Study Guide: Hebrews

Many people think of Hebrews 11 as the faith chapter, but the entire book is about faith. The book was written to Hebrew Christians who, in the face of persecution and hardship, were in danger of turning from their new-found faith and returning to the Old Testament system. I see three aspects of faith that recur throughout the book. First, faith is required (see especially 2:1; 3:12; 4:1; 4:14; 10:35; 10:38; 11:6). Second, faith is rewarded (4:9; 6:10; 10:34; 10:35; 11:6; 11:11). Third, faith is reasonable when we fix our gaze on the amazing Savior in whom we trust (2:9; 3:1; 11:28; 12:2; 12:3).

This third aspect is extensively developed for most of the book, so that when we reach the later chapters (which focus more on the practical demand for faith), we have a firm foundation of knowing that we can trust Christ. Beyond the wonderful characteristics we see about our Savior, we see that He is better than the apostles, the angels, man, Moses, the Levitic priests, Melchizedec, and the chapter 11 heroes. My summary statement for the book is this: A life that reflects enduring faith in God is required; God is eminently worthy to receive that faith, and He will always reward it.

The outline below gives a summary statement for each chapter. It then gives a guide based on the primary aspect of faith focused on in each segment of the chapter.

CHAPTER 1: Revelation through Christ, the superior Son of God

Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 1-14) based on the qualifications of the new messenger. Notice especially His divine characteristics (vs. 2-4) and his superiority over the angels (vs. 5-14).

CHAPTER 2: Christ’s ministry to weak man

Focus: faith is required (vs. 1-8). We see as reasons to heed the message the authority of the messenger (vs. 1-4) and the responsibility of those who hear (vs. 5-8).
Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 9-18) because of the qualifications of our Savior.

CHAPTER 3: Christ faithful, but man punished because of hardening and unbelief

Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 1-6) as we look at Christ in two roles and His faithfulness in each.
Focus: faith is required (vs. 6b-19). We are to take heed lest we depart, and the danger is reinforced through an example from Psalm 95 and Exodus 17. We don’t want to lose the blessings available to us as sons.

CHAPTER 4: Charge to be faithful rather than unbelieving

Focus: faith is required (vs. 1-13) and faith is rewarded (esp. vs. 7-11). We don’t want to miss the “rest” of God’s blessing (vs. 1-6), and we want to be careful how (in what condition) we enter into the “rest” of heaven (vs. 7-13).
Focus: faith is reasonable and faith is required (vs. 14-16). We are to hold fast to our faith with the aid of our understanding and helpful High Priest.

CHAPTER 5: Christ surpasses the earthly high priests

Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 1-10) when we add to the characteristics of earthly high priests (vs. 1-4) the superior characteristics of our heavenly High Priest (vs. 5-10).
Focus: faith is required (vs.11-14). We have a parenthesis here to examine the sad condition of spiritual weakness (vs. 11-14) and the solution to such weakness (vs. 12-14).

CHAPTER 6: Need for mature faith in God’s unshakeable promises

Focus: faith is required (vs. 1-8). This continues the challenge of ch. 5 regarding spiritual weakness, as it challenges the believers to move beyond the basics (vs. 1-3) and reveals the danger for those who do not go deeper (vs. 4-8).
Focus: faith is rewarded (vs. 9-12). The believers were expected to return to their previous spiritual strength which would be accompanied by receiving promised blessings.
Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 13-20) because of God’s unfailing promises which offer strong hope.

CHAPTER 7: Christ’s priesthood superior to all other priesthoods

Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 1-22). We see Christ as superior to Melchisedec, who was pretty important (vs. 1-10). There are differences of opinion about who Melchisedec was. I believe he was a literal earthly priest placed by God’s supernatural intervention. (Among other things, if he were an angel or pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, why would the teaching be so hard for the believers to grasp? He is also presented as a known and accepted priest in Salem, not as someone who made a momentary appearance.) Regardless of the identification, the value is in recognizing the unique aspect of his unending priesthood. Christ’s priesthood was also superior to the Levitic priesthood (vs. 11-22).
Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 23-28). I identified twelve specific ways in which Christ’s priesthood is superior to the Levitic line.

CHAPTER 8: Christ is a better high priest who offers a better covenant

Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 1-13) because we have a superior priest in a superior place (vs. 1-5). There is the need for a new covenant (vs. 6-7), based on this distinction: the old covenant failed because of a problem with men (vs. 8-9), while the new covenant reveals the solution by God (vs. 10-13).

CHAPTER 9: Old vs. new tabernacle and sacrifice

Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 1-28) because of the superiority of the new covenant (vs. 11-14) over the old (vs. 1-10). There was the necessity of a blood sacrifice (vs. 15-22), and Christ’s one-time sacrifice (vs. 23-28) met that.

CHAPTER 10: Christ’s effective sacrifice should not be taken lightly

Focus: faith is reasonable (vs. 1-18) because Christ’s sacrifice was accepted (vs. 1-10) and because it was accomplished by a one-time sacrifice (vs. 11-18).
Focus: faith is required (vs. 19-31). We have two reasons to take action (vs. 19-21) and three actions to take (vs. 22-25). We then see the sobering consequences of failing to act (vs. 26-31).
Focus: faith is required and faith is rewarded (vs. 32-39). These verses focus on one particular action: that of not throwing away our confidence. They give reasons for why we cannot do that.

CHAPTER 11: Examples of faith

Focus: faith is rewarded and faith is required (vs. 1-40). The chapter starts with a definition of faith (vs. 1-3). It reveals the pattern of faith (vs. 4-12, 17-35a), which is repeatedly based on specific statement from God, demonstrated by obedience, and rewarded by God. It talks about those who waited in faith (vs. 13-16; 35b-40), which was rewarded even though they never saw the results. These examples demonstrate practical faith, as a believer obediently lives out the life God has put before him, based on God’s promises and commands.

CHAPTER 12: Instructions and cautions regarding a life of enduring obedience

Focus: faith is required (vs. 1-29). As we properly run the race, we are to remember the examples (vs. 1-4). We are to remember the value of discipline (vs. 5-11). We are to remember the needs of others (vs. 12-17). We then have reasons for caution in living life of faith (vs. 18-29) – because of the place to which we have come (vs. 18-24) and the Person to whom we have come (vs. 25-29).

CHAPTER 13: Final instructions urging a life of faith

Focus: faith is required (v. 1-25). We have instructions regarding love (v. 1-4, 16); instructions regarding contentment (v. 5-6, 15); and instructions regarding leadership (v. 7, 9-14, 17-19). The closing prayer (vs. 20-21, 25) reveals how we are able to live a life of faith, followed by the author’s final comments (vs. 22-24).

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)