To the Hebrews

From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.

Contents 1 Chapter links 2 Introductory notes 3 Outline

Chapter links

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10

Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

Introductory notes

The Epistle to the Hebrews was ascribed to Paul by an early Christian tradition, although not one that was anything like contemporary with its writing. The text itself does not claim Pauline authorship.

Hebrews is striking for a number of reasons. It contains perhaps the longest sustained argument in the scriptures. In this case, "argument" is used in the sense of a set of reasons offered as evidence for a conclusion that they are meant to logically imply. Normally the scriptures speak in narrative, poetic, or declaratory terms. Hebrews, however, speaks in terms of arguments.

Its central argument is the superiority of the Christian message to the Law of Moses. It does this in large part by arguing for the superiority of Christ's Melchizedek priesthood to the Aaronic priesthood of the Jewish temple. In making this argument, however, it provides a complex discussion of Christ's atonement set in the context of priesthood authority and temple ritual.

Because of this priesthood- and temple-centric discussion, Hebrews is a key text for understanding the Restoration. It contains the most elaborate non-Restoration-scripture discussion of the two priesthoods, as well as their relationship to the temple. For this reason, it is a key text that Latter-day Saints seem to have -- unfortunately -- largely neglected.

Outline

Here is one possible outline of Hebrews following Raymond Brown's in An Introduction to the New Testament (New York, NY: Doubleday, Inc. 1997) pg 684.

I. Introduction (Heb 1:1-Heb 1:3)

II. Superiority of Jesus as God’s Son

a. Over the angels (Heb 1:4-Heb 2:18)

b. Over Moses (Heb 3:1-Heb 4:13)

III. Superiority of Jesus’ priesthood (Heb 4:14-Heb 7:28)

IV. Superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice and his ministry in the heavenly tabernacle inaugurating the new covenant. (Heb 8:1-Heb 10:18)

V. Faith and Endurance: availing oneself of Jesus’ priestly work

a. Exhortation to profit from the sacrifice of Jesus (Heb 10:19-Heb 10:39)

b. Old Testament examples of faith (Heb 11:1-Heb 11:40)

c. The example of Jesus’ suffering and the Lord’s discipline (Heb 12:1-Heb 12:13)

d. Warning against disobedience through Old Testament examples (Heb 12:14-Heb 12:29)

VI. Injunctions about practice (Heb 13:1-Heb 13:19)

VII. Conclusion: blessing and greeting (Heb 13:20-Heb 13:25)