Introduction to Hebrews
Many introductions to Hebrews spend a great deal of time on the date, authorship, and audience of the book. I’m not so sure that these questions can be answered with any degree of certainty, so I tend to focus on what we can come to understand from the structure and content, and the theology we can picture clearly from them.
To supplement this introduction with the kind of details one normally finds in an introduction, try one of the following introductions:
- The Learning Bible
The notes are generally mainline and are kept simple. - The New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV) or the Oxford Study Bible (REB)
The notes are not as simple as those of The Learning Bible, but they are written for non-scholars. These notes are typical of mainline scholarship, though many evangelicals would call them liberal. - The Holy Spirit Encounter Bible (NLT)
This provides a devotional element to your study
There are many other fine Bibles with study notes and good introductions. These are just some suggestions. In addition, you might want to consider a couple of commentaries, such as the Anchor Bible volume on Hebrews by Craig R. Koester, or the New International Commentary on the New Testament volume Hebrews by F. F. Bruce. My study guide includes a translation with some notes, but it is intended to supplement the study guide, and does not replace any of these fine resources. My translation is, of course, a one person translation, and I strongly recommend committee translations for the best balance. (See What’s in a Version? (Pamphlet) or What’s in a Version? (Book), both from Energion Publications.)
Also, please note that I’m going to try to keep these entries reasonably short, something I’m not really that good at, and so I will probably split them up to some extent. All scripture links are to my Totally Free Bible Version project, which is really simply me posting my ongoing translations online. I use this because of copyright considerations. I recommend you use your own favorite version, or access one of the online options linked from that site.
Now let me highlight just three portions of the book that I think point us to the general theme. There are many individual arguments, but it is helpful to keep in mind just what the author is trying to get across to his readers. I believe that he has a single central point in mind, and that the book of Hebrews is unusually systematic and theological amongst the books of the New Testament. (You can find my translation and outline here.)
- Hebrews 1:1-4
This passage really sets the theme; we are going to be talking about who Jesus is and the importance of his mission on earth and his position in heaven. We are not told in this passage precisely why the author is focussing in this way on the person of Jesus. We also see a part of the author’s method, which is use of and application of the scriptures of the Old Testament. This is lesson #1 in my study guide. - Hebrews 5:11-6:12
I believe that this is where we get to the key issue of the book in practical terms. The author wants to challenge his readers with the importance of following this greater revelation provided in and through Jesus, and this greater salvation, and to endure in it until the reward is reached. He is letting his audience know that they aren’t there yet, but they need to keep on moving, because the reward is sure for those who are faithful. This is lesson #7 in my study guide. - Hebrews 12:1-12; 13:1-16
The final message is on who we are and how we are to behave as recipients of the ministry of Jesus as described earlier in the book. How are Christians to behave? This is lesson #13 (of 13) in my study guide.
This general structure makes me believe that the central issue is endurance, but an endurance that is filled with hope and backed by history.
I will begin in my next entry with looking at Hebrews 1:1-4, and applying this structure to understanding the individual elements of each passage.