Hebrews

The very first thing written on the page at the beginning of the book of Hebrews in the LDS edition of the King James version of the Bible is:

"The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews"

But in fact it's not  an epistle, it wasn't written by Paul, and it's not the to Hebrews.

So what is it?

Although it would have been sent to Jerusalem like a letter (and signs off in the traditional way) this is actually a treatise, or a sermon, or an essay, written with a particular intention - more on that later. In this modern day it would probably be a blog post or an article.

Who wrote it?

I'm surprised it took so long for people to realise it wasn't written by Paul. The writing is more polished, sophisticated, composed, literary, intricate and eloquent than Paul's dogmatic, impassioned and often erratic style. The name of the author is not included - another reason to think it isn't Paul, as he was generally not shy about identifying himself. Modern scholars have speculated that it might be Apollos or Barnabas. One theory at the moment is that it was written by Priscilla. The lack of a name on the text may be because:

• Her name was taken off the original writing in order that it be taken more seriously than it would be if its female authorship was know (an early Joanne Rowling)
• Later scribes couldn't stomach the fact that it was written by a woman so they removed all reference to the author.

Incidentally the Church does accept that it probably wasn't written by Paul, but keeps his name on it "in keeping with Christian tradition" (see Come, Follow Me lesson). Martin Luther didn’t like it, partly due to uncertainty about its authorship, and even today it appears at the end of German Bibles.

Who was it written for?

Scholars believe it was written for a small group of Jews (Hebrews) living in Jerusalem. These Jews were following Christ as a great teacher, but were wavering in their faith and uncertain of who Jesus was and how he impacted their faith heritage. 

From Wikipedia:

Those to whom Hebrews is written seem to have begun to doubt whether Jesus could really be the Messiah for whom they were waiting, because they believed the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures was to come as a militant king and destroy the enemies of his people. Jesus, however, came as a mere man who was arrested by the Jewish leaders and who suffered and was crucified by the Romans. And although he was seen resurrected, he still left the earth and his people, who now face persecution rather than victory. The Book of Hebrews solves this problem by arguing that the Hebrew Scriptures also foretold that the Messiah would be a priest (although of a different sort than the traditional Levitical priests) and Jesus came to fulfil this role, as a sacrificial offering to God, to atone for sins.

The purpose of Hebrews was to make the case that Jesus was the expected messiah. To do this, the author quotes huge amounts of scriptures to make the point - half the book of Hebrews is quotes from the Old Testament. Although I don't usually have a problem understanding the King James version, I found the book of Hebrews much easier to understand in a modern translation. I read it through once in the King James version, and then again in the New International Version. The modern version is especially easier for Hebrews because it makes it clear when the author is quoting scriptures. (If you'd like to see what I mean, click here.)

It's almost a pity that we have the lesson on this book after we have read it, because going back and reading it once you know why it was written and who it was written to is really revealing. When we read it we are reading things we already know, and hearing arguments for something we already believe in, but going back and reading it with the mind-set of a first-century Jew wondering whether to stick with the Jesus-sect or not is eye-opening.

Hebrews includes some new metaphors for Jesus including anchor (6:19) and author and finisher of our faith (12:2). Remember from our studies of the gospels and Jesus's words from the cross "It is finished" that "finished" means completed, perfected, accomplished, done.

In the lessons I raised two difficult sections for discussion, and I was taught! I'm so grateful for wise and thoughtful class members who helped me to understand. These sections were:

Hebrews 6:4-6

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.” (NIV)

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance” (KJV)

Is it really impossible to repent if we turn away from what we once knew? I was reminded that there are plenty of other scriptures and conference talks which say otherwise - that no one has fallen so far that Jesus cannot reach them. Reading context, primarily the next few verses, makes it clear that this is about those "sons of perdition" who choose not to repent. I  was also reminded that we need to continue to show love to those who fall away.

Hebrews 12:6

"For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives." (NIV)

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (KJV)

Do we really believe in a God who punishes us? My husband answered this question for me as I prepared the lesson, as did class members. Yes! When we become sons we subject ourselves to correction and chastening from God because the alternative is being ignored. Parents don't discipline children who aren't theirs. Reading on makes it clear that it is for our own good and to help us improve and develop, and that God shows us more love and gives us more peace after chastening us.

Chapter 13 is where the treatise ends and the author starts giving advice and counsel. Verse 2 is especially pertinent to our times: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it" (NIV) and verse 5 is great advice: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have."

My favourite verse is 3:13:

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (NIV)

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (KJV)

Whoever wrote Hebrews, whatever it was intended to be, we have ended up with a book which tells us a great deal about Jesus Christ, His priesthood, His mission, and how He would have us treat one another.