Understanding the Book of Hebrews: A Word-by-Word Commentary

By Michael Pearl

A Word-by-Word Commentary on the most thorough discussion of faith found in the Bible.

God, as salesman of the truth, takes the responsibility to present himself in a way that causes you to know your need of him, believe his promises, and forsaking all others take him only. If you look at your faith you will look in vain.

If you look to him, knowing you have insufficient faith, and you do not consider your faith or the lack thereof, he will receive you as you are, having less faith than a grain of finely ground pepper. He will then call you his own. Then your faith is not in your faith; it is in his faithfulness. Then you have entered the world of biblical faith—all praise to him and no brag on our part.

Excerpt:

10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” The just shall live by faith is taken from Habakkuk 2:4-a seventh century BC prophet anticipating this present grace dispensation. It is quoted in the New Testament three times: Here in Hebrews 10:38, in Rom 1:17, and in Gal 3:11. When we look at the original we find clarity in our interpretation, for it contains one word omitted in the three NT quotes, although it is implied. It is the word his; “the just shall live by his faith.” There has been an almost universal misunderstanding of these four passages. Most students interpret the passages, especially in Romans and Galatians, to be saying what is otherwise true, that by faith one is justified from sin by the atoning work of Christ. That is true in other passages, but the subject here is not new birth justification; it is manner of one's daily walk. To paraphrase the text: Just people will live their lives by the means of faith. Or to put it another way, we continue to relate to God by faith alone. It is not a formula for being justified from our sins; it is a formula for how those who are indeed just will live their lives....

• Language: English
• Publisher: No Greater Joy Ministries
• Release date: Sep 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781616441258

Book preview

Foreword

Faith is indeed the primary subject in the Bible. The lack of it is the defining element of fallen man. The first sin sprang from a lack of faith toward God. Every Old Testament story has at its heart God’s attempt to bring men to faith. By faith we mean a simple confidence in the worthiness of God and his word—a positive mental attitude toward him and his program, an acceptance of his dominion. The New Testament theme is faith from beginning to end, faith appearing 245 times and believe appearing 244 times in the New Testament alone. In chapters 10–12 the writer of Hebrews will come to the most thorough discussion of faith found in the Bible.

Understanding the Book of Hebrews

Background

The Book of Hebrews is addressed to Hebrews/Israelites/Jews of the first century who had confessed Jesus to be the promised Messiah, had been baptized, and were part of the church. They suffered great conflict without and within. Without were their fellow Jewish brethren who officially persecuted any Jewish believer, and then there was the Roman government coming after Christians in general. But more to the issue of this book, some of them suffered inner conflicts, second-guessing their move to faith in Christ. Due to threats from authorities and isolation from their families, there was strong inducement to deny Christ and return to the Law of Moses. Apparently some had already drawn back.

Overview of the First 10 Chapters

Chapters 1 through 10:34 are written to remind the Hebrews of the transcendence of Jesus and the new covenant set against the old covenant. The first ten chapters are interspersed with exhortations to continue in the faith, and the subject is taken up exclusively in 10:26 and carries through chapter 11 into chapter 12.

Summary of the Main Points Concerning the Eminence of Christ

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners [different times and in a variety of ways] spake in time past unto the fathers [forefathers as recorded in the Old Testament] by the prophets,

The book of Hebrews is written to Hebrews—Israelites/Jews who partake of the finished work of Christ. For that reason the author assumes his readers have an intimate knowledge of the Old Testament, thus are aware of the manner in which God had spoken to the Hebrew prophets in various ways. Their faith was based on a firm conviction of divine revelation as recorded in the Holy Scriptures.

1:2 Hath in these last days [recently] spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed [to be assigned or placed by another] heir of all things…

…last days…

Jesus is the focal point of all prophecy, the final revelation of God to the Hebrews.

…by his son…

Offers a contrast. Historically he has spoken by the prophets; he now, in these last days, has spoken by his son—a far superior spokesman.

…by whom also he made the worlds;

While extoling Jesus as the center of all that is future, he throws in the fact that he is also the sole creator of the worlds. In Genesis 1:1 when it says In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, that God is Jesus. Jesus created the heaven and earth and Adam and Eve and all the plants and animals.

Colossians 1:16–17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

See also John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 3:3–4; Revelation 4:11.

…worlds…

This is a striking use of the plural. Jesus didn’t make just one world; he made worlds—plural. This is either an acknowledgement that this world is not the only one God created, or, more probably, that the different stages of this planet are so radically different as to qualify as different worlds. Peter speaks of the world that then was, referencing the pre-human world on which the angels lived before their fall. In Genesis 1:2 the world that then was is said to be without form and void. The re-creation of it into the world in which we now live is a new world. Two other passages speak of the coming world without end, possibly alluding to the end of the first world and the creation of the new. (Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 45:17; Ephesians 3:21).

