Focus on the Bible: Hebrews

by Walter Riggans

Publisher:

Christian Focus

, 1998

Overview

For each section of the Bible, the Focus on the Bible Commentaries summarize the passage of Scripture, including the intentions of the authors, the historical and cultural environment, and the questions and issues raised by a particular passage. But most importantly, the Focus on the Bible Commentaries brings you into the heart of the Bible, by explaining Scripture in an accessible way that makes sense for daily Christian living.

Hebrews was written to challenge and encourage professing Jewish believers who were considering abandoning the Christian faith and returning to the Jewish religion. Throughout his work, the unknown author shows how Christ is superior to all that the Old Testament offered, including the prophets, High Priest, Levitical sacrificial system and Old Covenant. In Christ, all believers have Jesus to be the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, who gives to them all the blessing of the new covenant. At the same time as showing that Christ is superior to the Old Testament system, the author also shows that, in fact, the prophets and other men of faith in the Old Testament are actually united to Christians and not to followers of the Jewish faith.

What’s more, with the Logos edition, Scripture passages are linked to your favorite English translation for quick reference, or to your Greek and Hebrew texts for original-language study! That gives you quick access to the message of the Bible as you study it! You can also read the Focus on the Bible: Hebrews along with your Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the wealth of other Bible study tools in your digital library. This commentary will serve as a vital aid for sermon preparation, for personal and group Bible study, and for anyone looking to apply the text of Scripture to practical Christian life.

Key Features

• Chapter-by-chapter commentary
• Accessible and readable exposition
• Eminently useful for preaching, teaching, and both personal and group Bible study

Contents

Top Highlights

“In combination with its use in chapter 11, it becomes clear that the term ‘faith’ can refer not only to the content of what we believe but also, and perhaps more importantly, to the attitude or relationship of faith which describes and defines our walk with the Lord. Faith is not about intellectual belief with no room for doubt or questions, but rather about trusting God and being committed to following him whatever the circumstances.” (Page 123)

“Jesus endured all that he did for the joy set before him—the joy of making salvation possible for all people, the joy of sitting at the right hand of the throne of God, and the joy of preparing a place in heaven for his people (John 14:1–3). We who follow Jesus are to consider the joy set before us to enable us to finish running the hard race, and so as not to grow weary and lose heart.” (Pages 151–152)

“Hebrews teaches that the appropriate knowing of good and evil for believers is not part of some desire to be like God, able to be our own masters and mistresses, but it is part of our desire to be like Jesus, following him in his example. We need to discern right and wrong patterns of attitude and behaviour in God’s kingdom, and live accordingly.” (Page 52)

“They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Ultimately, Hebrews is teaching us, home for the people of God can only be where God himself is.” (Page 133)

“But for Israel the problem was that God had already decreed that her priests would be descended from the tribe of Levi whereas the rightful king would be a descendant of the tribe of Judah. Since no-one could be descended from both tribes, this would seem to disqualify any priest-king for Israel. Here before us is the significance of the figure of Melchizedek, whom we learn was the priestly head of the succession to which Jesus belonged. Jesus is the son of David, from the tribe of Judah, thus satisfying the royal requirement. However, he does not receive his priestly credentials from the tribe of Levi, and so it is no crisis that he is not a Levite. He is a priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Pages 69–70)

Product Details

• Title: Hebrews
• Author: Walter Riggans
• Series: Focus on the Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Print Publication Date: 1998
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 192
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Hebrews › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781857923285, 1857923286
• Resource ID: LLS:FOBC79HEB
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T16:53:30Z

About Walter Riggans

Walter Riggans served as Minister and as Warden of the Hospice at the Church of Scotland in Tiberias.