Hebrews

Book Outhne

Key theme: Press on to maturity

Key verse:

I. A Superior Person—Christ ()

A. Better than the prophets ()

B. Better than the angels ()

1. (Exhortation: drifting from the Word, )

C. Better than Moses ()

1. (Exhortation: doubting the Word, )

D. Better than Aaron ()

1. (Exhortation: dullness toward the Word, )

II. A Superior Priesthood—Melchizedek ()

A. A superior order ()

B. A superior covenant ()

C. A superior sanctuary ()

D. A superior sacrifice ()

1. (Exhortation: despising the Word, )

III. A Superior Principle—Faith ()

A. The great examples of faith ()

B. The endurance of faith—chastening ()

1. (Exhortation: defying the Word, )

C. Closing practical exhortations ()

Book Overview

A man from Leeds, England, visited his doctor to have his hearing checked. The doctor removed the man’s hearing aid, and the patient’s hearing immediately improved! He had been wearing the device in the wrong ear for over twenty years!

I once asked a pastor friend, “Do you have a deaf ministry in your church?”

He replied, “There are times when I think the whole church needs a deaf ministry—they just don’t seem to hear me.”

A great difference stands between listening and really hearing. Jesus often cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (). This statement suggests that it takes more than physical ears to hear the voice of God. It also requires a receptive heart. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (, ).

Many people have avoided the letter to the Hebrews and, consequently, have robbed themselves of much practical spiritual help. Some have avoided this book, because they are afraid of it—the so-called warnings in Hebrews have made them uneasy. Others have avoided this book, because they think it is too difficult for the average Bible student to understand. To be sure, Hebrews contains some profound truths, and no preacher or teacher would dare to claim to know them all! But the general message of the book is clear, and we have no reason for not understanding it and profiting from it.

Perhaps the best way to study Hebrews is to notice five characteristics in the epistle: It is a book of evaluation, a book of exhortation, a book of examination, a book of expectation, and a book of exaltation. The Book of Hebrews exalts the person and the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When we realize all that we have in and through Him, we have no desire for anyone else or anything else!

As you study Hebrews, keep in mind that our purpose is not to get lost in curious doctrinal details. Nor is our purpose to attack or defend some pet doctrine. Our purpose is to hear God speak in Jesus Christ, and to heed that Word. We want to echo the request of the Greeks to Philip: “Sir, we want to meet Jesus” (). If our purpose is to know Christ better and exalt Him more, then whatever differences we may have in our understanding of the book will be forgotten in our worship of Him.

“Be Transformed”

The letter to the Hebrews opens with an important declaration: “God . . . has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (, ). Near the close of the book, the writer stated, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (). In other words, the theme of Hebrews seems to be “God has spoken; we have His Word. What are we doing about it?”

What we need to do about God’s Word is to respond in faith. His Word represents Him, and one of the ultimate decisions that transforms life is our answer to the question: What are we going to do about God’s invitation to trust Him? Hebrews’ great chapter on the heroes of faith (ch. ) presents not only practical and challenging examples of faith but also a key warning about the centrality of faith in our dealings with God: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” ().

The writer of Hebrews gives us a beautiful, unfolding picture of the superiority of Jesus in every way. Faith is a reasonable response to who Jesus is, because no one is like Him. No matter whom we compare to Jesus (and Hebrews contains some of the main candidates), no one can compare. He is ultimately worthy of trust. That’s why He can say to us, as He said to His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (). Learning to trust Jesus this way will result in living a transformed life.

God’s Supreme Revelation

1God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

2has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

3who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Son Exalted Above Angels

5For to which of the angels did He ever say:

“You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You”?

And again:

“I will be to Him a Father,

And He shall be to Me a Son”?

But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:

“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

7And of the angels He says:

“Who makes His angels spirits

And His ministers a flame of fire.”

8But to the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;

A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

9You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;

Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

10And:

“You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,

And the heavens are the work of Your hands.

11They will perish, but You remain;

And they will all grow old like a garment;

12Like a cloak You will fold them up,

And they will be changed.

But You are the same,

And Your years will not fail.”

But to which of the angels has He ever said:

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

14Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

Do Not Neglect Salvation

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

2For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,

3how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

4God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

The Son Made Lower than Angels

For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.

6But one testified in a certain place, saying:

“What is man that You are mindful of him,

Or the son of man that You take care of him?

7You have made him a little lower than the angels;

You have crowned him with glory and honor,

And set him over the works of Your hands.

8You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.

9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Bringing Many Sons to Glory

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12saying:

“I will declare Your name to My brethren;

In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”

13And again:

“I will put My trust in Him.”

And again:

“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

17Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

18For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

The Son Was Faithful

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

2who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.

4For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

5And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,

but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Be Faithful

7Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

8Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,

In the day of trial in the wilderness,

9Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,

And saw My works forty years.

Therefore I was angry with that generation,

And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,

And they have not known My ways.’

11So I swore in My wrath,

‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

12Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

15while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Failure of the Wilderness Wanderers

16For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?

17Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?

18And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

The Promise of Rest

1Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

2For 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.

3For 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.

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”;

5and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”

6Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,

7again 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.”

8For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.

9There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

10For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

The Word Discovers Our Condition

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

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.

13And 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.

Our Compassionate High Priest

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.

15For 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.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Qualifications for High Priesthood

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

2He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.

3Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.

4And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

A Priest Forever

5So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

“You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.”

As He also says in another place:

“You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek”;

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,

8though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

9And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

10called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”

of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Spiritual Immaturity

12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The Peril of Not Progressing

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

2of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3And this we will do if God permits.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

6if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;

8but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

A Better Estimate

9But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.

10For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,

12that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ

For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,

14saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”

15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

17Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,

18that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

20where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The King of Righteousness

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”

without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

5And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;

6but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

7Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.

8Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

9Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,

10for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood

11Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

12For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

13For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

14For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest

who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

17For He testifies:

“You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Greatness of the New Priest

20And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath

21(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The LORD has sworn

And will not relent,

‘You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

22by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

23Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.

