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INTRODUCTION
This Epistle was evidently written as the ancient Hebrew economy was passing away in the growing glory of the Christian Church. Perhaps Jerusalem had already fallen under the arms of Titus. It was addressed to Hebrew Christians, who were settled in a definite locality. See Heb_13:23. The writer is not certainly known. Luther thought that it was written by Apollos, and this view has had several learned advocates. But many ascribe it to the Apostle Paul, which was the opinion of the early Fathers. The object of this noble treatise is to counsel those to whom it was addressed to bear their persecutions with equanimity, and to forego, with contentment, the external attractions of the Temple service, because of the transcendent glories of Christianity surpassing those of the Mosaic ritual. The penalties of apostasy would therefore be the more terrible as the claims of Christianity were the more compelling.
The Supremacy of God's Son
Heb 1:1 God, having spoken to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in many ways,
Heb 1:2 has in these last days spoken [with finality] to us in [the person of One who is by His character and nature] His Son [namely Jesus], whom He appointed heir and lawful owner of all things, through whom also He created the universe [that is, the universe as a space-time-matter continuum].
Heb 1:3 The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of [our awesome] God [reflecting God's Shekinah glory, the Light-being, the brilliant light of the divine], and the exact representation and perfect imprint of His [Father's] essence, and upholding and maintaining and propelling all things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by His powerful word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal]. When He [Himself and no other] had [by offering Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for sin] accomplished purification from sins and established our freedom from guilt, He sat down [revealing His completed work] at the right hand of the Majesty on high [revealing His Divine authority],
Heb 1:4 having become as much superior to angels, since He has inherited a more excellent and glorious name than they [that is, Son--the name above all names].
Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did the Father ever say, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN (fathered) YOU [established You as a Son, with kingly dignity]"? And again [did He ever say to the angels], "I SHALL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME"? [2Sa_7:14; Psa_2:7]
Heb 1:6 And when He again brings the firstborn [highest-ranking Son] into the world, He says, "AND ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD ARE TO WORSHIP HIM." [Psa_97:7]
Heb 1:7 And concerning the angels He says, "WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERING SERVANTS FLAMES OF FIRE [to do His bidding]." [Psa_104:4]
Heb 1:8 But about the Son [the Father says to Him], "YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE SCEPTER OF [absolute] RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.
Heb 1:9 "YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS [integrity, virtue, uprightness in purpose] AND HAVE HATED LAWLESSNESS [injustice, sin]. THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS." [Psa_45:6-7]
Heb 1:10 And, "YOU, LORD, LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH IN THE BEGINNING, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;
Heb 1:11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN [forever and ever]; AND THEY WILL ALL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT,
Heb 1:12 AND LIKE A ROBE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME [forever], AND YOUR YEARS WILL NEVER END." [Psa_102:25-27]
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels has the Father ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND [together with me in royal dignity], UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET [in triumphant conquest]"? [Psa_110:1]
Heb 1:14 Are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course they are!]
REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
Outline
(a) What is the theme of this Epistle?
(b) What are the two parts of the third division?
Introduction
(c) When was this Epistle written?
(d) To whom was it addressed?
(e) What was the writer’s purpose?
Hebrews 1-13
Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.
