Only the LORD GOD knows with certainty who wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews. The strongest argument for authorship goes to Paul, while other worthy suggestions include Luke, Barnabas, Silas, and Appolos. The focus of the message that encourages the high priestly ministry of Christ in behalf of believers cannot be missed. Throughout the epistle the author stresses the continuity and flow between the Old Testament revelation and the new faith in Christ, while emphasizing the superiority of both Christ and His New Covenant. By so doing, he assures the Jewish Christians of the biblical heritage contained in the New Covenant, with 29 direct quotations from and 53 clear allusions to the Old Testament. He challenges them to run with endurance the race that is set before them, and offers encouragement, comfort and warning, as it leads the reader from superficial thinking to profound depths concerning the person and work of Christ.
Hebrews 1
1:1-4 God has spoken by his Son
1:5-14 The Son superior to angels
Hebrews 2
2:1-4 So great salvation
2:5-18 Christ’s work of salvation
Hebrews 3
3:1-6 Christ superior to Moses
3:7-19 Under Moses Israel failed to believe
Hebrews 4
4:1-13 The present danger of unbelief
4:14-16 The sympathetic Christ
Hebrews 5
5:1-10 Christ, the High Priest
5:11-14 An appeal to believe
Hebrews 6
6:1-12 An appeal to believe (continued)
6:13-20 An anchor of the soul
Hebrews 7
7:1-10 The priestly order of Melchizedek
7:11-28 Aaronic priesthood inferior to Christ’s
Hebrews 8
8:1-5 Christ, the High Priest
8:6-13 The new covenant
Hebrews 9
9:1-14 The old and the new covenants contrasted
9:15-28 The sacrifice of Christ establishes the new covenant
Hebrews 10
10:1-18 The failure of the old covenant
10:19-39 A plea to hold to the new faith
Hebrews 11
11:1-3 By faith we understand
11:4-7 Faith at the dawn of history
11:8-12 Faithful Abraham
11:13-16 The heavenly hope
11:17-22 The faith of patriarchs
11:23-29 The faith of Moses
11:30-40 By faith they overcame
Hebrews 12
12:1-2 Run the race
12:3-11 God’s discipline
12:12-29 Warning against disobedience
Hebrews 13
13:1-17 Service well-pleasing to God
13:18-25 Benediction
