January 31 - Hebrews

January 31 - Hebrews

I've been thinking about this book all month long. In all honesty, I have (I know ... it's sad). I question whether or not to include it in a study on Paul. This is the book with the most problems regarding authorship. There are several reasons for questioning this.

All of Paul's letters begin with him identifying himself and this does not. Scholars also have told us that the structure of this letter is nothing like any of his other letters. Several authors are put forward as possibilities: Luke, Apollos, Barnabas. We simply don't know. The best ideas put forth hold that is a letter from Barnabas. In fact, in very early canons of the Bible, it was called "The Epistle of Barnabas." But, in all honesty, the author remains unknown.

Clement of Rome write about this letter in 96 AD, so we know that it was written prior to that date. Timothy is spoken of in Hebrews 13:23. He had obviously been imprisoned. If Paul wrote this letter, that means that it was written towards the very end of his life, possibly 68 AD. Hebrews 8:4-5; 10:11 seem to imply that the Temple was still in existence, so that places the writing prior to 70 AD with the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Many find themselves avoiding Hebrews due to its very difficult teachings. We know bits and pieces of it, such as the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews 11:1-40 and the extensive teaching on Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1-28).

There are many warnings in this letter, warnings that the author hopes all Christians will take to heart as they read. The Christians that he was writing to were in danger of falling away from the passion and zeal that they had when they first became Christians. We see in Hebrews 2:1-4 that some were in danger of drifting away, while Hebrews 3:7-4:11 the author is concerned with the fact that they are hardening their hearts.

He is concerned that they are turning back to the religiosity of Judaism and away from the living God (Hebrews 3:12). Jesus was the perfection of the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:11-15) and fulfilled the anticipation of the Old Testament (Hebrews 10:1)

The author of Hebrews had an extensive background in Hebrew scripture and uses passages throughout the letter.

The New Bible Commentary says that the author introduces five major themes throughout the book. In Hebrews 1:4, he tells us that he will speak to Jesus' preeminence over the angels and then proceeds to work through that issue. In Hebrews 2:17, the theme he takes up is that Jesus is the merciful and faithful high priest. In Hebrews 5:9-10, Jesus is brought forth as the perfected high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Faith and endurance become the theme for the next section beginning with Hebrews 10:36-39 and Hebrews 12:12-13 bring the message home with appeals for a God-honoring lifestyle, followed up with personal messages.

Whoever the author, whatever the time, this is one of the greatest portions of the Word of God.

Hebrews 1:1-14
Hebrews 2: 1-18
Hebrews 3:1-19
Hebrews 4:1-16
Hebrews 5:1-14
Hebrews 6:1-20
Hebrews 7:1-28
Hebrews 8:1-13
Hebrews 9:1-28
Hebrews 10:1-39
Hebrews 11:1-40
Hebrews 12:1-29
Hebrews 13:1-25

This has been a very quick overview of Paul's life. I've learned a lot actually and though he will continue to annoy me, I think I better understand the reason why. He passionately approaches everything that he teaches and believes. He was not a man to be taken lightly and polarized people wherever he went. But, Jesus Christ knew exactly what He was doing when He chose this man to further His kingdom. One day in Damascus changed the world - our world! Paul transformed Christianity from a small sect among the Jews to an ever-expanding, world-changing religion. Everywhere he went, he changed people's lives. He calls us to be evangelists, in whatever way God will use us.