24But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;

27who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

28For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

The New Priestly Service

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

2a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.

4For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;

who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

A New Covenant

7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—

9“not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

11“None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The Earthly Sanctuary

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.

For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;

3and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,

4which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

5and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Limitations of the Earthly Service

6Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.

7But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;

8the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.

It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—

10concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,

14how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The Mediator’s Death Necessary

16For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.

18Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.

19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

20saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”

21Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.

22And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice

Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—

26He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

27And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

28so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Animal Sacrifices Insufficient

For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.

2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will

5Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

But a body You have prepared for Me.

6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin

You had no pleasure.

7Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.’ ”

Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law),

9then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

10By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified

And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

12But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

13from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.

14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

15But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

16“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,”

17then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

18Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Hold Fast Your Confession

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

21and having a High Priest over the house of God,

22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Just Live by Faith

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

28Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

30For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.”

31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:

33partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;

34for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

35Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

36For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

37“For yet a little while,

And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.

38Now the just shall live by faith;

But if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure in him.”

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

By Faith We Understand

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

5By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

7By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

10for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.

15And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.

16But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”

concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,

25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

26esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

31By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:

33who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

36Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.

37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—

38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,

40God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

The Race of Faith

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Discipline of God

3For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

4You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6For whom the LORD loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives.”

7If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

8But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

9Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Renew Your Spiritual Vitality

12Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

14Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

16lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

17For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

The Glorious Company

For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,

19and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.

20(For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”

21And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)

22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,

23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Hear the Heavenly Voice

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,

26whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

27Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

29For our God is a consuming fire.

Concluding Moral Directions

Let brotherly love continue.

2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

3Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

4Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

So we may boldly say:

“The LORD is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

Concluding Religious Directions

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

9Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

10We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.

12Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

14For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Prayer Requested

18Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

19But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

23Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

24Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

25Grace be with you all. Amen.

Annotations for Hebrews

The first major section of this book comprises seven quotations from the Old Testament, all of which prove the superiority of Christ to the angels. Some of them do not match the exact wording of the Old Testament, but scholars explain that the writer quoted from the Greek version of the Hebrew Old Testament, known as the Septuagint. To do away with the evidence presented in these quotations would be impossible. Jesus Christ is greater than the angels; this means he is also greater than the law, which the angels helped deliver to the people of Israel.

, While the angels collectively may be termed “the sons of God” (), no angel would be given this title individually. It belongs uniquely to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Some translations read, “When God brings his firstborn into the world” (NIV). The term “firstborn” in the Bible does not always mean “born first.” God made Solomon the firstborn () even though Solomon is listed tenth in the official genealogy (). The title is one of rank and honor, for the firstborn receives the major part of the inheritance and the special blessing. Christ is “firstborn over all creation” () because He created all things, and He is the highest of all who came back from the dead ().

, That Jesus Christ now sits at the Father’s right hand (the place of honor) is mentioned many times in the New Testament. Angels are the ministering spirits who serve the Lord. But they also minister to us—“those who will inherit salvation” through faith in Christ. The angels today are serving us!

The admonition here is written to believers—notice the pronoun “we.” The danger here is that of ignoring our salvation. Please note that the author did not write “reject” but “neglect.” This is not encouraging sinners to become Christians; rather, it is encouraging Christians to pay attention to the great salvation they have received from the Lord.

Later (), the writer used the illustration of an anchor to show how confident we can be in the promises of God. More spiritual problems are caused by neglect than perhaps by any other failure on our part. We neglect God’s Word, prayer, worship with God’s people (see ), and other opportunities for spiritual growth, and as a result, we start to drift. The anchor does not move; we do.

Jesus’ humanity enabled Him to regain humanity’s lost dominion. Jesus Christ became man that He might suffer and die for people’s sin and restore the dominion that was lost because of sin. When our Lord was here on earth, He exercised that lost dominion. Today, everything is under His control ().

Christ is not only the Last Adam (see ), but He is also the “leader” of salvation. Jesus is the pioneer—the one who opens the way for others to follow. Christ gave up His glory to become a man. He regained His glory when He arose and ascended to heaven. Now He shares that glory with all who trust Him for salvation (). Christ is bringing many children to glory!

While He was here on earth, Jesus was “flesh and blood” in that He experienced the sinless infirmities of human nature. He knew what it was to be a helpless baby, a growing child, a maturing adolescent. He knew the experiences of weariness, hunger, and thirst (). He experienced being despised and rejected, lied about and falsely accused. He suffered physically and died. All of this was a part of His “tempt[ing]” in preparation for His heavenly ministry as High Priest.

As our High Priest, our Lord is able to give us grace to keep us from sinning when we are tempted. If we do sin, then He as our Advocate represents us before the throne of God and forgives us when we sincerely confess our sins to Him (). Both of these ministries are involved in His present work of intercession (), and it is this intercessory ministry that is the guarantee of our eternal salvation.

, The writer noted that Moses and Jesus Christ were both faithful in the work God had given them to do. Moses was not sinless, as was Jesus Christ, but he was faithful and obeyed God’s will (). This would have encouraged the first-century Jewish believers to remain faithful to Christ, even in the midst of the tough trials they were experiencing. They should imitate Moses and be faithful in their calling.

The contrast between Moses and Christ is clear: Moses was a servant in the house, while Jesus Christ is a Son, in charge of the house. Moses was part of the house itself (the body of believers), but Jesus built the house! The truth in these verses is a powerful argument for the deity of Jesus Christ. If God built all things, and Jesus Christ built God’s house, then Jesus Christ must be God. Here is another factor in Christ’s superiority over Moses: The prophet Moses spoke about things to come, but Jesus Christ brought the fulfillment of these things.

The word “confidence” literally means “freedom to speak, being open.” When we are free to speak, we have no fear. A believer can come “boldly” (same word as “confident”) to the throne of our gracious God () with openness and freedom and not be afraid. We have this boldness because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ (); therefore, we should not cast away our confidence, no matter what the circumstances might be. We should not have confidence in ourselves, because we are too prone to fail; but we should have confidence in Jesus Christ who never fails.

