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Table of Contents
1. Study of Chapters 1-2…………………………………………………..3
2. Jesus and David (on 1:5)……………………………………………….5
3. Review of 1-3; Jesus’ Priesthood (ch. 4)………………………..6
4. Review of 1-3………………………………………………………………..7
5. Evaluate your knowledge of chs. 1-3……………………………..11
6. Study of themes in 4:14-16……………………………………………15
7. Study of themes in 5:1-14……………………………………………..17
8. Researching Motifs in chs.1-7
a. The Son…………………………………………………………………18
b. Christ’s Priesthood………………………………………………..20
c. Contrasts……………………………………………………………….22
d. OT Scriptures…………………………………………………………24
e. Believers……………………………………………………………….26
f. Warnings………………………………………………………………28
g. Good Things………………………………………………………….30
9. Ch. 1-9 Review: The Priesthood…………………………………….32
10. Ch. 10: Good Things……………………………………………..33
11. Heb. 10:19-22, Exhortation.…………………………………..34
12. Heb. 10:32-39, Personal Knowledge……………………….35
13. Heb. 11, the Exempla……………………………………………..36
14. Heb. 12, Running the Race & Discipline…………………..37
15. Heb. 12:18-24, the Mountains………………………………..39
16. Review of Contrasts in Hebrews……………………………..40
17. Heb. 13, Leaders……………………………………………………..41
18. Quiz yourself on the themes in Hebrews by chapter….42
3
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – Chapters 1-2
Read Hebrews 1-2. Why is the author quoting from the OT in these
sections?
In what ways is Jesus different from the angels?
Why do NT authors sometimes use/refer to OT passages?
4
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – Chapters 1-2 (cont’d)
NT using the OT
NT Texts OT Gist of Original NT Application
Heb. 1:5a
Ps. 2:7
Heb. 1:5b
2 Sam. 7:14
Heb. 1:6
Deut. 32:43
LXX
Heb. 1:7
Ps. 104:4
Heb. 1:8-9
Ps. 45:6-7
Heb. 1:10-12
Ps. 102:25-27
Heb. 1:13
Ps. 110:1
5
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – Jesus & David (Heb. 1:5)
Directions: For each passage, note what is happening (speaker, event, etc.) and
what connection is being stressed between Jesus and David. This is just a
sampling of the many, many similar texts we could look at!
Passage Connection or Purpose
Heb. 1:5b, quoting 2 Sam. 7:14 This is part of God’s promise to David that he would have a descendant who would reign as king forever, and who would be known as God’s Son.
The author is stressing that Jesus is that promised Forever King of the line of David, and God’s Son. In this passage, Jesus’ superiority to the angels is also being emphasized.
Luke 1:32-33
Luke 1:68-71
Matthew 1:1
Mark 10:47-48
John 19:19-22 (compare with 2 Sam. 7:11b-16)
Acts 4:24-28
Acts 13:22-23
6
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts (4:14-16 & 5:1-10)
Outline Challenge: Where are the major OT quotations in Hebrews (up
through the end of chapter 3)?
o ___________ quoting ____________________________________
o ___________ quoting ____________________________________
o ___________ quoting ____________________________________
Heb. 4:14-16 – List any words or ideas that you recognize from previous
passages in Hebrews:
Jesus’ Priesthood
LIKE UNLIKE
Any human high priest (Heb. 5:1-4)
Moses (Heb. 3:1-6)
Aaron (esp. Heb. 5:4)
Melchizedek (just from Heb. 5:6 & 10 so far)
7
Hebrews Study Extensions – Review of Chapters 1-3
1. Speech, Messages, and Listening
Trace these themes in Chapters 1-3. Note who speaks, the content of the
messages, and who listened (or refused), and any other details that strike you as
important. Then summarize what our author is trying to impress on his
readers/hearers.
Heb. 1:1-2
Heb. 2:1
Heb. 2:2
Heb. 2:3
Heb. 3:5 (think of Moses as a prophet here)
Heb. 3:7-8a
Heb. 3:13
Heb. 3:16
Summary of what’s important:
8
2. Contrasting Worldviews
During the “rebellion” that our author refers to in 3:8 & 16, the people displayed
an unbelieving worldview (wrong ideas about reality). Joshua countered this with
a statement of faith. Summarize the focus of each worldview below:
The People (Num. 13:32-33; 14:1-4) Wrong Thinking about Reality
Joshua (Num.5-9) The Faithful Worldview
So far our author has not explicitly blamed his audience for specific wrong ideas
about reality; but given his arguments in chapters 1-3 we can guess at some of the
theological errors he wanted to correct. First summarize the author’s faithful
worldview (what does he stress as TRUE in these chapters?), then imagine what
wrong thinking he was addressing.
