Hebrews - Introduction

Why did the author write this letter to these Hebrews—to these Jewish Christians? These Christians—whoever they were—had recently begun to fall into temptations of various kinds, and the author is writing to exhort them not to fall into these temptations. What temptations? These Hebrews were becoming lazy (Hebrews 6:12). They had begun to grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:3). Their initial enthusiasm and zeal was beginning to cool (Hebrews 3:14; 10:23,35). They had not matured in their faith (Hebrews 5:12-14). Some of them had stopped meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). They were opposing their own Christian leaders (Hebrews 13:17). Some of them were even about to give up their faith completely (Hebrews 3:12; 10:26).

As we think about the spiritual condition of these Hebrews, let us also examine ourselves. Have we become like them in any way? Because if we have, then this letter is certainly written for us!

In summary, the Hebrew Christians were about to fall into a very great temptation. They were about to leave their new Christian faith and return to their former Jewish religion.

Thus, the author of this letter has four purposes in writing. First, he writes to remind these Christians about the salvation and eternal life that comes only through Christ. Second, he writes to remind them of the immeasurable blessings that are available in Christ through faith. Third, he writes to tell them that to reach heaven believers must expect to suffer, even as Christ suffered. And fourth, the author writes to warn these Hebrew Christians that if they turn from their faith in Christ, God’s fearful judgment will fall upon them.