Outline of Hebrews
INTRODUCTION
Main Object of Epistle: to persuade the Hebrews to persevere
The divine nature, glory, and dignity of Christ (1:1 to 10:18)
God now speaks to us through the Son (1:1) – A statement of the Son’s rank and destiny (1:2-14)
The danger of neglecting what God has revealed through His Son (2:1-4) – Additional reasons for being faithful to Christ (2:5-18) – It is through Christ that man can regain his lost destiny (2:5-9) – Why the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (2:10-18)
The superiority of Christ over Moses (3:1 to 4:13) – The wilderness wanderings and the result of unbelief (vv. 7-19) – The rest which remains for the people of God (4:1-13) – Exhortation to strive earnestly to enter into that rest (4:11-13)
The priesthood of Jesus (4:14 to 5:10) – Encouragement to persevere in the Christian life (4:14) – Encouragement to approach the throne of grace (4:15, 16) – Qualifications of a high priest (5:1-4) – Qualifications of Jesus as our high priest (5:5-10) – Warnings against apostasy (5:11 to 6:20) – A stern rebuke for their inattention to study (5:11-14) – Exhortation to go on unto perfection in understanding (6:1-3) – Danger and consequences of apostasy (6:4-8) – Encouragement to greater zeal (6:9-12) – Commendation of their charity (v. 10)
Encouragement from the example of Abraham (6:12-20)
Additional thoughts on the priesthood of Christ (7:1 to 8:5) – Melchizedek’s priesthood superior to the Levitical (7:1-10) – The Levitical priesthood and the law of Moses abrogated on account of the imperfection of the people; a better hope in Christ (7:11-19) – The superiority of Christ’s priesthood (7:20-22) – The Levitical priesthood changeable, Christ’s unchangeable (7:23-25) – Superiority of Christ’s priesthood demonstrated by the perfection of the one offering which He made for sin (7:26-28)
Christ’s ministry is in heaven, therefore, superior (8:1-5) – The superiority of the New Covenant (8:6-13)
The superiority of Christ’s ministry and sacrifice (9:1 to 10:18)
The arrangement and furniture of the tabernacle (9:1-5) – Symbolic services of the tabernacle (9:6-10) – The more perfect services of Christ (9:11-14) – The eternal inheritance of the faithful (9:15-24) – Further differences between the two priesthoods (9:25-28)
The inefficacy of the Levitical offerings (10:1-4) – The all-sufficiency of the offering of Christ (10:5-18).
Exhortation, Consolation, and encouragement (10:19 to 13:39)
An exhortation to greater zeal and diligence (10:19-39) – An exhortation to faithfulness in the worship and service (10:19-25) – A warning against apostasy (10:26-31) – Encouragement, drawn from their previous steadfastness (10:32-34) – Further encouragement to preserve to the end (10:35-39).
The nature of faith shown through sundry examples from history (11:1-4)
Exhortation to persevere (12:1 to 13:19) – Example of faithful ones, and of Christ (12:1-3) – Endure afflictions patiently (12:4-11) – Encourage each other; example of Esau (12:12-17) – Further warnings against apostasy (12:18-29)
Exhortation to fidelity in personal duties (13:1-7) – Exhortation to stability in doctrine and practice (13:8-16) – Duties to the overseers and public servants of the church (13:17-19)
Conclusion (13:2-15)
An earnest prayer in behalf of the Hebrews (13:20, 21) – Benediction and salutation (13:22-25)
Intro:
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15:4).