The Author’s Faithful Worldview (1-3) Wrong Thinking about Reality
(Review of Chs. 1-3, cont’d)
9
3. Signs and wonders
Our author says that God bore witness to the gospel “by signs and wonders and
various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will”
(Heb. 2:4). Research these verses to find this idea of the Father’s emphatic
affirmation of Jesus’ (and the apostles’) ministry in the Gospels and Acts.
Summarize your findings below.
John 9:30-33
John 10:25b-26
Acts 2:22-24
Acts 2:43
Acts 4:29-30
Acts 5:12
Acts 6:8
Acts 8:4-8
Acts 11:14-18 (“gifts of the Holy Spirit”)
(Review of Chs. 1-3, cont’d)
10
4. The Way of the Son
In Heb. 2:5-9 our author uses Psalm 8 to introduce the idea of Jesus’ humiliation as
the pathway to his glorious victory. Trace “the Way of the Son” in the following
passages, noting the details that are mentioned about each of the stages.
Hebrews 1-2
Glory (before incarnation) Humiliation (Incarnation) Final Victory & Exaltation
John 13:1-5 Glory (before incarnation) Humiliation (Incarnation) Final Victory & Exaltation
Philippians 2:5-11
Glory (before incarnation) Humiliation (Incarnation) Final Victory & Exaltation
(Review of Chs. 1-3, cont’d)
11
Evaluate Your Knowledge of Hebrews 1-3!
This evaluation is entirely for you – use it as you like. I suggest approaching it in
three different ways: 1) see what you can answer from memory; then 2) with your
Bible open; then 3) with your study notes and my summaries.
Outline of Hebrews 1-3 (Write a brief “main idea” for each section, plus any
special features you can remember.)
Heb. 1:1-4 = ________________________________________________________
Heb. 1:5-14 = _______________________________________________________
Heb. 2:1-4 = ________________________________________________________
Heb. 2:5-9 = (Midrash on )___________________________________
Heb. 2:10-18 = ______________________________________________________
Heb. 3:1-6 = ________________________________________________________
Heb. 3:7-19 = (Midrash on )______________________________
Hebrews Chapter 1
In what ways has God communicated to his people in history?
How is the Son said to be LIKE God?
What is a “string of pearls” argument?
Where does our author use this, and what is his point?
12
Hebrews Chapter 1 (cont’d)
What true statements can you make about angels, based on Hebrews 1?
List some specific ways that the Son is said to be superior to the angels.
Which version of the OT does our author quote from (accounting for some
difference in wording between his quotations and your OT!)?
Hebrews Chapter 2
Why all the buildup about Jesus being superior to the angels?
What two messages are contrasted in the first paragraph of Hebrews 2?
What is the connection between the angels and the delivery of the Mosaic law
(mentioned in Hebrews 2:2)?
Where else in the NT is this idea mentioned?
What is the first command given in Hebrews?
What is the first warning?
(Chs. 1-3 Evaluation, cont’d)
13
Hebrews Chapter 2 (cont’d)
What is a “midrash”?
Which psalm is quoted in Hebrews 2:6-8? What is it about?
In what ways does Jesus closely identify with his people?
What are the benefits that come to us because of his solidarity with us?
What do we learn about the devil in this chapter?
Hebrews Chapter 3
What is the second command given in Hebrews?
Who is Jesus compared to in 3:1-6?
How are they alike?
How are they different?
Why does our author call Jesus the “apostle” of our confession?
Which psalm is quoted in Hebrews 3:7-11?
What OT story does this psalm refer to? Where is it found?
(Chs. 1-3 Evaluation, cont’d)
14
Hebrews Chapter 3 (cont’d)
Why does the author bring up this story and quote this psalm?
What characterizes unbelief in this chapter?
What can believers do for one another?
Why does it make sense for our author to speak warnings to the congregation?
What benefit can these warnings have, even for true children of God?
In the space below, write a favorite verse or a striking thing you have learned so
far from Hebrews:
(Chs. 1-3 Evaluation, cont’d)
15
Hebrews Study Extensions – 4:14-16
The All-Seeing Eyes of God
“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to
whom we must give account.” Heb. 4:13
Is this a good thing, or a scary thing? Research the OT verses listed below, copying (or
summarizing) them and deciding for yourself when God’s watchful eye is a positive and when it
is a negative reality for human beings.
