Expository Preaching on Hebrews by Dr Alan Patterson

141 Pages·2013·2.18 MB·English

Hebrews

A Word of Exhortation to Faltering Saints

By Dr. Alan Patterson

INTRODUCTORY FACTS ABOUT HEBREWS

I. Authorship and attestation

A. External evidence

1. The external evidence clearly attests to the early existence of the Epistle, but there is little evidence about
authorship.
2. Some claim that Paul wrote it.
a. According to Eusebius, Clement of Alexandria held that Paul wrote Hebrews in Hebrew and that Luke
translated it into Greek.
b. Origen repeatedly cites it as having been written by Paul. But he does admit that “men of old time have
handed it down as Paul’s. But who wrote the Epistle God only knows certainly.”
c. Eusebius himself held that it was originally written in Hebrew and that Clement of Rome had
translated it.
d. From Athanasius onward the Greek writers universally ascribed it to Paul. Jerome and Augustine
adopted the opinion of the East (that it was written by Paul), and after that the authority of the Epistle
was established.
3. Other suggestions.
a. Tertullian thought Barnabas wrote it.
b. Irenaeus and Hippolytus were acquainted with it but held that it was not written by Paul.

B. Internal evidence

1. Reasons why Pauline authorship is dubious.
a. The writer does not mention his name, whereas Paul always does in the recognized Pauline Epistles.
b. Hebrews 2:3 seems to make the author dependent for his message upon those who heard the Lord,
whereas Paul claims he received the gospel directly (see Gal. 1:11-24).
c. The writer quotes the LXX exclusively (possible exception is 10:30 which may follow Romans 12:19,
where Paul quotes the Hebrew and not the LXX), whereas Paul quoted from both the LXX and the
Hebrew.
d. The style and vocabulary of Hebrews is dissimilar to Paul’s and is therefore against Pauline authorship.
e. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and so it would have been unusual for him to write to Jews only.
f. The doctrine of justification, a favorite of Paul’s, is hardly mentioned.
g. The statement about Timothy’s release (13:23) may point to a time after Paul’s death, for we do not
know of an imprisonment for Timothy during Paul’s life.
2. “If the authorship of this epistle is uncertain, its inspiration is indisputable.” (TE, p. 359)

C. Other views about authorship.
1. Calvin and Delitzsch = author was Luke (they base this on literary affinity).
2. Zahn, Godet = author was Barnabas (he was a Levite and thus interested in the Jewish Christians).
3. Luther, Alford, Moulton, and A. T. Robertson = author was Apollos
a. He had a close acquaintance with Paul.
b. He had a connection with Alexandria.
c. He had a good knowledge of the OT Scriptures.
d. He had contacts with Timothy.
e. He was eloquent.
f. He had influence in many churches.
4. Ramsay = author was Philip (Ramsay maintains the epistle has a Caesarean origin).
5. Tertullian = author was Barnabas, because he was a Jew (a Levite).

II. Place and occasion of writing

A. Probably written from Rome because of the statement, “They of Italy salute you” (13:24).
B. Occasion
1. The Jewish Christians had become “dull of hearing” (5:11), “sluggish” in conduct (6:12), weak in faith
(thus need for chapter 11), and near apostasy (6:1-8 and 10:23-39).
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2. To answer the need, the writer sent this “word of exhortation” (13:22), urging them to remember the
superior excellence of Jesus Christ and to hold firmly to their confession of faith and trust in Him.

III. Recipients

A. Westcott says about the “Hebrews”: “The arguments and reflections in their whole form and spirit, even more
than in the special details, are addressed to ‘Hebrews,’ men, that is, whose hearts were filled with the thoughts,
the hopes, the consolations, of the Old Covenant.” See, e.g., 7:11 and 8:4.
B. This view that the recipients are converted Jews is sustained by the fact that there is no reference to Gentiles or
to Gentile controversies in the Epistle. Nothing is said about circumcision, abstinence from things sacrificed to
idols, or to the equality of Jew and Gentile in the Church.
C. These Hebrews are either those in Jerusalem and vicinity or those in Rome.

