comparison to anything. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. 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. More than most new testament books, hebrews requires detailed explanations of the background allusions within it, which reference the priesthood of christ being directly linked.
You can find the best commentary on hebrews for you using the tools on the right side. The translated bible text has been through advanced checking. Understanding the book of hebrews based on the exodus. God has also given to him a name that is greater than theirs. We are to gladly suffer the loss of honor and possessions for the joy that lies ahead of us. Basically, god created the world and then made an agreement with the people living in it. The book of hebrews exhorts us to be content with what god provides and to work for peace shalom and holiness for all. It was a pretty sweet deal, but things werent working out so well. Hebrews was written for christians who had been in the church for a while. For some particular reasons, the writer of the book of hebrews did not pen his name on the book. So while hebrews definitely traveled far and wide, it isnt really on the same level as other new testament letters. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether hebrews is a letter. 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.
Jan 22, 2009 the book of hebrews is quite challenging, claims commentary author donald guthrie, since there are many open questions about authorship, historical setting and audience. The letter is written to hebrew christians, that is, those who have converted to christ from judaism, and who are under pressure to depart from christ. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power. When the various new testament books were formally brought together into one collection shortly after. Last week, we were challenged to think of our lord in much greater terms greater in power, in majesty, in love and mercy and grace. Facts about melchizedek, a mysterious character mentioned in the book of hebrews. In this journey, we are supplied, emboldened, and encouraged by gods son, the true priest whose selfsacrifice opens a way for. Hebrews with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Commentary on hebrews biblical theology for christian.
Easyenglish is a system of simple english designed by wycliffe associates uk. Jesus is greater, so hold fast to him overviewbible. A summary of the book of hebrews limerick reformed. May 12, 2019 understanding the book of hebrews based on the exodus a letter to the hebrews is an amazing book in the bible. A bible study in easyenglish 2800 word vocabulary on the book of hebrews. The commentary section includes running commentary on the. A letter to the hebrews is an amazing book in the bible. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. Read hebrews commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Likewise, the interpretation of the faith by which people are saved as being identical with.
Even early in the churchs history, a christian as learned as origen. Studies on the authorship of the book of hebrews are at the same time extensive and inconclusive. Significantly, the book makes no reference to the destruction of the temple at jerusalem in ad 70, and the author wrote as if the sacrificial system were still in existence hebrews 10. The book of the new testament routinely known as hebrews is a difficult nut to crack. The body of the commentary proceeds through each major section of the book by first providing a detailed bibliography including many nonenglish works, followed by a fresh translation and notes on the text.
Why the book of hebrews is so important keith simons. No other book in the new testament integrates the gospel with the old testament better than the book of hebrews. Throughout the book of hebrews, we discover that jesus is greater than any old testament event or person. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. The supremacy of gods son, jesus christsuperior to all the angels and to all things created.
May 02, 2020 regardless of the human hand that held the pen, the holy spirit of god is the divine author of all scripture 2 timothy 3. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry new. The book lacks the kind of opening salutation that appears in all of pauls letters compare hebrews 1. God is not called father of the believers hebrews 12.
The authorship of hebrews one can not be dogmatic or conclusive regarding the human author of the book of hebrews. Hebrews commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Lastly, we should think about the reasons why the book of hebrews is so important for christians to study. Hebrews 1 commentary new testament matthew henry st. Aug 31, 2016 the book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus. The makers of this product emphasize all the favorite features. The book of hebrews begins with no mention of the author. In hebrews chapter 12, paul discusses the role of discipline and endurance in a christians life and the dangers that come with defying the words of him who speaks to us from heaven. Humble, cautious fear is urged, lest any should come short of the promised rest, through unbelief. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. His summary of the theology of hebrews is excellent, focusing primarily on the christology of the book. What can we learn about sharing the gospel from john 1. Nearclassical style of the prologues of luke, acts, and hebrews.
These were jews who had either seen jesus, had seen the resurrected jesus, had tasted of the heavenly gift by hearing or seeing some of the miracles and had either fallen away due to persecution or had returned to the sacrificial system. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. People always assumed that the original readers were jewish hebrews was another way of saying jews back in the 1st century, but scholars today arent sure exactly who this book was meant for. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry. He clement of alexandria says that the epistle to the hebrews is the work of paul, and that it was written to the hebrews in the hebrew language. Study the bible online using commentary on hebrews and more. The first section of this paper discusses the historical context of the book of hebrews by first considering the writer and his audience. Oct 30, 2015 hebrews proves that jesus christ is superior to all ot types moses, aaron, the tabernacle, the temple, etc. A theological investigation into the authorship of hebrews. There are many reasons, because it is a wonderful book.
Hebrews proves that jesus christ is superior to all ot types moses, aaron, the tabernacle, the temple, etc. A free study guide on hebrews that you can download and print. Volumes have been written and theories have been postulated. God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his son, a. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the.
The content of hebrews does not contradict what paul has written. Out of the 27 books in the new testament, the book of hebrews is the only one where the author remains a mystery. In fact, the author argues, all the ceremonies, sacrifices, and offices of the old testament foreshadow the person and work of. The influence of hebrews is reflected in many of the generally accepted teachings of the christian church, one of which is the doctrine of the blood atonement, or the idea that the blood of jesus atones for or pays the penalty for human transgressions. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of christ jesus 2. The book does close like a letter in the last chapter, but those bits dont seem to fit with the rest of the book. Yet, christian teaching virtually ignores this letters foundation when associating it with new testament believers.