Reference: Hebrews, The Epistle to the
Fausets
Canonicity. - Clement of Rome (1st century A.D.) refers to it oftener than any other canonical New Testament book, adopting its words as on a level with the rest of the New Testament. As the writer of this epistle claims authority Clement virtually sanctions it, and this in the apostolic age. Westcott (Canon, 22) observes, it seems transfused into Clement's mind. Justin Martyr quotes its authority for applying the titles "apostle" and "angel" to the Son of God. Clement of Alexandria refers it to Paul, on the authority of Pantaenus of Alexandria (in the middle of the second century) saying that as Jesus is called the "apostle" to the Hebrew, Paul does not in it call himself so, being apostle to the Gentiles; also that Paul prudently omitted his name at the beginning, because the Hebrew were prejudiced against him; that it was originally written in Hebrew for the Hebrew, and that Luke translated it into Greek for the Greeks, whence the style resembles that of Acts.
He however quotes the Greek epistle as Paul's, so also Origen; but in his Homilies he regards the style as more Grecian than Paul's but the thoughts as his. "The ancients who handed down the tradition of its Pauline authorship must have had good reason for doing so, though God alone knows the certainty who was the actual writer," i.e. probably the transcriber or else interpreter of Paul's thoughts. The Peshito old Syriac version has it. Tertullian in the beginning of the third century, in the African church, ascribes it to Barnabas. Irenaeus in Eusebius quotes it. About the same time Caius the presbyter of Rome mentions only 13 epistles of Paul, whereas if epistle to Hebrew were included there would be 14.
The Canon fragment of Muratori omits it, in the beginning of the third century. (See CANON.) The Latin church did not recognize it as Paul's for a long time subsequently. So Victorinus, Novatian of Rome, and Cyprian of Carthage. But in the fourth century Hilary of Poitiers (A.D. 368), Lucifer of Cagliari (A.D. 371), Ambrose of Milan (A.D. 397), and other Latins quote it as Paul's; the fifth council of Carthage (A.D. 419) formally recognizes it among his 14 epistles.
Style. - The partial resemblance of Luke's style to it is probably due to his having been companion of Paul: "each imitated his teacher; Luke imitated Paul flowing along with more than river fullness; Mark imitated Peter who studied brevity" (Chrysostom). But more familiarity with Jewish feeling, and with the peculiarities of their schools, appears in this epistle than in Luke's writings. The Alexandrian phraseology does not prove Apollos' authorship (Alford's theory). The Alexandrian church would not have so undoubtingly asserted Paul's authorship if Apollos their own countryman had really been the author. Paul, from his education in Hebrew at Jerusalem, and in Hellenistic at Tarsus, was familiar with Philo's modes of thought. At Jerusalem there was an Alexandrian synagogue (Ac 6:9).
Paul knew well how to adapt himself to his readers; to the Greek Corinthians who idolized rhetoric his style is unadorned, that their attention might be fixed on the gospel alone; to the Hebrew who were in no such danger he writes to win them (1Co 9:20) in a style attractive to those imbued with Philo's Alexandrian conceptions and accustomed to the combination of Alexandrian Greek philosophy and ornament with Judaism. All the Old Testament quotations except two (Heb 10:30; 13:5) are from the Septuagint, which was framed at Alexandria. The interweaving of the Septuagint peculiarities into the argument proves that the Greek epistle is an original, not a translation. The Hebrew Old Testament would have been quoted, had the original epistle been Hebrew
Pauline authorship. - This is further favored by internal evidence. The superiority of Christianity to Judaism in that the reality exceeds the type is a favorite topic of Paul. Compare this epistle with 2Co 3:6-18; Ga 3:23-25; 4:1-9,21-31. Herein allegorical interpretation, which the Alexandrians strained unduly, is legitimately under divine guidance employed. The divine Son is represented as the image of God; compare Heb 1:3, etc., with Paul's undoubted epistles, Php 2:6; Col 1:15-20; His lowering Himself for man's sake (Heb 2:9) with 2Co 8:9; Php 2:7-8; His final exaltation (Heb 2:8; 10:13; 12:2) with 1Co 15:25-27; His "mediator" (unique to Paul) office (Heb 8:6) with Ga 3:19-20; His sacrifice for sin prefigured by the Jewish sacrifices (Hebrews 7-10) with Ro 3:22-26; 1Co 5:7. "God of peace" is a phrase unique to Paul (Heb 13:20 with Ro 15:33; 1Th 5:23).
