Although the writer of this letter has not recorded his name, he was probably a well known Christian preacher of the time.

Much of the letter is in the form of a sermon (Heb 13:22), and the beliefs that form its basis are the same as those taught by Stephen, Peter, Paul, John and other prominent preachers of the apostolic era.

The writer was a Jew (Heb 1:1), though he wrote polished Greek and took his Old Testament quotations from the Greek version known as the Septuagint.

Both he and his readers heard the gospel from those who had personally heard Jesus teach (Heb 2:3).

The Jewish Christians who received this letter seem to have been a group within a larger church. There is little to indicate where their church was located, and suggestions vary from Jerusalem to Rome.

They apparently knew Timothy, and may also have known the group of Italian Christians who sent them greetings by means of this letter (Heb 13:23–24).

The writer hoped that he and Timothy would visit them soon (Heb 13:19, 23).

Although the title “To the Hebrews” was used in the second century AD and reflects the book’s recipients, it was not part of the original work and likely arose from a genuine insight into the major content of the book (extensive treatment of OT priestly themes to show the superiority of Christ) and its central exhortation based on that content (the readers must not turn away from Christ—presumably back to Judaism).

the writer wanted to reassure these discouraged Jewish believers that Jesus Christ was the true fulfilment of the Jewish religion. The Old Testament finds its completion in him. He is far above all prophets, angels, leaders and priests, and his sacrifice has done what all the Israelite sacrifices could never do. Nothing of human initiative or effort can add to God’s way of salvation, for what Christ has done is final (Heb 10:12–13).

Jesus Christ as God was equal with the Father, but as God-man revealed the Father to men and became the Mediator between God and men. He is appointed heir of all things, sovereign Lord, absolute disposer and director both of all persons and all things. He is above every other messenger ever sent into the world and has a name preeminent above all heavenly beings.

The person of the Son was the true image and character of the Person of the Father. He is not said to be the “likeness” of God (implying resemblance) but “image,” which means that He reveals God. In beholding His power, wisdom and goodness, men were beholding the Father, for He was God manifest in the flesh, having all the perfections of God in Him.

The salvation provided by Jesus Christ is so great a salvation that none can express nor conceive how great it is.

Christ became man that He might die, for as God He could not die, therefore He assumed another nature and state.

It was necessary to remind the Jews who held Moses in such esteem and were bent on mixing law with grace, that Christ as Son of God was above Moses, therefore His Word was final and His sacrifice sufficient.

The privileges by Christ under the Gospel are far greater than those enjoyed under the Mosaic law. The seventh day rest commemorating a finished creation, was but a type of heart-rest which is to be had by covenant relation with Jesus Christ, and which is offered to those who will renounce their own works as a means of salvation and put their entire trust in the finished work of the Great High Priest who has passed into the heavens.

Those who have advanced to the very threshold of Christ’s salvation, even being clearly convicted by the Holy Spirit and fully enlightened in the Word of God as to the way of life, again turning to trust in dead works and ceremonies, put Christ to an open shame and will not be renewed again to repentance by the Holy Spirit. The true believer takes refuge wholly in Christ’s finished work, in which he finds a hope sure and steadfast leading him heavenward.

Jesus Christ, the true King-Priest, the anti-type of Melchisedec is greater than all the priests of the order of Aaron, and is the mediator of all blessings to the children of men. Whereas the Levitical priesthood could bring nothing to perfection, nor justify men from guilt, Christ’s priesthood brings with it a better hope—a foundation of salvation and perfect security in Him as Intercessor in heaven.

He is the author of a new covenant, better than the old, which was not efficacious; established on better promises; obedience to it springing from a willing heart and mind rather than from fear; securing the personal revelation of the Lord to every believer and guaranteeing the complete oblivion of sins through His finished work.

Christ is a more excellent High Priest than any under the law, who but prefigured the work He came to do. He has entered once for all within the Holiest place. Having undertaken to be our High Priest He could not have been admitted into heaven without shedding His blood for us, having no errors of His own to offer for, and neither can any of us enter God’s glorious presence except by a saving trust in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, without which remission for sins is impossible.

Faith is the firm persuasion that God will perform all that He has promised to us in Christ, and brings the soul a present fruition and foretaste of eternal things, which sets a seal that God is true. The way of faith is the way of victory, peace, assurance, and endurance.

Christians have a race to run, of service and sufferings, a course of active and passive obedience, in all of which they need to keep their eyes fixed upon the Lord Jesus. The best of God’s children may need chastisement, but afflictions rightly endured, though they be the fruits of God’s displeasure are yet proofs of His paternal love and designed to fit us better for His service and to bring us closer into His fellowship.

This sermon, in the form of a letter, takes an hour or so to read aloud. The writer could have expanded certain sections if he had wished

The author offers a closing prayer on the theme of God raising Jesus from the dead (v. 20) and equipping believers to accomplish His will (v. 21).

Hebrews concludes with typical elements of an NT letter: greetings (Heb 13:22–24) and a benediction (v. 25;

Hebrews is profound, distinctive, rewarding, and puzzling. Its impassioned and polished argument for the superiority of Christ captures the imagination even in a quick reading, and its theological depths continue to reward faithful reflection over a lifetime of study.

Hebrews argues for the superiority of Christ and his saving work and supports its argument from OT Scripture, viewed as God’s revelation by the Spirit (3:7; 9:8; 10:15).

The central theme of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ as exalted Son and high priest is God’s final revelation and provides full cleansing from sin and open access to God—the reality that the OT anticipated but was never meant to accomplish.

During the reign of Nero (AD 54–68), persecution of Christians increased considerably. This caused some Jewish Christians to wonder if they had done right in giving up their Jewish religion and becoming Christians. They had believed, as Jesus and his followers taught, that the Jewish religion no longer served God’s purposes, that the priesthood and the sacrifices would come to an end, and that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed. Yet, thirty years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the temple was still standing and the Jewish religion was still functioning.

With the increasing persecution, some of the Jewish Christians became discouraged. They began to doubt whether Christianity really was God’s new and victorious way to the eternal kingdom. In their view, Judaism appeared to be as firm as ever, whereas Christianity appeared to be heading for disaster. Some had stopped attending Christian meetings and even given up their Christian faith and gone back to Judaism (Heb 10:25–31). The letter to the Hebrews was written to reassure the Jewish believers and prevent them from slipping back to their former religious practices (Heb 2:1–3).

Faith is the firm persuasion that God will perform all that He has promised to us in Christ, and brings the soul a present fruition and foretaste of eternal things, which sets a seal that God is true. The way of faith is the way of victory, peace, assurance, and endurance.

vv. 2, 39. The effect of faith with God is “good reputation.” Is it any wonder that God cannot be pleased when men are devoid of that trust in His Word and in Jesus Christ whom He has sent, which receives Him as Savior and Lord and impels to obedience and good works?

The reluctance of the Christian group to ‘press on unto perfection’ (6:1) was motivated by two phenomena: high regard for the traditions of Judaism and unwillingness to pay the price of full identification with Christianity, which was becoming more and more a Gentile movement” (p. 23).

A. The Jewish Christians are encouraged to leave the synagogue and identify publicly (fully) with the church (cf. 13:13).

B. The Jewish Christians are encouraged to take up the missionary mandate of the gospel (cf. Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 1:8).