IV. Date of Writing

A. Probably somewhere between 67 and 69 A.D.
B. Date established in part by the idea that the sacrificial system was still going on just prior to the destruction of
Jerusalem in A.D. 70. In other words, Hebrews was likely written before that destruction.
C. Date was after one generation of Christians, for one generation had already passed away (2:3; 13:7).
D. Date has to allow time for great changes in religious feeling (10:32) and for decline in religious maturity
(5:11ff).
E. Date was probably after Paul’s death. “If we are right in surmising that the imprisonment and release of
Timothy followed on his complying with Paul’s request for him to come to Rome (2 Tim. 4:9-13, 21), then the
epistle was probably written after Paul’s death.” (THI)

V. Purpose and plan

A. To establish the supremacy of Christ and Christianity (1:1-10:18).
B. As required by acceptance of Christ’s superiority over all to warn the readers not to turn back from Him (6:4-8;
10:26-31; 12:14-19).
C. To encourage the readers to renewed effort (6:1, 9-12; 10:19-39; 12:12-17).
D. To exhort the readers to make a complete break with Judaism (12:18-13:17).

VI. Theme

A. The key word in the book is “better.”

1. Christ better than angels (1:4).
2. Better things that accompany salvation (rather than apostasy) (6:9).
3. Abraham blessed by the better Melchizedek (7:7).
4. A better hope than what the law could provide (7:19).
5. Jesus is the surety (guarantor) of a better testament (7:22).
6. Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant which is based upon better promises (8:6).
7. Heavenly things are sanctified with Jesus’ better sacrifices (9:23).
8. Persecuted Christians endured because they believed in a “better and enduring substance” (10:34).
9. Old Testament believers such as Abraham and Sarah desired a “better country” (11:16).
10. Old Testament believers accepted even torture because they expect a better resurrection (11:35).
11. God has provided a better thing for both Old and New Testament believers (11:40).
12. Jesus’ blood speaks better things than that of Abel (12:24).

B. The key grammar is the Greek hortatory subjunctive which is translated “let us.”

1. The writer himself establishes exhortation as his purpose in writing, for he calls the epistle “this word of
exhortation” [του λογου της παρακλησεως ] (13:22).
2. The exhortations in the Epistle.
a. Let us fear coming short of entering His rest (4:1).
b. Let us therefore give diligence to enter His rest lest we fall in disobedience (4:11).
c. Let us hold fast our confession (4:14).
d. Let us boldly draw near to God and the throne of grace (4:16).
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e. Let us press on unto maturity (6:1).
f. Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (10:22).
g. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (10:23).
h. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works (10:24).
i. Let us lay aside every besetting sin (12:1).
j. Let us run the race with endurance (12:1).
k. Let us show gratitude and serve God acceptably with reverence and awe (12:28).
l. Let us go forth unto Him without the camp bearing His reproach (13:13).
m. Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise (13:15).

C. Summary:
1. Using the key word and the key grammar the theme of the book can be stated thus: “Let us remember that
Christ is better than (the fulfillment of) all aspects of Judaism and let us therefore hold fast our
confession of Him.”
2. The analytical outline that follows is based on the key word “better.”
a. A Better Messenger (1:1-3:6)
b. A Better Rest (3:7-4:13)
c. A Better Priest (4:14-8:5)
d. A Better Covenant (8:6-9:28)
e. A Better Sacrifice (10:1-39)
f. A Better Way of Living: By Faith (11:1-40)
g. A Better Country/Kingdom (12:1-29)
h. The Best Practice: Obedience [to various commands] (13:1-25)

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Analytical Outline of Hebrews

I. A Better Messenger (1:1-3:6)

A. Better than angels (1:1-2:18)
1. Because of His work (1:1-2)
a. His work as God’s final spokesman (1).
b. His work as Creator (2).
2. Because of His nature (3)
3. Because of His relationship with the Father (3c-6)
a. He is at the seat of authority on the Father’s right hand (3c).
b. He has received a “more excellent name” (4).
c. He is God’s unique Son (5-6).
4. Because of His scripturally-proven deity (7-14)
a. Angels worship Him (6-7).
b. He is called God (8).
c. He is perfectly righteous, hating iniquity and loving righteousness (9a).
d. He is anointed and exalted above all others (9b).
e. He is the creator of the earth and heavens (10).
f. He is eternal and immutable (11-12).
g. He is the sovereign over all His enemies (13-14).
5. Because of the seriousness of neglecting His Word (2:1-4)
Reasons for “paying much closer attention to it:”
a. The Son of God’s final and perfect revelation (2:1).
b. We are prone to drift away from God’s Word (2:1).
c. The penalty of disobeying is severe (2:2).
d. There is no hope for those who “neglect” God’s word and salvation (2:3).
6. Because of His sovereignty over creation (2:5-9)
7. Because of His special relationship to believers (2:10-18)
a. He is the Captain of our salvation (2:10).
b. He is our Father, we are His sons, His children (2:10, 13).
c. He is our brother (2:11-16).
d. He is our sympathizing High Priest (2:17-18).
B. Better than Moses (3:1-6)
1. Comparison of Jesus and Moses (3:1-2)
a. The command to compare: “consider”
b. The calling of Jesus and Moses:
(1) Jesus:
(a) He is the “Apostle” [One sent on a mission = to save us] of our confession.
(b) He is the “High Priest” [One making sacrifice for our sins] of our confession.
(2) Moses: the leader of Israel, God’s “house”
c. The consistency of both: “faithful” to the One who appointed them.
2. Contrast of Jesus and Moses (3:3-6)
a. Jesus is the creator, Moses is simply part of God’s people [“house”] (3-4).
b. Jesus is the Son of God, Moses is only a servant (5-6).

