Hebrews extensively treats matters that do not receive the same kind of attention anywhere else in the New Testament. Stanley Outlaw, who taught Hebrews many times during his career at Free Will Baptist Bible College, has given us a commentary that is both practical and able in its exposition. Dr. Outlaw knows New Testament Greek well, having also taught that for many years. At the same time, he has a pastor's heart. In this commentary, then, he has capably combined careful exegesis of the text with practical, pious application.
Hebrews deals with some things that are not so thoroughly dealt with in the rest of the New Testament. No other New Testament writer so carefully explains the relationship between the Mosaic system and the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews enables us to understand exactly the meaning of the sacrifices and priestly ministry that helped define Israel, the Old Testament people of God, especially their function to point forward to Him who would be the only finally effective sacrifice and high priest, Jesus Christ. The possibility of apostasy is a theological issue that has long occupied the Christian church. In Hebrews the discussion of apostasy is at the forefront. Even commentators who do not believe that apostasy is possible, after all, acknowledge that the five major warning passages of Hebrews indicate that it is. We ought to master its teaching on this subject and warn those to whom we minister accordingly.
