I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians
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1 CORINTHIANS
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Letters – Is he writing to me?
The short answer: YES.
In their epistlesor 1st century church lettersthe Apostles and other men sent out by Jesus build up the saints [small – ‘s’] or members of local first century churches.
A Disciple or other witness of JESUS would write it. Messengers then delivered these church letters to many isolated worshipers.
Followers of Jesus Christ receive these letters as a major encouragement to their personal faith. Then leaders read them to worshipers of their church.
Although the Epistles 0r Letters to the Church were originally written to churches of the first century,
Romans through Jude will seem like letters to your 21st century church.
What do Peter, Paul, John and others tell us we must do?
Is he talking about an issue in your 21st c. church as well?
How does the writer’s advice, warning, or encouragement to the 1st c. believers apply to you as well
Is the writer of this letter talking about something you need to address in your 21st century ‘christian’ life?
Contemporary Application of the Letters (Epistles)
Most New Testament writers take on specific issues confronting faithful followers of Jesus Christ. These same issues continue to confront believers until the Lord’s coming again in these last days.
Certainly Christ our Lord will come again to those God has chosen for eternal life.
Believers currently suffer more than most of you who know Christ in your local church can imagine.
In other lands Christians continue to suffer by the hand of the ungodly.
Go into all the world
A 21st century Common Era church can see and hear nearly any atrocity of man or artificial imagination of sinful man’s mind, yet ‘christians‘ dare not speak of any absolute truth of the Lord God or talk of JESUS CHRIST.
Will YOU comment on Scripture and share the Gospel?
I invite you to read the inspired word of Scripture written in these LETTERS TO THE CHURCH.
YES, He IS writing to YOU.
Beloved brother or sister in Christ Jesus,
Will you read this ‘CHURCH LETTER’ andtalk of JESUS through your comment, sharing and email to me about this ‘Letter to you?”
What do you think of when someone mentions a priest or a high priest?
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
Alexander I – Bishop of Jerusalem c. AD 107-225
Exodus 21:5-7
A religious ceremony? A regal religious robed man in charge?
As mentioned previously in Hebrews 2, an anointing or separation of a priest from common impurity symbolizes holiness, a perfection by which he may approach the Lord.
Again, returning to a Jewish understanding of the Priesthood, the writer of Hebrews points to Jesus the Messiah as a High Priest. G_d the Father appointed Jesus, just as Moses and Aaron were anointed by the LORD.
5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future.
but Messiah is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end.
“Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,” a direct quote (KJV) from Psalm 95:8 reiterated for emphasis also in Hebrews 3:15.
Do you claim Scripture – the very Word of the LORD?
Listen up! so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Was God angry for forty years? The bodies of those who sinned – those who did not believe – fell in the wilderness. Who will not enter God’s rest?
κατάπαυσις – the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells
Will you, my fellow Hebrews, enter into rest? This, through Scripture, is what the author asks his readers.
So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Hebrews 3:11 KJV
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
Hebrews 3:18 KJV
19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Do you believe the scriptural evidence that Jesus is the Messiah?
Will you enter into God’s perfect rest? Or do you persist to rebel in the wilderness of sin in these last days?
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.
Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!
Continuing in our study of Hebrews, a letter authored to first century Jews, we now continue the second chapter after what we covered previously in the beginning verses 1-9 in Hebrew 2 – Pay Attention.
Fitting and proper perfection
Are you a perfect Jew?
Or more to a personal point, am I a perfect Christian?
Of course not.
So how do we have any chutzpah outside of the Messiah Jesus to say that we may be accepted into eternal life by the Lord? This is the issue of salvation the writer of Hebrews takes on here.
For it was bekavod (fitting, proper) for him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing banim rabbim (many sons) to kavod, to bring to shleimut (perfection, completion) the Rosh (Head) and Mekhonen (Founder) of their Yeshua’at Hashem through yissurim (suffering).
Hebrews 2:10 Orthodox Jewish Bible
Most Christians lack a full understanding of many terms of Hebrew origin like perfection, author, purification and redemption. I am neither a Torah trained Rabbi nor Messianic Jew, but further readings of Paul‘s letters will help you to understand an academic Jewish approach to some of these terms.
