INTRODUCTION
WHEN WAS THIS EPISTLE WRITTEN?
This Epistle was evidently written as the ancient Hebrew economy was passing away in the growing glory of the Christian Church. Perhaps Jerusalem had already fallen under the arms of Titus.
TO WHOM WAS IT ADDRESSED?
It was addressed to Hebrew Christians, who were settled in a definite locality. See Heb_13:23. The writer is not certainly known. Luther thought that it was written by Apollos, and this view has had several learned advocates. But many ascribe it to the Apostle Paul, which was the opinion of the early Fathers.
WHAT WAS THE WRITER’S PURPOSE?
The object of this noble treatise is to counsel those to whom it was addressed to bear their persecutions with equanimity, and to forego, with contentment, the external attractions of the Temple service, because of the transcendent glories of Christianity surpassing those of the Mosaic ritual. The penalties of apostasy would therefore be the more terrible as the claims of Christianity were the more compelling.
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
THE NEW AND BETTER COVENANT
FAITH, THE COMMON FACTOR OF THE TWO COVENANTS
The Summons to Faith under the New Covenant
25. What are the benefits of chastisement?
DO NOT GROW WEARY
Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we submitted and respected them [for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]?
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].
So then, strengthen hands that are weak and knees that tremble. [Isa_35:3]
Cut through and make smooth, straight paths for your feet [that are safe and go in the right direction], so that the leg which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather may be healed.
Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.
See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
and [see to it] that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. [Gen_25:29-34]
For you know that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance [there was no way to repair what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], even though he sought for it with [bitter] tears. [Gen_27:30-40]
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
on
Hebrews 12:9-17
ENDURE CHASTENING; SEEK HOLINESS
If we are God’s children, we will not look on suffering as a punishment. Chastening it may be, but not the penalty of sin. It is administered by our Father. Don’t look at the intermediary links in the chain, but remember that Satan could not go beyond the Father’s limit in the case of Balaam or Job. See Num_22:31; Job_2:6. It is only for the present; it will soon be over; it is intended to free us of dross and is therefore to profit; it will yield peace, and righteousness, and true holiness. Look on and up-the harvest will repay.
We are bidden, Heb_12:14-17, to watch each other’s interests and to stay the first speck of corruption in the fruit, lest it spread. The corrupt soul infects all in its neighbourhood. There are irrevocable acts in life. We cannot undo them, but we may be forgiven. Esau received all that this world could give and became a prince, but he never got back his spiritual leadership.
Choose a Sermon on
Hebrews
by
Pastor Jeff Arthur.
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