Ps. 33:13-19
Ps. 66:5-7
Pr. 15:3
Jer. 24:4-7
1 Kings 9:1-3
2 Sam. 22:28
Job 34:21
Ps. 139:15-16
Job 7:17-20
16
Jesus the Great High Priest
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one
who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15
Jesus’ high priesthood is a major theme in Hebrews, especially in the section we are
about to begin (chs. 5-10). Read any of these passages and jot down on your own paper details
about his priestly role and how he serves us (or has served us) in this way. What aspects of the
priesthood are important to our author? (Note that some of the passages are fairly long and
will require some extra time – don’t expect to do this exercise all in one sitting! Some of the
selections may contain puzzling information. Don’t worry about trying to understand
everything; just look for details about Jesus’ priesthood.)
Heb. 1:3
Heb. 2:17-18
Heb. 3:1-2
Heb. 4:14-16
Heb. 5:1-6
Heb. 6:19-20 (the context includes
6:13-18)
Heb. 7:23-25
Heb. 7:26-28
Heb. 8:1-6
Heb. 9:11-14 (the context includes
9:1-10)
Heb. 9:23-28 (the context includes
9:19-22)
Heb. 10:11-14
Heb. 10:19-22
Drawing Near
This idea is mentioned a surprising number of times in Hebrews! Research these
verses, either copying them out or paraphrasing them. What do you learn about
“drawing near”? Choose one or more of these to memorize.
Heb. 4:16
Heb. 7:19
Heb. 7:25
Heb. 10:1
Heb. 10:22
Heb. 11:6
Heb. 12:18
Heb. 12:2
(Themes in 4:14-16, cont’d)
17
Hebrews – A Study in Contrasts (Heb. 5:1-14)
Pop Quiz: Where are these figures first named in Hebrews? What is their significance in our
author’s argument?
Angels:
Devil:
Aaron:
Moses:
Joshua:
Melchizedek:
David:
From Hebrews 5:11-14:
The Immature The Mature
18
Research Project #1: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7
(I) How is the Son described in Hebrews? What do we learn about Him?
1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here.
(Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!)
2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their
addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as
you skim through the text.
3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research
any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection
(you can also use the space below).
(Research Project #1: The Son)
19
4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you.
VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER
All of ch. 1 2:8-18 4:14-16 6:6 (notice what info is given
2:3 3:1-6 5:7-10 in passing here)
(Research Project #1: The Son, cont’d)
20
Research Project #2: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7
(II) How is Christ’s priesthood presented in Hebrews? What do we learn
about His work, and the benefits that come to us from it? How is his
priesthood different?
1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here.
(Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!)
2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their
addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as
you skim through the text.
3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research
any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection
(you can also use the space below).
(Research Project #2: Christ’s Priesthood)
21
4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you.
VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER
1:3 4:14-16 7:3
2:17-18 5:5-6 7:11-19
3:1-2 6:17-20 7:20-28
(Research Project #2: Christ’s Priesthood, cont’d)
22
Research Project #3: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7
(III) What contrasts do we find in Hebrews 1-7? Look for differences
between Old and New, between an Original and an Improvement, and
between the Inferior and the Superior.
1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here.
(Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!)
2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their
addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as
you skim through the text.
3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research
any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection
(you can also use the space below).
(Research Project #3: Contrasts)
23
4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you.
VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER
1:1-2 2:16 5:13-14 7:4-8 7:23-25
1:4-14 3:5-6 6:7-8 7:11-19 7:26-27
2:2-3 4:2-3 6:11-12 7:20-22 7:28
(Research Project #3: Contrasts, cont’d)
24
Research Project #4: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7
(IV) How does this sermon-letter show a high view of the OT Scriptures?
How are they spoken of? Where are they used, and for what purposes?
1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here.
(Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!)
2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their
addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as
you skim through the text.
3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research
any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection
(you can also use the space below).
(Research Project #4: OT Scriptures)
25
4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you.
VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER
1:1, 5-13 2:12-13 3:7-19 5:1-4 6:13-15
2:2 2:16 4:4-5 5:5-6 Chapter 7
2:6-9 3:1-6 4:7-8 6:12
(Research Project #4: OT Scriptures, cont’d)
26
Research Project #5: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7
(V) What does the book of Hebrews teach about believers? Who are they?
What are they to be like? What are they to avoid? What are they to do?