Various translations of πρέπω read: it became Him, it was bekavod, it was fitting, it was entirely appropriate – the concept that God does what is right and perfect. Jews and Christians must agree that man has a tendency to weigh perfection incorrectly.
“Many sons – πολύς υἱός speaks of multitudes and not specifically men (as opposed to women) or of a specific son. Think of the beneficiary as humanity, rather than all creation or even the Creator Himself. And what is the benefit – what is our reward?
Now glory means many things to different people, so let’s be clear in our completed understanding of doxa, as in ‘doxology.’ Yes, praise of God or of a man.
Glory becomes a Biblical description of the brightness of God, or of the sun, moon, stars, angels or an object; implying magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace and majesty.
God is unsurpassed glory! A higher indescribable brightness. Yet the glory of God has a contrasting glory of which we seldom speak.
Doxa in Greek translates as an opinion, judgment, view; therefore our human opinion or estimate of someone or something, whether good or bad, is a glory or judgement – Biblically of God, a Most High Glory.
to perfect
τελειόω – to complete (perfect), to bring to the end (goal) proposed, to accomplish or bring to a close, a fulfillment by event of the prophecies of the scriptures.
We must, at some point in our lives, confess that some have authority over us. (This is assumed in a Biblical-based Hebrew culture.) Current authority, previous authority and a succession of authority all come into play.
Abraham, Israel, Moses, David and family patriarchs may all be mentioned as a head or founding father of Jews. The Lord granted both His Authority and succession through them. Here the author of Hebrews points to their Higher Authority.
ἀρχηγός – archēgos implies one that takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer. Jesus, therefore, becomes a captain or founder, a chief leader or Prince over these who followed.
Within the same verse His origin was established as ‘Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things’… or other translations read: ‘God—for whom and through whom all things exist—...’ Clearly, the Son of God IS God! Jesus IS before all founders and over all authority.
σωτηρία sōtēria –Salvation, in Greek, the common language of first century Judea and much of the Roman Empire, refers to deliverance, preservation, safety, even from molestation by one’s enemies. A Roman understanding of sōtēria could have viewed a “savior” as a threat to their own authority.
In an ethical sense, that which concludes to the soul’s safety, of Messianic salvation.
יָשַׁע – yasha` is the Hebrew concept. Isaiah asks,
The question of who can be saved is one of some debate, which we will not take on today. Since the writer of Hebrews refers to the Son, the Messiah, as God in this introductory passage, we will briefly examine His own answer to this question.
When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved? ”
The Jewish Apostle and tax collector relates consecutive stories about money, the rich and salvation, asking the Messiah who can be saved. Hear His answer:
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 CSB
Not even an Apostle or rich ruler can earn salvation or buy perfection. Yet God the Father has made a way for the completion of sinful man.
We hesitate here, even that the Messiah must suffer, let alone that we must in death. Yet the meaning is clear: that which one suffers or has suffered. We shrink from some of the descriptions of sufferings: misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction.
Many of us have experienced some of the afflictions which Christians must undergo. And we know we cannot endure that with the Messiah suffered for our sins as a Sacrifice painfully crucified on the Cross.
Hebrews and gentiles know that in perfection a price must be paid for sin.
Sanctification – ἁγιάζω
To sanctify is to purify, separating from the profane and dedicating or consecrating to a Holy God.
How can a sinner be consecrated to the Lord God?
The author of Hebrews continues by assuring us that the Messiah Jesus completed our sanctification and He, the crucified Son of Man calls us brothers (or sisters). What undue grace and love of those of the world. And grace for both Jew and gentile, grace for those of the first century and sinners of this twenty-first century.
Once again the writer of Hebrews quotes familiar scripture, even the very song from Psalm 22 יְהוֹשׁוּעַ Yĕhowshuwa` cried out from the cross! He also quotes the historical record of Samuel and the prophet Isaiah.
Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.
Hebrews 2:13 CSB
The Lord God has become a personal God on the Cross!
וְה֥וּא כֹהֵ֖ן לְאֵ֥ל עֶלְיֹֽון׃
a Priest of G_d Most High
The writer of Hebrews closes this section about Jesus becoming our Pioneer of Perfection with explanation why the Son of Man became a High Priest for us.