1. Who is God’s final and supreme messenger?
2. For whom is Christ’s saving work intended?
3. How is Christ able to help those who are tempted?
4. Why is Christ counted worthy of more glory than Moses?
5. Why were the children of Israel denied entrance to the Land of Promise? What is the application to us?
6. What is the rest which Christ affords?
7. What encouragement have we to come to the throne of grace?
8. Of what order is Christ’s priesthood? How did He learn obedience?
9. What are the stages of growth in Christian discipleship? What is the penalty of falling away?
10. By what two immutable things have we strong consolation?
11. Who was Melchizedek? How is he a type of Christ?
12. How is Christ able to save to the uttermost?
13. How did the New Covenant take the place of the Old?
14. What was the furniture of the Tabernacle?
15. How is the sacrifice of Christ related to the sacrifices under the Old Covenant?
16. What is the present work of Christ?
17. How is the Christian sanctified?
18. To what does the blood of Christ secure an entrance for us?
19. What will be the reward of patience and steadfastness?
20. What is faith? How was it exemplified by Abel? By Enoch? by Noah?
21. What was the supreme trial of Abraham’s faith?
22. How was the faith of Moses exhibited?
23. In what does the victory of faith consist?
24. How may the Christian life be compared to a race?
25. What are the benefits of chastisement?
26. What are the present privileges of the Christian?
27. What is our duty toward strangers and captives?
28. Give the benediction in the closing section of the Epistle.
This Epistle was evidently written as the ancient Hebrew economy was passing away in the growing glory of the Christian Church. Perhaps Jerusalem had already fallen under the arms of Titus. It was addressed to Hebrew Christians, who were settled in a definite locality. See Heb_13:23. The writer is not certainly known. Luther thought that it was written by Apollos, and this view has had several learned advocates. But many ascribe it to the Apostle Paul, which was the opinion of the early Fathers. The object of this noble treatise is to counsel those to whom it was addressed to bear their persecutions with equanimity, and to forego, with contentment, the external attractions of the Temple service, because of the transcendent glories of Christianity surpassing those of the Mosaic ritual. The penalties of apostasy would therefore be the more terrible as the claims of Christianity were the more compelling.
The Supremacy of God's Son
Heb 1:1 God, having spoken to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in many ways,
Heb 1:2 has in these last days spoken [with finality] to us in [the person of One who is by His character and nature] His Son [namely Jesus], whom He appointed heir and lawful owner of all things, through whom also He created the universe [that is, the universe as a space-time-matter continuum].
Heb 1:3 The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of [our awesome] God [reflecting God's Shekinah glory, the Light-being, the brilliant light of the divine], and the exact representation and perfect imprint of His [Father's] essence, and upholding and maintaining and propelling all things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by His powerful word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal]. When He [Himself and no other] had [by offering Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for sin] accomplished purification from sins and established our freedom from guilt, He sat down [revealing His completed work] at the right hand of the Majesty on high [revealing His Divine authority],
Heb 1:4 having become as much superior to angels, since He has inherited a more excellent and glorious name than they [that is, Son--the name above all names].
Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did the Father ever say, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN (fathered) YOU [established You as a Son, with kingly dignity]"? And again [did He ever say to the angels], "I SHALL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME"? [2Sa_7:14; Psa_2:7]
Heb 1:6 And when He again brings the firstborn [highest-ranking Son] into the world, He says, "AND ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD ARE TO WORSHIP HIM." [Psa_97:7]
Heb 1:7 And concerning the angels He says, "WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERING SERVANTS FLAMES OF FIRE [to do His bidding]." [Psa_104:4]
Heb 1:8 But about the Son [the Father says to Him], "YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE SCEPTER OF [absolute] RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.
Heb 1:9 "YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS [integrity, virtue, uprightness in purpose] AND HAVE HATED LAWLESSNESS [injustice, sin]. THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS." [Psa_45:6-7]
Heb 1:10 And, "YOU, LORD, LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH IN THE BEGINNING, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;
Heb 1:11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN [forever and ever]; AND THEY WILL ALL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT,
Heb 1:12 AND LIKE A ROBE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME [forever], AND YOUR YEARS WILL NEVER END." [Psa_102:25-27]
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels has the Father ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND [together with me in royal dignity], UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET [in triumphant conquest]"? [Psa_110:1]
Heb 1:14 Are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course they are!]
REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
Outline
(a) What is the theme of this Epistle?
(b) What are the two parts of the third division?
Introduction
(c) When was this Epistle written?
(d) To whom was it addressed?
(e) What was the writer’s purpose?
Hebrews 1-13
Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.
1. Who is God’s final and supreme messenger?
2. For whom is Christ’s saving work intended?
3. How is Christ able to help those who are tempted?
4. Why is Christ counted worthy of more glory than Moses?
5. Why were the children of Israel denied entrance to the Land of Promise? What is the application to us?
6. What is the rest which Christ affords?
7. What encouragement have we to come to the throne of grace?
8. Of what order is Christ’s priesthood? How did He learn obedience?
9. What are the stages of growth in Christian discipleship? What is the penalty of falling away?
10. By what two immutable things have we strong consolation?
11. Who was Melchizedek? How is he a type of Christ?
12. How is Christ able to save to the uttermost?
13. How did the New Covenant take the place of the Old?
14. What was the furniture of the Tabernacle?
15. How is the sacrifice of Christ related to the sacrifices under the Old Covenant?
16. What is the present work of Christ?
17. How is the Christian sanctified?
18. To what does the blood of Christ secure an entrance for us?
19. What will be the reward of patience and steadfastness?
20. What is faith? How was it exemplified by Abel? By Enoch? by Noah?
21. What was the supreme trial of Abraham’s faith?
22. How was the faith of Moses exhibited?
23. In what does the victory of faith consist?
24. How may the Christian life be compared to a race?
25. What are the benefits of chastisement?
26. What are the present privileges of the Christian?
27. What is our duty toward strangers and captives?
28. Give the benediction in the closing section of the Epistle.