He is establishing the continuity of revelation from the prophets to the present, culminating in the revelation given by the Son of God. The Hebrew readers held the former prophets in high regard. He is directing his audience to transfer that faith of their fathers to faith in the Heavenly Father’s Son. Paul spoke of it as from faith to faith (Romans 1:17).

1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express [precise reproduction in every respect] image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power,

…brightness…

The word brightness is found in the KJB 22 times. In every instance it speaks of the glory that radiates from a supreme potentate. The use of it here is an exaltation of Jesus as the singular expression of divine glory.

…express image…

Jesus is the express image of God: Romans 9:5; Proverbs 30:4 with Ephesians 4:9–10; John 1:1–3; 1 Timothy 3:16; Acts 20:28; 1 John 5:20–21; Zechariah 12:10 and 13:6 (note it is God speaking of himself); Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 1:8; John 10:33 and 8:24.

To see Jesus is to see God.

To worship Jesus is to worship God.

To praise Jesus is to praise God.

To know Jesus is to know God.

To love Jesus is to love God.

To deny Jesus is to deny God.

To miss Jesus is to miss God.

…upholding all things…

Psalm 33:6–9 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Colossians 1:16–17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

…by the word of his power…

In our progressive Christian era of positive speaking (word of faith theology) we are led to believe that power comes from speaking the right words. The text does not say that Jesus upholds all things by the power that comes from his word; it says that his word originates in his power. Power first, then words. Charismatic branches of Christianity have proven the falsehood of the converse. Until God moves in power, our words are powerless.

…when he had by himself purged our sins…

Without assist from the Law of Moses, animal sacrifices, or ceremonial laws such as Sabbath observance, tithing, feast days, etc., by himself he purged our sins.

…sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

One sits down after finishing a job. Christ’s ascension to that supreme status says his work of purging sins was fully accepted and successful. The right hand in Scripture always represents the place of power and authority. Look up all 170 uses in the Bible.

1:4 Being made so much better than the angels [by the divine decree, which follows], as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

…better…

This is the first of 12 times the word better is applied to the person or ministry of Jesus Christ.

…so much better…

Jesus is not just better than the old covenant sacrifices and temple services; he is so much better.

…better than the angels…

This introduces the subject of the rest of this chapter—ten verses, nearly all of chapter one dedicated to showing Jesus to be above the angels in his ministry.

Why make the point that Jesus is better than the angels? The Hebrews understood the angels to be better than men (Psalm 8:4–5; Hebrews 2:7–9). They delivered victories in battle and brought the words of God to the prophets. When they appeared they were much more powerful in stature and exceeding in glory, causing men to fall down in fear and bow in admiration.

No doubt the writer of Hebrews, inspired by the Holy Spirit, anticipated an issue arising if it hadn’t already—the idea that Jesus might not be God, rather a created being like an angel, sharing a special relationship to God, but not God by nature. The Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses fell into that pit of false doctrine along with many cults down through the centuries. In promoting the deity of Christ and his preeminent work of redemption, the writer wanted to nip that false doctrine in the bud.

…as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

This is the introduction to a list of seven ways in which Jesus is better than the angels.

He could just declare Jesus to be God—case closed—but that is the conclusion, not the evidence. His approach is to quote Old Testament passages familiar to his audience, pointing to the superiority of Christ in a variety of ways. He leads them to consider the obvious statements found in Scripture, a book they already believed word for word. This was the faith to faith approach (Romans 1:17).

Note the passage, "he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they [the angels]." The key phrase here is by inheritance. He is going to quote Scripture that reveals God decreed Christ to occupy a much higher position of authority than the angels. Jesus came into the world as a man with a royal title.

1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

That is a quote of Psalm 2:7 and 1 Chronicles 17:13.

Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

1 Chronicles 17:11–14 [Nathan to David] And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:

14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

He asks a rhetorical question: When did God ever say of an angel, Today you will become my begotten son, and I will be your Father?

He states that at Christ’s human birth God decreed him to be a son. The word begotten is used throughout Scripture in reference to one’s natural descendent. God did indeed place his seed in the virgin’s womb where it conceived with her egg. The man Jesus was truly God’s only begotten son in a natural sense. Adam was a son of God by creation, but the second person of the trinity became the son of God by decree and natural birth through the conception of divine seed with the human egg. Prior to his role as son to God and son to Mary, he was eternal