Because of this confidence in Christ and this confession of Christ, we can experience joy and hope. The writer exhorted these suffering saints to enjoy their spiritual experience and not simply endure it. Jesus Christ is the beloved Son over His house, and He will care for each member of the family. He is the faithful High Priest who provides all the grace we need for each demand of life. As the great Shepherd of the sheep (), Jesus Christ is using the experiences in His people’s lives to equip them for service that will glorify His name.

Catalyst

In , the writer often refers to the Old Testament accounts of Israel’s disobedience in the wilderness and admonishes us not to be unbelieving like Israel was. We can learn significant spiritual lessons from the geography of Israel’s experiences, especially as it applies to God’s “rest.”

The nation’s bondage in Egypt illustrates a sinner’s bondage in this world. Much as Israel was delivered from Egypt by the blood of lambs and the power of God, so a sinner who believes on Christ is delivered from the bondage of sin (, ). Jesus Christ is “the Lamb of God” whose death and resurrection have made our deliverance from sin a reality (). This is the “rest” of salvation, in which the sinner finds rest for his soul.

The wilderness wanderings represent the experiences of believers who will not claim their spiritual inheritance in Christ, who doubt God’s Word and live in rebellious unbelief. To be sure, God is with them, as He was with Israel, but they do not enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing. They are out of Egypt but not yet in Canaan. This is a picture of unrest in the believer’s life.

The Canaan rest for Israel is a picture of the spiritual rest we find in Christ when we surrender to Him. Canaan is not a picture of heaven but of the believer’s present spiritual inheritance in Christ. Believers who doubt God’s Word and rebel against Him do not miss heaven, but they do miss out on the blessings of their inheritance today, and they must suffer the chastening of God.

In summary, when we come to Christ by faith, we find salvation rest (). When we yield and learn of Him and obey Him by faith, we enjoy submission rest (, ). The first is “peace with God” (); the second is the peace of God (). We enter into rest by believing (); the rest enters into us when we obey God by faith and surrender to His will.

But there is one more rest mentioned in this passage: “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God” (). The word for “rest” in this verse is the Greek word sabbatismos—“a keeping of a Sabbath”—and this is the only place in the New Testament where this word is used. When the saints enter heaven, it will be like sharing God’s great Sabbath rest, with all labors and battles ended ().

Go to the

The heart of every problem is a problem in the heart. The people of Israel (except Moses, Joshua, and Caleb) erred in their hearts, which means that their hearts wandered from God and His Word. They also had evil hearts of unbelief (v. ); they did not believe that God would give them victory in Canaan. They had seen God perform great signs in Egypt, yet they doubted that He was adequate for the challenge of Canaan. When a person has an erring heart and a disbelieving heart, the result will also be a hard heart. This is a heart that is insensitive to the Word and work of God.

We should take heed and recognize the spiritual dangers that exist. But we should also encourage each other to be faithful to the Lord. Evidently some of the believers addressed were careless about their fellowship in the local assembly (see ). Christians belong to each other and need each other. Moses, Caleb, and Joshua had tried to encourage Israel when the nation had refused to enter Canaan, but the people would not listen to them.

The emphasis in this book is that true believers have an eternal salvation because they trust a living Savior who constantly intercedes for them. But the writer was careful to point out that this confidence is no excuse for sin. God disciplines His children.

The rest God initiated when He ceased from His creation activities () here pictures our rest in Christ through salvation (see ).

The Canaan rest (see ; ; ) pictures our present rest as we claim our inheritance in Christ. This is a rest of submission to God, not rebellion against Him. Note the emphasis on the Word of God.

, In comparing the Word of God to a sword, the writer was not suggesting that God uses His Word to slaughter the saints! Certainly the Word cuts the heart of sinners with conviction (; ), and the Word defeats Satan (). The Greek word translated “sword” means “a short sword or dagger.” The emphasis is on the power of the Word to penetrate and expose a person’s inner heart. The Word is a discerner or critic and exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Imagine a scalpel gently and accurately cutting away to separate diseased flesh from healthy, vibrant flesh.

God uses the Word to enable us to see the sin and unbelief in our own hearts. The Word exposes our hearts, and then, if we trust God, the Word enables our hearts to obey God and claim His promises. This is why we should be diligent to apply ourselves to hear and heed God’s Word. In the Word we see God, and we also see how God sees us. We see ourselves as we really are. This experience enables us to be honest with God, to trust His will, and to obey Him.

The common people were not permitted to enter the holy precincts of the tabernacle and the temple, and the priests got only as far as the inner curtain. The high priest alone went beyond the curtain, and only on the Day of Atonement (). But every believer in Christ is invited, and even encouraged, to “come boldly to the throne of grace.” What a great throne it is because our Great High Priest is ministering there!

Since we can come boldly into the presence of God and get the help we need, no trial is too great and no temptation too strong but that Jesus Christ can give us the mercy and grace that we need, when we need it.

The very existence of a priesthood and a system of sacrifices is evidence that human beings are estranged from God. Through God’s act of grace He instituted the whole Levitical system. Today, that system has been fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus Christ. He is both the once-for-all sacrifice and the High Priest who ministers to God’s people.

Two factors make Christ’s priesthood unique and, therefore, His ordination greater than that of the Old Testament priests. First, He is a “priest forever.” Every other priest died and relinquished the office to his successor. Second, He belongs to a different order from the other priests. They belonged to the order of Aaron; He belongs to the “order of Melchizedek.” These truths will be developed in chapters through , but they are introduced here in chapter .

We would think that one sinner would have compassion for another sinner, but this is not always the case. Sin makes a person selfish. Sin can blind us to the hurts of others. Sin can harden our hearts and make us judgmental instead of sympathetic. No, the spiritually minded person with a clean heart is the one who sympathizes with a sinner and seeks to help him or her (see ). Because we are so sinful, we have a hard time helping other sinners, but because Jesus is perfect, He is able to meet our needs after we sin. Our Lord was prepared for His high priestly ministry during His days of ministry on earth (, ).

