ii
Contents
Passage Overview...........................................................................................................................1
Introduction and Thesis................................................................................................................1
Background.................................................................................................................................... 2
Historical and Cultural Context........................................................................................... 2
Literary Context...................................................................................................................5
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................... 6
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................7
1
Passage Overview
For this exegetical paper assignment, the chosen passage is Hebrews 10:26-31. While
more than one translation may be used in analysis process, the English Standard Version is the
primary reference. Below is the general outline of the passage that will be implemented to
correctly interpret and propose a solution to the issues in Hebrews 10:26-3:
Expectation of Knowledge (v. 26)
Expectation of Judgement (v. 27)
Reaffirming Punishment for Disobedience (v. 28-29)
Reaffirming Judgement (v. 30)
Final Warning (v. 31)
Introduction and Thesis
There are many differed methods associated with interpreting a passage of Scripture. For
the purposes of this exegesis, the septs provided in Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On
Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible will be employed, “Grasp the text in
their town. What did the text mean to the original audience? Measure the width of the river to
cross. What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? Cross the principlizing
bridge. What is the theological principle in this text? Consult the biblical map. How does this
theological principle fit with the rest of the Bible? Grasp the text in our town. How should
individual Christians today live out the theological principles?”1 These steps will aid in
investigating the purpose and problems of the selected passage, Hebrews 10:26-31.
1 J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading,
Interpreting, and Applying the Bible, Fourth Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 199.
2
There is a primary problem that is found within Hebrews 10:26-31 that arises during an
interpretive examination. At first glance, the passage portrays the loss of salvation through
deliberate sin, but is this God’s true intention? Without a proper analysis, the passage reads as a
contradiction to the forgiving nature of Jesus Christ, but it can also serve as a blunt reminder of
what is expected of Christians, “Since Christ’s sacrifice is the only effective remedy for sin,
when apostates reject that sacrifice they return to the default human state of liability for sin and
fearful expectation of judgment (10:26–29), now with even greater liability. Because all have
sinned, all are due sin’s just penalty.”2 All are subject to God’s judgement in the end, but the
process by which they will be judged is based on their lives. The purpose of this paper is to show
that Christians are sternly warned about the consequences of apostacy, further encouraging the
truth of free will for humankind, and the possibility of losing salvation. Humans are not perfect
and will repeatedly sin, but it is a choice to act upon worldly temptations or to resist and follow
Christ fully and ask for forgiveness.
Background Context
Historical and Cultural Context
Referring to the steps presented by Duvall and Hays, one is able to begin the study of the
passage in Hebrews at the point of origin. The passage was written for a specific audience that
adheres to historical background, culture and social backgrounds, and literary context within the
book of Hebrews as a whole. The purpose of the book of Hebrews is more clear after
establishing a theory about the intended audience, original author, approximate date and location
on the Christian timeline, the cultural emphasis near the date of origin, and the literary context.
2 R. B. Jamieson, Jesusʹ Death and Heavenly Offering in Hebrews, (Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 2019), 103.
3
In the past, it has been widely accepted that the book of Hebrews was written as a letter
due to the way the end of the book concludes similarly to other letters, but theologians are
debating this style of writing and instead present a different form of communication, such as a
sermon that was written down.3 Most New Testament letters begin with an explanation of the
authorship and purpose; however, Hebrews begins with the way God speaks to his people
through Christ.4 After determining this, the intended audience is questioned. Was the author
writing to the Hebrews in a different format than other letters, were the Hebrews hearing the
words in a sermonic style to be written down and distributed, or was the book directed at another
audience altogether? According to a commentary by Michael Pearl, the audience is clear, “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.”5
Generally, the authorship is accredited to Paul, despite the different writing style and the
way the book strays from distinctive Pauline language. According to Amy Peeler, author of
Hebrews, two major points reject Pauline authorship, “First, the documents use different
methods of scriptural citation. Paul describes Israel’s Scriptures as those that are written,
whereas this author refers to them as speech, dominantly God’s speech…I reject Pauline
authorship chiefly because I do not think that Paul would so easily relinquish his experience with
the risen Lord.”6 The author speaks as though they have not heard God directly but rather hear
Him through others, which would be very unlike Paul (Heb. 2:3), and instead view the author as
3 David Peterson, An Introduction and Commentary, (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2020), 19. Peterson
explains this before introducing his perspective on the authorship, which he addresses later in the chapter.
4 Ibid.
5 Michael Pearl, Understanding the Book of Hebrews: A Word-by-Word Commentary, (Ashland: No
Greater Joy Ministries, 2021), 7.
6 Amy L. B. Peeler,KHebrews, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,
2024), 32-33.
