Study Notes on Epistle to Hebrews - Introduction

Greeting and peace to you in the most blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

When I started to study the Epistle to Hebrews, I found it was unique and even more a mine of spiritual treasures. 

I want to share my study notes for the benefit of those who are interested to find some amazing spiritual facts from this epistle.

Of all the letters in the New Testament in the Holy Bible, the letter of Hebrews has the following uniqueness. 

• Unknown author (Many attribute to Paul, Peter, John the apostle and some even to Priscilla, but no evidence in the letter itself.)

• Though we do not know who is the human author of this letter, according to 2 Tim 3:16, this part of the scripture is also inspired by God for our edification. 

• Unknown recipients

But, we can deduce the nature of the recipients from the letter as follows:

Recipients could be possibly born again jews - 

• Offspring of Abraham (2:16) 

• Enlightened (6:4, 10:32) 

• Mention of Jewish faith / Jewish core religious aspects (angels, prophets, Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Melchizedek, High Priest, etc. 

• Labor & love for the saints (6:10)

• Even suffered/suffering for Christ (10:33,34)

Is this letter applicable for gentile believers?

In Christ, no jew nor gentile. (Eph 2:13-22, Gal 3:16)

So, this is very well applicable to gentile believers also.

Condition of the recipients: 

• Neglecting the great salvation (2:3)

• Falling away from Living God (3:12)

• Children, immature & unskilled in the word of God (5:11-14)

• In possible danger of apostasy (6:4-8, 10:26-31)

• Shrinking back & under the danger of being destroyed (10:39)

Main Purpose of the letter: 

To exhort/warn (13:22)

Author's attitude:

1. Exhorting/warning (13:22)

2. How can you escape? (2:3, 10:28-31)

3. Take care, brothers (3:12)

4. Let us not lose confidence / hope

Main focus of the letter: 

Completion of salvation / perfection of our salvation (this word occurs 10 times)

Other repeated words in this letter:

High priest (occurs only in Hebrews in New Testament, 33 times)

Promises/Promise/Promised - 18 times

Heavenly calling 3:1 

Heavenly gift 6:4

Heavenly things 8:5, 9:23 

Heavenly country 11:16 

Heavenly Jerusalem 12:22

Confidence - 5 times (3:6, 3:14, 4:16, 10:19, 10:35)

Living God 3:12, 9:14, 10:31

Living word 4:12

Living way 10:20

Better things 6:9 

Better hope 7:19 

Better covenant 7:22, 8:6

Better promises 8:6

Better sacrifices 9:23

Better possession 10:34

Better country 11:16

Better life 11:35

Better provision 11:40

Better word 12:24

Draw near- 6 times (4:16, 7:19, 7:25, 10:1, 10:22, 11:6)

Dead works - 6:1, 9:14

Eternal covenant 13:20 

Eternal Salvation 5:9 

Eternal Judgment 6:2 

Eternal Redemption 9:12 

Eternal Spirit 9:14

Inheritance 9:15

Share: 

In heavenly calling 3:1

In Christ 3:14

In His Holiness 12:10

Before we delve into the epistle, these things help us to understand the tone, focus, purpose and attitude of the letter and also help us to follow the argument style of the reason toward the main purpose.

Stay tuned for more notes from my study on Epistle to Hebrews...