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Hebrews Study Guide image

AT-A-GLANCE

1:1-2:18 Jesus is Better Than Angels

3:1-4:13 Jesus is Better Than Moses and Joshua

4:14-7:28 Jesus is Better Than the Levitical Priests

8:1-10:18 Jesus is Better Than the Old Covenant and its Sacrifices 

10:19-12:29 Endure Hardship Through Faith

13:1-13:25 Some Practical Advice

QUICK FACTS

Author: Unknown

Original Reader: Jewish Christians (possibly in Rome) thinking about abandoning Jesus and returning to the Old Covenant sacrificial system in order to escape persecution

Date Written: Probably some time after a fire destroyed part of Rome in AD64 (Hebrews 12:4)

Written From: Unknown

Key Verse: 10:19-23 or 12:1-2

Major Themes: Jesus is Better than Every Aspect of the Old Covenant, Call for Endurance, Faith, Warnings

DISCOVER THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF HEBREWS

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE INDUCTIVELY

OBSERVE

What does the text say?

There’s no better way to understand the literary context than carefully observing what is said.

INTERPRET

 What does the text mean?

In light of both the literary and historical context, what was the original intended meaning of this passage?

APPLY

How do I apply what the text means?

In order for us to grow and mature more into Christ’s likeness, we must apply the truths we discover in our lives.

Chapter 1:1-2:18 Jesus is Better Than Angels

OBSERVE

  • 1:1-4 Compare the ways the way God spoke long ago to the way he is speaking now.
  • 1:5-14 Observe how the author says that the Old Testament spoke of the Son versus the way he says it spoke of angels.
  • 2:1-4 What is the warning for the readers in this passage? What is said about angels in the context of this warning?
  • 2:14-18 What reasons does the author give for Jesus being made, for a time, a little lower than the angels (i.e. by becoming human)?

INTERPRET

  • 1:5-2:4 Why does the author begin his argument for the superiority of Jesus over the Old Covenant by focusing on angels? How would this encourage the readers to persevere?
  • 2:14-18 How would the original readers feel after reading about the reasons Jesus became a human being? How do these reasons help them to endure their own time of trial?

APPLY

  • 2:14-18 Which reason for Christ taking on humanity is most meaningful to you in this season of life? Why?

* HELPFUL NOTES

  • At the time this was written, Jewish rabbis would make arguments “from the lesser to greater.” In other words, “if the lesser point – x” than “even more the similar but greater point – y.” The author seems use this line of thinking in this section of Hebrews and elsewhere. 
  • 2:2 The Jewish belief that the Mosaic law was mediated by angels is also reflected in Acts 7:53 and Galatians 3:19. This belief was likely based on Deuteronomy 33:2.

JESUS MADE PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING?

What does it mean that Jesus was “made perfect through suffering”? And why does the author of Hebrews think that this is “fitting” or “appropriate”?

WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF HEBREW? TO WHOM?

Who is the author of Hebrews? Short answer: no one knows for sure. However in this video we look at the most common suggestions to these questions regarding the authorship of Hebrews.

Chapter 3:1-4:13 Jesus is Better than Moses and Joshua

OBSERVE

  • 3:1-6 Compare what the author says about Moses with what he says about Jesus.
  • 3:12-14 What is the warning for the readers here? In this passage, who does the author say is hearing God’s voice “today”?
  • 3:15-19 In this passage, who does the author say was hearing God’s voice “today”? What was the consequence they experienced for not obeying his voice?
  • 4:1-11 Observe the repeated phrase “God’s rest.” What is said about it? Who is it for?
  • 4:12-13 What illustration does the author use to describe the “word of God”? What is it able to do?

INTERPRET

  • 3:12-19 How does the author interpret the significance of the word “today” from Psalm 95 for his readers? How would his perspective of God’s word (from 4:12-13) help him come to this interpretation?
  • 4:1-11 Why does the author believe entering the Promised Land was not God’s ultimate rest? What would it look like for the readers to “strive to enter” the final rest God intends for them?

APPLY

  • 3:12-19 What does Psalm 95 speak to you “today”? How are you being invited to respond to God’s voice “today”?
  • 4:1-11 Have you entered the rest of God? What fruit could you point to as evidence?

