A study of Hebrews presents some challenges because there are several questions about the letter which we simply cannot answer. Let’s briefly note some of these questions:
- Who wrote the letter? There was a relatively early tradition in the church that Paul wrote the letter in Hebrew and Luke then translated it into Greek. However, other early traditions pointed to a variety of possible authors including Barnabas, Aquilla and Priscilla, and finally Apollos. The author speaks of having received the gospel from the original witnesses, and not from the Lord (see Hebrews 2.3). This argues against Pauline authorship as Paul proclaimed that he received the gospel from the Lord (see Galatians 1.12). Apollos is an attractive option given his description in Acts 18.24-25.
- Who were the recipients? This letter was known and circulated among the churches very early (by the end of the first century), but it did not receive its traditional title until late in the second century. The letter bears out that the intended audience were Jewish Christians who were undergoing persecution (see Hebrews 12.1-4), and were thus tempted to go back to Judaism. It’s likely that these Jewish saints did not live in Palestine, but where they lived is unknown. Asia Minor, Greece and Rome are all given as possibilities.
- When was the letter written? We know that the community was experiencing persecution, but none of them had yet died for the faith (Hebrews 12.4). This argues for a date before Nero’s general persecution against Christians in the mid 60s. It is also likely that the letter was written before Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70. “The principal indication of the date is that the epistle says nothing about the destruction of the temple but leaves the impression that the Jewish sacrificial system, with its ministry of priests and all that that involved, was a continuing reality, cf. 9:6–9.” (Expositors Bible Commentary). So, a date in the early 60s is likely.
While there are many things about the letter we don’t know, the message of the letter is not in doubt! The authors point to this Jewish community of saints is that Jesus Christ is better! Note how this is stated throughout the letter:
- Jesus is better than the angels (Hebrews 1.4)
- Jesus offers a better hope (Hebrews 7.19)
- Jesus guarantee’s a better covenant (Hebrews 7.22)
- Jesus has better promises (Hebrews 8.6)
- Jesus made a better sacrifice (Hebrews 9.23)
- Jesus provides a better possession (Hebrews 10.34)
- Jesus provides a better resurrection (Hebrews 11.35)
- Jesus’ blood is better (Hebrews 12.24)
The message of “Jesus is better” is prominent from the moment the letter begins, describing how Jesus is better than God’s other messengers. God had many faithful prophets (spokesmen) in the Old Testament, and He had communicated to them in numerous ways including a burning bush (Exodus 3.2ff), a still, small voice (1Kings 19.12ff) and glorious visions (Isaiah 6). But “in these last days” (i.e. the Messianic age), God spoke through His Son! And God’s Son is not only better than the prophets (Hebrews 1.1-2), He’s also better than the angels (Hebrews 1.4)! The writer gives seven descriptive phrases of Jesus which show how superior He is!
- Jesus is appointed heir of all things (Hebrews 1.2). Just as the Father had promised (see Psalm 2.8).
- God made the world through Jesus (Hebrews 1.2). Note John 1.1-4.
- Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory (Hebrews 1.3). NLT: “The Son radiates God’s own glory”. See John 1.14,18.
- Jesus is the exact representation of God’s nature (Hebrews 1.3). NLT: “expresses the very character of God”. Expositors Bible Commentary: “in is literal sense it was used of the impression on coins”.
- Jesus upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1.3). NLT & NIV: “sustains”.
- Jesus made purification of sins (Hebrews 1.3). This is the issue at the heart of the letter. The Old Testament sacrificial system could not make purification… but Jesus could! See Hebrews 10.3-4,10.
- Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1.3). Note how the Hebrew writer speaks of the priests standing daily to offer their sacrifices (see Hebrews 10.11). But Jesus, since He made one sacrifice for all, now sits at God’s right hand!
