Bible Book Summaries

General Epistles · New Testament

Hebrews

c. AD 60–70

Section
General Epistles · New Testament
Events span
c. AD 60–70
Written
c. AD 65
Author
Unknown (traditionally Paul; also suggested: Barnabas or Apollos)

Hebrews shows the supremacy of Christ over everything in the old covenant: angels, Moses, the priesthood, and the sacrificial system. Christ is the better high priest of a better covenant, whose once-for-all sacrifice opens the way to God. It urges weary believers to persevere in faith.

Historical setting: Written to Jewish Christians while the Second Temple still stands and its sacrifices continue, the very system the letter says Christ has fulfilled.

Key themes

  • The supremacy of Christ
  • Christ our high priest
  • The new and better covenant
  • Faith and perseverance
  • Once-for-all sacrifice

The letter's argument

  • Christ, God's Son, is superior to the angels and to Moses Heb 1–3c. AD 65
  • Christ is our great high priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses Heb 4–5c. AD 65
  • A warning against falling away, urging the readers on to maturity and endurance Heb 6c. AD 65
  • Christ, a priest after the order of Melchizedek, mediates a better covenant Heb 7–8c. AD 65
  • Christ's once-for-all sacrifice replaces the endlessly repeated animal sacrifices Heb 9–10c. AD 65
  • The great "hall of faith": those who lived and endured by faith Heb 11c. AD 65
  • "Run with patience the race," looking to Jesus; God disciplines those he loves Heb 12c. AD 65
  • Final exhortations to brotherly love, hospitality, and offering God pleasing worship Heb 13c. AD 65

Key lessons

  • Christ is greater than everything the old covenant offered; angels, Moses, the priests, and the sacrifices were all shadows pointing to him. Heb 1:1–3
  • Because Christ’s single sacrifice deals with sin perfectly and permanently, believers can draw near to God with confidence, needing no other. Heb 10:10–14
  • Jesus is a high priest who sympathizes with our weakness, so we can come boldly to God’s throne to find mercy and grace to help in need. Heb 4:15–16
  • Faith means trusting God’s promises and persevering when the outcome is unseen; the “hall of faith” urges weary believers to run the race looking to Jesus. Heb 12:1–2
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 KJV