So "distributed gifts of the Holy Spirit" (Heb 2:4) with (Greek) "divisions of gifts ... the same Spirit" (1Co 12:4); "righteousness by faith" (Heb 10:38; 11:7) with the same quotation (Hab 2:4); Ro 1:17; 4:22; 5:1; Ga 3:11; Php 3:9. "The word of God ... the sword of the Spirit" (Heb 4:12) with Eph 6:17. Inexperienced Christians are "children needing milk," i.e. elementary teaching; riper Christians, as full grown men, require strong meat (Heb 5:12-13; 6:1 with 1Co 3:1-2; 14:20; Ga 4:9; Eph 4:13). Believers have "boldness of access to God by Christ" (Heb 10:19 with Ro 5:2; Eph 2:18; 3:12). Afflictions are a fight (Heb 10:32 with Php 1:30; Col 2:1).
The Christian life is a race (Heb 12:1 with 1Co 9:24; Php 3:12-14). The Jewish ritual is a service (Heb 9:1-6 with Ro 9:4); a "bondage," as not freeing us from consciousness of sin and fear of death (Heb 2:15 with Ga 5:1). Paul's characteristic "going off at a word" into a long parenthesis, playing upon like sounding words, and repeating favorite words, quotations from the Old Testament linked by "and again" (Heb 1:5; 2:12-13, with Ro 15:9-12; 2:8 with 1Co 15:27; Eph 1:22; 6:24 with Ro 12:19).
Reception in the East before the West. - No Greek father ascribes the epistle to any but Paul, for it was to the Hebrew of Alexandria and Palestine it was mainly addressed; but in the western and Latin churches of N. Africa and Rome, which it did not reach for some time, it was long doubted owing to its anonymous form, not opening as other epistles though closing like them; its Jewish argument; and its less distinctively Pauline style. Insufficient evidence for it, not positive evidence against it, led these for the first three centuries not to accept it. The fall of Jerusalem previous to the full growth of Christianity in N. Africa curtailed: contact between its churches and those Jews to whom this epistle is undressed. The epistle was, owing to distance, little known to the Latin churches. Muratori's Canon does not notice it.
When in the fourth century at last they found it was received as Pauline and canonical (the Alexandrians only doubted its authorship, not its authority) on good grounds in the Greek churches, they universally accepted it. The churches of the East and Jerusalem their center, the quarter to which the epistle was first sent, received it as Paul's, according to Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem (A.D. 349). Jerome, though bringing from Rome the Latin prejudice against this epistle, aggravated by its apparent sanction of the Novatian heresy (Heb 6:4-6), was constrained by the almost unanimous testimony of the Greek churches from the first to receive it as Paul's; after him Rome corrected its past error of rejecting it. Augustine too held its canonicity. What gives especial weight to the testimony for it of the Alexandrian church is, that church was founded by Mark, who was with Paul at Rome in his first confinement, when probably this epistle was written (Col 4:10), and possibly bore it to Jerusalem where his mother resided, visiting Colosse on the way, and from Jerusalem to Alexandria.
Peter also (2Pe 3:15-16), the apostle of the circumcision, in addressing the Hebrew Christians of the dispersion in the East, says, "as our beloved brother Paul ... hath written unto you," i.e. to the Hebrew. By adding "as also in all his epistles" he distinguishes the epistle to the Hebrew from the rest; and by classing it with the "other Scriptures" he asserts at once its Pauline authorship and divine inspiration. A generous testimony of Christian love to one who formerly rebuked him (Ga 2:7-14).
The apostle of the circumcisio
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Behold, he is proud. He is not righteous. The righteous will live by faith.
