The Book of Hebrews Introduction to Study: Who wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews? A. T. Robertson, in his Greek NT study, quotes Eusebius as saying, “who wrote the Epistle God only 1 knows.” Though there is an impressive list of early Bible students that attributed the epistle to the apostle Paul (i.e., Pantaenus [AD 180], Clement of Alexander [AD 187], Origen [AD 185], The Council of Antioch [AD 264], Jerome [AD 392], and Augustine of Hippo in North Africa), there is equally an impressive list of those who disagree. Tertullian [AD 190] ascribed the epistle of Hebrews to Barnabas. Those who support a Pauline epistle claim that the apostle wrote the book in the Hebrew language for the Hebrews and that Luke translated it into Greek. Still others claim that another author wrote the epistle and Paul translated it into Greek. Lastly, some claim that Paul provided the ideas for the epistle by inspiration and that one of his contemporaries (Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Silas, Aquila, Mark, or Clement of Rome) actually composed the epistle. The fact of the matter is that we just do not have enough clear textual proof to make a precise unequivocal judgment one way or the other. The following notes will refer to the author as ‘the author of Hebrews,’ whether that be Paul or some other. Is the Book of Hebrews an Inspired Work? Bible skeptics have questioned the authenticity (canonicity) of Hebrews simply because of its unknown author. There are three proofs that should suffice the reader of the inspiration of Hebrews as it takes its rightful place in the NT. First and foremost, when one reads the book, its doctrines coincide with all other OT and NT teaching. Secondly, history records a letter composed by Clement of Rome in AD 96 to the Corinthians in which he quotes from the book of Hebrews. Such indicates the fact that before AD 96, the book of Hebrews was accepted as authentic, authoritative, and inspired of God. Thirdly, the book of Hebrews is found in the NT of some of the most ancient NT compilations. The Peshito, or Old Syriac Version of the Bible that was written in approximately AD 150 had the book of Hebrews among the other NT books. Without a doubt, the book of Hebrews has taken its rightful place among the other 25 NT books. Date of the Epistle: When dating an epistle in the Bible, one looks to clues within the text itself to help determine a general date. “The frequent allusions in it to Judaism, with its ritual, as a still existing system, are such as to render highly 2 improbable any date after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, AD 70.” With the destruction of Jerusalem came the destruction of the temple of God where the sacrifices were made by the Jews (cf. Heb. 10:11). The Hebrew text itself indicates that Jesus had already been raised from the grave (Heb. 8:4; 10:12). Secondly, the author of Hebrews encourages the saints addressed to grow in the knowledge of God as teachers in the NT church (cf. Heb. 5:12ff). All of this evidence indicates that the letter was written sometime after Pentecost (AD 34) and before the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD). Who are the Hebrews? The word “Hebrew” is first found in the Bible at Genesis 14:13 where Abraham is referred to as such. “Again ‘Abram the Hebrew’ (Gen. 14:13) may be ‘Abram who crossed the river,’ that is, the Euphrates (Josh. 24:2-3). Accordingly, the LXX translates ‘Abram, the Hebrew’ ha Ibhri, from abar, ‘to cross over.’” (New Unger’s Bible Dictionary pp. 547). Apparently Abraham and his descendents received this label after the 1 A. T. Robertson. Word Pictures in the New Testament; Vol. V. John and Hebrews pp. 329 2 J. Barmby. Hebrews. The Pulpit Commentary; Vol. XXI, pp. i 1 patriarch had crossed the Euphrates River at the beaconing of Jehovah God (cf. Gen. 11:31 – 12:5). This trip would have seen Abraham cross over the Euphrates River that was approximately 75 miles south of Haran as they made their way to Canaan. The word Hebrew came to be used to distinguish the Israelites from other nations. Interestingly, when an Israelite migrated into a foreign country and learned the Greek language they were, as a consequence, no longer called Hebrews but Hellenist. They were still Jews and Israelites, but not Hebrews. Apparently the word Hebrew then came to mean a Jew who had retained the Hebrew language rather than forsaking it for the popular