The writer was about to begin his explanation of the heavenly priesthood of Christ but was not sure the readers were ready for what would be taught. The problem was not that the teacher was a dull teacher, but that the readers were dull hearers. The word translated “dull” in verse is repeated in (“sluggish”). It refers to a condition of spiritual apathy and laziness that prevents spiritual development. Indicators of this spiritual immaturity were dullness to the word, inability to share the good news, a limited spiritual diet, and difficulty in discerning right from wrong.

In order to make progress, we have to leave childhood things behind and move forward in spiritual growth. We learn the ABCs so that we might read words, sentences, books—we do not keep learning the basics. We build on the basics and move to the next level.

Though Bible students over the years have approached this serious passage in several different ways, the writer probably is describing a hypothetical case to prove the point that a true believer cannot lose his or her salvation. The statement in verse seems to support this interpretation. In view of following facts, the people addressed seem to be true believers, not those who merely profess to believe:

(1) They were “once enlightened” (v. ). The “once” means “enlightened once and for all.” The way this same verb is used in indicates an experience of true salvation (see ). (2) They “tasted the heavenly gift” (v. ), and “tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come” (v. ). “Taste” carries the idea of “experience.” These Hebrew believers had experienced the gift of salvation, the Word of God, and the power of God. (3) They “have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,” (v. ). The word “partake” means “to participate in, to share.” These same people were not only sharers “in the Holy Spirit,” but also “partakers of the heavenly calling” ().

We must remember that the writer’s purpose was not to frighten the readers but to assure them. If frightening them had been the purpose, the writer would have named the sin (or sins) that disgraced Jesus Christ; but that wasn’t done. In fact, the writer avoided the word “apostasy” and used instead “fall away” (see for a similar word).

Not every believer bears the same amount of fruit (“some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” ); but every believer bears the same kind of fruit as proof that he is a child of God (). This is the fruit of Christian character and conduct () produced by the Spirit as we mature in Christ.

Catalyst

The illustration of a field in reminds us of our Lord’s parable of the sower (, ), as well as Paul’s teaching about the fire testing our works (). A field proves its worth by bearing fruit, and a true believer, as he or she makes spiritual progress, bears fruit for God’s glory. Note that the field with the “thorns and thistles” is burned, not the whole property. God never curses His own!

Progress in the Christian life demands diligent effort. While God moves us to maturity (, ), we must also do our part. We must not be lazy (“sluggish”) but apply ourselves to the spiritual resources God has given us. We have God’s promises. We should exercise faith and patience and claim these promises for ourselves!

A farmer does not reap a harvest by sitting on the porch looking at the seed. He must get busy and plow, plant, weed, cultivate, and perhaps water the soil. The believer who neglects church fellowship, ignores his Bible, and forgets to pray will not reap much of a harvest.

Go to the

Lest anyone should misinterpret the exhortation to spiritual maturity, the writer ended this section with a tremendous argument for the assurance of salvation. All of us Christians are not making the spiritual progress we should, but we need never fear that God will condemn us.

Christians today have more of God’s promises than did Abraham! What is keeping us from making spiritual progress? We do not apply ourselves by faith.

In chapter , the writer describes Christ’s better priesthood, because it was based on the superior order of Melchizedek, rather than that of Levi and Aaron. In chapter , the emphasis is on Christ’s better covenant; in chapter , it is His better sanctuary; and chapter concludes the section by arguing for Christ’s better sacrifice, something Melchizedek could not do.

Melchizedek was both king and priest. In the Old Testament economy, the throne and the altar were separated. King Uzziah wanted to be both a priest and a king, and God judged him. But Melchizedek had both offices—king and priest! Aaron never had that privilege. And we should note that Melchizedek was not a counterfeit priest: He was the “priest of God Most High” (see ). His ministry was legitimate.

Only in Jesus Christ and in pre-law Melchizedek were these two offices combined. Jesus Christ is the High Priest on the throne!

Melchizedek’s name is significant. In the Bible, names and their meanings are important. We name our children today without much consideration for what those names mean, but this was not the case in Bible days. Sometimes a great spiritual crisis was the occasion for changing a person’s name (see ; ). The name “Melchizedek” means “king of righteousness” in the Hebrew language. The word Salem means “peace” (the Hebrew word shalom), so that Melchizedek is “king of peace” as well as “king of justice.”

Justice and peace are often found together in Scripture. True peace can be experienced only on the basis of righteousness and justice. If we want to enjoy peace with God we must be declared righteous (“justified”) by faith (). People cannot be right with God by keeping the Old Testament law (). Only through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross can justice and peace meet.

Melchizedek’s family history is different. Melchizedek was a man, so he had to have had a mother and a father. But the Old Testament has no record of his genealogy, and this is significant because most great persons in the Old Testament have their ancestry identified.

The reason Jesus Christ can be “a priest forever” is that He belongs to the “order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek was not an angel or some superhuman creature; nor was he an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ. He was a real man, a real king, and a real priest in a real city. But as far as the record is concerned, he was not born, nor did he die (see v. ). In this way, he pictures the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who is a Priest “forever.”

Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham. Under the Jewish law, the Jews were commanded to give God one-tenth of their crops, herds, and flocks ().

Melchizedek’s priesthood was of a different order from that of Aaron and Levi. Melchizedek pictures our Lord as a heavenly High Priest. Jesus Christ could never have served as a priest when He was on earth because He did not belong to the tribe of Levi. Jesus was born of the seed of David, the tribe of Judah. He became the sacrifice on earth that He might become the High Priest in heaven.

