The Epistle to the Hebrews is a very biblical. There is no greeting at the beginning and the name of the author is not mentioned. Yet that was the custom in those days. Nor did consignee mentioned, notwithstanding that the title is: to the Hebrews. The central theme in the letter is the difference between Judaism and Christianity.


Characteristics of the letter

No greeting at the beginning of the letter, but the readers are addressed as brothers or lovers, as Paul does in his letters. The way of writing it appears that the author knew his audience. From all indications, that the author wrote to Jewish Christians. Again and again is quoted from the Old Testament, so the Jewish part of the Bible. And there are many Jewish practices at issue.

The letter compares the life of Jesus with the work of priests. The writer quotes Psalm 110 and would thus show that Jesus was a high priest. But Jesus is not a temporary priest, but for ever: his death he has permanently cleared the way to God.

The letter is often said: Do not give up. The conclusion is that the letter was written to people who are likely to fall away from Christianity.

The writer

The author is unknown. But there are a few clues about the writer:

The author expresses his readers with brothers and sisters, just as Paul does in his letters to the Christians.

He knew the Old Testament very well.

He was not an apostle.

On the way of writing he seems an important figure in the Christian community. He seems to expect that one does what he says.


The message of the Epistle to the Hebrews

The author describes the life of a Christian as a running event in the Roman arena. The audience, according to him all men and women from the Old Testament, in their lives show that God is trustworthy. He also describes many examples in the 11th chapter. The goal of the contest is Jesus, the Son of God. Participants and spectators are the Christians to encourage them so they do not faint.


Classification of the letter

Chapter 1-4: Jesus is more important than the leaders of the Old Testament
Chapter 4-10: The relationship between the Old and New Covenant and the position of Jesus there
Chapter 11-13: The Life of Faith