Author and Date:
Since about A.D. 400 the book of Hebrews has traditionally been ascribed to Paul. There are, however, some who question Paul’s authorship of this Epistle because its style and language are so different from Paul’s other letters. It is generally agreed that even if the pen was not Paul’s, the ideas were, because the doctrines in Hebrews agree with those found in Paul’s other letters.
When the Prophet Joseph Smith made inspired revisions of the Bible he did not question Paul’s authorship:
“It is said by Paul in his letter to the Hebrew brethren, that Abel obtained witness that he was righteous”.
The dating of this Epistle is also uncertain. But since Hebrews makes no mention of the destruction of the temple, which occurred in A.D. 70, and always refers to the temple in the present tense, it is assumed this letter was written before that time. Also, if Paul was the author, it must have been written before his death in about A.D. 65.
Audience:
This Epistle draws heavily on Old Testament themes and practices. Therefore it is likely that the intended audience was Jewish (Hebrew) Christians.
Historical Background:
As we have seen in Acts and in the Epistles we have already studied, there was often sharp disagreement between gentile and Jewish Christians over whether or not Saints were subject to the law of Moses (see Acts 15). One reason the book of Hebrews was written was to encourage Jewish converts to remain faithful to the gospel and not revert to their Old Testament way of life.
As it became clear that Mosaic rituals were done away in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, an interesting pair of questions arose: If we accept the truth that the law of Moses is no longer binding on Christians, what is the true value of the Old Testament? and how should it be interpreted? With a few possible exceptions, the only scriptures available to the Christians at this early date were what we now call the Old Testament. The New Testament was in the process of preparation, and nearly three centuries passed before it was accepted as a standard. Hebrews appears to have been written, at least in part, to answer the question of how Christians were to view the Old Testament and the law of Moses. Christ and His gospel were to have precedence over the old law.
Theme:
Paul taught the Colossian Saints that they should give “thanks unto the Father” who sent His Firstborn Son “that in all things he might have the preeminence”. The book of Hebrews adds to this theme the fact that Jesus Christ, under the Father, is superior to all things. He is therefore authorized to fulfill the old covenant of the law and administer the new covenant of the gospel. As one Latter-day Saint educator wrote:
“Hebrews . . . is to the New Testament what Leviticus is to the Old: Leviticus announces the Mosaic system, while Hebrews explains it. In it, Paul shows how the gospel grew out of the soil of the Levitical order. By the light of the gospel restored in his day, he shows how the Levitical system was intended as a bridge by which those in the wilderness of carnality could cross over to the rest of the Lord.
“None of the books in the New Testament, the Gospels included, are more Christ centered than Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews. In it, Paul seeks to show Christ as the fulfillment of the Mosaic system. The imagery of the Mosaic system finds its reality in Jesus of Nazareth and his atoning sacrifice”.
Hebrews 1–2 focuses on Jesus Christ’s special position as the Son of God. His glory and honor is greater than the angels of heaven, yet He allowed Himself to be made “a little lower than the angels”. Consider what this statement means and search in Hebrews for the teachings of the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all.
Chapters 1-2
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:1–3
• If you could look at a photograph of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, how similar
would they look?
• What other characteristics, besides physical resemblance, can we receive from our
parents?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the away, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. John 14:6–10
• In what other ways is Jesus Christ is in the “express image” of Heavenly Father?
And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 1:6–12
• What attributes, powers, or characteristics of Jesus Christ are the same as Heavenly
Father’s?
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Hebrews 2:7
•Since Jesus Christ was a God in the premortal life, why did He choose to come to
earth and be made “a little lower than the angels”?
Jesus was willing to come to earth in order to perform the Atonement for the rest of Heavenly Father’s children.
The Savior’s willingness to leave His throne on high, become mortal, suffer death on the cross, and pay for the sins of mankind is called “the condescension of God”.
• How does it feel to know that because He suffered temptations, He is better able to succor us when we are tempted?
Hebrews 1–2 declares that Jesus Christ is superior to the angels.