  * HELPFUL NOTES

  • 3:12-4:11 It may help to visualize the author’s line of argument from Psalm 95 as a timeline: (1) Israel’s rebellion in wilderness meant they could not enter God’s rest, the Promised Land (Num 14) => but (2) Joshua led the next generation into that rest (Josh 1:13) => then (3) 500 years later David wrote Psalm 95 saying to his readers “Today, don’t harden your hearts like the first generation” (Psalm 95:7), which the author interprets as an extension of the promise of rest to the people in David’s day (Hebrews 4:7-8) => so (4) God’s promise of rest was not fulfilled when Israel entered the Promised Land. True Sabbath rest is only entered by those who persevere through faith.

Chapter 4:14-6:12 Interlude: A Call to Maturity

OBSERVE

  • 4:14-16 What does the author say about Jesus in these verses? How does he want the original readers to respond to these truths?
  • 5:1-4 List all the qualities and requirements for the high priest.
  • 5:12-6:3 What does the author say is milk for children? What does he say is solid food for the mature?
  • 6:4-12 What is the warning for the readers in this passage? This warning is for people who have experienced what 4 things? What is the illustration included with the warning? What is the author’s encouragement to his readers in the context of this warning?

INTERPRET

  • 4:14-5:10 Why does the author go into detail here to explain Jesus’ similarity to the Levitical priests?
  • 5:12-6:3 What does the author say about those who live on milk? Who is solid food for?
  • 6:4-12 Why does the author include the illustration along with this warning? Why does he include the encouragement? What does this tell you about what he wants this warning to emphasize for his readers?

APPLY

  • 5:12-6:3 In your Christian walk, have you moved from moved on from milk to solid food? How do you know? 
  • 6:4-12 Do you know someone who is walking away from Jesus? What does this warning teach you about how to engage with them and pray for them? Spend some time in prayer for them right now.

  * HELPFUL NOTES

  • 5:13 Within decades of the writing of Hebrews, a letter from Polycarp uses the phrase “word of righteousness” to refer to martyrdom as patient endurance expressed to its limit. 

  • 6:7-8 This illustration is similar to Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23). Use the meaning of the parable to help you interpret the main message of this warning.

HEBREWS 6 – CAN WE LOSE OUR SALVATION?

Is it possible to lose your salvation? In this video, we give a careful, contextual explanation of Hebrews 6:4-6.

Would the author of Hebrews disagree with the slogan “once saved, always saved”? What are we to do with his harsh warnings against falling away from God?

Chapter 6:13-7:28 Jesus’ Priesthood is Like Melchizedek’s

OBSERVE

  • 6:13-20 In this paragraph the author repeats the word “promise” how many times? What was the promise? By what two unchangeable things was the promise guaranteed? What metaphor does he use to describe the guarantee of this promise?
  • 7:1-10 Based on his reading of Genesis 14:17-20 (the Old Testament passage in which Melchizedek shows up), what does the author of Hebrews say about Melchizedek? Include all the details you notice.
  • 7:11-22 Based on his reading of Psalm 110:4 (the only other Old Testament passage that mentions Melchizedek), what does the author say he learned about the Levitical priesthood and the law? Include all the details you notice.
  • 7:23-28 How is Jesus different from the Levitical priests? 

INTERPRET

  • 6:13-20 Why does the author emphasize the guarantee of God’s promise so strongly? Why does he compare it to an “anchor of the soul”?
  • 7:1-22 Why does the author think Melchizedek resembles Jesus? Why does the author even bring him into this argument?
  • 7:11-28 Why does the author go into detail to explain Jesus’ superiority to the Levitical priests? (Remember: the author first explained Jesus’ similarity to the Levitical priests in 4:14-5:10)?

APPLY

  • 6:13-20 How does the guarantee of the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and his heirs act like an anchor to your soul? Can you think of some practical ways you can try to trust this anchor more fully?

  * HELPFUL NOTES

  • 7:11-22 Psalm 110 is a Davidic psalm with a history of messianic interpretation in Judaism, even before the time of Jesus. Jesus interpreted this psalm as a prediction that the Messiah would be even greater than David, even though David was his ancestor (Matthew 22:41-45).

HEBREWS 7 – WHO IS MELCHIZEDEK?

We look at all the references of Melchizedek in the Bible, and then using the context we look at the two possible interpretations of who this mysterious figure.

