Notes on Hebrews 1-6, Jesus Christ, "the Author of Eternal Salvation," CFM study for Nov. 4 - 10

About Hebrews

• Despite the title, Paul is likely not the author, at least not in the way he authored his other works, the book is not much like a letter, though there is an audience addressed, and it may not have been written to the "Hebrews" or the Jews.  This video presentation does a good job discussing reasons the letter may not have been written just to Jews.
• Of all the Pauline books, Hebrews is the one that has its authorship as the most uncertain.  The language is written in incredibly sophisticated Greek, unlike anything else by Paul.  Also unlike everything else by Paul, it never identifies an author at all.  Even early Church tradition has doubts about Paul's authorship, which is why this long letter is at the end of the Pauline section of the New Testament and not in length order like the rest of the section.  One early Church leader, Clement of Alexandria, said it was written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek by Luke.  But the Greek uses the Greek Septuagint, not the Hebrew Bible, as its source for its multiple Old Testament passages, some of which diverge from the Hebrew, so it's unlikely to be a translation.  For more on the various theories, this article by Terrence Szink is excellent.
• "Because the Epistle to the Hebrews draws heavily on Old Testament themes and practices, it is likely that the intended audience was Jewish (Hebrew) Christians. These converts apparently wrestled with several questions: If we accept that the rituals of the law of Moses are not required of Gentile Christians, what is the true value of the Old Testament? If the gospel of Jesus Christ is the right way, why are we being persecuted so much for being His followers? If Jesus was the Messiah, why is Israel still in bondage to the Romans?
  
  Under the pressure of various afflictions, many of these Jewish Christians were withdrawing from the Church and returning to the relative safety of Jewish worship at the synagogue (see Hebrews 10:25, 38–39). One reason that the book of Hebrews was written was to encourage Jewish converts to remain faithful to Jesus Christ and not revert to their former way of life (see Hebrews 10:32–38). The book’s structure can be seen as three main sections of teachings that build to a concluding exhortation: (1) the preeminence of Jesus Christ as the Son of God (see Hebrews 1:1–4:13); (2) the superiority of Christ’s priesthood (see Hebrews 4:14–7:28); and (3) the superiority of His atoning sacrifice and ministry (see Hebrews 8:1–10:18). They all build to an exhortation to endure in faith (see Hebrews 10:19–13:25)." (Student Manual)
• Lynne Wilson explains, "Hebrews is tagged as the most neglected book in the New Testament, because it “is a difficult book. It 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.”7 Hebrews is certainly the most Christ-centered book among Paul’s Epistles."

God Now Speaks By His Son, Hebrews 1:1-4

• Unlike the other letters, this book begins with a premise -- God communicates to his children.  In ages past, it has been prophets delivering the message, but now "God has 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;" (v. 2-3)
• Jesus Christ is in the likeness of His Father, "the express image."  Lynne Wilson  points out, "
  The “express image” (KJV) is from the Greek word, used only once in the New Testament, which means an image made by engraving tools: “charaktḗr/properly, an engraving; (figuratively) an exact impression (likeness) which also reflects inner character.” It is also translated “stamped” (NEB), “nature” (RSV), or “is like him in every way” (CSV). We also learn that the Son upholds “all things by His powerful word” (BSB). And after He cleansed all sin or “provided purification” (NIV) or “purged our sins” (KJV), He “sat down on the right hand of ” God the Father. Paul identifies Jesus on the right hand of God a half dozen times, just as Jesus, Stephen and Joseph Smith did (Matthew 26:67; Acts 7:56, D&C 76:20, etc.)."
• We've talked before about the significance of names.  Here, Jesus has "inherited a name that is greater than [the angels]" (v. 4, Wayment translation).  The name of Jesus has power.  When ancient kings were enthroned, they were given new names in special enthronement ceremonies (See this article, for example).  Christ, too, obtained His throne and powerful name through His faithfulness.  We invoke His name and draw on His power in our sacred ordinances and in our daily prayers as we finish in His name.

The Superiority of the Son, Hebrews 1:5-14

• Hebrews teaches us that Christ is more than the angels.  We've had some angel-worshipping heresy going on in Colossians, so perhaps this is in part a response to more of those false ideas.  It is also part of a larger argument that Christ is the highest and greatest of all.  He is better than the angels, better than Moses, better than the Levite priesthood, and better than any other high priest.  The argument builds beautifully throughout all of Hebrews.
• We have more enthronement language, which is also temple language, in this section.  Christ was given His throne and his sceptre by God the Father (v. 8).  He has been anoint by God with the oil of gladness.  The name "Messiah" means "anointed one," and He has been given this role from the beginning.  Jesus was the one who "laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens" (v. 10).  All of these shall perish like an old piece of clothing, yet Christ will remain forever.  Christ is superior to angels.  He is the Creator and as such is superior to His creations.
• Still, while Christ is above all, the angels have a role, being "sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (v. 14).  Elder Holland has spoken on the role of angels in our lives:  "But God knew the challenges they would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near. Indeed, shortly after Adam and Eve found themselves in the lone and dreary world, an angel appeared unto them, who taught them the meaning of their sacrifice and the atoning role of the promised Redeemer who was to come.
  
