G55   HEBREWS

The authorship of Hebrews is a matter of conjecture. There are plenty of commentaries dealing with this and the other difficult problems raised by the letter; but only those passages intelligible and relevant to the modern Christian are included in this study.

Christian religious doctrines and insights are in this letter contrasted and compared with Old Testament faith and substantiated by a skilful use of Old Testament "proof texts" but the most valuable passages for Christian study are those that can stand in their own right apart from Old Testament background.

The writer begins his letter with a very fine description of Jesus as God's "First and Last Word" to His world.
Hebrews 1.vv.1-3, and 4.vv.12-16

A considerable portion of this letter is devoted to teaching about faith. The writer argues very persuasively for the importance of faith in the religious life. There is an interesting parallel in this letter with St. Paul's reference to Habakkuk 2.v.2, which the Apostle uses to such effect in Romans, and this writer uses as a starting point for his treatise on faith.
Hebrews 10.vv.32-38, and 11.vv.1-3

There now follows an impressive list of God's servants in Old Testament times who served Him in faith.
Hebrews 11.v.32 to 12.v.2

The letter ends with a blessing often associated in the church with the season of Easter.
Hebrews 13.vv.20-21