Hebrews 3–4 compares Jesus to Moses, the prophet most revered by the Jews.
Hebrews 5–6 teaches us that Christ, as a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, is greater than the Mosaic high priest of the Levitical order.
Look for teachings about faith, mercy, grace, and gaining perfection.
Chapter 3
Tell us one important goal you want to accomplish in your life.
• How difficult it will be to obtain your goal?
• What are some of the steps that may be required to reach your goal?
• Whose responsibility is it to obtain that goal?
• If you do not meet the requirements for that goal, do you think you should be given
the reward anyway? Why or why not?
Enter into the rest of the Lord.
• In Hebrews 3:8–19, who were the group of people that were refused entrance into
the Lord’s rest?
• What does this rest refer to?
(The fulness of God’s glory.)
• What sins caused them to forfeit this privilege?
• What sins did Paul warn the people of his day against so they would not incur the
same punishment?
• How do you think the warnings in verses 12–15 apply to us?
The righteous enter into a state of rest called paradise when they die.
We can also receive the Lord’s rest in this life.
A statement by President Joseph F. Smith:
“The ancient prophets speak of ‘entering into God’s rest’; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. . . . The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest,’ . . . rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world”.
(Gospel Doctrine, 58; see also Matthew 11:28–30)
• Why is it worthwhile to pursue the goal of entering into the rest of the Lord, during
and after this life?
• Whose responsibility is it to obtain that goal?
• If you do not fulfill the requirements to enter into the Lord’s rest, do you think you
should be given that blessing anyway? Why or why not?
Hey, we’ve already answered these questions. Do the same answers still apply?
Chapter 4
• In Hebrews 4:1, What did Paul encourage others not to do?
(Fall short of entering into the rest of God.)
• How might you feel if you were to fall short of this important goal?
Jesus Christ has the power to help each of us obtain His rest.
To find ways we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace”
and obtain the power that Jesus Christ offers,
contemplate Matthew 11:28–30; Jacob 1:7–8; Alma 12:34;
and Doctrine and Covenants 59:23.
Seek the peace, joy, and rest that come to those who come unto Christ.
Chapter 5
• What is required to receive a university diploma?
• What is required to issue one?
• How would you like to be operated on by a doctor who printed his own license without ever going to medical school?
The same principle applies to priesthood holders.
What is required for a person to be a legitimate priesthood holder:
For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are bout of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Hebrews 5:1–4
How Aaron was called:
And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. Exodus 28:1
Elder Boyd K. Packer:
“The priesthood cannot be conferred like a diploma. It cannot be handed to you as a certificate. It cannot be delivered to you as a message or sent to you in a letter. It comes only by proper ordination. An authorized holder of the priesthood has to be there. He must place his hands upon your head and ordain you”.
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1981, 46–47; or Ensign, Nov. 1981, 32)
True priesthood authority and power is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Chapter 6
The Melchizedek Priesthood is greater than the Levitical Priesthood (Hebrews 7), and the gospel of Jesus Christ and His offering are greater than the law of Moses (Hebrews 8–10). Read Hebrews 7–10 to see what is taught about Melchizedek and how the higher priesthood is different from the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood.
Chapters 7-10
What priesthood does the prophet hold?
The name of that priesthood is:
Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:2–4
In Hebrews 7–10 Paul taught the superiority of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Melchizedek Priesthood over the ordinances of the law of Moses.
• Who was Melchizedek? (see Hebrews 7:1–2).
• Who had greater authority, Melchizedek or Abraham? (see Hebrews 7:2–4; if students ask about the meaning of verse 3, refer to the Joseph Smith Translation of this verse in the appendix).
• What priesthood did Jesus Christ hold? (see Hebrews 5:5–6).
• If Jesus Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, how could he be greater than Melchizedek? (see JST, Hebrews 7:3).
• In what ways is the Melchizedek Priesthood greater than the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood? (see Hebrews 7:11–12, 22–25; 3 Nephi 15:8–9).
