Hebrews 1

Hebrews opens with a discussion of Christ as the selected one and the superior one.

Christ, The Selected One (1:1-3):

The Father has chosen his Son to minister in four allimportant areas.

Revelation (1:1-2a)

In the Old Testament, God revealed himself through his messengers (1:1).

In the New Testament, God revealed himself through his Messiah (1:2a).

Creation (1:2b-3)

The Son made the universe (1:2b).

The Son maintains the universe (1:3b).

Representation (1:3a):

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of God's being.

Purification (1:3c):

Jesus died to cleanse us from our sins.

CHRIST, THE SUPERIOR ONE (1:4-14):

Christ is superior to the angels in three important ways. A. In regard to his relationship (1:4-7):

The Father has declared Jesus to be his unique Son.

In regard to his reign (1:8-12)

It will be a righteous reign (1:8-9).

It will be an eternal reign (1:10-12).

In regard to his reward (1:13-14):

The Father has promised to make Jesus' enemies his footstool.

Hebrews 2

This chapter contains a warning from Christ against drifting away from the faith and a discussion of the work of Christ.

THE WARNING FROM CHRIST (2:1-4):

This warning has to do with God's salvation.

The command (2:1-2)

Don't drift from God's message of truth (2:1).

Don't disobey God's message of truth (2:2).

The communicators (2:3):

This salvation was preached by both Jesus and his apostles.

The confirmation (2:4):

The gospel message was confirmed by signs and wonders.

THE WORK OF CHRIST (2:5-18)

His sovereign ministry (2:5-8a)

Christ created all people (2:5-6a).

Christ cares for all people (2:6b-7).

Christ commissioned all people (2:8a):

Adam was put in charge of God's original creation.

His submissive ministry (2:9a):

Christ agreed to come to earth and become "lower than the angels."

His saving ministry (2:8b-10)

The rebellion (2:8b):

Sin caused people to forfeit their control over nature.

The redemption (2:9b-10):

Christ died on the cross for everyone.

His sanctifying ministry (2:11-13):

Christ now lives to make us holy.

His subduing ministry (2:14-15):

By his death Jesus broke the power of Satan, who once held the power of death.

His sympathizing ministry (2:16-18):

Having once suffered, Jesus is now able and willing to help those who are suffering.

Hebrews 3

Jesus is compared to Moses and is declared to be greater than Moses. A warning is given from the Holy Spirit against the sin of unbelief.

THE WORTHINESS OF THE SAVIOR (3:1-6):

Jesus is compared and contrasted to Moses.

The comparison (3:2)

Jesus was faithful to God (3:2a).

Moses was faithful to God (3:2b).

The contrast (3:3-6)

Moses was a faithful servant in God's house (3:5).

Jesus is the faithful son over God's house (3:3-4, 6).

The conclusion (3:1):

Jesus is greater, so fix your eyes on him.

THE WARNING BY THE SPIRIT (3:7-19):

This warning has to do with the terrible sin of unbelief.

The example of unfaithfulness (3:9-11, 16-19)

Israel's sin in the wilderness (3:9-10):

They allowed unbelief to turn their hearts against God.

Israel's sentence in the wilderness (3:11, 16-19):

An entire generation died in the desert and did not enter the Promised Land.

The exhortation to faithfulness (3:7-8, 12-15)

When you hear God's Word, heed God's Word (3:7-8, 15).

Encourage one another daily (3:12-14).

Hebrews 4

God promises rest for his people.

THE PROMISE OF GOD (4:1-11):

This promise involves the rest that God has prepared for his people.

The whereabouts (4:3b, 5-6, 8-10)

God's Old Testament rest (4:3b, 5-6):

This was the Promised Land, which Israel failed to enter due to unbelief.

God's New Testament rest (4:8-10):

This is the place of his perfect will, which is available for all believers.

The way (4:2-3a):

"Only we who believe can enter his place of rest."

The witnesses (4:4, 7)

Moses spoke of these rests (Gen. 2:2) (4:4).

David spoke of these rests (Ps. 95:11) (4:7).

The wisdom (4:1, 11):

Guided by godly fear, we are to do our utmost to enter into this rest.

