Our author has spoken already of the legitimacy of Christ’s priesthood (chapter five), which he carefully explained as after the order of Melchizedek (chapter seven). Because this kind of priest cannot serve under the old covenant, Christ has also mediated a new covenant suitable to His work (chapter eight). Chapter nine contrasts the sanctuaries and the rituals of the two covenants, and then, by a play on words, demonstrates another blessing Christ’s death gives His people. 9:1. The first covenant involved ordinances and arrangements for divine service, but the sanctuary in which these … [Read more...]

8:1. Of the things spoken in this treatise, this which the author is about to say is the sum or, as better translated in the later versions, the chief point. And what is this chief point? That we believers have Jesus as high priest, and that He is performing priestly service for us at the right hand of God in the heavens. This figure of Christ at God’s right hand comes from Psalm 110 (see notes at 1:13) and is frequently joined in the New Testament to that of the authoritative “Son of Man” of Daniel, chapter seven. The psalm also combines Christ’s priestly and His royal offices. While most … [Read more...]

Having introduced Melchizedek in 5:10-11, our author temporarily put him aside to give in chapter six an exhortation to diligence and steadfastness and a warning regarding the end of slothfulness. He then returned in 6:20 to Melchizedek. Now he discusses him at length in chapter seven, which follows. 7:1. This Melchizedek was the subject of much speculation in Jewish circles, including the Essene community of the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls. He is mentioned in Scripture, however, only in Hebrews, Psalm 110 and Genesis 14. Melchizedek was a king-priest, contemporary of Abraham, and a servant of … [Read more...]

6:1. The principles of the doctrine of Christ are the elementary matters which had been previously taught to the Hebrew Christians. They are encouraged to be leaving these things — not in the sense of rejecting their truthfulness, or attempting to unlearn them, but as a child leaves the first reader in school for one more advanced, or as he leaves milk for solid nourishment. And they are called to go on to perfection or maturity or completion. The idea of perfection will reappear in the coming chapters. It is necessary to lay a foundation in the construction of a firm building, but once the … [Read more...]

In chapter one our author seems to have two points in mind. First, by showing Christ’s superior position to angels, he sets forth also the superiority of the new covenant which Christ mediates and certifies over the old covenant which was mediated by angels. Second, he prepares the way for chapter two, in which he explains how and why the Son became lower than the angels for a brief period of time. A third consideration not specified by the writer of Hebrews but in accord with his epistle and perhaps also in his mind is that any revelation which claims angelic origin or authority must be … [Read more...]

The author continues his line of reasoning begun in chapter three. There is no break of thought at this chapter division. 4:1. Let God's people today fear and not fall. This is a real possibility now and was then for the Hebrew Christians or there would be no warning. In the midst of the various and passing issues of each generation, God's people would do well to remember that the fundamental and eternal issue has always been belief versus unbelief and that God (and God alone) will test each individual (as an individual) on that issue. This point should never be forgotten. The … [Read more...]

The author has spoken several times already in this epistle concerning Christ as a priest. Christ is our priest because He has purged our sins — that is part of His more excellent name (1:3). In this He was the sin-offering as well as the administrating officer (2:9). His identification with His people is seen not only in His tasting death for all men but also in His being made like them in all respects. Because Christ has suffered and been tempted, He is a merciful and faithful high priest, able to help those who are tempted (2:17-18). As high priest, Christ is faithful to God as well as … [Read more...]

The writer has shown Jesus to be superior to the prophets as a spokesman for God. As the Son, Christ’s name or position is far greater than that of any angel. Yet He became one of us, to bring us to our intended glory. Through His own suffering and temptations He was qualified to serve perfectly as priest and comforter to His suffering and tempted brethren on earth. Now the author turns to other matters (led, of course, by the Spirit of God). Moses was the chief character of the Old Covenant, and was respected by the Hebrews as the foremost leader of their religion and life. Jesus is … [Read more...]

Having demonstrated in chapter one the superiority of Christ the Son over the serving angels, our writer concludes in 2:1-4 (which would have been placed more appropriately as the ending of the first chapter) with an exhortation and a warning. His argument is of a type commonly employed by the Jewish teachers of the time, and was called by them an argument qal wahomer – “from the light to the weighty.” A statement is made concerning a “lighter” matter, which then is inferred to be even more certainly true of a matter of greater or “heavier” importance. Jesus’ statements concerning the … [Read more...]

Authorship At the end of the second century, opinion was divided regarding the authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Clement of Alexandria believed that Paul wrote the epistle in Hebrew and that Luke translated it into Greek. Origen thought that someone familiar with Paul’s teachings wrote Hebrews, but he added his now-famous remark that “who really wrote the letter is known to God alone.” At Carthage, Tertullian suggested the name of Barnabas. Christians in Rome and in the West generally confessed that they did not know who wrote Hebrews. Archer points out that “none of the ancient … [Read more...]