17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
More about atonement and our need for this Priest in Hebrews 3.
Does this sound familiar? (Perhaps a teacher comes to mind.)
Take heed; beware; pay close attention and remember what I taught you before.
We began by mentioning that the writer of Hebrews was proclaiming to fellow Jews: Jesus is the predicted Messiah. First century Jews knew their scriptures more than most Jews or Christians in these last days. Scriptural messengers included prophets and angels, but the Messiah IS the very Word of the LORD, in Person.
Warning to Pay Attention
Why pay attention to Scripture?
So that we do not fall into faithlessness, so that we will not turn away from the Lord and so that we receive the promises of God made to His beloved chosen souls.
Therefore, receive what the LORD has told us, for the sake of your eternal soul.
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1 NIV
2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
Consider the consequences of your neglect. Here is our conviction in legal terms.
Logical consequence of the Law
Legally binding in this translation from the Greek λαλέω conveys a word generally translated as ‘steadfast,’ meaning stable or firm. Law must have a basis, inviolable definition from which judgement may be made. If the LORD sends a message via an angel to a man or woman, obedience to the LORD is legally binding, as if the LORD Himself spoke the command.
We therefore must be held accountable for our own obedience or disobedience to the LORD’S command. The Greek root παρακούω parakouō suggests logically that we may not casually or carelessly dismiss it or be unwilling to hear, i. e. on hearing to neglect, to pay no heed to the messenger. In other words, we are accountable for what Lord has delivered to us though these heavenly messengers.
Transgressions פֶּשַׁע or trespasses more familiarly refer to violating the Law given by the LORD through Moses. But these apply generally in the same manner to mean: falling away, breaking away or turning away from what is right; violating what is good to do what is evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Some versions call for ‘just reward,’ though the Greek meaning of ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν points to the consequences of justice bringing punishment.
How will we, the guilty escape the just punishment of the Lord?
Israel’s sons recognized this same guilt and consequence in their treatment of Joseph.
If we neglect
Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.”
Genesis 42:21 NASB
The writer of Hebrews points his brothers in the faith, fellow Jews, to the conviction of scripture.
Hebrews 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
God spoke to us through angels and dreams. Yet as Apostles and disciples of the Messiah, we confirm everything from those who heard God’s Word, spoken to us in the Person of Christ Jesus.
Quite a statement! It was confirmed to us by those who heard him, men chosen by God With Us, Immanuel עִמָּנוּאֵל.
4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.
He then continues by presenting the testimony of evidence, facts known to various Jewish contemporaries about the miracles of Jesus of Nazareth. Confirmation by the Holy Spirit, also witnessed in the Apostles and others after Pentecost, is also known to many first century Jewish readers. Indisputable evidence.
Jesus and Humanity
Of course the key evidence presented here and in the rest of the letter of Hebrews is that God came to the Jews, as promised, as a man, Redeemer and Savior. If this evidence stands the test of truth, then the Son of Man, or God In Person, is NOT subject to any authorities. In fact, angels serve Him!
5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about.
Once again, the writer points to the evidence of scripture. Psalm 8 in the Greek Septuagint, translated from the Hebrew.
Adonai! Our Lord! How glorious is your name throughout the earth!
(4) what are mere mortals, that you concern yourself with them; humans, that you watch over them with such care? (5) You made him but little lower than the angels, you crowned him with glory and honor, 7 (6) you had him rule what your hands made, you put everything under his feet —
Jesus, King and Lord
What is a King? What is the Authority of a Lord?
Important questions the writer of Hebrews addresses immediately – questions to which the answers, in truth, establish the nature of the Messiah Jesus (יְהושֻׁעַ ).
8 and subjected everything under his feet. For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him.
Hebrews 2:8, ref. to Psalm 8
The Messiah King will be in charge of all creation! This is quite clear. Yet clearly, Jesus, having been crucified, had not taken charge of everything.
So the writer of Hebrews presents the obvious question immediately. Why not?
9 But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
Why should God suffer death?
God’s grace for everyone — even Greeks, Romans and other gentiles?
Yes, and grace for a remnant of Jews who will believe through Him.
It is a topic so important to the Jew and gentile alike that we must pursue it separately as we complete this chapter.
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