THE POWER OF GOD (4:12-13)

What it is (4:12a-b)

Its definition (4:12a):

It is the spoken and written Word of God.

Its description (4:12b):

It is living, active, and sharper than any double-edged sword.

What it does (4:12c-13)

It exposes all thoughts and desires (4:12c).

It exposes all humankind (4:13).

THE PRIEST OF GOD (4:14-16)

Who he is (4:14a):

He is Jesus, the Son of God.

What he is (4:14b-15):

He is our great High Priest.

He once was tempted in all areas (4:15).

He now can help us in any area (4:14b).

Where he is (4:16): At the very throne of grace.

Hebrews 5

Christ, the great High Priest, is compared to Aaron, the first high priest.

THE REQUIREMENTS IN REGARD TO THE PRIESTS (5:1-10):

The author of Hebrews compares and contrasts the high priestly ministries of both Aaron and Christ.

Comparisons (5:1-4)

Both were selected by God from among men (5:1a, 4).

Both were appointed to represent people before God (5:1b).

Both were to pray and offer up sacrifices (5:1c).

Both were to demonstrate compassion (5:2a).

Both experienced infirmities of the flesh (5:2b-3).

Contrasts (5:5-10)

Only Christ is called God's Son (5:5).

Only Christ was given an everlasting priesthood (5:6a).

Only Christ was made a priest after the order of Melchizedek (5:6b, 9-10).

Only Christ cried out to God in Gethsemane "with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death" (5:7-8).

THE REBUKE IN REGARD TO THE PEOPLE (5:11-14)

The frustration (5:11-12a)

The author has much to say, but his readers are slow to learn (5:11).

They should be teachers but instead need to be taught (5:12a).

The food (5:12b-14)

Baby believers can be fed only milk (5:12b-13).

Mature believers can easily digest solid food (5:14).

Hebrews 6

The author of Hebrews challenges his readers to strive for spiritual maturity and writes about how such maturity may be obtained.

THE APPEAL FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY (6:1-12)

The author's challenge (6:1-3):

The writer of Hebrews issues a twofold challenge to his readers.

Don't go backward (6:1-2):

He urges them to stop going over the same old ground again and again.

In the importance of turning from sin and toward God (6:1)

In the importance of baptism, the laying on of hands, the resurrection, and judgment (6:2)

Do go forward (6:3):

Push on to maturity in Christ.

The author's concern (6:4-8):

He warns in regard to a dreadful situation.

The impossibility in this situation (6:4-6)

The who (6:4b-5):

Those who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit and have tasted of God's Word.

The what (6:6a):

After experiencing this, they turn from God.

The why (6:4a, 6b):

These people cannot be brought back to repentance, for they crucify the Son of God all over again.

The illustration for this situation (6:7-8):

The author refers to a piece of land to illustrate his point.

When the land is fruitful, it is blessed (6:7).

When the land is fruitless, it is cursed (6:8).

The author's confidence (6:9-12):

He is confident his warning does not apply to his readers.

THE ANCHOR FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY (6:13-20):

This desired maturity is assured.

Because of the Father's promise (6:13-18)

God promised to bless Abraham, and he did (6:13-15).

God promised to bless us, and he will (6:16-18).

Because of the Savior's priesthood (6:19-20)

Hebrews 7

The author identifies and equates the priesthood of Jesus with that of Melchizedek.

A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE (7:1-3)

The person of Melchizedek (7:1a, 2b-3)

Who he was (7:2b):

His name means "king of justice," and he was also the "king of peace."

What he did (7:1a):

He was both priest and king over the city of Salem.

Where he came from (7:3):

There is no record of either his birth or his death.

The preeminence of Melchizedek (7:1b-2a)

The battle (7:2a):

Following the defeat of his enemies, Abraham met Melchizedek and paid tithes to him.

The blessing (7:1b):

Melchizedek blessed Abraham.

A THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE (7:4-28):

The author lists the various characteristics of Jesus, who, according to the Father's decree, is to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (see Ps. 110:4).