It is now possible for those who are acquainted with the final revelation in Christ to see in the words of the Old Testament a meaning and significance with reference to Christ, which could not possibly have been seen in the same way, either by those who wrote them, or by any before Christ came (New Bible Commentary)
Read 1 Peter 1:10,12 and 2 Peter 1:19-21
Ephesians 3:8-10 “Hid from ages”
In the Old the New is concealed; In the New the Old is revealed
Purpose of the Letter:To save people from falling back into Judaism
Method: By showing how much better the New Testament is over the Old Testament
Key Words
“Better” – Revelation 1:4; Hope 7:19; Priesthood 7:20-28; Covenant 8:6; Promises 8:6; Sacrifices 9:23; Possessions 10:34; Country 11:16; Resurrection 11:35; Things 12:24
“Let us” – Fear 4:1; Labor 4:11; Boldly to throne of grace 4:16; Go on 6:1; Draw near 10:22; Hold fast 10:23; Consider one another 10:24; Lay aside every weight 12:1; Have grace 12:28; Go forth 13:13; Offer sacrifice of praise 13:15
Author
“Who wrote the letter to the Hebrews, only God knows for certain” (Origen, 186-253)
95 a.d. - Quoted by Clement of Rome, but does not name author
160-222 Tertullian: “There is extant an epistle addressed to the Hebrews by Barnabas,” Quotes Hebrews 6:4-8 (Barnabas a Levite Acts 4:36)
155-220 Clement of Alexandria affirms that Paul wrote it. But Paul does not name himself as he usually does
186-253 Origen “I should say that the thoughts are the apostles, but the language and composition belong to someone else”
352-420 Jerome who translated Vulgate: “The writer to the Hebrews, whoever he was”
354-430 Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, N. Africa, inclined to the view that Paul was the author
16th Cent. - Luther thought Appollos. Acts 18:24, “And a certain Jew named Appollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, mighty in the scriptures...”
Calvin questioned Paul’s authorship by contrasting Hebrews 2:3 with his statements in Galatians 1:15-17
If not Paul, then we are richer than we think!
Addresses:
Hebrew Christians, “They of Italy salute you” 13:24
Professed Christianity for some time 5:12
Yet still in ABC class 5:12-14
Ceased to make progress in Christian life 6;1-4
Danger of drifting back to Judaism 2:1 and 3:12
Time:
Before 95 a.d. as Clement quotes it as document of long standing
Written on eve of great crisis; day of fast approaching judgment 8:3-10:25 and 12:26-29
Neronian persecution 65 a.d. – “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood...” 12:4. Seems to indicate that it was before this date
But had suffered some persecution 10:32-34
Before 70 a.d. Romans destroyed Jerusalem under Vespasian and Titus
Analysis
God’s Son speaks in the last days (1:1-4)
The Son superior to angels (1:5 and 2:8) – His superiority supported by Old Testament (1:5-14) – Exhortation and warning (2:1-4)
His superiority not cancelled by His humiliation (2:5-13)
His superiority not marred by suffering (2:14-18)
The Son superior to Moses (3:1-4:14) – The Son and Builder (Jesus) is superior to the servant and member (3:1-6) – The second warning (3:7-19) – The gospel of rest (4:1-13)
The merciful and great high priest (4:14-5:10) – Our gracious and sympathetic High Priest (4:14-16) – The qualifications of a true priest (5:1-4) – The validity of Christ's priesthood (5:5-10)
Spiritual progress (5:11-6:20) – Spiritual infancy (5:11-14) – The need to “go on” (6:1-3) – The third warning (6:4-8) – Comfort and hope founded on God’s promise (6:9-20)
Christ’s Priesthood, ministry and sacrifice (7:1-10:18) – The superiority of Christ’s priesthood (7:1-28) – Characteristics of the priesthood of Melchizedek (7:1-3) – Superiority of Melchizedek priesthood (7:4-10) – Comparison between the Old Testament priesthood and New Testament priesthood (7:11-28)
The ministry of Christ (8:1-9:28) – The great High Priest in the true Holy of Holies (8:1-6) – The two covenants (8:7-13) – The first tabernacle and its services (9:1-10) – A more detailed description of the better ministry (9:11-28) – The superiority of Christ’s sacrifice (10:1-18)
Exhortation and admonition (10:19-12:29) – Privileges and responsibilities (10:19-39) – Characteristics and triumphs of faith (11:1-40) – The hope of the future promotes endurance in the present (12:1-29)
Final practical exhortations (13:1-25) – Practical conduct of a Christian (13:1-6) – Spiritual privileges (13:7-17) – Concluding exhortations and benediction (13:18-25)
