So he (Son of God) became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:4 NIV
Background
I have spent the last couple of days reading commentaries, searching out answers to my questions, but I found there are no recorded answers. So what I write are opinions by Bible scholars.
Who is the author of Hebrews?
The author is anonymous. It's a mystery to us, but he must have known by the original readers of this book in our Bible. One Scholar suggested it could have been written by either Paul, Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos. Another suggested it could have been written by Silas, Philip, Priscilla, Aquila, or Clement of Rom,e in addition to those previously mentioned.
This puzzle has not been solved throughout the passing of time. So ultimately, I think we all can agree with John MacArthur, who said, "The author was the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21)
Shepherd's Notes states this:
Hebrews contains statements similar to Paul's view of the preexistence and creatorship of Christ. Bothe Hebrews 8:6 and 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 discuss the New Covenant. These factors inclined some obsserversss to consider Paul as the author.
You may choose to research reason sbacking up the arguement for each man who was considered the author of Hebrews. That's fine. I just don't want to go into it here. However, it is interesting and new information to me. so I will go on the premice tht Paul was the author of our fine book.
When was Hebrews written?
Due to the uncertainty of the authorship, the date of its being written is unsure also. Evidence places the time of its writing in the first century. Found in Hebrews 13:23, Timothy is still living. The readers are second generation Christians, so the date would be earlier than A.D.70. The epistle apparently predates the last days of Nero in the late sixties.The Jewish sacrifical system still appears to be in effect. (Falwell)
We must date the book before A.D.95, when Clement referred to it. The writter used present-tense verbs in 10:11 to describe the ministry of the priests in the Jerusalem Temple. It indicates that sacrifices were still being offered in the days of the writer.The Roman army destroyed the Temple A.D.70. (Shepherd's Notes)
To whom was Hebrews written?
It appears to have been written to these Hebrews, who were Jewish Christians. Warnings found in the book indicates that these early Christians were in danger of returning to Judiasm, the legal religion protected and sanctionded under Roman law (Christianity wasn't). Evidently, may of the recipients had undergone suffering. (Falwell)
The congregation was not new or untaught, yet some still needed the milk of the Word instead of solid food (5:12).
Where did the audience live?
Probably, these readers lived either in Jerusalem or Rome. Jews persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. In Rome, believers in Jesus were persecuted for being Jews (Acts 18:2) or for being Christian. Since the readers had not heard the Lord speak, His message was passed on by those who had heard (Heb.2:3). Therefore, it would be assumable that the readers did not live in Jerusalem.
Since the believers of Italy salute these believers receiving the Hebrew letter, it's assumable that they were formerly from Rome.This epistle seems to have been written either by an author in Rome or to recipients in Rome. (Falwell)
The readers had either left Italy or were those who were still in Italy. Possible locations for the recipients of the epistle include Palestine, Egypt, Italy, Asia Minor, and Greece. (MacArthur)
*Interesting Note: The many quotes made in this book were from the Old Testament and were written in Greek, not Hebrew, as the language in which the OT was written.
LET IT GLOW
Having attended the same small school all of my educational years, I knew almost everyone in my high school. (We only had 50 in my graduationg class.) I don't recall anyone having the attitude of being superior to others. Even the football,basketball players, cheerleaders, and Honor Society didn't seem to have that "high and mighty" attitude. (Of course, others may have a different view than mine.) But there is one person who should have a superior attitude, and that is the Ssavior of the world, Jesus Christ.
Here's an overview of Hebrews.
Shepherd's Notes has this to say:
The author of Hebrews pointed his readers to the superiority of Christ. He is superior to:
- the prophets (1:1-3)
- the angels (1:4-2:18)
- Moses (3:1-13).
The writer emphasized the superiority of Christianity over Judaism and the superiority of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice over the repeated and imperfect Levitical sacrifices observed in the temple. (MacArthur)
Verse 4 in the King James Version says: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
The word excellent, in Thayer's Lexicon, means "different, varying in kind; surpassing."
In Webster's Dictionary, excellent means"remarkably good; of superior merit."
Psalm 8:1,9a says, O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Is Jesus Christ superior in my life? Do I hold His Name in excellency?
LET IT GLOW
Warren Wiersbe, in his book, Be Confident, tells us several words which are repeated in Hebrews:
The word better is used 13 times. The writer show the superiority of Jesus Christ and His salvation over the Hebrew system of religion. He brought in "a better hope"(Heb.7:14) because He is the mediator of "a better covenant," which was established upon better promises" (Heb. 8:6).
The word perfect is used 14 times. It means "a perfect standing before God." This perfection could never be accomplished by the Levitical priesthood (Heb.7:11) or by the law (Heb. 7:19), nor could the blood of animal sacrifices achieve it (Heb. 10:1). Jesus gave Himself as one offering for sin, and by this He has "perfected for ever them that are sanctifies" (Heb. 10:14).
The word eternal is used 5 times. It mentions eternal salvation (5:9), judgment (6:2), redemption (9:12), Spirit (9:14),and inheritance (9:15). Jesus' throne and priesthood is forever.
The word established is used 8 times. It means "solidly grounded, to stand firm on your feet." You can be secure while everything around you is falling apart.
Jesus Christ and the Christian life He gives us are better because these blessings are eternal and they give us a perfect standing before God.
Jesus is Creator, Prophet, Priest, and King, which makes Him superior to all of the prophets and servants of God written in the Scriptures.
Wierseb tells us Hebrews is a book of evaluation, exhortation, examination, expectation, and exaltation. Since Jesus was God's last word as far as revelation is concerned, He is the source, center, and end of everything that God has to say.
How firm is my faith established? Am I trusting in the better way, the perfect way, the eternal way, which is Jesus Christ?
LET IT GO
Let go of the law and look to Jesus.
Surrender to the Superior Savior, Jesus Christ.
Believe that His ways are better than mine.
Go with the perfect God.
Establish my faith on the eternal Word of God
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