  When the time for this Savior’s advent was at hand, an angel was sent to announce to Mary that she was to be the mother of the Son of God. Then a host of angels was commissioned to sing on the night the baby Jesus was born. Shortly thereafter an angel would announce to Joseph that the newborn baby was in danger and that this little family must flee to Egypt for safety. When it was safe to return, an angel conveyed that information to the family and the three returned to the land of their heritage.
  
  From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. Time in this setting does not allow even a cursory examination of the scriptures or our own latter-day history, which are so filled with accounts of angels ministering to those on earth, but it is rich doctrine and rich history indeed.
  
  Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times."

Confirmed with Signs, Wonders, and Miracles, Hebrews 2:1-4

• If the words of angels were faithful and true, even more so the words of Christ will help us (v. 1-3).  How can we abandon or neglect such a great charge (v. 3), given to us with signs, wonders, miracles, and the gift of the Holy Ghost (v. 4)?

A Merciful and Faithful High Priest, Hebrews 2:5-18

• Having established that Christ is the highest and best, Hebrews now turns to how that God, the greatest of all, came to earth as a humble man, though the Son of God.  Much of Hebrews teaches about Christ's ascendancy by way of His condescension.  Though He was God, King, and Creator, He came down to suffer mortal life.  Verse 6-9 quote Psalms 8:4-6, which teach about the greatness of God and how He is mindful of us, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:"   Christ took upon himself this mortal form and came down "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (v. 9)

Wherever He Leads Me, by Greg K. Olsen

• I love the phrase in the KJV, that Christ is the "captain of their salvation." (v. 10).  Wayment translates it as "prince of their salvation."  Verse 11 points to the family of God, "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"  "All have one" is what it says in Greek, and different translations add different nuance to the verse.  Wayment renders it, "all have one origin," while the NIV says "are of the same family."  Christ is our perfect older brother who is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. 
• Christ took upon himself flesh so that he could partake in death and overcome it and deliver us all (v. 14-15)
• Hebrews is the only New Testament book that describes Jesus as a high priest.  "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (v. 17) 
• Of these verses, Lynne Wilson explains, "Paul continues to argue that Jesus is superior to angels, and that he came to do a higher work. God, in His wisdom, sent Jesus as a mortal and as a descendant of Abraham, not as a glorious angel from the heavens. Jesus shares a bond of brotherhood with the people of Abraham, and those adopted as covenant people. Through the priesthood that Abraham held (Melchizedek, not Aaronic), Jesus became the ultimate High Priest. Using a form of the words “priestly sacrifice” in Romans 3:25, Paul pictures Jesus as the High Priest making “propitiation for the sins of the people” (NKJV). He will develop this idea in the next chapters. Paul testifies of Jesus’ atonement and never moves far from that subject. Jewish converts needed the powerful message of forgiveness through Christ instead of purification rites of animal sacrifice. Jews expected a triumphal Messiah (Luke 24:20–1), so Hebrews probes the need for the suffering mission of the Messiah, too. The “reconciliation” (KJV) or expiation (RSV) is the “atonement” (NIV). The Hebrew word for reconciliation is kapparah which comes from “atone/kippur/cover” as in the “Day of Atonement” or Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16)."
• Because Christ suffered, He understand when we suffer.  He suffered through being tempted but knows the strength of temptation and weakness because He did not give in, unlike all of us at times.  As C. S. Lewis put it, "“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness — they have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means." 

Like Moses, Hebrews 3:1-6

• Having established that Jesus is greater than the angels, the author now teaches that Jesus is greater than Moses.  "Hebrews 3:3–6 teaches further about Jesus Christ’s superiority to Moses, stating that Moses was a servant in God’s house, but Christ built and rules over the house as God’s Son." (Student Manual).