Chapter 8:1-13 Jesus Mediates a Better Covenant

OBSERVE

  • 8:1-5 How does the author compare the ministry of the priests “on earth” with the ministry of Jesus’ high priesthood “in heaven”? What are the differences between the true tent and the one Moses set up?
  • 8:8-12 In this passage, the author quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34, which records a prophecy of Jeremiah from about 600 years before Jesus was born. What did Jeremiah predict?

INTERPRET

  • 8:8-12 Why does the author quote Jeremiah’s prophecy? How would it encourage the readers to persevere by holding onto Jesus?

APPLY

  • 8:8-12 How can the fact that you have also experienced the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy encourage you today? Is there a way that Jeremiah’s prophecy challenges you to respond to what God has done for you in the new covenant?

Chapter 8:1-13 9:1-10:18 Jesus Offered a Better Sacrifice

OBSERVE

  • 9:1-7 What was the first section of the tent called? What did it contain? Who could enter this section and when? What was the second section called? What did it contain? Who could enter this section and when?
  • 9:23-28 Compare and contrast the sacrifice of Christ with the sacrifice of the Levitical high priest. 
  • 10:1-4 What was the purpose of the sacrificial system? What wasn’t its purpose?

INTERPRET

  • 9:1-7 Why does the author go into detail about the two sections of the tent? What is their significance in relationship to what Jesus has done (see 10:19-20 for more context)?
  • 9:23-28 Why does the author contrast these sacrifices for his readers? What does he want them to understand? How does he then want them to respond?
  • 10:1-4 If the readers understood these points about the sacrificial system and believed them to be true, what would be their logical response?

APPLY

  • 10:1-4 Is there anything other the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus that you look to for assurance that your sins are forgiven? If so, spend some time repenting of trusting in anything other than Jesus’ precious blood. How can you guard yourself from doing this again in the future?

  * HELPFUL NOTES

  • 9:1-7 Read Leviticus 16 for more context on the Day of Atonement, the one day of the year that the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place. 

Chapter 10:19-11:40 Endure Through Faith

OBSERVE

  • 10:26-31 What is the warning for readers in this passage? What is emphasized about God’s character by the particular Old Testament passages that he quotes (Deuteronomy 32:35 and Psalm 50:4)?
  • 10:37-39 Here the author quotes Habakkuk 2:3-4. Observe the contrast he makes immediately after this quote.
  • 11:4-32 List the people that the author names as examples of faith and perseverance. How did they demonstrate their faith?

INTERPRET

  • 10:26-31 Why does the author emphasize these aspects of God’s character in this warning?
  • 10:39 What would it look like for the readers to “shrink back”? What would it look like for them to instead persevere by faith?
  • 11:4-32 Recall some of the stories in the Old Testament about the people listed in these verses. Were they perfect people? What does this suggest to you about what it means to be a person of faith?

APPLY

  • 11:4-32 Think of some people in your own life whose persevering faith has encouraged you. This week, write them a note to let them know how they have impacted you on your journey of faith.

Chapter 12:1-29 Inheriting the Unshakable Kingdom

OBSERVE

  • 12:3-11 Observe the repeated word “discipline.” (Some translations may also use the words “correction,” “chastening,” “training,” or “rebuke”).
  • 12:18-24 The author contrasts two mountains. What is said about each mountain?
  • 12:25-29 What is the warning for the readers in this passage?

INTERPRET

  • 12:3-11 How does the repeated word in these verses offer the readers a helpful perspective of their current suffering?
  • 12:18-29 Why does the author contrast these two mountains before he gives his final warning? 

APPLY

  • 12:3-11 Have you ever experienced the discipline of the Lord? How did he assure you that it was an expression of his Fatherly love? How can this passage help you respond to any discipline you receive from God in the future?

Chapter 13:1-13:25 Some Practical Advice

OBSERVE

  • List the author’s practical commands in this chapter
  • 13:10-16 What imagery from the Old Covenant religious system does the author use here?
  • 13:20-21 What does the author pray for?

INTERPRET

  • Even though his readers are suffering and experiencing great difficulty, why does the author also remind them of these practical commands?
  • 13:10-16 Why should the readers view the New Covenant as better than the Old System described here? Why might they find that difficult?
  • 13:20-21 What does this prayer teach the readers? How would it comfort them?

APPLY

  • When you are going through a difficult time, what practical ways are you able to continue to express your commitment to Jesus?
  • 13:20-21 What does this prayer teach you about God? How does it comfort you?

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