HEBREWS: Message Outlined/Argument
Author – It is uncertain who wrote Hebrews. The following are some of my observations.
- The message and literary style have led many to think Hebrews was written by Paul.
- Even though the vocabulary is not the same as that of Paul in his known letters, that would seem reasonable to expect. Paul was well educated in the culture and customs of the Jews as well as the Gentile population. Adapting to his audience, Paul would naturally change his vocabulary to appeal to a Jewish audience.
- So much is like Paul in the treatise, it could have been written by one of Paul’s close associates like Barnabas or Apollos or Paul and one of these coworkers.
Occasion – Christians were turning back from Christianity to Judaism and other former ways of life.
Thesis – Christianity is superior to Judaism and other ways of life, so do not turn back to Judaism or a pagan way of life.
Purpose – The writer sought to show that Christianity is superior because of the person of Christ.
I. Jesus Christ is superior to the angels through whom Judaism was
established (1:1-2:4).
A. He is the Son of God, but angels are servants (1:1-2:4).
B. Being made lower than the angels aided His superiority
rather than diminishing it (2:5-18).
II. Jesus is superior to Moses and the prophets (3:1-4:13).
A. As builder and Son He is superior to Moses who is a
servant in the house.
B. A warning from history (3:7- 4:13)
III. Jesus is superior to the priests of the Levitical order (4:14-8:5)
A. Christ maintains the strengths and eliminates the
weaknesses of the Levitical order (4:14-5:10).
B. Admonition and warning (5:11-6:20).
C. Christ a priest after the order of Melchizedek (7:1-28).
D. The main point is that we have a perfect priesthood (8:1-
5).
IV. Christianity provides a superior covenant (8:6-10:18)
A. It is a perfect covenant with better benefits (8:6-13).
B. It provides the real things (9:1-10:18).
V. Exhortations and warnings based on the superiority of Christ (10:19-13:25)
A. Exhort one another to avoid the judgment (10:19-39).
B. Faith has sustaining power (11:1- 40).
C. In Christ, we can have confidence and exercise
perseverance (12:1-28).
D. This superior religion should lead to a superior way of life
(13:1-25).
William T. (Bill) Lambert, Ed D
Professor Emeritus, New Testament Literature and Interpretation
Harding University