The writer kept in mind the temptation his readers were facing to go back into the old temple system. This is why he reminded them that Jesus Christ had accomplished what the law could never accomplish: He brought in a better hope, and He enables us to draw near to God. To go back to Judaism would mean losing the enjoyment of their fellowship with God through Christ. The only hope Judaism had was the coming of Christ, and these believers already had that blessing.

We must not imagine that God the Father is angry with us so that God the Son must constantly appeal to Him not to judge us. Intercession involves our Lord’s representation of His people at the throne of God. Through Christ, believers are able to draw near to God in prayer and also to offer spiritual sacrifices to God (). Christ’s life in heaven is His prayer for us. What He is determines what He does.

Why turn away from such an adequate High Priest? What more can we find in any other person? The men who served under the law of Moses had human infirmities and weaknesses, and they often failed. Our heavenly High Priest has “been perfected forever” (v. ), and He has no spot or blemish. Such a High Priest suits us perfectly! We should regularly avail ourselves of His gracious ministry.

The superior High Priest ministers on the basis of a superior covenant. Could we conceive of a high priest who is perfect morally, ministering on the basis of a covenant that could not change human hearts? Could a priest who has finished his work minister from a covenant that could finish nothing? Can we conceive of a king-priest in the highest heaven being limited by an old covenant that made nothing perfect ()? The conclusion seems reasonable: The presence of a superior High Priest in heaven demands a superior covenant if He is to minister effectively to God’s people.

As High Priest, Jesus Christ must offer gifts and sacrifices (see ). We must not, however, get the impression that our Lord is offering sacrifices in heaven that correspond to the Old Testament sacrifices. Those were completed “once for all when He offered up Himself” (). Our Lord is a “living sacrifice” in heaven.

The priests then serving in the temple were actually serving in a sanctuary that was a copy (“shadow”) of the heavenly sanctuary. The quotation is from , an oblique reference to a heavenly sanctuary. Moses saw this pattern on the mountain and duplicated its essentials in the earthly tabernacle. The true sanctuary is in heaven; the tabernacle and temple were but imitations or copies of the true.

The better, “new covenant” that is referred to in this passage had been announced by the prophet Jeremiah (). This promise in Jeremiah’s prophecy assured the Jews of future restoration. Jeremiah ministered during the closing years of the nation’s history, before Judah went into Babylonian captivity. At a time when the nation’s future had seemed completely destroyed, God had given the promise of restoration and blessing.

A superior priest could never minister on the basis of an inferior covenant. To change the illustration, the most gifted lawyer can do very little if the will that he or she is probating is inadequate. Our Lord would never minister on the basis of an inferior last will and testament.

God had promised a new covenant for His people, but the blessings of this covenant are wrapped up in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He is the Mediator of the new covenant. When Jesus began His ministry on earth, He went to His own people first (). When He sent out His disciples, He sent them only to Israel (, ). But the nation rejected the message and the messengers. The gospel moved from Jerusalem and Judea into Samaria (), and then to the Gentiles ().

, Unfortunately many Christians think they are saved by grace but must then fulfill their Christian life according to the Old Testament law. They want the new covenant for salvation but the old covenant for sanctification.

The law provided no forgiveness because the law was not given for that purpose. The law could not promise forgiveness to Israel, let alone to all humankind. Only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is forgiveness possible to all who will call on Him. The Old Testament sacrifices brought a remembrance of sins, not a remission (cleansing) of sins (, ).

The phrase “remember no more” means “to hold against no longer.” God recalls what we have done, but He does not hold it against us. He deals with us on the basis of grace and mercy, not law and merit. Once sin has been forgiven, it is never brought before us again. The matter is settled eternally.

We must not conclude that the existence of the new covenant means that the old covenant was wrong or that the law has no ministry today. Both covenants were given by God. Both covenants were given for people’s good. Both covenants had blessings attached to them. If Israel had obeyed the terms of the old covenant, God would have blessed them and they would have been ready for the coming of their Messiah. Paul pointed out that the old covenant had its share of glory (). We must not criticize the old covenant or minimize it. God still desires that the “righteous requirement of the law” should be fulfilled in us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (). The law has a lawful use ().

The regulations and practices in the tabernacle were ordained of God. If the tabernacle service had any inferiority, it was not because God had not established the ritual. While the old covenant was in force, the ministry of the priests was ordained of God and perfectly proper.

No doubt many spiritual truths are wrapped up in these pieces of furniture, and all of them are of value. But the most important truth is that all of this was symbolism and not the spiritual reality. This fact made the tabernacle of the old covenant inferior.

, The sacrifices offered and the blood applied to the ark’s cover could never change the heart or the conscience of a worshiper, although God did forgive the sins of sincere worshipers (, , , ). All of the ceremonies associated with the tabernacle had to do with ceremonial purity, not moral purity. They were carnal ordinances that pertained to the outer person but could not change the inner person.

The deficiencies of the old covenant sanctuary are matched with the superiorities of the new covenant sanctuary. In every way, the present sanctuary is superior.

Chapter discusses the inferiority of animal sacrifices, but here is the foundation. We need no proof that the blood of Jesus Christ is far superior to that of animal sacrifices. How can the blood of animals ever solve the problem of people’s sins? Jesus Christ became a Man that He might be able to die for people’s sins.

, The old covenant rituals could not change a person’s heart. This is not to say that worshipers did not have a spiritual experience if they truly trusted God; it means that the emphasis was on the external ceremonial cleansing. So long as worshipers obeyed the prescribed regulations, they were declared clean. They were being cleansed from impurity “of the flesh” but their conscience was not cleansed.

This verse makes it clear that no final and complete redemption was available under the old covenant. Those transgressions were covered by the blood of the many sacrifices, but they were not cleansed until the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (). Since Christ has accomplished an eternal redemption, we are able to share in an eternal inheritance. As we review these contrasts, we can easily see that the ministry of Christ is effective to deal with our sins. His finished work on earth, and His unfinished work of intercession in heaven () are sufficient and efficient.

