There is much debate as to who the recipients of the letter were and why it was sent.
The Recipients
Given the general nature of the title in Greek – ‘To the Jews’ – and the fact that the quotes from the Old Testament are from the Septuagint, the standard conclusion is that the letter was written to the Greek speaking Christians in the church in Rome. The church in Rome was divided down the middle between Jews and Gentiles. Hebrew speaking Jews and Greek speaking converts. The letter to the Hebrews was sent a little later than Paul’s letter to the Romans because the writer of Hebrews referred to things that had not happened when Romans was written. Furthermore, Hebrews 13:24 gives us the hint that the letter was bound for the church in Rome.
Greet all your leaders and all the believers there. The believers from Italy send you their greetings.
Hebrews 13:24
So why direct the letter to only half the church in Rome? The first leaders of the church in Rome had died. The letter was most likely sent after 55 AD, when Paul sent his letter to Rome and before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Emperor Claudius banned 40,000 Jews from Rome in the early 50’s AD. Claudius died in 54 AD and Nero became Emperor. The Jews came back into Rome and rejoined the Gentiles in a church that was now somewhat divided. The Jews had to be assimilated back into the church from which they had fled. Priscilla and Aquila had departed from Rome at the time of Claudius’ edict and went to Corinth. (Acts 18:2)
When Nero became Emperor in AD 54 the Jews had begun their return to Rome. They were treated well at first under Nero, but subsequently the persecution under Nero began. Yet under Nero, the persecution fell on the Christians, not the Jews. The Jews were a legal religion under Nero. It was the Christians who were considered an illegal religion.
Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
Hebrews 10:32-34
The above passage describes the onset of persecution before martyrdom had begun and the initial response to the difficulties they faced.
Why was the Letter to the Hebrews Written?
There are many opinions as to the reason behind the writing of the letter “To the Hebrews”. Some feel it was written to the whole church in Rome. Others feel it was written to the largely Gentile church after the Jews returned to bring clarity to both categories of Christians: Jews and Non-Jews. The perspective which makes most sense is that Hebrews was written primarily for the benefit of the Jewish Christians who had returned to Rome after Claudius’ reign and were present in there at the beginning of Nero’s reign and the subsequent persecution which broke out against the Christians. The important point to remember is that the Jewish Christians had an escape clause. They could leave the church when persecution broke out against the Christians and return to the synagogues. But in order to do that they would have to return to the roots of Judaism. That would mean they would have to deny their faith in Christ and the belief that He had done all they needed to be saved and return to the Law and the keeping of both the Law and the extra rules added by the Scribes and Pharisees.
There in essence is why the Letter was written To the Hebrews. Sandra gave you the clue with her initial questions and input to Gem 2022 in her second response. Yes I do heartily recommend the Bible Overview book, Unlocking the Bible. I personally believe it is the best Bible overview book on the planet. David Pawson has provided in this book a wonderful aid to understanding the Bible. I think what he wrote in the chapter of his book on Hebrews provides a sound basis from which to examine and interpret this puzzling and intriguing letter, the riddle and the mystery of the New Testament. But if looked at from David’s viewpoint, it takes away the enigma and the puzzlement from this letter and leaves us with a framework through which we can truly understand what is being said in this book and why it is useful for all Christians, Jewish and Gentile alike.
We will look into the structure of the book as we work our way through the content of the Letter to the Hebrews. But if you keep in mind the background described above then you will have a good grasp on the purpose of the letter, why it was written and why it is structured as it is. Not only that but it will help you make sense of the flow of the content and the natural sections of the letter.
- Don’t drift away
- Keep on Keeping on
- Don’t go back to Judaism
- Don’t shrink back from your faith in Christ
- Let us go on
Why the strong Hebrew and Old Testament content? – the writer is a Jew, who knows the Old Testament well, along with the teachings and religious practices of Judaism. (S)he uses that knowledge to counter the temptation to deny Christ and return to Judaism and the synagogue in the face of the persecution unleashed in the time of Nero. As Sandra wrote, this is relevant to us in light of Covid conditions. But how much more is it relevant to those Christians who are facing persecution or who WILL face persecution. That now covers all of us. This letter is for you.
That is all I need to say before we begin our exegetical analysis of the Letter to the Hebrews. Just like the writer to the Hebrews of old we will begin in the next Gem with the opening lines of the letter, which without preamble get straight to the point.
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
Hebrews 1:1-2
I am sure I don’t have to remind you but we are talking about thirteen chapters which are in the form of a letter, but not a letter from Paul.
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
Hebrews 4:14
So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.
Hebrew 6:1
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Hebrews 10:23
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1