They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all men, as every man had need.
There was no needy person among them for as many as possessed land or houses sold them, and brought the money from the things that were sold.
Certain men arose from the synagogue. It was called the synagogue of the Libertines, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians. Some of them were from Cilicia and Asia. They argued with Stephen.
The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea.
Paul looked straight at the Council and said: Fellow Israelites! My conscience is perfectly clear about the way in which I have lived before God to this very day.
I exercise myself always, to have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men.
It reveals the righteousness of God from faith-to-faith for it is written: The righteous shall live by faith.
Those who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will receive wrath and indignation.
God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all. For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God read more. being justified freely by his grace (as a gift) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God displayed Christ publicly as propitiation (atonement) by his blood through faith. It demonstrated his righteousness. It was through the forbearance of God that he passed by the sins that had taken place before. It showed his righteousness at this present season that he might himself be righteous, and the justifier of he who has faith in Jesus.
It was counted to him as righteousness.
We are justified (acquitted) (made righteous) by faith. And we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have access to grace (God's favor) by faith through him. This is where we stand. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
They are Israelites and the adoption belongs to them. They have the glory of the covenants. The law was given to them along with the service and promises.
If the first piece is holy, the lump is also holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches. Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them. read more. Do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. They were broken off because of unbelief! You stand by faith! Do not be conceited but be reverent. God did not spare the natural branches and he will not spare you! Observe both God's kindness and severity. Severity is for those who fail to continue. But kindness is for you as long as you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off. If they do not continue in unbelief they will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again. If you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a garden olive tree: how much more could these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor evil and cling to good.
Dearly beloved, do not avenge yourselves, instead leave room for divine punishment, for it is written: Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 32:35)
Put on (live like) (clothe yourself with) the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh.
That the nations might glorify God for his mercy as it is written: For this cause I will confess you to the people of the nations, and sing to your name. And again he says: Rejoice, you nations, with his people. (Deuteronomy 32:43) read more. And again: Praise Jehovah, all you nations; and laud him, all you people. (Psalm 117:1) And again, Isaiah says: Then in that day the nations will search for and turn to the root of Jesse. He will stand as a signal for the peoples. His resting place will be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)
It pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor holy ones in Jerusalem.
The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as fleshly men, as babes (infants) in Christ. I fed you milk and not solid food. You were not able to receive it. You are not able now!
To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews. To those under the Law, as under the Law, that I might gain those under the Law.
Do you not know that they who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain the prize.
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
Brothers, do not be like children in understanding. When it comes to evil be innocent children but in your thinking be mature adults.
For he (Christ) must rule as king until he (God) puts all enemies under his feet (his control). (Psalm 2; 110) (Daniel 2:44) (Revelation 5:10; 20:6) The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. (Revelation 20:14) read more. According to the Scriptures: God has placed all things under his control (subjection). (Ephesians 1:22) But when he said all things are placed under him, it is with the exception of [God]. For [God] is the one who placed all things under him (Christ). (1 Peter 3:22) (John 3:35)
According to the Scriptures: God has placed all things under his control (subjection). (Ephesians 1:22) But when he said all things are placed under him, it is with the exception of [God]. For [God] is the one who placed all things under him (Christ). (1 Peter 3:22) (John 3:35)
The greeting from me Paul is with my own hand. If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come O Lord! read more. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you.
