The Authorship of the Book of Hebrews - Essay Example

? An Exegesis of Hebrews Chapter Four The Saints Everlasting Rest A Paper Presented to (insert In Partial Fulfillment for the Course (Insert Name of Course) By (Insert Your Name) Spring 2011 Exegesis of Hebrews 4:1 - 13 Introduction The authorship of the book of Hebrews is one of the most debated questions in New Testament study. Much paper and ink, as well as brain energy has been devoted to the discussion, but no final answer has ever been found. The earliest manuscripts of the Greek New Testament have for the heading simply “To the Hebrews.” That is the accurate title. Actually the book is anonymous. When it was written? The answer to this question is not quite as completely uncertain as that relating to authorship. There is also uncertainty as to the exact date of the writing of Hebrews. Numerous references to the temple of Jerusalem seem to place the date of writing prior to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, (Heb. 10:11; 13:10-11). So around A.D. 66 seems the most satisfactory date. The actual place of writing is unclear. The only clue we have for an answer to this question is found in Hebrew 13:24 – “They of Italy salute you.” The Greek word translated “of” is “apo”, which means “from”. So the reference could mean either that the writer was in Italy or that he was sending greeting back to Italy from some Italians who were with him. Structure and parallelism The book of Hebrews occupies a very important place in the Scriptures. It is the Spirit’s commentary on the Pentateuch, especially the book of Leviticus. The writer uses the Old Testament Scriptures throughout, making at least eighty-six direct references, traceable to at least one hundred Old Testament passages. Hebrews explains the meaning and significance of the whole Jewish ritual. It makes clear that all the ceremonial laws given in the Old Testament, such as the offerings of sacrifices and the ministrations of the priests were but types pointing forward to Christ, the great sacrifice for sin, the true Priest the one Mediator between God and man.  Literary Criticism Form Criticism and Redaction Criticism The topic which is discussed at the greatest length in the Epistle to the Hebrews is that of Christ as High Priest. The next six chapters (5 – 10) are saturated with the idea. The passage before leads up to chapter four and coincides with for it does not affect the passage. The literary form of Hebrews is Hebrews has traditionally been described as an epistle or letter. It appears in the New Testament in the middle of the collection of letters. It functions as a hinge connecting the 13 Pauline letters and the 7 general or Catholic Epistles. However, Hebrews lacks the basic ingredients that identified ancient letters. There is no mention of author, no mention of addressees, no greeting, no thanksgiving section and no prayer for the readers in the opening lines. The closing verses of Hebrews 13 do reflect the traditional way in which a letter should close. Hebrews is often compared with Romans. Hebrews presents the Person of salvation; Romans presents the way of salvation. The book of Hebrews focuses on the ceremonial law of the Old Testament; and compares to Romans, on the moral law of time. “Romans moves from law to grace, and Hebrews, from shadow to substance. The redaction criticism of this passage shows that in regards to the Old Testament Leviticus is the book of the covenant of the Law and Romans which is parallel to Hebrews shows us Gods grace and mercy. Contents The key word of this Epistle is “better”. It occurs thirteen times in the thirteen chapters. Christ is shown as better than angels (cc1-2), better than Moses (c.3), better than Joshua (c.4), better than Aaron (cc.5-10).Christianity is declared to be a better covenant (c.8) It offers a better rest, an better priesthood, a better altar, a better sacrifice. The theme of the book is the superiority of Christianity to Judaism. In every way it is a better religion. The meaning of the word “better” is suggested in 11:165, where it is defined as “heavenly.”The Jews had an earthly Tabernacle, altar, sacrifices, and priesthood. But we Christians, the writer asserts, have heavenly, spiritual counterparts which are actually the real as against the shadow. The material is simply the type of the spiritual, which is eternal. Theme, Key Words and Verses The main theme of Hebrews may be stated thus: The knowledge and assurance of how great this High Priest Jesus is should lift the drifting believer from spiritual lethargy to vital Christian maturity. Stated another way - the antidote for backsliding is a growing personal knowledge of Jesus. Various verses in Hebrews could be cited as key versed representing the epistle’s main theme. One such verse is 4:14, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” The key words observed in reading Hebrews is the following: better, perfect, eternal, partaker, heaven(ly), blood, faith, sacrifice, covenant, Son, High Priest, let us, ministry, and love. Theological Analysis The nature of the Epistle would seem to indicate definitely that it was written to Christian Jews. It would also seem most natural to hold that the Epistle to the Hebrews was written to Christians in Jerusalem, or at least in Palestine (Earle p.372). Whatever is known today of the original readers is derived from the epistle itself. They were from a single congregation of Hebrew Christians, living somewhere in the Roman world (Hebrews 2:3; 5:11-12; 6:9-10; 13:23-24). Some believe Jerusalem was where the church was located because of the emphasis on the Temple and its institutions. The salutation of Hebrews 13:24 could have been made by Christians who were originally from Italy and were sending back greetings to their friends (Jensen p. 407). The “why” of this Epistle seems to be clear. Its purpose was to prevent the Christian Jews from going back to Judaism. Or, to state it another way, the purpose was to show the superiority of Christianity to Judaism, and