|
Name - In our English Bibles the Epistle to the Hebrews is credited to Paul, but
in the original manuscripts it is anonymous. The authorship, therefore, has been in controversy
from the earliest times. The reference to Timothy (13:23), the affinities in language and thought
between Hebrews and the recognized Pauline Epistles, and the centrality of the person and work
of Christ all point to Paul as the author; but the style and vocabulary of Hebrews are not distinctly
consistent in every respect with Paul's other writings. These arguments against the Pauline
authorship are not conclusive, however, and they might be explained by the fact that this Epistle
was written to a different type of readers and for a different purpose from any of Paul's known
Epistles.
Theme - This Epistle makes no reference to Gentiles; in fact, it gives prominence
to Abraham, indicating that those to whom it was written were physical descendants of this
patriarch. Persecutions and losses of property had greatly tested the faith of these Hebrew
believers. Increasing Jewish and Roman conflicts led many of them to wonder if they should not
return to a patriotic support of Judaistic institutions and the Temple. Such were the occasions for
the writing of this Epistle. Yet, the author shows that Judaism had come to an end through the
fulfilment by Christ of the whole purpose of the law, and that Christ is "better" than angels, than
Moses, than Joshua, than Aaron; and the New Covenant supersedes the Mosaic Covenant.
Outline - The purpose and scope of the Epistle can best be presented by a
comprehensive analysis: I. Introduction (1:1-4) II. The Superiority of the Son to Angels (1:5-2:18) III. The Superiority of the Son to Moses and Joshua (3-4) IV. The Nature and Scope of
Christ's High Priesthood (5-7) V. The Ministry of Christ as High Priest (8:1-10:18) VI. The
Superior Blessings of Christianity (10:19-12:29) VII. Practical Social and Religious Duties
(13)
|