• How is the new covenant of the gospel, administered by the Melchizedek Priesthood, superior to the old covenant or law of Moses, administered by the Aaronic Priesthood? (see Hebrews 8:8–13).
• How is the Atonement of Jesus Christ, made by the Great High Priest, superior to all the offerings and sacrifices offered by priests in the Old Testament? In other words, what does the Atonement of Jesus Christ do that the law of Moses could not do? (see Hebrews 9:1–15; Alma 34:10, 13–14).
The Lectures on Faith, compiled under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, declare that faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and the “foundation of all righteousness” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). They also teach that “faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings” (13). Hebrews 11–13 teaches us about faith and how it can become a principle of power in our lives.
Chapter 11
• Have you ever planted a garden?
• How did you know that the seeds would grow?
• Have you ever waited for a bus?
• How did you know the bus would come?
• Have you ever mailed a letter?
• How did you know it would be delivered as intended?
When you do the above, you don’t actually know the outcome, but based on past experience you believe or trust that the outcome will be as you desire.
• What are some other things that we do each day believing that they will bring the results we expect?
(Going to school or work, accepting money, crossing a bridge.)
What is faith?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. Alma 32:21
And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. Ether 12:6
• Why does each definition of faith help explain why we are willing to plant seeds or
go to school or work each day?
In order for faith to be a principle of power,
it must be more than just a strong belief in some future outcome.
The first principle of the gospel is not faith. It is faith in _____________________.
A statement by Elder Boyd K. Packer:
“I recognize two kinds of faith. The first is the kind which is apparent in the world. It is the common denominator of most everything that goes on. It is the thing that lets us exist. It is the thing that gives us some hope of getting anything done. Everyone has it, some in a larger measure than others. The second kind of faith, remarkably rare, unusual to find, is the kind of faith that causes things to happen. Faith is a power as real as electricity except a thousand times more powerful. Now did you ever exercise faith—exercise it, practice it, you see, not just take it for granted? When you look at yourself, ask yourself how faithful are you? It is a first principle of the gospel according to the Lord. Is it a first principle in the gospel according to you?”.
(Your Articles of Faith, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [21 Mar. 1962], 8)
A statement by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, then a member of the Seventy:
“We must realize that the weight of the cross is great enough without our also carrying burdens that we could jettison through the process of repentance. Paul gave us wise counsel in this regard when he said, ‘. . . let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily [beset] us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.’ It is much more difficult for us to carry the cross when our back is already bent with the burdens of bad behavior”.
(Deposition of a Disciple [1976], 75)
• How does patience help us handle life’s challenges?
• How does looking unto Jesus Christ help us develop our faith?
• How does His example of faith, patience, and endurance affect how you feel about
your trials and sufferings?
Chapter 12
When we suffer
• How many of you have ever had a bad day?
• How many have had a bad day because of some bad choices you made?
• How many of you have had a bad day that was not caused by something you did wrong?
• Have you ever wondered, “Why is this happening to me?”
Reasons that bad things happen:
A statement by Elder Richard G. Scott.
“No one wants adversity. Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord’s own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. It is vitally important for each of us to identify from which of these two sources come our trials and challenges, for the corrective action is very different”.
(in Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1995, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 16)
When we suffer
Cause: Purpose:
my own sins Even though our trials have more
to help me grow than one cause, they seem to
have the same general purpose.
• Why does the Lord chasten His children?
• How will He deal with us if we endure His chastening?
• What adversities do we suffer that are not the Lord’s doing?
A statement by Elder Richard G. Scott:
“When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. . . . What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do. Yet when you pray with real conviction, ‘Please let me know Thy will’ and ‘May Thy will be done,’ you are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from your loving Father”. (in Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1995, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17)
Chapter 13
A review of the book of Hebrews reveals Paul’s testimony
of the superiority of Jesus Christ over all things.
We should all believe in and rely more on the power of the Lord.
He has the power to assist us and save us in this
generation as much as He did in former times.