Join us at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Norman for a verse by verse exposition of The Letter to Hebrews. Beginning September 14, 2025. We will plan to study Hebrews through April 2027.

For your reference, here is a summary of some of the introductory matters relating to the book.

Who wrote it?

Origen, 2nd century church father- “But who wrote the epistle, in truth, God [only] knows.”

Likely a second generation convert who heard the gospel from the apostles, see Hebrews 2:3. The author (AH) is the head of a group of ministers, see Hebrews 13:18-19 and knows Timothy (13:23). He is acquianted with the congregation’s past difficulties. See 5:11-12; 10:32-35 and was probably formerly their pastor (13:9).

Genre: It is a word of exhortation/letter, see Hebrews 13:22. Acts 13:15 uses this terminology to refer to a sermon.

To Whom was it written? A church in Italy (either in Rome or close by) predominantly consisting of converts who were previously Jewish.

When was it written? Probably after Paul’s death (65 AD) and before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (70 AD), early in the persecution of the Roman Emperor Nero, his famous persecution after the fire in Rome began in 64 and lasted trough 68 AD.

Why was it written? the author’s purpose was to encourage and exhort the church to persevere in Christ and the Christian faith.

What is the Outline?

Prologue: 1:1-4
Son Superior to Angels 1:5-2:18
Son Superior to Moses 3:1-6
Rest 3:7-4:13
Sympathetic High Priest 4:14-5:10
Warning and Promise 5:11-6:20
Melchizedek 7:1-28
New Covenant in My Blood 8:1-10:18
Exhortations based on the Great Priest 10:19-39
Heroes of Faith 11:1-40
Endurance 12:1-29
Ending Exhortations and Closing 13:1-25

• Note: The exhortation sections: 2:1-4; 3:7-4:13; 4:14-16; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; 12:1-13:17 flow from the doctrine sections.

On Hebrews, F.F. Bruce wrote, “This is the book which establishes the finality of the gospel by asserting the supremacy of Christ—his supremacy as God’s perfect word to man and man’s perfect representative with God. More than any other New Testament book it deals with the ministry which our Lord is accomplishing on his people’s behalf now. In a day of shaking foundations it speaks of the kingdom which cannot be shaken. It reminds Christians that it is no part of their calling to settle down and be content with things as they are, but to press forward continually in God’s advancing purpose, along the trail already blazed by the Pioneer of Faith. And when they are tempted to be discouraged and give up the onward march, it revives their drooping spirits and supplies many incentives to press on to that eternal commonwealth which is the true homeland of loyal souls. A book which does all this, no matter what imagery it uses, is a book which speaks to the condition of the church in our current century.”

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