Jesus is better, and our study of Hebrews will show just how much better He is! And since He is better, the call for us is the same as was given to the original recipients of this letter:
“12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end…” Hebrews 3:12–14 (NASB95)
1.5-14, Why Jesus Is Much Better Than The Angels
To make his case, the author of Hebrews appeals to a number of Old Testament passages which contrast the positions of the Messiah with that of the angels. Before making particular points from the text, we should note the author’s approach to Old Testament Scripture. The author sees Jesus as the fulfillment of numerous passages, not just ones that are explicitly Messianic. Vs. 5 quotes Psalm 2, which is readily seen as Messianic, but vss. 8-9 quotes Psalm 45.5-6, a passage which appears to be addressed to the Father. Furthermore, 2Samuel 7.14 (quoted in vs. 5) would have first applied to Solomon. The point is that the Hebrew writer viewed the entire Old Testament as pointing to the Messiah, a position Jesus taught (see Luke 24.44-47).
- Vss. 5-6 emphasize the Father-Son relationship, quoting from both Psalm 2.7 and 2Samuel 7.14. No angel could claim the same relationship, rather the angles are called to worship the Son! Note: the use of “firstborn” is significant. As we will note in a later lesson, Jesus’ position as firstborn means that there are others who are children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus (see Hebrews 2.11). But in this instance the use of “firstborn” emphasizes Jesus’ status in the family of God. He is the only heir (see vs. 2).
- Vss. 7-14 contrast the relative positions of Jesus and the angels. The position of the angels bookend the passage (vss. 7,14) and show their inferiority to God’s Son. Vs. 7 quotes Psalm 104.4 and the meaning may be that the angels have the qualities of wind and fire, showing their superiority to man (note 2.7), but they are still inferior to the Son. They are but God’s messengers, sent to minister to God’s people (vs. 14).
- But the Son reigns! Vss. 8-13 quote from Psalm 45.6-7; Psalm 102.25-27 and Psalm 110.1. Psalm 45 not only states the fact of His reign, but the nature of His reign: He is both righteous and loves righteousness! Psalm 102 emphasizes the enduring nature of Jesus’ reign, for He not only laid the foundations of the earth, but will one day “roll them up like a garment”. Through it all, He will be the same. And Psalm 110 emphasizes His authority: He sits at the right hand of the Father and will rule over all His enemies!
2.1-4, Ramification of Jesus’ Superiority: Heed Him!
Having established the superiority of Jesus to the angels, the author of Hebrews moved quickly to the practical ramifications of Jesus’ exalted position. This explanation is helpful when reading the passage: “One of the key roles of ancient speakers, rhetoricians and rabbis alike, was to motivate people to take specific courses of action, and they utilized a wide variety of oratorical and literary tools to accomplish that end. One such tool was the ‘argument from lesser to greater,’ also known as an a fortioriargument. This device lies at the heart of 2:1–4. This type of argument reasoned that if some principle is true in a less important situation, then it certainly is true—and has greater implications—in a more important situation.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary)
- The author’s concern is apparent in vs. 1; if his audience doesn’t heed the gospel they would drift away! “the word translated ‘pay … attention’ in 2:1 was used as a technical term for bringing a ship into port. The wind or oars powered ancient ships. A test of a captain’s skill in controlling a large, wind-driven vessel came upon entering a harbor and approaching a dock, since there were no ‘reverse engines’ to slow the ship’s progress. To carry too much speed would result in crashing into the docks; to carry too little speed resulted in falling short. A ship in the latter instance would ‘drift’ by the place at which it was supposed to land, perhaps being impeded or driven off course by strong currents or prevailing winds. Thus, the author of Hebrews expresses concern over the spiritual state of his readers, whom he fears may be drifting off course from a clear focus on the gospel of salvation.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary)
- Vs. 2 refers to the angels role in delivering the Mosaic Law, a point also made in Acts 7.38 and Galatians 3.19. The Jews new that all of the Law was to be followed, else they face the righteous punishments detailed in the Law (cf. Deuteronomy 28.15ff). And if that was true of disobedience to the word delivered by angels, what of the word that through God’s Son?
- Vss. 3-4, there is no escape if we neglect the salvation provided by the Son, “what we have heard” in vs. 1. To bolster the point even further, the author notes how three parties were involved in delivering this word of salvation: Jesus first proclaimed it (vs. 3), it was confirmed by those who heard, i.e. the apostles (vs. 3), and God testified with them through signs, wonders and miracles (vs. 4; cf. Mark 16.20).
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