Hebrews
Introduction
Although many Bibles will show this as “The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews,” there is nothing within the book to specifically identify Paul as its author, nor is such a title inspired by God. Some have ascribed it to Luke, Apollos, Barnabas, or Peter;1 however, as I have read and re-read this amazing book, I, like many others, attribute the authorship to Paul. The depth of understanding of the Jewish traditions that is evident had to come from someone who was very well trained in the Law of Moses – who better than Paul, a zealous and blameless Pharisee (Philippians 3:5-6)?
Unlike the typical epistle, there is no salutation that specifically names its audience, and this is where many biases will show through. I’ve heard the extreme that this is not a book for us (non-Jewish Christians); or, because there is no mention made of Gentiles, it is meant for the Jews – so there is really no point in us reading and studying it. However, there is a more subtle approach taken by John MacArthur that can lead to the same end, without him having to say it. He says that there are three groups of people in view throughout the book, and we must be very aware of which group is being addressed so that we are able to understand what is being said; the groups are: Hebrew Christians, Hebrew non-Christians who have been intellectually convinced concerning Christ, and Hebrew non-Christians who have not been convinced.2 In other words, the book was written for Hebrews of various persuasions, the Gentiles are never mentioned, and so, unless you are in one of these three groups, it really could be wasted on you. MacArthur cautions: “If one does not keep these groups in mind, the book becomes very confusing”;3 the truth, as I see it, is that he is raising a barrier against finding out that he does not teach the whole truth of Scripture. By segmenting Hebrews as he has, he is able to deflect truths that would otherwise destroy his theology; like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, he will do his utmost to protect his well-honed doctrines – even against God’s Word!
The reality is this: this book contains an extensive explanation of the change from Judaism to the New Covenant in Christ – it explains how Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses and is our High Priest. It sheds light on the OT Scriptures so that we are able to understand them more fully from the perspective of their fulfillment in Christ. “For he is our peace, who hath made both [the Jew and the Gentile (Ephesians 2:11-13)] one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished [to render invalid] in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both [the Jew and the Gentile] unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby …” (Ephesians 2:14-16).4 Too many Evangelicals focus solely on the NT books, along with a smattering of the Psalms and Proverbs (which is why a NT with Psalms and Proverbs is so popular); the basis for the New Covenant (i.e., the fulfillment of the Old) is foreign to most today. They prefer the “simple Gospel” that they have been convinced is all that is needed to secure their place in heaven; this was not taught by Jesus, and is not the message that we find in the NT Scriptures, if we have a heart to look carefully.
My approach, in this study, is to accept this book as another that has been given to us by God and bears His inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16). I will not divide it into audiences being addressed, but will take it as God’s Word that simply needs to be studied as a part of the entirety of what God has given to, and preserved for, us.
Although many Bibles will show this as “The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews,” there is nothing within the book to specifically identify Paul as its author, nor is such a title inspired by God. Some have ascribed it to Luke, Apollos, Barnabas, or Peter;1 however, as I have read and re-read this amazing book, I, like many others, attribute the authorship to Paul. The depth of understanding of the Jewish traditions that is evident had to come from someone who was very well trained in the Law of Moses – who better than Paul, a zealous and blameless Pharisee (Philippians 3:5-6)?
Unlike the typical epistle, there is no salutation that specifically names its audience, and this is where many biases will show through. I’ve heard the extreme that this is not a book for us (non-Jewish Christians); or, because there is no mention made of Gentiles, it is meant for the Jews – so there is really no point in us reading and studying it. However, there is a more subtle approach taken by John MacArthur that can lead to the same end, without him having to say it. He says that there are three groups of people in view throughout the book, and we must be very aware of which group is being addressed so that we are able to understand what is being said; the groups are: Hebrew Christians, Hebrew non-Christians who have been intellectually convinced concerning Christ, and Hebrew non-Christians who have not been convinced.2 In other words, the book was written for Hebrews of various persuasions, the Gentiles are never mentioned, and so, unless you are in one of these three groups, it really could be wasted on you. MacArthur cautions: “If one does not keep these groups in mind, the book becomes very confusing”;3 the truth, as I see it, is that he is raising a barrier against finding out that he does not teach the whole truth of Scripture. By segmenting Hebrews as he has, he is able to deflect truths that would otherwise destroy his theology; like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, he will do his utmost to protect his well-honed doctrines – even against God’s Word!
The reality is this: this book contains an extensive explanation of the change from Judaism to the New Covenant in Christ – it explains how Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses and is our High Priest. It sheds light on the OT Scriptures so that we are able to understand them more fully from the perspective of their fulfillment in Christ. “For he is our peace, who hath made both [the Jew and the Gentile (Ephesians 2:11-13)] one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished [to render invalid] in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both [the Jew and the Gentile] unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby …” (Ephesians 2:14-16).4 Too many Evangelicals focus solely on the NT books, along with a smattering of the Psalms and Proverbs (which is why a NT with Psalms and Proverbs is so popular); the basis for the New Covenant (i.e., the fulfillment of the Old) is foreign to most today. They prefer the “simple Gospel” that they have been convinced is all that is needed to secure their place in heaven; this was not taught by Jesus, and is not the message that we find in the NT Scriptures, if we have a heart to look carefully.
My approach, in this study, is to accept this book as another that has been given to us by God and bears His inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16). I will not divide it into audiences being addressed, but will take it as God’s Word that simply needs to be studied as a part of the entirety of what God has given to, and preserved for, us.
END NOTES:
1 Thompson Chain Bible #4280; John MacArthur, Hebrews: an Expository Commentary, p. x.
2 MacArthur, Hebrews, p. xi-xv.
3 Ibid, p. xi.
4 Gingrich Lexicon; Bauer Greek-English Lexicon.
1 Thompson Chain Bible #4280; John MacArthur, Hebrews: an Expository Commentary, p. x.
2 MacArthur, Hebrews, p. xi-xv.
3 Ibid, p. xi.
4 Gingrich Lexicon; Bauer Greek-English Lexicon.
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