He also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant. This is a covenant not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. The ministry of death was written and engraved on stones. Glory came with it so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly upon the face of Moses. And this glory was passing away. read more. How shall the ministry of the Spirit not be with glory? For if the ministry of condemnation has glory then the ministry of righteousness would exceed in glory. Even what was glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the greater glory. If that which passes away was with glory, that which remains is even more glorious. Since we have such a hope we use great boldness of speech. We are not like Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look steadily on the end of that which was passing away: Their minds were blinded. Until this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It is not revealed to them that Christ voided it. But to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart. When one turns to God, the veil is taken away. Now God is the Spirit and where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty (freedom). We all, with unveiled face, behold as in a mirror the glory of God and are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, exactly as from God's Spirit.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the good news to people who are not circumcised. Just as Peter had been entrusted with the good news to the people who are circumcised. The one who made Peter an apostle to the Jewish people (who are circumcised) also made me an apostle to the people of the nations (who are not circumcised). read more. When they saw the grace that was given to me, James, Cephas (Peter) and John, they who were known to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship. We were to go to the nations and they were to go to the people who are circumcised. They wanted us to remember the poor. I was eager (zealous) to do this very thing. When Cephas came to Antioch, I openly resisted him because he was completely wrong. He ate with the people of the nations until some men James sent arrived. When they arrived, he drew back and separated himself. He feared those who were of the circumcised people. The rest of the Jews were hypocrites with him, so much that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the good news. Therefore I said to Cephas, in front of them all: If you, being a Jew, live as the nations do and not as the Jews, why do you compel the people of the nations to live like the Jews?
The fact that the Law justifies no man before God is evident. The righteous will live by faith.
What then is the law? It was added (to cause awareness of sin) because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. A mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.
But before faith came the Law held us in custody. We were locked up until faith was revealed. The Law was our schoolmaster (Greek: paedagogue: a combination of schoolmaster, instructor, servant and guardian in charge of us) to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. read more. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he does not differ from a bondservant, though he is owner of the estate. He is under guardians and stewards until the day set by the father. read more. When we were children, we too were held in bondage. We were slaves to the arrangement of this world. When the full time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So you are no longer slaves but a son. And as a son God has made you an heir. However at that time, you did not know God. You were in bondage to things that are really not gods at all. Now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and poor fundamental things? Do you want to slave for them all over again?
Now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and poor fundamental things? Do you want to slave for them all over again?
Tell me, you that desire to be under the Law; do you not hear the Law? It is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the freewoman. read more. How is it that the son by the slave woman is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise? This contains an allegory (symbolic drama). These women symbolize two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia. She corresponds to the Jerusalem that now is. She is in bondage with her children. The Jerusalem above is free. She is our mother. It is written, Rejoice, barren woman who does not give birth. Break forth and cry, you who do not labor; for there are more children of the desolate than of the one who has the husband. Brothers, we are children who belong to the promise, the same as Isaac was. Just like then, the son who was conceived in a natural way according to the flesh persecuted the son conceived in a spiritual way. That is exactly what is happening now! What do the scriptures say? Throw out the slave woman and her son. For the son of the slave woman must not share the inheritance with the son of the free woman. (Genesis 21:10) Brothers, we are not children of a slave woman but of the free woman.
Christ liberated us for freedom (moral liberty). Stand fast therefore, and do not become entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
He (God) put all things in subjection under his feet, and made him head over all things to the congregation,
We both have access to the Father by one Spirit through him.
We have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an incorruptible (sincere) (principled) (unending) love.
You have the same conflict that you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
He existed in the form (shape and nature) of God but did not try to be equal with God. He did not even consider it! He emptied (humbled) himself by taking the form of a servant. He was made in the likeness of men. read more. He obtained the appearance as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient even to death, yes, death on the stake.
I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
I want to be united with him. I no longer want a righteousness of my own that is gained by obeying the law. The righteousness from God is by faith in Christ.
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect. But I press on, that I may obtain that for which Christ Jesus also obtained. Brothers, I could not yet have obtained it. But one thing I do, I forget the things that are behind, and stretch forward to the things that are ahead. read more. I press on toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Give thanks to the Father, who made us partakers of the inheritance of the holy ones in the light.
He is the image (likeness) (representation) of the invisible God. He is the firstborn (Greek: prototokos: childbirth, offspring) of all creation. All things in the heavens and upon the earth where created through him. The things visible and invisible were created through him. Whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. read more. He is before all things, and through him all things originate. He is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning (commencement), the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (first place). It was the good pleasure of the Father that in him all the fullness should dwell. And all things are reconciled through him. He made peace through the blood of his atonement (of the stake). He reconciles all things, whether things upon the earth, or things in heaven.
