Hebrews 12:2 Background
Welcome back!
Hebrews! Here is some context and background info to get your mind wrapped around this verse.
WHO, WHERE AND WHEN: The author of Hebrews never actually identifies himself. It is thought the possible author could have been one of three people: Paul, Barnabas or Apollos. Barnabas was a Jew of the tribe of Levi who became a close friend of Paul’s. He joined Paul in evangelism and they embarked on the first missionary journey together, spreading the Gospel and planting churches. Apollos was also a very intelligent Jewish Christian and associated with Paul in the early years of the church at Corinth. It is accepted that this was written sometime between AD 60 and 70.
Whoever the author was, he was obviously well-known to the original recipients of the letter. This is another one of those “epistles” written to a specific group of people or congregation, containing both general Christian teaching and specific instructions for the group being addressed.
The letter was addressed primarily to Jewish converts who were familiar with the Old Testament and who were being tempted to revert to Judaism or to Judaize the gospel. Also possible that the recipients were from the “large number of priests who became obedient to the faith” in Acts 6:7.
WHY: “To encourage Christians in a time of trial. It does so by focusing on the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Hebrews could be called “the book of better things” since the two Greek words for “better” and “superior” occur 15 times in the letter. Readers are told that there can be no turning back to or continuation in the old Jewish system, which has been superseded by the unique priesthood of Christ. God’s people must now look only to Jesus. Resisting temptations to give up the struggle, believers must persevere in the spiritual contest they have committed themselves to.” (Taken from “The NIV Study Bible”)
I love that in the NIV study bible I use, it gives an outline of the book of Hebrews and chapter 12 is titled: Encouragement for Persevering Faith.
Hi, I am Alyssa and I am in need of encouragement to persevere in my faith. Everyday. Sometimes hourly.
It’s tough out there, folks! It seems that no matter which way you turn, someone is waiting to tell you that you are wrong or foolish for believing in God.
Hebrews is for you, oh wandering soul feeling like you are the last one standing on so many levels.
We are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. He endured and was tempted in all the same ways we are on a daily basis. Tempted to turn our backs on our faith, to fixate on our feelings and forget how God has never broken a promise before and isn’t about to start now.
I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us for this verse!
Happy Digging!
