INTRODUCTION
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. 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.
As 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.
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
CHRIST THE SURETY OF THE NEW COVENANT
He Is a Divine Redeemer
He Is Superior to Angels
He Has Accomplished Redemption through Suffering
3. How is Christ able to help those who are tempted?
THE FOUNDER OF SALVATION
It was not to angels that God subjected the [inhabited] world of the future [when Christ reigns], about which we are speaking.
But one has [solemnly] testified somewhere [in Scripture], saying, “WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM, OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT YOU GRACIOUSLY CARE FOR HIM?
“YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER [in status] THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND SET HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;
YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET [confirming his supremacy].” Now in putting all things in subjection to man, He left nothing outside his control. But at present we do not yet see all things subjected to him. [Psa_8:4-6]
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while [by taking on the limitations of humanity], crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering of death, so that by the grace of God [extended to sinners] He might experience death for [the sins of] everyone.
Heb 2:10 For it was fitting for God [that is, an act worthy of His divine nature] that He, for whose sake are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the author and founder of their salvation perfect through suffering [bringing to maturity the human experience necessary for Him to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest].
Both Jesus who sanctifies and those who are sanctified [that is, spiritually transformed, made holy, and set apart for God’s purpose] are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,
saying, “I WILL DECLARE YOUR (the Father’s) NAME TO MY BRETHREN (believers), IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” [Psa_22:22]
And again [He says], “MY TRUST and CONFIDENT HOPE WILL BE PLACED IN HIM.” And again, “HERE I AM, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.” [Isa_8:17-18]
Therefore, since [these His] children share in flesh and blood [the physical nature of mankind], He Himself in a similar manner also shared in the same [physical nature, but without sin], so that through [experiencing] death He might make powerless (ineffective, impotent) him who had the power of death–that is, the devil–
and [that He] might free all those who through [the haunting] fear of death were held in slavery throughout their lives.
For, as we all know, He (Christ) does not take hold of [the fallen] angels [to give them a helping hand], but He does take hold of [the fallen] descendants of Abraham [extending to them His hand of deliverance]. [Isa_41:8-9]
Therefore, it was essential that He had to be made like His brothers (mankind) in every respect, so that He might [by experience] become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things related to God, to make atonement (propitiation) for the people’s sins [thereby wiping away the sin, satisfying divine justice, and providing a way of reconciliation between God and mankind].
Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
on
Hebrews 1:5-18
“MADE LIKE UNTO HIS BRETHREN”
Captain reminds us of Act_3:15. It means file-leader. The Church follows its Leader, Jesus Christ, in single file through this world, the cross and the grave, to the glory. But notice that God Himself is engaged in bringing us through; and He cannot lose one. See Joh_10:29. But He is not only our Captain, He is our Brother. We also are born of God. He is sanctifying us and we are being sanctified for a marvelous future, Joh_17:19. How great is His love, that He is not ashamed of us!
Our Elder Brother has encountered our foes, and won deliverance for all who believe. Death remains, but its teeth are drawn and its power is annulled. We need not fear what men call death; to us it is only as falling asleep. He has taken hold of us with a grasp that will never let us go again, Heb_2:16. He has been tempted that He might be able to succor us in our temptations. He has suffered that He might tread our darkened paths at our side. He has made reconciliation for our sins, and as our merciful and faithful High Priest, pleads the cause of our souls.
Choose a Sermon on
Hebrews
by
Pastor Jeff Arthur.
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