The Epistle To The Hebrews

by Micky Galloway

The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were in danger of apostatizing from Christ and returning to the practices of Judaism. They had apparently been Christians for some time (5:12) and had persevered through severe persecution (10:32-34). Their own people treated them as unclean because they had left Moses and accepted Christ. As they continually fought the battle with sin (12:4) and the constant contempt as Christians, they had become discouraged and debilitated in their spirit. They had failed to make the progress expected of them “by reasonable time” and were allowing an “evil heart of unbelief” to swell within them (3:12). Throughout this epistle are exhortations designed to help these Hebrew Christians to be steadfast in Christ (cf. 3:12; 4:16; 6:4-8; 10:23ff; 13:22). To accomplish this the writer shows the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant.

When was the epistle written? We know the epistle was written prior to 96 AD because Clement of Rome quotes from Hebrews in his letter written at that time. There are certainly strong implications that it was written prior to 70 AD. There is no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The author writes as though priests were still offering sacrifices (Hebrews 8:4; 10:11). If the Jewish Christians were in Palestine, it was likely before or at the beginning of the Jewish Wars (ca. 66-70 A.D.), in light of Hebrews 12:4. The time frame of 63-65 AD is likely.

Who wrote the epistle to the Hebrews has always been a compelling question. The author is not identified in the epistle. Some have strongly suggested that Paul is the author noting that the circumstances presented in the closing verses of Hebrews 13 are remarkably similar to those in the acknowledged letters of Paul. These have also suggested that the ideas presented in Hebrews are similar to those found in Pauline letters. Familiar terms and phrases are also cited as evidence of Pauline authorship. Others have suggested that perhaps Barnabas, Luke or Clement of Rome or even Apollos was the author of Hebrews. Aside from what is not known, we must emphasize what is known. The author was familiar with his readers and their past (Hebrews 5:12; 6:9; 13:18-19, 23-24). He was also acquainted with Timothy (13:23). He was knowledgeable of the Levitical ritual and the applications he makes argue strongly for his being a Jew. One writer summarizes the authorship of Hebrews by saying, “We must be content to remain in ignorance as to the writer of this remarkable work. Nor should we find this difficult. Some of the greatest books of the Bible … are anonymous writings. It is meet that this one should belong to the number, for it bears witness in its opening sentence to One who speaks God’s final word to men. In presence of the Son, what does it matter who points the way to Him? The witness-bearer does not desire to be known. He bids us listen to Jesus and then retires into the background” (A.B. Bruce, “Epistle to Hebrews”).

“Better” becomes a key concept in Hebrews. The word “better” occurs some thirteen times. The writer emphasizes such things as a better spokesman (Hebrews 1:1-2); a better mediator (Hebrews 3:1-6); a better hope (Hebrews 7:19); a better High Priest (Hebrews 7); a better ministry (Hebrews 8:1-5); a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6); a better promise (Hebrews 8:6); better sacrifices (Hebrews 9:23, 11-14); the blood of Christ speaks better things (Hebrews 12:24); a better country (Hebrews 10:34, 11:16); therefore God has the right to expect better things (Hebrews 6:9).

In light of these things they are warned about unbelief. They are warned against drifting (Hebrews 2:1-4). They were to “give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard” lest they let them slip. They are warned against departing, “Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God …” (Hebrews 3:12-15). Through sin’s deception we can become hardened and through unbelief depart from the living God. The solution is to exhort one another daily and remain steadfast. They are warned against disobedience, “Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience …” (Hebrews 4:11-13). Ancient Israel in the wilderness is referenced to show that we too can fail to enter into our rest through disobedience. Again, the solution is diligence and heeding the word of God. They are warned against dullness of hearing, “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing …” (Hebrews 5:11-6:6). It is possible for us to become so dull of hearing that we fail to mature. This makes it difficult for us to appreciate the blessings we have. It is possible to fall away to the point of crucifying the Son of God afresh. The solution is to master the fundamentals, then press on to spiritual perfection. They are warned against willful sin, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins …” (Hebrews 10:26-31). The result of willful sin is to trod under foot the Son of God, count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and to do despite to the Spirit of grace. To do so is to look to certain fearful expectation of judgment. The solution is to hold to our confidence in Christ firm to the end. They are warned against refusing him who speaks to them from heaven, “… See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned (them) on earth, much more (shall not) we (escape) who turn away from him that (warneth) from heaven …” (Hebrews 12:14-29). The solution is to recognize what we have become a part of, the kingdom which cannot be shaken, have grace and serve God with reverence and awe.

The superiority of being in Christ as opposed to Judaism is seen in its founder and mediator, Jesus Christ. This epistle demonstrates the superiority of Christ as High Priest. The nature, development and duties of faith as described in this epistle are superior because we have a superior High Priest, one who speaks better than the prophets, angels or Moses. Why would anyone want to return to the inferior practices of the law?