The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. Basically, god created the world and then made an agreement with the people living in it. Some of the ancient and most foundational concepts of our faith can be difficult to understand. The main theme of the book of hebrews can be found in the opening verses. When hebrews talks about faith, therefore, it must help us to see the object of faith, because our faith will be strong if we believe and understand that the object of our faith is strong.
With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews is one of the books of the new testament. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. A summary of the book of hebrews limerick reformed. There are a couple reasons why this might be the case. The book of hebrews is the bridge that connects the old testament and the new. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. The principal purpose of this substantial volume is to clarify the meaning of hebrews, long. Jesus is greater, so hold fast to him overviewbible. Apart from romans, hebrews is the most doctrineheavy book of the new testament 1.
However, both the authorship and audience are in question. The letter is written to hebrew christians, that is, those. Authorship of the epistle to the hebrews wikipedia. Hebrews chapter 1 kjv king james version we all go through the process of birth, lifes journey and death. We know that there remains therefore a rest to the people of god verse nine. Out of the 27 books in the new testament, the book of hebrews is the only one where the author remains a mystery. An easyenglish commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the letter to the hebrews. The epistle to the hebrews of the christian bible is one of the new testament books whose canonicity was disputed. The background and purpose of hebrews 2 for videos, study guides and other resources, visit third millennium ministries at. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. This summary of the book of hebrews provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of hebrews. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether hebrews is a letter. Hebrews 11 niv faith in action now faith is bible gateway.
Although hebrews is not written in apocalyptic language, it does employ it. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included. Hebrews 1 commentary new testament matthew henry st. I believe that a study of the book of hebrews may be the next step for us as a church as we seek to grow in our desire for greater intimacy with christ, greater faith, and bolder acts of service. The bible book of hebrews with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study. Watch our overview video on the book of hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The message of hebrews for the global church is that jesus is better than every other thing believers are tempted to fall back into, such as their formers ways of sin. Coming tonight to our first in the series of the book of hebrews, i have titled the book the superiority or the preeminence of jesus christ. Jesus christ is clearly greater than anything that the old covenant had produced.
We have said that the rest of god is the state of abiding in the center of gods will in christ. Hebrews begins with the statement that god, who in ancient times revealed himself through the prophets, has in these last days revealed himself through the life and teachings of a son. This book compellingly preaches and repreaches christ to those who know him even today. The book of hebrews, youll discover the power of being. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. The book of hebrews elevates jesus above historical people and. But jesus, turning unto them said, daughters of jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. Bible scholars believe one of the following three people. Hebrews 1 full chapter the supremacy of gods son long ago, at many times and in many ways, god spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has. This book presents christ as the author and perfecter of our faith hebrews 12. The book of hebrews is an exhortation to christian people to enter the rest of god. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume. There is nothing in the letter to tell us who wrote it nor is there a strong tradition to associate an author with the book. Some think that paul wrote it but the style and vocabulary are very different from pauls other letters.
Jesus is the great high priest, the eternal mediator between god and man who never stops mediating, and is the perfect fulfillment of all prophecies and types and shadows. Walter martin, founder of the christian research institute and writer of the bestselling book kingdom of the cults, quipped in his usual tongueincheek manner. Bible study series on the book of hebrews chapter by chapter. Summary of hebrews, the general epistles and revelation. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma.
Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and. Now i turn to the fourth author, sir robert anderson, and quote from his book, the hebrews epistle in the light of the types. Hebrews bible book with full chapters king james version. Clement of alexandria suggests that paul wrote the book originally in hebrew and that luke translated it into greek, though the greek of. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. Introduction to hebrews 10 isaiah gives some remarkable insights into the apocalyptic language used in the bible. Hebrews 8 niv the high priest of a new covenant now bible. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry. Hundreds of relevant easy to understand teaching points. This superb work is sure to win a name for itself as one of the major commentaries on the epistle to the hebrews.
The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. Although the book of hebrews is not exactly what most of us would regard as a userfriendly book, notes donald hagner, hebrews has always been popular among christians. In the past god spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed heir of all. The excellency of jesus christ, the mediator of a better covenant a summary of the book of hebrews. Significantly, the book makes no reference to the destruction of the temple at jerusalem in ad 70, and the author wrote as if the sacrificial system were still in existence hebrews 10. Traditionally, paul the apostle was thought to be the author. It is deep and full of sometimes difficult to understand terms and theology. The theme of the epistle to the hebrews, the only book of the new testament in which our lord is presented in his high priestly office, is the supreme glory of christ, the son of god and son of man. Throughout the book of hebrews, we discover that jesus is greater than any old testament event or person. This book was an easy readi scarfed it down in about an afternoon, and it was well written, clear, offered an interpretation that was close to the text and gave me a good overview of. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry new.
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