Thus, his priesthood would be:

Royal (as was that of Melchizedek) (see 7:1)

Superior (7:4-10)

To whom? (7:5-7): To Levi, founder of the Levitical priesthood.

Why? (7:4, 8-10)

Abraham was the ancestor of Levi (7:9).

The yet unborn Levi thus tithed to Melchizedek while still in the loins of Abraham (7:4, 8, 10).

Independent (7:11-15)

Independent of the law (7:11-12).

Independent of the tribe of Levi (7:13-15):

Christ came from the tribe of Judah.

Everlasting (7:16-17)

Guaranteed (7:20-22):

The Father himself took an oath concerning this.

Continuous (7:23)

Permanent (7:24)

Holy (7:26)

All-sufficient (7:18-19, 25, 27)

Flawless (7:28)

Hebrews 8

The author discusses the threefold security of the New Covenant over the Old Covenant.

ITS SANCTUARY IS SUPERIOR (8:1-2).

The place is better (8:1):

It is located in the heavenly sanctuary.

The priest is better (8:2):

Jesus himself ministers in this sanctuary.

ITS SACRIFICE IS SUPERIOR (8:3-4).

The Levitical priests offered up animals in the earthly sanctuary (8:4).

The Lamb of God offers up himself in the heavenly sanctuary (8:3).

ITS SECURITY IS SUPERIOR (8:5-13).

The old agreement was mediated by Moses (8:5, 7-8a).

It was ruined by Israel's sin (8:7-8a).

It was written on dead stones (see Ex. 32:15).

The new agreement is mediated by Christ (8:6, 8b-13).

It is restored by Jesus' sacrifice (8:6, 8b-9).

It is written on living hearts (8:10-13).

Hebrews 9

The features that relate to both the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries are discussed in this chapter.

THE REVIEW OF EACH SANCTUARY (9:1-15)

The earthly sanctuary (9:1-10)

The information (9:1-7)

The objects in the Tabernacle (9:1-5):

The author describes the location of the gold lampstands, the incense altar, etc.

The overseers of the Tabernacle (9:6-7):

The duties of both priests and the high priest are listed.

The illustration (9:8-10):

The Holy Spirit used the many regulations surrounding the use of the Tabernacle to illustrate the fatal weakness of the earthly Tabernacle-namely, its sacrifices could not cleanse the hearts of the people.

The heavenly sanctuary (9:11-15):

This sanctuary is superior to the earthly one in four areas.

The person offering the sacrifice (9:11):

It is Jesus Christ himself.

The preciousness of the sacrifice (9:12b):

He offered his own blood.

The permanence of the sacrifice (9:12a):

It was done only once and will last for all time.

The power of the sacrifice (9:12c-15):

It brings about eternal redemption.

THE RATIFICATION OF EACH SANCTUARY (9:16-28):

Both sanctuaries had to be purified and ratified by the blood of a sacrifice.

The earthly sanctuary (9:16-22)

The sprinkler of this blood (9:16-19a):

Moses.

The source of this blood (9:19b):

An animal.

The summary of this blood (9:20-22):

It could never take away sins.

The heavenly sanctuary (9:23-28)

The sprinkler of this blood (9:23):

Christ.

The source of this blood (9:25-26a):

Himself.

The summary of this blood (9:24, 26b-28):

Here the author gives us a threefold summary of the Savior's work.

He once appeared to die for us (9:26b-28a).

He now appears to pray for us (9:24).

He will appear to rule over us (9:28b).

Hebrews 10

This chapter begins with a comparison and concludes with a challenge.

THE COMPARISON (10:1-18):

Here the blood of earthly lambs is compared with the blood of the heavenly Lamb.

The inferiority of earthly lambs (10:1-4, 11)

The frequency of these sacrifices (10:1-3, 11a):

The priest had to offer up animals again and again.

The failure of these sacrifices (10:4, 11 b):

They could never take away sin.

The superiority of the heavenly Lamb (10:5-10, 12-18)

The purpose (10:5-10):

Jesus came for one purpose-namely, to offer up himself.

The permanence (10:12, 14):

His offering was once for all time, never to be repeated.

The patience (10:13):

"He waits until his enemies are humbled as a footstool under his feet."