Let me tell you how hard I worked for you, for the people in Laodicea, and for all others who do not personally know me.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being vigilant with thanksgiving.
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, receive him),
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a mark in every letter; this is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
In his own time he made his word known through the message that was entrusted to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.
God's Son is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his being. He sustains all things by his powerful word. After Jesus purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
To which of the angels did God ever say at any time: You are my son; this day I have begotten you? And again: I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son?
God also testified about it with signs, wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit given according to his will.
You put all things in subjection under his feet. You subjected all things to him and left nothing that is not subject to him. Now we do not see yet all things in subjection to him. We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor for suffering death. By the grace of God he tasted death for every man.
He says: I will declare your name to my brothers; in the middle of the congregation I will sing praises to you. And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: Behold, the children that Jehovah has given me. (Isaiah 8:18)
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
This means that he had to become like his brothers in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, in order to offer a propitiatory sacrifice (pay atonement) (to make reconciliation) for the sins of the people.
There remains then a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
The Word of God is alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. (Ephesians 6:17) It separates the physical person from the spiritual person, of both joints and marrow. And it can discern (judge) the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (John 12:48)
We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, so let us hold fast our confession. We do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our infirmities (weaknesses). He was tested in all things like ourselves. Yet he was without sin! read more. Let us approach the throne of grace (loving-kindness) with confidence, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for help in time of need.
At this time you should be teachers. But you need someone to teach you again from the beginning the elementary truths from the Word of God. You need milk, not solid food. Everyone who drinks milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Therefore leaving the elementary truths of the doctrine of Christ let us move on to maturity. Let us not lay again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.
Those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the age to come, read more. if they shall fall away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance. This is because they personally impale the Son of God again, and expose him to public shame.
That which bears thorns and briars is rejected, and is near to being cursed. It ends up being burned.
That which bears thorns and briars is rejected, and is near to being cursed. It ends up being burned.
For God is not unrighteous (unjust) to forget your work and the love you showed for his name. You ministered to the holy ones and continue to minister.
Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything to him. He was first of all, by translation of his name, King of Righteousness, and then he was also ruler of Salem, which means, King of Peace. read more. He was without father or mother or genealogy, and neither had beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he continues as a priest forever. See how great he was! Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils. The descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the Law to take tithes from the people. This is from their brothers, for these are descended from Abraham. But this man does not have their genealogy. He received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. It is beyond dispute that the superior blesses the inferior. In this instance mortal men receive tithes, in the other by the one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi, the priest who takes the tenth from the people, gave his tenth through Abraham. He was still in the loins of his ancestor (not yet born) when Melchizedek met him.
If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law. The work they do as priests is only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. It is the same as it was with Moses. When he was about to build the sacred tent, God told him: Be sure to make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain. read more. Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry. The covenant that he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things.
By calling this covenant new, he has made the first one old (obsolete). That which grows old and aged will soon disappear.
The first covenant had ordinances for divine service, and an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. The first room was called the Holy Place. It contained the lamp stand and table and the consecrated bread. read more. Beyond the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place. It had a golden incense burner. The Ark of the Covenant was completely covered with gold. It contained the golden pot that had the manna, and the rod of Aaron that had sprouted, and the tables of the covenant. The cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat were above the Ark. Now is not the time to speak in detail. When these things are prepared, the priests enter the outer room often to carry on their services.
When these things are prepared, the priests enter the outer room often to carry on their services. Only the high priest enters the inner room. Once a year he entered with blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people.
The blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes from the burning of a young cow, sprinkled on the unclean made them outwardly clean. The blood of Christ did even more. Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself without blemish to God and cleansed your conscience from dead works. Now we can serve (worship) the living God. read more. For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance. A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies. A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives. The first covenant was dedicated with blood. When Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, He said: This is the blood of the covenant that God has presented to you. He sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of service. Almost all things are by the Law purified with blood. There is no forgiveness unless blood is poured out. It was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these. But the heavenly things should be cleansed with better sacrifices than these. Christ has not entered into the Holy Place made with human hands. This is a copy of the true one. He has entered into heaven to appear before the presence of God for us. Neither should he offer himself as the high priest enters into the Holy Place every year with blood of others. Otherwise he would have to suffer often from the founding of the world. He has presented himself once at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. It is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. He will appear the second time without sin to those who look to him for their salvation.
