Introduction
As to the writer, origin, destination and date of the letter to the Hebrews, we know very little. Even the title "To the Hebrews" is a later addition. Tradition doesn't help us very much and so we are stuck with the text itself.
As for the book, it is a rhetorical homily which addresses laxity in the Christian walk and encourages faithful endurance. The theology of the book is grounded on a high Christology. Christ is the high priestly Son of God who makes access to the living God possible through his sacrificial death.
Destination
Some argue that it is a letter written to Gentiles, while others argue it is written for Jews. A Jewish Christian destination is the more traditional view, possibly non Palestinian and non conformist; a Hellenist church that has undergone persecution for their Christian faith, but is now tending to slip back into the safety of legally recognized Judaism. They are looking again for the safety and security of established religion.
The favoured position these days is for a Gentile church, possibly in Rome, made up of second generation Christians. They are disaffected through external pressures and are waning in commitment.
Author
As to the author, again little is known. By the fourth century it was accepted that Paul had written the letter, but there is no evidence to support this view. Obviously it was written by a second generation Christian who had not seen Jesus, but had certainly met his disciples. He (she?) was a learned person, a Hellenist in the mould of Stephen and Phillip. Origen (185-253), one of the leading theologians in the catechitical school in Alexandria, stated that "who wrote the epistle, in truth God knows." He related suggestions circulating at the time, namely Luke or Clement of Rome. Origen noted that the book was not in Paul's style, although the truth was Pauline, but not expressed in a Pauline way. Tertullian (155-220) suggested Barnabas, while Luther suggested Apollos. The book was first accepted as Pauline in the East and initially included after Romans. All that can really be said of the author is that he was a Greek thinker, knew the Greek Bible well, and most likely not Palestinian.
Date
With the date of writing there is again little to go on. Chapter 12, verse 4 seems to imply that the church had been roughed up by persecution, but there had been no deaths. This would suggest a date prior to AD 64, that is assuming that the church was in Rome or the environs where persecution was implemented by the Roman authorities. In 1 Clement, written possibly in 96AD, Clement does seem to have a knowledge of Hebrews, or at least shares the writers ecclesiastical tradition. The destruction of Jerusalem is often used as a cut-off point for the letter, but it is possible to argue either a pre 70AD date or post 70AD date. Somewhere between 60AD and 100AD is about as close as we can get.
Message
The subject of the letter (it finishes up as a letter, but starts out as a homily), is the person of Christ who is the supreme and final revelation of God to mankind, and mediator between God and man.
Henrietta Mears describes the letter in these terms: "The glories of our Saviour are exhibited in this epistle. Our eye is fixed upon Jesus, the "author and finisher of our faith", 12:12. He is set before us "crowned with glory and honour" in the heavens, 2:9.
"The book is a timely warning and a word of comfort to all, especially in this day when many have so little instruction in the things of Christ, and are inclined to be led astray by so many fads and cults. Hebrews shows skill in dealing with discouraged Christians. The writer tells us all that we have in Christ."
Outline
Deducing the structure of this book is a minefield and highly subjective. The problem is that we are dealing with a dynamic sermon with a complexity of interrelationships that defy a formal scheme. The two most popular structural schemes are as follows:
i] The letter falls into three parts with two transitional paragraphs at 4:14-16 and 10:19-30;
ii] There are four parts to the letter: a) 1:1-2:18, Christ the leader of our Salvation. b) 3:1-4:16, The wondering people of God. c) 5:1-10:18, Christ our High Priest. d) 10:19-12:29, The Way of faith. Chapter 13, conclusion.
The following outline by F.F. Bruce has much to commend it:
1. The finality of Christianity, 1:1-2:18
2. The true home of the people of God, 3:1-4:13
3. The high priesthood of Christ, 4:14-6:20
4. The order of Melchizedek, 7:1-28
5. Covenant, sanctuary and sacrifice, 8:1-10:18
6. Call to worship, faith and perseverance, 10:19-12:29
7. Concluding exhortation and prayer, 13:1-21
8. Postscript, 13:22-25
Attridge's approach to the structure of the letter, which is a slight advance on that proposed by Albert Vanhoye, is to be preferred, as it considers the internal relationship of the various parts of the discourse. The following is an outline only:
i] Exordium, 1:1-4
ii] Christ exalted and humiliated, a suitable High Priest, 1:5-2:18
iii] Christ faithful and merciful, 3:1-5:10
iv] The difficult discourse, 5:11-10:25
v] Exhortation to faithful endurance, 10:26-12:13
vi] Closing exhortations, 12:14-13:21
v] Concluding benediction and greetings, 13:20-25
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