The purification (10:15-18):

Someday he will purify the hearts of unbelieving Israel.

The Challenge (10:19-39):

This challenge is in the form of a fourfold exhortation.

Approach the throne of God (10:19-22): Christ's sacrifice allows us to boldly petition God's throne.

Advance the people of God (10:23-25): Believers are to be kind and helpful to each other.

Avoid the judgment of God (10:26-31).

The contrast (10:26-29)

A reminder of how God once punished those who rejected the Law of Moses (10:26-28)

A reminder of how God will punish those who reject the Lamb of God (10:29)

The certainty (10:30-31):

We are assured God will judge his people.

Acknowledge the faithfulness of God (10:32-39).

His past faithfulness (10:32-34):

The author urges believers not to forget God's care for them during a former period of suffering.

His permanent faithfulness (10:35-39):

Whatever the present and future holds, they can depend on his continuous care.

Hebrews 11

This is the famous faith chapter.

The Explanation of Faith (11:1-3, 6)

Its nature (11:1-2)

"It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen" (11:1a).

"It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see" (11:1b).

Its necessity (11:3, 6)

With it people in the Old Testament were approved by God (11:2).

With it we are able to believe the power of God (11:3):

This is especially true in regard to his creative power.

Without it we are unable to please the person of God (11:6).

THE EXAMPLES OF FAITH (11:4-5, 7-40)

Who they were (11:4a, 5a, 7a, 8a-11a, 12, 17-18, 20a, 21a, 22a, 23a, 24, 27a, 28a, 31a, 32):

Sixteen people of faith are named, and many others are referred to as well.

Abel (11:4a)

Enoch (11:5a)

Noah (11:7a)

Abraham (11:8a, 9, 12, 17-18)

Sarah (11:11a)

Isaac (11:20a)

Jacob (11:21a)

Joseph (11:22a)

Moses' parents (11:23a)

Moses (11:24, 27a, 28a)

The people of Israel (11:29a, 30a)

Rahab (11:31a)

Gideon (11:32a)

Barak (11:32b)

Samson (11:32c)

Jephthah (11:32d)

David (11:32e)

Samuel (11:32f)

All the prophets (11:32g)

What they did (11:4b, 5b, 7b, 8b, 11b, 19, 20b, 21b, 22b, 23b, 25, 27b, 28b-30, 31b, 33-35a)

Abel gave the Lord an acceptable offering (11:4b).

Enoch left the earth without dying (11:5b).

Noah survived the great Flood (11:7b).

Abraham inherited a land (11:8b).

Sarah bore a son through a barren womb and began a nation (11:11b).

Abraham believed that God could raise the dead (11:19).

Isaac and Jacob both predicted the future (11:20b, 21b).

Joseph anticipated the Exodus long before it happened (11:22b).

Moses' parents defied the king of Egypt (11:23b).

Moses forsook the pleasures of sin (11:25).

Moses left the land of Egypt and was not afraid of the king (11:27b).

The people of Israel kept the Passover (11:28b).

The people of Israel crossed the Red Sea (11:29).

The people of Israel shouted down a city (11:30).

Rahab protected some Hebrew spies (11:31b).

The prophets and judges subdued kingdoms, shut the mouths of lions, quenched flames, escaped the sword, exchanged weakness for strength, put enemy armies to flight, and a few even raised the dead (11:33-35a).

What they endured (11:35b-38)

Terrible torture (11:35b)

Ridicule (11:36a)

Cruel flogging (11:36b)

Imprisonment (11:36c)

Stoning (11:37a)

Being sawn in two (11:37b)

Death by the sword (11:37c)

Extreme poverty (11:37d-38)

Why they endured (11:10, 13-15, 16b, 26, 35c)

They saw the invisible City of God (11:10, 13-15, 16b).

They believed that suffering for the sake of Christ was better than having all the riches of this world (11:26).

They looked forward to their own resurrection (11:35c).

What they received (11:16a, 39-40)

In the past (11:16a, 39):

The earthly and temporary approval of God.

In the future (11:40):

The heavenly and eternal approval of God.