4
someone who may have been in contact with Paul, such as Luke or Silas.7 This perspective is
supported by the majority of other historians and theologians, but they also present other theories
such as Apollos, “Luke tells us that Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, ‘an eloquent speaker…
an authority on the scriptures…with ardent spirit,’ who spoke ‘boldly’ (Acts 18:24–26)—all
qualities that match the Letter to the Hebrews…Apollos argued vigorously from the Scriptures
that the Messiah is Jesus (Acts 18:28), which is just what Hebrews does.”8
Theologians commonly agree on the time period and location in which Hebrews was
written as either Jerusalem or Rome, “Some scholars have focused on Jerusalem or another
locale in Palestine as the most likely place to find the deep attachment to the Jewish sacrificial
rites that Hebrews presumes. It is also the most likely site for a fully Jewish church, rather than
the mixed Jewish-Gentile churches that Paul had founded throughout the empire.”9 Because of
the unlikely audience of Gentiles, the claim is further supported that Jerusalem or a nearby area
was the location in which Hebrews was written. The end of the book mentions sending greetings
from Italy (Heb. 13:24), which leads readers to believe that somewhere in Italy was the
origination site. The location theories also play a role in the date.
Although the Jerusalem versus Rome debate is not settled, both would align with a date
before 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, as this event would have changed
the dynamic of the author’s perspective.10 If the Roman origination theory is correct, which is
more likely given the evidence in the passage and exterior factors, it was likely written, “between
7 Peeler, Hebrews, 33-34. Peeler continues that the authorship could even be a woman, such as
Prisca/Priscilla along with her husband Aquila.
8 Mary Healy,KHebrews, (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2016), 19-20.
9 Ibid., 22.
10 Healy, Hebrews, 23.
5
the expulsion of Jews in ADK49 and the persecution under Nero in ADK64. Since the author
speaks of their former sufferings as long past (10:32), a date closer to the latter is more likely.”11
Other authors argue that it was written much later and use the difference in the Pauline
letters to the pastoral style of Hebrews as evidence. The same proof theologians use to support an
earlier date is the same used by those arguing for a later time period, as the temple is not
mentioned at all in Hebrews since it is not necessary to include to support the author’s purpose,
“His interest is not in the historical practice of the Israelites but in the divine ordinance given
through Moses. He is arguing not against contemporary Judaism and its practices but for the
superiority of the revelation in Christ over against the Mosaic law. That is why his exposition
concerns the tabernacle erected by Moses, not the First Temple or the Second Temple.”12 Despite
the amount of research available on this topic, it is not known definitively by whom, when, and
where Hebrews was written.
Literary Context
Referring back to the original audience, one must consider the style in which Hebrews
was written as different from the New Testament letters. It stands out at a passage that was
intended for verbal communication, as the author explains as a “word of exhortation” (Heb.
13:22). The book is known for its elaborate use of the Greek language and extensive vocabulary,
mentioned words found nowhere else in Scripture or prior Greek literature.13 According to Mary
Healy, author of a Hebrews commentary, most of the literary devices are only evident in the
original Greek and are lost when translated to English, but she still provides an extensive list
11 Ibid.
12 Sigurd Grindheim, The Letter to the Hebrews, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 2023), 68.
13 Healy, Hebrews, 24.
6
including alliteration, assonance, litotes or double negatives, and rhetorical questions.14 With
many references to the Old Testament, Hebrews uses early Scripture as a foundation for the
content. Similarities are drawn from various passages of the Old Testament to Hebrews to
punctuate the importance of and to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. The background of Hebrews
provides further evidence that the content was very specifically written as both encouragement
and as a warning to those wandering from the glory of God, “Hebrews offers alternating panels
of theological exposition and practical encouragement or warning… But encouragement remains
no less prominent than warning.”15 The unique structure of Hebrews can be used as motivation to
research the passages in-depth and reveal their true meanings.
Conclusion
Through an analysis of the background context of the book of Hebrews, it can be
determined that, while many of the details are unknown or still under debate, the author intended
the passage to be read like a sermon. Shifting away from the style of New Testament letters,
Hebrews provides not only a high level of encouragement, but warnings with consequences for
those who do not show respect to God’s authority. With the historical, cultural, and literary
context established, one is able to read Hebrews with the mindset of its unconfirmed author.
14 Ibid., 25.
15 James D. G, Dunn and John W Rogerson.KEerdmans Commentary on the Bible: Hebrews, (Chicago: Wm.
B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2019), 26-27.
7
Bibliography
Dunn, James D. G, and John W Rogerson.KEerdmans Commentary on the Bible:
Hebrews.KChicago: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2019.
Duvall, J. Scott and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading,
Interpreting, and Applying the Bible, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
Grindheim, Sigurd.KThe Letter to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 2023.
Healy, Mary.KHebrews. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2016.
Jamieson, R. B.KJesusʹ Death and Heavenly Offering in Hebrews. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 2019.
Pearl, Michael.KUnderstanding the Book of Hebrews: A Word-by-Word Commentary.KAshland:
No Greater Joy Ministries, 2021.
Peeler, Amy L. B.KHebrews. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 2024.
Peterson, David.KHebrews: An Introduction and Commentary. London; Inter-Varsity Press, 2020.
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