The Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because of the similarities in the chronicle of Christ’s life and ministry they present. However, in addition to their similarities each also has its unique differences so that the question arises about their literary relationship: Was there some common source of…
Heb 13:10-14 What appeal of the Jewish ceremonial law were those being tempted by who were in danger of reverting to the legal religion of the Jews? Cf. 1 Cor 9:13, 10:18. How does the author counter that appeal? See Heb 13:10. In what way did Jesus’ better sacrifice parallel that of the sacrifices of the…
Heb 13:1-3 With what three exhortations does the author encourage his readers in these verses? Why are they particularly important given the increased persecution they were facing? I.e., why might the love of the brethren fall by the wayside in times when believers are being persecuted for their faith? Why might believers in such times…
Heb 12:18-24 What mountain is referred to in Heb 12:18, and what historical event is the author describing in Heb 12:18-21? See Ex 19:11-22, 20:18-20, Dt 4:10-13, 5:2-5, 22-27. With what 7 expressions does he describe the giving of the old covenant that would “fade away” (2 Cor 3:11) because it was “only a shadow of…
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;…