thus to strengthen the courage and faith of the Jewish Christians. Some has said that Hebrews was written to “rekindle a dampened fire”. A fainting spirit, dying enthusiasm, and dullness of hearing were the emergency of the hour. The letter of Hebrews was the response, sounding forth in this double chord: (1) teaching and (2) warning and exhortation. Teaching The best antidote for the poison of falsehood and unbelief is the positive declaration of revealed truth. The opening verses of Hebrews disclose that the epistle’s main teaching is about three vital subjects: a) revelation (God has spoken Hebrew 1:1-4). The written revelation of God over the centuries has come in two groups: Old Testament and New Testament. Hebrews shows the relationships between those two Testaments or covenants. And beyond the written Word is the living Word. b) A person (by His Son). Hebrews is the most comprehensive New Testament book portraying Christ as Son of God and Son of Man. “Consider…Jesus” (3:1) is a key phrase in the epistle. c) A work (He sat down). The subject of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and His continuing ministries as Priest and King pervade the book. Warning and exhortation Warning and exhortation appear throughout the epistle, aimed at the spiritual condition of the readers. The warnings concern just recompense for sinning against God; the exhortations are positive appeals and encouragements to appropriate the power and privileges of God’s children, and incentives to press on to fuller stature as Christians There are five main warning sections in Hebrews: a. Take heed (2:1-4) b. Do not miss the rest (3:7- 4:13). c. Beware sloth and apostasy (5:11 – 6:20). d. Beware willful sinning (10:26 – 31). e. Beware disobeying Christ (12:25 -29) Exegesis In chapters 1-7 the author is adding up that which the believer has, in answer to a question “What have we?” In chapters 8:1 -10:18, the author displays that “We have such a High Priest which comes from 8:1. The outline shown could be worded as follows: Christ, the Son of God – His deity (1:1-2:4) Christ, the Son of Man – His humanity (2:5-4:13) Christ, the Priest – His work (4:14 – 10:18) Christ, the Way – His Leadership (10:19 – 13:25). Entering God’s Rest Hebrew Chapter 4 1. Listening to the Gospel  HEB 4:1  Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. HEB 4:2  For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. HEB 4:3  For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Verse 1-3 Therefore; The writer of Hebrews continues his discussion of the Hebrews in the wilderness in the time of Moses.  He is drawing the parallel between disobedient Israel, who refused to believe the Lord.  His rest: The Greek word for rest is katavpausi? Katapausis (kat-ap'-ow-sis); means to ceasing from work or from any kind of action, “The calming of the winds”.  Come short of it: The writer is warning, the Hebrews of making the same mistake Israel did in the wilderness. Brought to the edge of the “Promised Land”, they failed to enter it. The fear is for first century Hebrews, to make the same mistake Israel made in wilderness.  “Any of You” could apply to both the “Saved” and “Unsaved”.  The saved reader could miss the “Promise Land”, the Lord’s “Rest” because they are fail to trust in Christ’s “finished work”. The gospel:   eujaggelivzw Euaggelizo (yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo);  Gospel means “Good News”, the Hebrews in the wilderness had the “Good News” preached to them.  The “Good News” for the Saved, is that Christ died for our sins, and that by faith in Christ, we are “Saved” from our sins.  The “Good News” for the Hebrew in the wilderness, was to put their faith, in the God of Israel, which would result in obedience.  Mixed with faith: The word or “Logos”, was preached to the Hebrews in the wilderness, but they did not believe as a corporate body, but a remnant within believed. Because they lacked faith the “Word” was not profitable.  Many can hear the Good News or Gospel, but without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:1).  We who have believed: In contrast to Israel in the wilderness, the Hebrew writer along with the Hebrew Christians, part of his audience did believe the Gospel will enter the “Rest” promised and typified as the “Promised Land’.   They shall not enter: Those from corporate Israel, who were led out of Egypt, and rebelled against God’s leadership were prevented from entering the “Promised Land” the land of “Rest”. Joshua, who typified Jesus Christ would lead the children of the disobedient generation into the “Promised land”  The works were finished: Even before Israel was a nation, the works were completed waiting for Israel to accomplish what was pre-destined. The “Foundation of the world”, means from the beginning, before creation Heb. 9:26; Matt. 13:35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8; 17:8. 2. Resting from our work  HEB 4:4  For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; HEB 4:5  and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." HEB 4:6  Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, HEB 4:7  again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." HEB 4:8  For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. HEB 4:9  There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. HEB 4:10  For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Verses 4-10 The Seventh day:  The Hebrew word for seven is the root for “Sabbath”. On the Seventh day, God rested from His six days of creation work.  This “Rest” of God typified the coming rest for the people of God, who were to rest from their work.  We can rest from our work because Christ has brought us into His rest. Therefore: Those who were disobedient, who rejected the “Good News” would not be permitted in God’s rest. This was typified in the “Promised Land”, Moses was not able to enter because of disobedience, in the Wilderness of Zin, Moses hit the rock twice rather than just speaking to the Rock as God commanded.  (Numbers 20:7-12,Deuteronomy 1:37) First preached: The first generation typified disobedience against God and were not permitted into His rest. This would also happen to the generation that rejected Christ Because of disobedience: Obedience is the result of faith, lack of obedience is lack of faith. Today: Quoting from Psalm 95:7, The Holy Spirit, through David urges Israel to enter God’s Rest, the Exodus took place about 1450 B.C., David wrote about 1000 B.C. almost 400 years after the Exodus. The “Rest” was not accomplished with Joshua, he led Israel into the Promised Land, but his “Rest” was only a picture of a greater rest. Joshua: Joshua is picture of Christ, he lead the children of the rebellious and unbelieving generation into the “Promised Land”.  This is a picture of what is to come, as Israel will one day look to Jesus (Joshua) as her King and Messiah.(Zechariah 12:10) People of God: The People of God is Israel, and the Church.  Israel has yet to attain to the “Rest” which was promised.  In the Millennium, Israel will attain the “Rest” promised, the Church has attained Israel’s promise in this dispensation. He who has entered his rest: The “Believer”, has entered the “Rest” promised by God. In addition, the Christian who takes God’s promises to heart enjoys the “Rest” of a victorious Christian life. Ceased from his works: Believers are saved by faith, in Christ alone, and not by works.  When the saved person comes to this understanding, he/she can “Rest” in their salvation. Salvation is no longer, self effort, but rest in the completed work of the Savior. 3.  Being Diligent HEB 4:11  Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. HEB 4:12  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. HEB 4:13  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Be diligent: It is the responsibility of the hearer of the Gospel, to enter the “Rest” promised by God, through the work of Christ. The saved must strive to enter God’s promise and cease from their self-effort. The unsaved need to quickly decide “Today”; before their hearts are hardened. Anyone fall according: The example of the “Fall” here is according to the of Israel in the Wilderness.  The two groups in the wilderness, those who believed God, and those who did not believe, the first century Hebrews also had those who believed and those did not. Word of God: God’s word will testify against those who choose to reject its message. God’s word is Living and powerful. Two-edged Sword:  The word for Sword here is mavcaira Machaira (makh'-ahee-rah) which was a small sword or large knife used in killing animals or cutting flesh. The two edges allowed the sword to cut two ways. The writer of Hebrews is comparing God’s word to this instrument.  Our actions and inactions are judged, according to God’s Word, both to loss and to benefit. 4. Our Great High-Priest  HEB 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. HEB 4:15  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. HEB 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Great High Priest: Another Picture or Type we have of Christ is that of High Priest. There were many Priests, but only one High-Priest, the High Priest would offer the sacrifice for Israel. He would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat, for his and Israel’s sin. (Hebrews 2:17, 3;1) Passed through the heavens: Israel’s High Priest would pass through the “Curtain”, once per year, on the “Day of atonement” (Yom Kippur). This was a picture of Christ, our High Priest passed through the Heavens. (Ephesians 4:10) Sympathize with our weaknesses: Christ became fully Human, and can understand Man’s condition and weakness. All points tempted: Every temptation that comes before man, came before Christ. (Luke 4:2) Without sin: Christ did not fall to sin, he was the perfect spotless Lamb who was took away the sins of the world. (Isaiah 53:9) Therefore come boldly: Because Christ understands our condition, and has compassion on us we can approach His throne boldly. Throne of grace: Christ has restored the relationship of those who have believed, we have entered God’s rest. We are no longer under works but grace. We can enter God’s throne room, not for judgment but for Grace. Obtain mercy: Because of our condition, man’s sinful nature will causes him to sin. We can approach God throne in our time of need. Conclusion - Surrounding Context of One “Rest” It is called His rest because it is that which He Himself enjoys and which He alone can confer (3:18; 4:1, 3, 5, 10). It is the kind of rest or satisfaction that God enjoyed in His finished work of creation (Gen.2:2; Heb.4:4). And it is the rest He now has in His Son’s finished work of redemption. This rest of God is intended for the people of God (4:9). He wants His people to enjoy the same rest and satisfaction in the finished work of Christ that He Himself enjoys. He who has entered into God’s rest is the one who has ceased from his own works and is satisfied with the work that God did for him in the Person of Jesus Christ (4:10). Faith enables the believer to enter into this rest of God; unbelief and disobedience prevent him from entering into it (4:2, 11). The rest that God is speaking of in this passage is a rest far beyond Israel’s Canaan rest, although the Canaan rest was a type of the reality. This is evident from 4:8-9. Such rest is the heart rest that comes only by genuine confidence in God and entire satisfaction in all that He does. This rest is for now, although the believer shall not come into the full enjoyment of it until a future time when his body is redeemed and he is forever with the Lord. References Earle, Ralph. Exploring the New Testament, The Epistle to the Hebrews. Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1955. Print Jensen, Irving. Jensen’s Survey of the New Testament, Hebrews: Consider Jesus, Our Great High Priest. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, 1981. Print. King James Version Bible Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 1995. Print. Read More