1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here.
(Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!)
2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their
addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as
you skim through the text.
3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research
any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection
(you can also use the space below).
(Research Project #5: Believers)
27
4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you.
VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER
1:2, 3 2:12-18 3:12-14 4:11 5:11-14 6:17-20
2:1-4 3:1 4:1-3 4:14-16 6:1-3 7:25
2:10-11 3:6 4:9-10 5:9 6:9-12
(Research Project #5: Believers, cont’d)
28
Research Project #6: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7
(VI) What conditional statements*, warnings, and negative examples has
our author given so far?
1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here.
(Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!)
2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their
addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as
you skim through the text.
3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research
any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection
(you can also use the space below).
* A conditional is an “if-then” statement. For example, “____ will be true IF ______ happens.”
(Research Project #6: Warnings)
29
4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you.
VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER
2:1-3a 4:1 6:4-8
3:6 4:11-13
3:12-14 5:11-14
(Research Project #6: Warnings, cont’d)
30
Research Project #7: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7
(VII) What good things are available (or promised) to those who are in
Christ?
1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here.
(Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!)
2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their
addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as
you skim through the text.
3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research
any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection
(you can also use the space below).
(Research Project #7: Good Things)
31
4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you.
VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER
1:1-3 2:9, 10, 11 4:2 5:9 7:22
1:14 2:14-18 4:3, 9-10 16:17-20 7:25
2:3 3:1 4:14-16 7:19 7:26
(Research Project #7: Good Things, cont’d)
32
Hebrews 1-9: The Priesthood
How is Jesus’ priesthood like and unlike the Levitical priesthood?
o Do as much as you can from memory. Try these questions:
What chapters mention the priesthood?
How is Jesus’ priesthood LIKE the Levitical priesthood?
In what ways is his priesthood BETTER THAN that priesthood?
Try filling out the chart below from memory. If you get stuck, check the
references.
JESUS Details/Refs. LEVITICAL PRIESTS
Qualifications (Heb. 5:1-4)
Lineage/Order (Heb. 7:11, 13-14)
Length of service (Heb. 7:23-24)
Effectiveness of sacrifice
(Heb.7:25; 9:9)
Means of Appointment
(Heb. 7:20-21, 28)
How often (Heb. 9:8; 25-26)
For whom (Heb. Heb. 9:7;
7:27)
What sanctuary (Heb. 9:11, 24)
What blood (Heb. 9:25, 12)
33
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – Chapter 10
“The Good Things to Come” (from the perspective of the Law, at least):
o See if you can find and record all of the “good things” in Christ that are described
or implied in these verses:
10:1 –
10:2 –
10:10 –
10:12 –
10:14 –
10:16 –
10:17 –
10:18 –
34
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – 10:19-22
Read these passages and note how they promote the NT theme of access or approach
to God:
Eph. 2:18 –
Rom. 5:2 –
Eph. 3:11-12 –
1 Pet. 3:18 –
John 14:6 –
o This exhortation paragraph contains countless connections with other parts of
Hebrews! Try finding other mentions of these words:
Flesh
House
Hearts
Faith
Sprinkled
Conscience
35
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – 10:32-39
The list of past experiences in this paragraph calls to mind also the writer’s personal
knowledge of his immediate audience, which we have glimpsed from time to time in this
letter. Take a look at these passages and note down the different things that we have
learned (plus a couple things we’ll encounter in later chapters) about these people:
Heb. 2:1-4
Heb. 5:11-14
Heb. 6:9-12
Heb. 12:4
Heb. 13:22-25
There have been hints already in Hebrews that our author is concerned that his friends
are motivationally compromised – that is, they’re stuck, they need help advancing in
maturity. Check out the following passages and see how he expresses his concern:
o 2:1
o 3:3, 12-13
o 4:1
o 5:11-12
o 6:11-12
36
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – Ch. 11, the Exempla
(11:23-28) Moses himself, the man of faith, has been mentioned six times already in the
book of Hebrews. Here’s a little Bible study to remind you of those instances. What’s
the point each time?
o 3:2-6
o 3:16
o 8:5-6
o 9:19-21, 13-14
o 10:28-29
In what situations are WE given seemingly impossible things to do or think? We don’t
get personalized revelation like Abraham, Noah, Moses, Joshua, Gideon; but still we’ve
been given plenty of specific instruction to carry out. Here’s a sampling of those
instructions! Jot down the marching orders that you read in these passages:
o Mt. 5:11-12
o Mt. 5:14-16
o Mt. 5:38-42
o Rom. 12:9-13
o Rom. 12:14-18
37
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – Chapter 12
Review: Running the Race (Heb. 12:1-3)
o How would you go about “laying aside weights and the sin that entangles”?
o What is the “race marked out for us”?
