I've read much commentary on Hebrews. Most believe Hebrews was written as a case for Christ being the High Priest of a New Covenant, something the Jews could associate with from the Old Testament. A better covenant made with better promises fulfilled completely in Christ, an everlasting covenant through His blood.
They point out, especially Kenneth Wuest, a noted Greek scholar, that Hebrews was written for a specific need for the Jews in the first century who had accepted Christ as their Savior. Some had already and others were about to go back to temple worship, Judaism, turning their backs on Christ.
They point out several verses in Hebrews as the warning from the author to the Jews this is a grave mistake and the consequences are eternal. Mr. Wuest makes an interesting point in Hebrews 10:26,
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
He comments that the word "sin" in this verse is not speaking in the original Greek as plural of sins being committed, but rather of one particular sin. It is the "willful sin" of transferring ones faith from Christ to something else.
He continues to say, in this case it's referring to the "willful sin" the Jews are committing by turning from Christ and going back to temple worship, Judaism.
He further points out "there remains no more sacrifice for sins" as the warning that the sacrifice of Christ is the only avenue for the forgiveness of sins, and they are turning their backs to that forgiveness by turning from Christ and returning to temple worship.
The following is Mr. Wuest's comments on "after that we have received the knowledge of the truth."
"The phrase "after that we have received the knowledge of the truth" speaks of the Bible way of salvation, which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
"Knowledge" in the Greek as here used is "epignosis." It is not the simple word "gnosis" which is commonly used, but something far greater. When "epignosis" is used, there is the assumption of an actual direction of the Spirit to a definite object and of a real grasping of the same.
Paul, by the use of this word, gives us to understand that he means by it not merely a shallow historical notion about the truth, but a living believing knowledge of it, which has laid hold of man and fused him into union with itself.
So. we are not speaking here of sinners having merely heard the truth and then rejecting it, as many teach, but rather individuals who have heard the truth, received the truth, and have made the truth a part of their lives."
These are just some interesting things I've studied in the past that come to mind from time to time, and I though I'd pass it along.
They point out, especially Kenneth Wuest, a noted Greek scholar, that Hebrews was written for a specific need for the Jews in the first century who had accepted Christ as their Savior. Some had already and others were about to go back to temple worship, Judaism, turning their backs on Christ.
They point out several verses in Hebrews as the warning from the author to the Jews this is a grave mistake and the consequences are eternal. Mr. Wuest makes an interesting point in Hebrews 10:26,
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
He comments that the word "sin" in this verse is not speaking in the original Greek as plural of sins being committed, but rather of one particular sin. It is the "willful sin" of transferring ones faith from Christ to something else.
He continues to say, in this case it's referring to the "willful sin" the Jews are committing by turning from Christ and going back to temple worship, Judaism.
He further points out "there remains no more sacrifice for sins" as the warning that the sacrifice of Christ is the only avenue for the forgiveness of sins, and they are turning their backs to that forgiveness by turning from Christ and returning to temple worship.
The following is Mr. Wuest's comments on "after that we have received the knowledge of the truth."
"The phrase "after that we have received the knowledge of the truth" speaks of the Bible way of salvation, which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
"Knowledge" in the Greek as here used is "epignosis." It is not the simple word "gnosis" which is commonly used, but something far greater. When "epignosis" is used, there is the assumption of an actual direction of the Spirit to a definite object and of a real grasping of the same.
Paul, by the use of this word, gives us to understand that he means by it not merely a shallow historical notion about the truth, but a living believing knowledge of it, which has laid hold of man and fused him into union with itself.
So. we are not speaking here of sinners having merely heard the truth and then rejecting it, as many teach, but rather individuals who have heard the truth, received the truth, and have made the truth a part of their lives."
These are just some interesting things I've studied in the past that come to mind from time to time, and I though I'd pass it along.
