Heb 12:12-13 Given the context, what does the author mean to “strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble”? See Is 35:3 from which he is quoting and its context in Is 35:4. What does he mean to “make straight paths for our feet”? See Prov 4:25-27 from which he quotes…
Heb 12:4-11 What does Heb 12:4 tell us about the level of persecution that had reached those to whom the author is addressing? Is it likely in light of such a statement that the author is writing to believers in Rome, where the first state-sponsored persecution against Christians broke out and was most concentrated, or…
Heb 11:32-40 With those already mentioned, has the author exhausted the list of those who had faith to the preserving of the soul? Is such faith so rare that in fact it is possessed only by the legendary, so that the “average” believer should not expect to attain to such faith? See Heb 12:1, 10:39. …
Heb 11:20-22 What key words in Heb 11:20 help us understand the great faith of Isaac which the author wishes to exemplify as necessary for the preserving of the soul? See also Gen 27:27-29, 39-40, 28:2-4, and consider Isaac’s acceptance of the sovereignty of God to accomplish His purposes after mistakenly blessing Jacob ahead of…
Heb 11:8-12 In what way does the faith exhibited by Abraham epitomize the faith that is required for salvation in Christ? See esp. Heb 11:8-9. Have we likewise been called to forsake our home in this world and follow Christ into a land He will show us? See Gen 12:1, Mat 10:37-39, Lk 18:28-30. What…
Heb 11:1-3 Notice in this chapter the record of the “men of old” who had faith to the preserving of their souls; what definition of such faith does the author give in Heb 11:1? Note: “assurance” is often translated as confidence, and is used in business documents as the basis or guarantee of business transactions;…
Heb 10:26-31 Besides the positive aspect of the better things that are available in Christ, with what negative aspect does the author warn his readers about the danger of drifting away from so great a salvation? What does it mean to “go on sinning willfully”? See also 1 Jn 3:4-10. Is this different from occasionally stumbling…
Heb 10:1-4 With what two words does the author contrast the law of Moses and the “good things to come” under the new covenant? See Heb 10: 1. How do we know that the provisions in the old covenant can not make perfect those who draw near to God? See Heb 10:2-4. Compare the Roman…
Heb 9:1-10 Describe the “regulations of divine worship” under the first covenant. What was the outer (lit. “first”) sanctuary called, and what articles relating to the divine worship were found in it? See Heb 9:2. What was the spiritual significance of each in pointing the worshipers to Christ? Cf. Jn 8:12; 2 Sam 9:6-11, Prov 9:1-6,…
Heb 8:1-5 What are the four aspects of the main point the author has now established, and why is each significant to those who were in danger of falling away into the religio licita of the Jews? See Heb 8:1-2, 7:25, and note: the author will develop the “better sanctuary” in chapter 9. What was…