The Law is a shadow of the good things to come. It is not the actual things. The continual yearly sacrifices can never make those who worship perfect. If it could, it would cease to be offered. Once the worshipers were cleansed they would have no awareness of sin anymore. read more. These sacrifices are an annual reminder of sin. It is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins. When Christ came into the world he said: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but you have prepared a body for me. You have no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.' Then I said: 'I have come in the scroll of the book. It is written about me, to do your will, O God.' Then he said: You did not want nor did you approve of sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin; which are offered by the Law. He also said: I come to do your will, O God. He takes away the first in order to establish the second. We are sanctified by his will through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily, serving and offering time after time the same sacrifices. Yet they can never take away sins. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting until his enemies are placed as a stool for his feet.
waiting until his enemies are placed as a stool for his feet. With one offering he has perfected those who are sanctified forever. read more. The Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after that he said: This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,' says Jehovah; 'I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.' (Jeremiah 31:33) I will not remember their sins and unrighteousness. Where there is forgiveness for these, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.
Not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and even more, as you see the day approaching.
We know who said: Vengeance is mine; I will repay; and who also said, Jehovah will judge his people. (Deuteronomy 32:35)
Remember the former days in which, after being enlightened, you endured great struggle with afflictions.
You shared the sufferings of prisoners. When all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly. This is because you knew that you possessed something much better, which would last forever.
You shared the sufferings of prisoners. When all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly. This is because you knew that you possessed something much better, which would last forever.
In just a little while, he who is coming will come. He will not delay! My righteous people will live by faith. If any of them turn back, I will not be pleased with them.
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not seen as yet, moved with godly respect. He prepared an ark to save his house. By his faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith.
A great cloud of witnesses surround us. Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that easily entangles us. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Look to (consider without distractions) Jesus, the Leader (Predecessor) and Finisher (Perfecter) of our faith. He despised the shame. He endured the stake for the joy that was set before him. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched, to Mount Sinai with its blazing fire, the darkness and the gloom, the storm. You have not come to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of a voice. When the people heard the voice, they begged not to hear another word. read more. They could not bear the order: If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned. The sight was so terrible (formidable) (fearful) that Moses said: I am full of fear and trembling. You have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads (thousands of thousands) of angels, to the general assembly and congregation of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just (righteous) (holy) men made perfect (mature) (having all needed qualities).
The words once more plainly show that the created things will be shaken and removed, so that the things that cannot be shaken will remain.
Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are.
You should be free from the love of money. Be content with what you have, for he has said: I will not leave you. I will not forsake you.
You should be free from the love of money. Be content with what you have, for he has said: I will not leave you. I will not forsake you.
Remember those who are taking the lead among you, men that spoke the Word of God to you. Consider their behavior and imitate their faith.
Remember those who are taking the lead among you, men that spoke the Word of God to you. Consider their behavior and imitate their faith.
We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
Jesus suffered outside the gate that he might sanctify the people through his own blood. Let us therefore go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. read more. We do not have a city that continues. We seek after the city that is to come.
Obey those who lead you. Submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your lives and must account for this. Obey them that their work may be a joy and not a burden; that would be without gain for you.
I exhort you the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,
I urge you, brothers, bear with the word of exhortation. I have written to you in few words. Do you know that brother Timothy has been released? If he comes shortly, I will see you. read more. Greet all those who rule over you, and all the holy ones. They in Italy greet you.
Greet all those who rule over you, and all the holy ones. They in Italy greet you.
Consider the patience of our Lord as salvation. Just as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you. He spoke about these things in his letters. Some things are hard to understand. The untaught and unstable distort them as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.