Warning, Hebrews 3:7-19

• Continuing the references to Moses, the author quotes Psalms 95 in verses 7-11 and exhorts faithfulness unlike the children of Israel who rebelled against Moses.  We can be "partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." (v. 14)  Enduring to the end and being committed no matter what is essential if we want to enter into God's rest (v. 18).  "God's Rest" here is envisioned as the blessing of entering into the Promised Land.  For the Israelites, their lack of faithfulness meant they had to wander an additional forty years.  For us, this would represent our entering into eternal life with God.  Lynne Wilson points out, "The Lord defines the phrase “My rest” in modern revelation as the “fullness of his glory” (D&C 84:24; see also 84:6–26). Hebrews repeats this specific word eight times, “katapausis/rest” (The word is found only one other time in the New Testament, by Stephen in Acts 7:49). Paul first quotes it from Psalms, and then builds on it seven other times in chapters three and four (The other uses of “rest” in KJV come from approximately a dozen different Greek words)."

"Jebel Musa, traditionally regarded as Mount Sinai. During ancient Israel’s wilderness journeys near Mount Sinai, Israel provoked the Lord to anger." Photograph by Richard L. W. Cleave, (Student Manual)

God's Rest, Hebrews 4:1-13

• Though they had the gospel, it did the Israelites no good, "but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." (v. 2).  Like the people addressed in Hebrews and the ancient Israelites, we have had the gospel preached to us.  How do we make sure we "mix it with faith" so it is not in vain?  The Student Manual has an excellent quote, "Brother A. Roger Merrill, while serving as general president of the Sunday School, explained one process that might describe what it means to join the word of God with faith:
  
  “In our Church meetings, in our personal and family scripture study, and even … as we listen to the Lord’s prophets and apostles, some of us will receive more than others. Why? I am learning that those who truly receive do at least three things that others may not do.
  
  “First, they seek. We live in an entertainment world, a spectator world. Without realizing it, we can find ourselves coming to conference or going to church with the attitude, ‘Here I am; now inspire me.’ We become spiritually passive.
  
  “When we focus instead on seeking and receiving the Spirit, we become less concerned about a teacher or speaker holding our attention and more concerned about giving our attention to the Spirit. Remember, receive is a verb. It is a principle of action. It is a fundamental expression of faith.
  
  “Second, those who receive, feel. While revelation comes to the mind and heart, it is most often felt. Until we learn to pay attention to these spiritual feelings, we usually do not even recognize the Spirit. …
  
  “Third, those who receive by the Spirit intend to act. As the prophet Moroni instructed, to receive a witness of the Book of Mormon, we must ask ‘with real intent’ (Moroni 10:4). The Spirit teaches when we honestly intend to do something about what we learn” (“Receiving by the Spirit,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 93–94)."
• Lynne Wilson says of verses 8-10, "This is referring to the prophet Joshua (in Greek his name is Jesus) who did not give the children of Israel “spiritual rest” once they entered into the promise land, because they had rejected the higher law. The Israelites only received the law of resting on the Sabbath not the higher form of “God’s rest.”"
• In this section, the author continues the discussion of God's Rest, with it now being envisioned as the unity that existed between God and all of his creations that on the seventh day.  This could have reference to Christ's Millenial "Sabbath" reign or simply the rest of eternal life.  Those who enter in that day will be those who have been faithful.  We can't hide our nakedness from God, because he sees all (v. 13).

Jesus the Great High Priest, Hebrews 4:14-5:10

• How do we pierce that veil of separation? Through our great high priest Jesus Christ.  "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (v. 14-15).  Because Christ was sinless, He can make Atonement for all of us.  Lynne Wilson explains, " During His mortal ministry. Jesus of Nazareth never acted as the High Priest at Herod’s Temple to offer sacrifice on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), nor presided over the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:27), although He was the Greatest High Priest that all others were to point toward. Jesus went through the veil and opened it for all “his children” (Hebrews 12:5, 7). Paul understood the higher priesthood promises and symbols. Most of the twenty-four references to the “high priest,” in Hebrews, refer to Christ"
• Because of Christ's faithfulness, we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (v. 16). I love this point made in the Student Manual, "In many ancient cultures, to approach a king’s throne uninvited was to risk one’s life, but at the king’s invitation, one could approach and speak with assurance. To approach God “boldly” means having confidence that God wants us to approach His throne and that we will receive His help. Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained, “It is pleasing to that God whose we are when we fast and pray and seek his blessings; when we plead with all the energy of our souls for those things we so much desire; when, as Paul says, we ‘come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Heb. 4:16.)” (“Patterns of Prayer,” Ensign, May 1984, 32)."