The old covenant was established by blood; so was the new covenant. But the new covenant was established on the basis of a better sacrifice, applied in a better place. The patterns (types) were purified by the blood of animals, but the original sanctuary was purified by the blood of the Son of God. This was a far more costly sacrifice.

The ministry of Christ is final and complete. Nothing is incomplete or temporary about our Lord’s ministry in heaven. The writer points out again the obvious contrasts between the old covenant ministry and the new covenant ministry. Our sanctuary is in heaven. Our Father is in heaven, and our Savior is in heaven. Our citizenship is in heaven (), and our treasures should be in heaven (.). And our hope is in heaven. The true believer walks by faith, not by sight. No matter what may happen on earth, we can be confident because everything is settled in heaven.

Sin, of course, is humanity’s greatest problem. No matter what kind of religion a person professes, if it cannot deal with sin, it is of no value. By nature, each person is a sinner, and by choice, the individual proves that his or her nature is sinful.

Animal sacrifices could never completely deal with human guilt. God did promise forgiveness to believing worshipers (, , , ), but this was a judicial forgiveness and not the changing of people’s hearts. People lacked that inward witness of full and final forgiveness.

A better sacrifice was desperately needed because “the blood of bulls and goats” could not “take away sins.” It could cover sin and postpone judgment, but it could never bring about a once-and-for-all redemption. Only the better sacrifice of the Son of God could do that.

The writer states that God “had no pleasure” in the old covenant sacrifices (see v. ). This does not suggest that the old sacrifices were wrong, or that sincere worshipers received no benefit from obeying God’s law. It only means that God had no delight in sacrifices as such, apart from the obedient hearts of the worshipers. No amount of sacrifices could substitute for obedience (; , ; , ).

The writer contrasts the old covenant high priest with Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. The fact that Jesus sat down after He ascended to the Father proves that His work was completed (, ; ). The ministry of the priests in the tabernacle and temple was never done and never different; they would offer the same sacrifices day after day. This constant repetition was proof that their sacrifices did not take away sins. What tens of thousands of animal sacrifices could not accomplish, Jesus accomplished with one sacrifice forever!

No old covenant worshiper would have been bold enough to try to enter the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. Even the high priest entered the Most Holy Place only once a year. The thick curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was a barrier between people and God. Only the death of Christ could tear that curtain () and open the way into the heavenly sanctuary where God dwells. When Jesus’ flesh was torn on the cross and His life sacrificed, God tore the curtain in the temple. This symbolized the new and living way now opened for all who believe.

, Fellowship with God must never become singular and selfish. We must also fellowship with other Christians in the local assembly. Apparently, some of the wavering believers had been absenting themselves from the church fellowship. Note that the emphasis here is not on what a believer gets from the assembly, but rather on what he or she can contribute to the assembly. Faithfulness in church attendance encourages others and provokes them to love and good works.

The exhortation against deliberate sin (v. ) refers to an attitude that leads to repeated disobedience, not merely to one act of sin. The old covenant had no sacrifices for deliberate and willful sins (; ). Presumptuous sinners who despised Moses’ law and broke it would be executed (). A person with this attitude tramples Jesus Christ underfoot, cheapens the precious blood that saved him, and insults the Holy Spirit.

In the event that any readers should misinterpret this exhortation, the writer follows it with words of encouragement and confirmation. Readers had given every evidence that they were true Christians. The writer did not expect them to despise God’s Word and experience God’s chastening.

The readers had been willing to suffer reproach and persecution, even when everything they had was taken away. When they were not being persecuted themselves, they were courageously identifying with the other Christians who were in danger, even to the point of sharing their imprisonment (v. ). At that time, they had great confidence and hope, but now they were in danger of casting away that confidence and going back into their old religion. The secret of victory was in their faith and patience (“endurance,” v. ).

Catalyst

The opening verses of are not a definition of faith but a description of what faith does and how it works. True Bible faith is not blind optimism or a manufactured hope-so feeling. Neither is it an intellectual assent to a doctrine. Faith does certainly not consist of belief in spite of evidence! That would be superstition. True Bible faith is confident obedience to God’s Word despite circumstances and consequences. Read that last sentence again and let it soak into your mind and heart.

This faith operates quite simply. God speaks, and we hear His Word. We trust His Word and act on it no matter what the circumstances are or what the consequences may be. The circumstances may be impossible and the consequences frightening and unknown, but we obey God’s Word just the same and believe Him to do what is right and what is best.

Go to the

The writer makes it clear that faith is very practical (v. ), despite what unbelievers say. Faith enables us to understand what God does. Faith enables us to see what others cannot see (vv. , , ). As a result, faith enables us to do what others cannot do! People laughed at these great men and women when they stepped out by faith, but God was with them and enabled them to succeed to His glory.

Abraham obeyed God by faith when he did not understand how God was working. Why would God want Abraham to sacrifice his son when it was the Lord who had given him that miracle child? All of a future nation’s promises were wrapped up in Isaac. The tests of faith become more difficult as we walk with God, yet the rewards become more wonderful!

We have to admire the faith of the patriarchs. They did not have a complete Bible; yet their faith was strong. They handed God’s promises down from one generation to another. In spite of their failures and trials, these men believed God and He bore witness to their faith. How much more faith we should have!

, As the adopted son of the Egyptian princess, Moses could have led an easy life in the palace. But his faith moved him to refuse that kind of life. He chose to identify with God’s suffering people. True faith causes a believer to hold the right values and make the right decisions. The phrase “pleasures of sin” does not refer only to lust and other gross sins. The phrase describes a way of life that we today would call “successful”—position, prestige, power, wealth, and freedom from problems.

Faith can operate in the life of any person who will dare to listen to God’s Word and surrender to God’s will. What a variety of personalities we have here! Gideon was a frightened farmer whose faith did not grow strong right away (). Barak won a resounding victory over Sisera, but he needed Deborah the prophetess as his helper to assure him (see ). Both Gideon and Barak are encouragements to us who falter in our faith.