II. A Better Rest (3:7-4:13)

A. The better rest rejected (3:7-19)
1. Indications of a rejecting heart [“an evil heart of unbelief”] (3:7-12)
a. Decisions that harden (7-8).
b. Doubting [“testing”] God (9a).
c. Ingratitude (9b).
d. Continued rebellion [“always go astray”] (10a, b).
e. Failure to learn God’s way (10c).
f. Unbelief (11-12).
g. Falling away from God (12).
2. Exhortations for avoiding apostasy (3:13-19)
a. Warn and encourage one (13).
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b. Firmly hold to confidence in Christ (14).
c. Keep a warm, uncomplaining heart toward God and His Word (15-16).
d. Believe and obey God’s Word (17-19).
B. The better rest received [“entered”] (4:1-13)
1. All must enter God’s rest by faith (4:1-3a).
2. Some have not entered God’s rest because of disobedience (4:3b-8).
3. All must be diligent to enter God’s rest lest they follow Israel’s evil example (4:9-13).

III. A Better High Priest (4:14-8:5)

A. He sympathizes with our infirmities (4:14-16).
B. He is perfectly qualified to be High Priest (5:1-10).
1. The qualifications of a high priest (5:1-4)
a. He must be a man [“taken from among men”] (1-3).
b. He must be called and appointed by God to the high-priesthood (4).
2. Christ’s perfect fulfillment of the qualifications (5:5-10)
a. He was designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek (5-6, 10)
b. He had “flesh,” experienced suffering, and learned obedience (7-9).
C. He has entered the holy place and calls us to have assurance of salvation (5:11-6:20).
1. A call to spiritual growth (5:11-14)
a. The proof of their immaturity:
(1) They were dull of hearing.
(2) They could not digest solid spiritual food.
b. The reason for their immaturity: lack of spiritual exercise
2. A warning about falling away (6:1-8)
a. The duty of Christian progress (1-3)
b. The danger of falling away (4-8)
Characteristics of apostates:
(1) They have known the truth about Jesus [“enlightened”].
(2) They have experienced God’s grace [“tasted the heavenly gift”].
(3) They have experienced the Holy Spirit’s work in their heart [“partakers of the Holy Spirit”].
(4) They have experienced the blessing of God’s Word [“tasted the good word of God”].
(5) They have seen God’s power in miracles [“the powers of the age to come”].
(6) They irrevocably forsake Christ [“have fallen away”].
(a) They cannot repent (6:6).
(b) They crucify Jesus again (6:6).
(c) They put Jesus to public shame (6:6).
(d) They receive God’s curse (6:7-8).
3. A call to diligence and hope (6:9-20)
a. The call to diligence (9-12)
(1) The call is to true Christians (9).
(2) The call is to those already serving the Lord (10).
(3) The call is to continue diligently until the end (11).
(4) The call is to believe God’s promises and wait patiently for their fulfillment (12).
b. The sure hope (13-20)
(1) It is based on God’s promise and oath (13-17).
(2) It provides a “refuge” for the Christian (18).
(3) It provides an “anchor” for the Christian (19).
(4) It provides an entrance to God’s presence for the Christian (19-25).
D. He is a high priest like Melchizedek (7:1-28).
1. The greatness of Melchizedek when compared with Abraham (7:1-10)
a. He was both a king and a priest (7:1).
b. He bestowed his blessing upon Abraham (7:1, 6b-7).
c. He received tithes from Abraham (7:2a, 4-6, 8-10).
d. He is a type of Christ in his seeming eternality (7:3).
2. The greatness of Melchizedek when compared with Aaron and the Levitical priesthood (7:11-28)
a. His priesthood can perfect sinners (7:11-14).
b. His priesthood is based not on written laws but on eternal power demonstrated by eternal life (7:15-
17).
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