Moses Calls Aaron to the Ministry, by Harry Anderson

• High priests are taken from the people to offer gifts and sacrifices (v. 1).  Mortal high priests can have compassion on the infirm because they too are mortal (v. 2).  But being not sinless, the high priest has to make atonement in the temple for himself as well as the people (v. 3).  He doesn't call himself but is called of God like Aaron (v. 4).  Christ was also taken from among us but was sinless.  He was called of God and made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (v. 6).
• Lynne Wilson explains the role of the high priest in the Old Testament, "In the Old Testament the priest (kohen) acted as a mediator between man and God. All priests were to typify the Savior as they acted as a mediator between God and man. The Hebrew roots of the word “priest” also go back to the idea of “ministering.” The same word in Latin is, “sacredos” or sacred. Leviticus 21:10–13 outlines the high priests’ duties. They also had the responsibility to watch over and guard the covenant, to teach the law of God, and to make the ritual offerings required by the law.13 There was only one high priest to oversee all priesthood functions in the Law of Moses. (The other priesthood offices were chief priest, priests descended from Aaron, and all the other Levites.) In the Book of Mormon, the high priest was not descended from Aaron, but functioned under the “holy order of God,” or the Melchizedek Priesthood (2 Nephi 6:2; Alma 4:4, 4:18; 13:l). 
  The most sacred duties of the high priest included: entering through the veil of the Temple into the Holy of Holies on the day of Atonement where he would sprinkle the blood of a sin offering on the mercy seat to seek forgiveness for the people’s sins (Leviticus 16:3); mediating with God for his people (Exodus 28:29); bearing the sins of his people (Exodus 28:38); offering incense—symbolically, Israel’s prayers ascending to heaven (Leviticus 16:12–13); making an atonement (Leviticus 16:32); judging uncleanness in deciding who can enter into the presence of the Lord (Leviticus 13:2); blessing the people (Numbers 6:23); receiving the mind and the will of the Lord for the Israelites through the Urim and Thummim (“lights and perfections”). In Jesus Christ, Israel was to see their faithful and spotless Mediator and High Priest."
• In his mortal life, Christ suffered and "offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared."  Even Christ, the greatest of all, depended on His Father for strength to do what He willingly did.  We learn of Christ that "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;"  Obedience is unfashionable today, and yet everything we do requires obedience to the principles involved in order to advance.  Obedience brings mastery in endeavors such as piano playing or athletic achievement or scientific achievement as it does in spiritual matters.  
• Suffering, it seems, is a necessary part of life.  The Student Manual quotes President Harold B. Lee, "A young mother went through the trying experience of having a little child who was killed in an accident, and she came and sought a blessing for comfort. She asked through her tears, ‘Must there always be pain in this life?’ I thought a few minutes and then said, ‘The Apostle Paul said of the Master, the Lord and Savior, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Heb. 5:8.) I suppose that the answer is yes; there must always be pain in this life of travail and sorrow, and there is a purpose in it all"

You Need Milk, Hebrews 5:11-14

• The author is frustrated that he can't tell them more about these things because they are "dull of hearing" (v. 11).  He says they ought to be teachers themselves, not babies who need to learn the basic "milk" of the gospel.  

Maturity in Faith, Hebrews 6:1-12

• "Hebrews 6 contains a warning to those who might abandon their faith in Jesus Christ and fall into personal apostasy. Hebrews 10:26–31 also hints at the consequences that await such actions (see also 2 Peter 2:20–21; Alma 24:30). The writer of Hebrews used the phrase “crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh” (Hebrews 6:6) to describe the actions of those who will not be forgiven because they turn from knowledge of the truth and will not repent." (Student Manual).
• Verses 7-8, "For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned."  Plants that yeild fruit receive the same beautiful rain as the thorns and thistles.  What will we do with what we've been given?  When I think of thorns and thistles, I think of the goathead weeds that constantly plague my kids' bike tires.  And yet, right next to those weeds grow beautiful sunflowers.  Which one are you?  

The Promise to Abraham, Hebrews 6:13-20

• One idea that I came across is that Hebrews in general was written to help the people understand that God can be trusted.  This section shows that God can be trusted to make us "heirs of promise" through the Abrahamic covenant and that he confirmed it by an oath and by "two immutable (unchangeable) things," presumably his word of promise and his oath to fulfill that word.  He is faithful and true, despite the challenging years and persecution the Jews have experienced in the inter-testament period.    
•  "“Veil” in Hebrews 6:19 is a reference to the veil of the temple. The high priest entered through the veil into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, to symbolically cleanse Israel. In the same way, Jesus, the great High Priest, entered through the veil into heaven to prepare the way for us to return to heaven (see the commentary for Hebrews 9:1–7 and for Hebrews 9:11–15, 23–28; 10:1)." (Student Manual)
• Because God keeps His promises, we can have hope in Him as an "anchor for the soul" (v. 19).  Christ is the "forerunner" of the high priesthood.  Because He has gone before into the presence of God, we too can pierce the veil and enter into God's presence.

Videos for the Week

Note: I'm indebted to Thomas Wayment for mamy of my section divisions and headings on this post and others. If you haven't checked out his New Testament translation, it is well worth it!