The word “others” in v. means “others of a different kind,” that is, different from the heroes of faith described in vv. , people who triumphed in miraculous ways. These “others” suffered and even died for their faith but were not to be considered failures. They also received a good report from the Lord. God doesn’t promise to heal or deliver everyone who trusts in Him, but He will reward all His children who live by faith.

, Faith enables us to turn from the approval of the world and seek only the approval of God. If God is glorified by delivering His people, He will do it. If He sees fit to be glorified by not delivering His people, then He will do that. But we must never conclude that the absence of deliverance means a lack of faith on the part of God’s children. Faith looks to the future, for that is where the greatest rewards are found.

The writer combined the two themes of athletics and citizenship in this important chapter. The atmosphere is that of the footraces in the arena. We can see the runners laying aside their training weights and striving to run their races successfully. Some get weary and faint, while others endure to the end and win the prize. First the writer pictures the race (vv. ) and then emphasizes citizenship in the heavenly city (vv. ). In the first-century readers’ minds, these two themes went together, for athletes could not take part in the official games unless they were citizens of the nation.

The “great cloud of witnesses” is composed of the heroes of the faith. The suggestion here is not that these men and women now in heaven are watching us as we run the race, like people seated in a stadium. The word “witnesses” does not mean “spectators.” In fact, our English word “martyr” comes directly from the Greek word translated “witness.” These people are not witnessing what we are doing; rather, they are bearing witness to us that God can see us through.

While not naming any specific sin, the writer was probably referring to the sin of unbelief. Unbelief had kept Israel out of the Promised Land, and unbelief hinders us from entering into our spiritual inheritance in Christ. The phrase “by faith” (or “through faith”) is used twenty-one times in chapter , indicating that faith in Christ is what enables us to endure.

Since Christ is the “champion who initiates and perfects our faith,” trusting Him releases His power in our lives. Christ is both the exemplar and the enabler! As we see Him in the Word and yield to His Spirit, He increases our faith and enables us to run the race.

The key word in this section is “chastening.” It is a Greek word that means “child training, instruction.” A Greek boy was expected to work out in the gymnasium until he reached his maturity. It was a part of his preparation for adult life. The writer viewed the trials of the Christian life as spiritual discipline that could help a believer mature. Instead of trying to escape the difficulties of life, we should rather be exercised by them so that we might grow (v. ).

, Chastening is the evidence of the Father’s love. Satan wants us to believe that the difficulties of life are proof that God does not love us, but just the opposite is true. Sometimes God’s discipline is seen in His rebukes from the Word or from circumstances. At other times He shows His love by punishing us with physical suffering. Whatever the experience, we can be sure that His hand of discipline is controlled by His loving heart. The Father does not want us to be pampered babies; He wants us to become mature adult sons and daughters who can be trusted with the responsibilities of life.

Esau certainly failed to act on God’s grace. Esau was a congenial fellow, a good hunter, and a man who loved his father. He would have made a fine neighbor—but he was not interested in the things of God. God’s grace does not fail, but we can fail to depend on God’s grace. Esau is a warning to us not to live for lesser matters that relate only to this world.

Mount Sinai represents the old covenant of law, and Mount Zion represents the new covenant of grace in Jesus Christ (see ). The heavenly city is God’s Mount Zion (see ; , , ). This is the city that the patriarchs were looking for by faith (, ). The earthly Jerusalem was about to be destroyed by the Romans, but the heavenly Jerusalem would endure forever. When the days are difficult and endurance is tough, we should look up and contemplate the glories of heaven. Moses “endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (). The patriarchs endured as they looked ahead to the city God was preparing for them. One way to lay hold of God’s grace is to look ahead by faith to the wonderful future He has prepared for us.

God speaks to us today through His Word and His providential workings in the world. We had better listen! If God shook things at Sinai (v. ) and those who refused to hear were judged, how much more responsible are we today who have experienced the blessings of the new covenant. God today is shaking things. He wants to tear down the scaffolding and reveal the unshakable realities that are eternal.

The Bible presents no division between doctrine and duty, revelation and responsibility. The two always go together. The emphasis in this last section of the book is on living by faith. The writer has presented the great examples of faith in chapter , and the encouragements to faith in chapter . In chapter , he presents the evidences of faith that should appear in our lives if we are really walking by faith and not by sight.

The basis for fellowship is brotherly love. As Christians, these Hebrew people no doubt had been rejected by their friends and families. But the deepest kind of fellowship is not based on race or family relationship; it is based on the spiritual life we have in Christ. A church fellowship based on anything other than love for Christ and for one another simply will not last.

This affirmation of faith comes from . This is a messianic psalm and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, so we may claim this promise for ourselves. It was a source of great peace to the early Christians to know that they were safe from the fear of human beings, for no man or woman could do anything to them apart from God’s will. People might take their goods, but God would meet their needs.

While certainly each member of a local body has an important ministry to perform, God has ordained spiritual leaders in the church. I have been privileged to preach in many churches, and I have noticed that where the people permit the pastors (elders) to lead, usually blessing and growth follow. I am not talking about high-handed, egotistical dictatorship, but true spiritual leadership. This is God’s pattern for the church.

One spiritual sacrifice is continual praise to God. The words of praise from our lips, coming from our hearts, are like beautiful fruit presented on the altar. We can easily complain when we are suffering; instead, we should give thanks to God.

Another spiritual sacrifice is doing the good works of sharing. This would certainly include the hospitality mentioned in verse , as well as the ministry to prisoners in verse . “Doing good” can cover a multitude of ministries: sharing food with the needy; transporting people to and from church or other places; giving money; or perhaps just being a helpful neighbor.

, The benediction that concludes this letter seems to gather together the major themes of the book: peace, the resurrected Christ, the blood, the covenant, spiritual maturity, and God’s work in the believer. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ died for the sheep (). As the great Shepherd, He lives for the sheep in heaven today, working on their behalf. As the Chief Shepherd, He will come for the sheep at His return (). Our Shepherd cares for His own in the past, present, and future. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Hebrews 1

1:1 ,

1:3

1:3 []

1:3

1:3 NU-Text omits by Himself.