Eugene Peterson calls the Christian life “a long obedience in the same
direction.” Other commitments mirror this marathon: marriage, church
membership, friendship. Consider:
What motivates you to keep going for the long haul in these earthly but
important relationships, despite difficulties and challenges?
How does looking to Jesus help you, both in “laying aside sin” and in
“running with perseverance”?
Review: The Lord’s Discipline (Heb. 12:4-11)
o When and why is God’s discipline needed by the believer? What forms does God’s
discipline take?
o When discipline is for the purpose of “strength training,” the Lord is working
through our hardships to make us battle-ready. Julius Caesar, when he was a
Roman general, voluntarily chose a soldier’s plain fare and uncomfortable lodgings
even when he was not engaged in battle, lest he grow soft and unready for the next
skirmish. In our lives, sometimes little hardships prepare us for the bigger
demands that will be made of us later. Consider how you handle small
annoyances and inconveniences, temporary illnesses and minor discomfort, and
those day-to-day personal disappointments that we all run into. If you change
your perspective regarding these small setbacks so that you see them as God’s
provision for your battle-training, what could these experiences teach you for the
future handling of significant crises, long-term illnesses or chronic pain, and
deeper loss?
38
o God’s discipline for strength training helps to enable his people to do the hard
things he’s called them to do. Consider these exhortations found in Hebrews:
What does God want his sons and daughters to be able to DO?
Heb. 12:1
Heb.3:6
Heb. 3:12-14
Heb. 4:1, 11
Heb. 4:14
Heb. 5:14
Heb. 6:11-12
Heb. 10:23-39
(Hebrews 12, cont’d)
39
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – 12:18-24
The Mountains (12:18-24)
o This paragraph is a carefully sculpted pair of contrasts between two mountains:
In an effort to highlight the reality that is theirs in Christ, our author offers his readers a
powerful sensory description of the Israelites’ encounter with God at Mt. Sinai, stressing
the holiness and inapproachability that characterized the Old Covenant. As you read the
passage, notice how carefully balanced the depictions of the two mountains are. List
the characteristics of each:
MT. SINAI MT. ZION
“You have not come…”
“But you have come…”
MT. SINAI
(The Scary One)
MT. ZION
(The Party One)
40
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – Review of Contrasts!
In this “study in contrasts,” the most prominent comparison in the letter is probably
this one between OLD and NEW, LAW and GOSPEL. Where else do you remember
seeing it? A challenge for personal study: skim back through the chapters of Hebrews to
find this particular contrast. Record what you find on this chart (I didn’t do a count, so
you may need more or fewer spaces!):
OLD (Law, Covenant, Sanctuary, Past)
NEW (Gospel, Covenant, Sanctuary, Present)
41
Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts – 13:17-25
v.17 Leaders and People
Consider the duties and benefits involved when leaders and congregation
are in step with the Spirit, as Paul puts it:
Leaders People
Duties
Benefits
What decisions on YOUR part can promote JOY in your leaders?
How about GROANING?
o v.18-19 Prayer Requests
What hints do you get about this author’s theology of prayer here?
(i.e., what does he believe is a goal of prayer?)
What hints do you have here of this author’s special relationship with
these people?
Given what you know about his personality through his writing by now,
what do you think this congregation valued most about his company?
o vv.20-21 A Prayer for the Readers
What is the author’s specific request?
How is he part of the answer to his own prayer?
42
Hebrews Themes by Chapter – Quiz yourself!
1. _______________________________
2. _______________________________
_______________________________
3. _______________________________
_______________________________
4. _______________________________
5. _______________________________
_______________________________
6. _______________________________
_______________________________
7. _______________________________
8. _______________________________
_______________________________
9. _______________________________
10. _______________________________
_______________________________
11. _______________________________
12. _______________________________
13. _______________________________
Themes in Hebrews
High Priest
New Covenant
Practical Exhortations
Sun Superior to Angels
Wilderness Generation
Faithful Saints
Jesus Superior to Moses
Warning
Rebuke
Sabbath Rest
Christ’s Solidarity with Us
Gospel Superior to Law
Oaths & Promises
Superior Sacrifice
Melchizedek
Superior Sanctuary
Superior Priest