Hebrews 12

The author compares a godly life to a great race and explains to his readers the reasons behind God's discipline. He again warns against the sin of unbelief.

The Contest (12:1-4)

The race (12:1):

We are to faithfully run the spiritual race God has marked out for each of us.

The role model (12:2-3)

Who he is (1 2:2a):

We are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the start and finish of our faith.

What he did (12:2b-3):

He endured the opposition of sinners and died on the cross.

Why he did it (12:2c):

Because of the joy he knew would be his.

Where he is now (12:2d):

At God's right hand.

The reassurance (12:4):

The readers are informed they have not suffered as Christ suffered.

The Chastening (12:5-13):

Divine discipline is the theme of this passage.

The relationship (12:7b-10)

The disciplinarian (12:9-10):

The heavenly Father himself.

The disciplined (12:7b-8):

All believers. As earthly fathers discipline their children, so the heavenly Father disciplines his children.

The reminder (12:5a):

The readers have forgotten Solomon's words concerning this in Proverbs 3:11-12.

The reaction (12:5b-5c, 7a):

Believers are urged to respond positively to discipline.

Negative reactions (12:5b-5c)

"Don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you" (12:5b).

"Don't be discouraged when he corrects you" (12:5c).

Positive reaction (12:7a):

"Remember that God is treating you as his own children."

The reasons (12:6)

To prove we are his children (12:6b)

To prove his love (12:6a)

The rewards (12:11)

Discipline produces righteousness (12:11 b).

Discipline produces peace (12:11a).

The renewal (12:12-13)

"Take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs" (12:12).

"Mark out a straight path for your feet" (12:13).

The Challenges (12:14-17)

The author's exhortation (12:14-15)

"Try to live in peace with everyone" (12:14a).

"Seek to live a clean and holy life" (12:14b).

"Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you" (12:15).

The author's example (12:16-17):

Esau is held up as a tragic example of what not to do.

He was immoral (12:16a).

He was godless (12:16b).

He despised his birthright (12:16c-17).

The Contrasts (12:18-24):

Two mountains are contrasted.

Mount Sinai (12:18-21)

The person (12:21):

Moses.

The principle (12:18-20):

The law of God.

Mount Zion (12:22-24)

The person (12:24a):

Christ.

The principle (12:22-23, 24b):

The grace of God.

The Caution (12:25-27):

The author solemnly warns his readers about the terrible results of unbelief.

The Consuming Fire (12:28-29)

Our God is a coming King (12:28).

Our God is a consuming fire (12:29).

Hebrews 13

The writer of Hebrews concludes with words about love, leaders, legalism, and lordship.

A Word About Love (13:1-6)

Positive (13:1-4):

Whom we are to love.

Each other (13:1)

Strangers (13:2)

Prisoners (13:3)

Our spouse (13:4)

Negative (13:5-6)

What we are not to love (13:5a):

Money.

Why we are not to love it (13:5b-6):

We are to be satisfied with what we have.

God has promised never to forsake us (13:5b).

God has promised to be our helper (13:6).

A Word About Leaders (13:7, 17-19, 22-25)

The author tells his readers to honor and obey the spiritual leaders of their church (13:7, 17).

Let them serve as role models (13:7).

Submit to their authority (13:17).

The author tells his readers to pray for the spiritual leaders outside their church (13:18-19, 22-25).

He refers to himself (13:18-19, 22).

He refers to Timothy (13:23-25).

A Word about legalism (13:9-11):

What altar and sacrifice should the believer be associated with?

Negative (13:11):

Not the altar in the Tabernacle.

Positive (13:9-10):

The altar at Calvary.

A Word About Lordship (13:8, 12-16, 20-21)

The Shepherd of the fold (13:8, 12, 20-21)

Who he is (13:8):

He is Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

What he has done (13:12, 20-21)

He once redeemed us (13:12, 20).

He now equips us (13:21).

The sheep in the fold (13:13-16)

We are to live for him down here (13:13, 15-16).

We are to suffer for him (13:13).

We are to sacrifice to him (13:15-16).

The sacrifice of our words (13:15)

The sacrifice of our works (13:16)

We are to look forward to living with him up there (13:14):

This world is not our home.