1:3 NU-Text omits our.

1:4 [, ]

1:5

1:6 []

1:6 , LXX, DSS;

1:6 (Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls);

1:7

1:8 ,

1:9 ,

1:10

1:11 []

1:11 ;

1:12

1:13

1:14

Hebrews 2

2:2

2:3

2:4

2:4 ,

2:4 , ,

2:4 ,

2:5 []

2:6

2:7 NU-Text and M-Text omit the rest of verse .

2:8

2:8 ,

2:8

2:9

2:9 ;

2:9 []

2:10

2:10 , ;

2:11

2:12

2:13 ;

2:13

2:13 ;

2:13

2:14

2:15 []

2:17

2:17 [; ]

2:18 [, ]

Hebrews 3

3:2

3:3 ,

3:4 []

3:5

3:5 , ,

3:6

3:6 []

3:6 NU-Text omits firm to the end.

3:7

3:11

3:15 ,

3:16 , ,

3:17 ,

3:18

3:19 ,

Hebrews 4

4:1

4:2 NU-Text and M-Text read profit them, since they were not united by faith with those who heeded it.

4:3

4:4

4:5

4:7 ,

4:8

4:11

4:12

4:12 ,

4:13 ;

4:13

4:14 ;

4:14

4:15

4:16 []

Hebrews 5

5:1 ;

5:2

5:3 ;

5:4

5:5

5:6

5:7 , ,

5:7

5:8

5:9

5:10

5:11 []

5:12

5:13

5:14

Hebrews 6

6:1

6:1 []

6:2

6:2 []

6:2

6:3 M-Text reads let us do.

6:4 []

6:4 [, ]

6:6

6:6 Or and have fallen away

6:7

6:8

6:10

6:10 NU-Text omits labor of.

6:11

6:12

6:13 ,

6:14 ,

6:14

6:15 ;

6:16

6:17

6:18

6:18 []

6:18 M-Text omits might.

6:19 ,

6:20 []

6:20 ; ,

Hebrews 7

7:1

7:5

7:6 ,

7:6 []

7:8 ;

7:11 ;

7:14

7:14 NU-Text reads priests.

7:17

7:17 NU-Text reads it is testified.

7:17

7:18 []

7:19 []

7:19 ,

7:19

7:21

7:21 NU-Text ends the quotation here.

7:21

7:22

7:25

7:26

7:27 ;

Hebrews 8

8:1

8:2 ,

8:3 ;

8:3 []

8:5 ,

8:5

8:6 []

8:6

8:7 ;

8:8

8:10

8:11

8:12

8:12 NU-Text omits and their lawless deeds.

8:12

8:13 []

Hebrews 9

9:1

9:3 ;

9:4

9:4 ;

9:5

9:6 ;

9:7

9:8 []

9:9

9:10

9:11

9:11 NU-Text reads that have come.

9:12

9:12 []

9:13 ,

9:13

9:14

9:15

9:17

9:18

9:19 ,

9:20 []

9:20

9:21 ,

9:22

9:23

9:24

9:25

9:27

9:27 []

9:28

Hebrews 10

10:1

10:1 ;

10:4 ,

10:5

10:7

10:9 NU-Text and M-Text omit O God.

10:10

10:10 []

10:11

10:12

10:13

10:16 ,

10:16

10:17

10:19 []

10:19 ,

10:20

10:22 ;

10:22

10:23 ;

10:25

10:26

10:27

10:28 ;

10:29 []

10:29

10:29 []

10:30

10:30 NU-Text omits says the Lord.

10:30

10:31 []

10:32

10:33

10:34

10:34 NU-Text reads the prisoners instead of me in my chains.

10:34 NU-Text omits in heaven.

10:35

10:36

10:36 []

10:37

10:37 ,

10:37 Or that which

10:38

10:38 NU-Text reads My just one.

10:38 ,

10:39

Hebrews 11

11:1

11:3

11:4

11:5

11:7

11:8

11:9 ; , ; ,

11:9

11:10 [; ]

11:10 []

11:11 ; ; ,

11:11

11:11 NU-Text omits she bore a child.

11:12

11:12 ; ;

11:13

11:13 NU-Text and M-Text omit were assured of them.

11:14

11:15

11:16 , ;

11:16 []

11:17

11:18

11:19

11:20

11:21 , , ,

11:22 ,

11:23

11:23 ,

11:24

11:26

11:26 NU-Text and M-Text read of.

11:27

11:28

11:29

11:30

11:31 ;

11:31

11:32 ;

11:32

11:32 ;

11:32

11:33

11:34

11:35

11:36

11:37

11:37 NU-Text omits were tempted.

11:38 , ;

11:39 ,

11:40

Hebrews 12

12:1

12:2

12:3

12:4 []

12:5 ,

12:6

12:6 ,

12:7

12:7 ; ;

12:7 NU-Text and M-Text read It is for discipline that you endure; God . . . .

12:8

12:9 []

12:10

12:11 ,

12:12

12:14

12:15

12:16 []

12:16

12:17

12:18 ;

12:18 NU-Text reads to that which.

12:18 NU-Text reads gloom.

12:19

12:20 ,

12:20 NU-Text and M-Text omit the rest of this verse.

12:20 ,

12:21

12:23 []

12:23

12:23 ;

12:23 []

12:24 ;

12:24

12:25 ,

12:26

12:26 NU-Text reads will shake.

12:26

12:27 [; ; ]

12:28 ,

12:28 M-Text omits may.

12:29

Hebrews 13

13:1

13:2

13:2 ;

13:3

13:4 ,

13:4

13:5 , ;

13:6 ;

13:6

13:8

13:9 NU-Text and M-Text read away.

13:13

13:15

13:16

13:17

13:18

13:20 , , ;

13:20

13:20 ;

13:20

13:21

13:21 NU-Text and M-Text read us.

↑ Back to top