FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. The author moves back and forth between the superiority of Jesus and warning to hold fast to Him.
B. Jesus' superiority (new covenant) over the old covenant
1. He is the superior revelation (the prophets, Heb_1:1-3)
2. He is the superior mediator (angels, Heb_1:4 to Heb_2:18)
3. He is the superior servant (Moses, Heb_3:1-6)
4. He is the superior priest (Aaron, Heb_4:14 to Heb_5:10; Heb_6:13 to Heb_7:28)
5. He is the superior covenant (OT, Heb_8:1-13; Heb_9:15-22)
6. He is the superior sanctuary (temple, Heb_9:1-11; Heb_9:23-28)
7. He is the superior sacrifice (animals, Heb_9:12-14; Heb_10:1-18)
8. He is the superior mountain (old covenant as Mt. Sinai and new covenant as Mt. Zion, Heb_11:18-29)
C. In light of Jesus' superiority there is a series of warnings against rejecting His gospel (i.e., the New Covenant, cf. Jer_31:31-34; Eze_36:22-38) or reverting to Judaism (i.e., Old Covenant).
1. Heb_2:1-4
2. Heb_3:7 to Heb_4:13
3. Heb_5:11 to Heb_6:12
4. Heb_10:19-39
5. Heb_12:14-29
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is this chapter so hard for us to understand?
2. Why is the emphasis to "hold on" so recurrent in Hebrews?
3. Is there any theological significance to Jesus being called both "Jesus" and "Son of God" in Heb_4:4?
4. What does it mean that Jesus "passed through the heavens"?
5. How does perseverance relate to the security of the believer?