Greek. Jews growing up in Grecian societies soon lost all contact with their native tongue and could not even speak the ancient language (cf. Acts 6:1; 9:29; II Cor. 11:22; and Phil. 3:5). The Hebrews, that this book is addressed to, were therefore Jewish Christians who had retained their ancient Hebrew tongue. The church in Jerusalem was known by earlier writers as the “church of the Hebrews” and it is thereby likely that the author of Hebrews is directing this epistle to that church. Purpose of the Epistle: The book of Hebrews is just as applicable to us today as it was to those Hebrews the book is addressed to. Apparently the Jewish Christians were being heavily persecuted by the non-Christian Jews to renounce Christ and keep the Mosaic Law (cf. Heb. 10:32ff). The overall theme of the book of Hebrews is that salvation cannot be obtained through any other means or sources than Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews encourages the Jewish saints not to apostatize from the faith that once sanctified them. Themes in Hebrews: I. Superiority of Christ (1:1 – 2:4): A. Jesus speaks God’s divine message to His disciples (Heb. 1:2). B. Jesus is creator of the world (Heb. 1:2). C. Jesus is the very source of the light of God (i.e., righteousness, justice, goodness etc.) (Heb. 1:3). D. The one who “upholds all things by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3). E. Makes “purification” of sins (Heb. 1:3). 1. Jesus comes to our “aid” in relation to our sin (succors the tempted) (cf. Heb. 2:18). 2. Jesus offers ‘well timed’ help when we find ourselves in sin (Heb. 4:16). F. Better than the angels because (Heb. 1:4-14): 1. He has a more excellent name than they (i.e., the Son of God) (Heb. 1:4). 2. He receives worship from them (Heb. 1:6). 3. Jesus is greater in strength and authority (Heb. 1:7-12): a. Jesus possesses the “scepter of uprightness.” b. Jesus’ kingdom and authority is eternal. c. Jesus is creator of the heavens and earth. 4. Jesus has greater honor than the angels for it is through Christ that all enemies of Jehovah God will be vanquished (Heb. 1:13). G. Due to the above facts regarding Jesus, we ought to give ear and obedience to His words (Heb. 2:1-4). H. Jesus is superior to Moses: 1. Jesus was not a mere member of His house (the church) as was Moses, but he was the architect of the church (cf. Matt. 16:18). 2. Jesus was not a servant in the house (as was Moses) but a son (Heb. 3:5). I. Jesus is a superior High Priest after the order of Melchizedek: 1. He makes propitiation for our sins (Heb. 2:17). 2. Jesus is a “perfect” (Heb. 2:10) high priest in that he is “merciful,” “faithful,” (Heb. 2:17) and able to “bear gently” with all of sinful mankind (Heb. 5:2) due to the “suffering” he underwent in this life (cf. Heb. 2:18; 5:8-9). 2 3. He thereby understands our temptations and infirmities having himself experienced this in the flesh (Heb. 4:15-5:2). Here is a technical definition of the longsuffering and patience God exhibits with sinful man while detesting sin itself. Truly, God is love! J. The priesthood of Jesus is superior to the Levitical priesthood in that: 1. He has been appointed by an oath made by God whereas the Levitical priesthood (sons of Aaron) were simply born into the office (Heb. 7:15-17, 28). 2. Jesus is eternal whereas the Aaronic Priesthood was limited to mortality (Heb. 7:23, 28). 3. Jesus represents a perfect Law as opposed to the imperfect Mosaic Law that the Levitical Priesthood operated under (Heb. 7:18-19). 4. Jesus is the perfect one time sacrifice (Heb. 7:27). K. The heavenly sanctuary (tabernacle) is superior to the Mosaic tabernacle (Heb. 9:11): 1. Pitched by the Lord as opposed to man (Heb. 8:2; 9:24). 2. More excellent “ordinances of divine service” than the Levitical sacrifices because they lead to the perfection of man (Heb. 9:1, 14). 3. Represents heaven (Heb. 9:23-24). II. Through Christ Mankind will have the Opportunity to Receive Eternal Glory (Heb. 2:5-18): A. Jesus came in the flesh that man may receive glory and honor (Heb. 2:9). B. He is now in a state of glorification as our high priest (Heb. 4:14) and it is His purpose to bring “many sons unto glory” (Heb. 2:10). C. Jesus taste death for sinful man (Heb 2:9). D. It was fitting or suitable for our just God to make a sovereign decision to send His Son to the earth to suffer through temptation that He might serve as a merciful and understanding high priest (Heb.