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While Paul's Epistle to the Romans makes no mention of this, the epistle to the Hebrews ''does'' discuss the persecution, including the vandalism of their homes and even imprisonment, and [[Timothy]] is mentioned as one of the believers who has been imprisoned. However, there is no mention of [[martyr]]s at this time, which further cements the epistle to a definite time around the middle of Nero's reign. The treatment being endured by the church explains the point of the epistle: those members who were Jews could easily escape from the persecution by publicly denying faith in [[Jesus Christ]] and returning to [[Judaism]], which at this time was still legal, while Christianity was not. The letter, then, seems to have been written ''from'' Jerusalem, probably by a Jewish believer who was a pupil of Paul, addressed specifically ''to'' the Jewish members of the church in Rome, as an exhortation to remain firm within the church.
While Paul's Epistle to the Romans makes no mention of this, the epistle to the Hebrews ''does'' discuss the persecution, including the vandalism of their homes and even imprisonment, and [[Timothy]] is mentioned as one of the believers who has been imprisoned. However, there is no mention of [[martyr]]s at this time, which further cements the epistle to a definite time around the middle of Nero's reign. The treatment being endured by the church explains the point of the epistle: those members who were Jews could easily escape from the persecution by publicly denying faith in [[Jesus Christ]] and returning to [[Judaism]], which at this time was still legal, while Christianity was not. The letter, then, seems to have been written ''from'' Jerusalem, probably by a Jewish believer who was a pupil of Paul, addressed specifically ''to'' the Jewish members of the church in Rome, as an exhortation to remain firm within the church.
==Structure==
==Structure and content==
Chapters 1-10 of the epistle quite clearly emphasize the contrast between the Old and New Testaments and between Judaism and Christianity, and the superior position that the believers are in through having the "Son of God" as their mediator rather than [[angel]]s, the mere ''servants'' of God. The opening of chapter 1 is regarded by most scholars as the finest Greek in the New Testament in terms of its construction, rhythm and sheer beauty, more so even than the more famous passages of Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1:{{quotebox|God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
The epistle is both letter ''and'' sermon and seems to have been intended to be read in Christian meetings as a sermon. Read as such, it would take around 45 minutes. Chapters 1-10 of the epistle quite clearly emphasize the contrast between the Old and New Testaments and between Judaism and Christianity, and the superior position that the believers are in through having the "Son of God" as their mediator rather than [[angel]]s, the mere ''servants'' of God. The opening of chapter 1 is regarded by most scholars as the finest Greek in the New Testament in terms of its construction, rhythm and sheer beauty, more so even than the more famous passages of Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1:{{quotebox|God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (''Heb 1:1-4'')}}
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (''Heb 1:1-4'')}}
The epistle deals significantly with how the Old and New Testaments relate to each other, and meet at the death - the sacrifice - of Jesus. Because of this, it has provided the basis for most interpretative models for Christian understanding of the Old Testament. From the epistle come the concepts:
*the "old" sacrifices had to be repeated - the sacrifice of Jesus is once and everlasting
*the old priests are now no longer required - Jesus as the one High Priest of the order of [[Melchizedek]] has replaced them all
*the old sanctuary had its closed [[tabernacle]] - the new sanctuary has its open throne: all are able to enter the Holy of Holies through Jesus as mediator between man and God.
The writer uses the allusion of "substance and shadows" - while the ''shadow'' of Jesus is written throughout<ref>Hodgkin, A. M. [http://www.thebookwurm.com/amh_tc.htm ''Christ in All the Scriptures''] (Westwood, NJ; Barbour and Co. Inc; 1989) full text online. Accessed 16 March 2008</ref> the Old Testament, now the ''substance'' has been shown to the people. The epistle is supremely Christ-centred, and it is the only book of the Bible which focuses on his priesthood and his "present" work as intercessor - leading to some scholars to describe it as the "Fifth Gospel" because of its emphasis on His work in the present.<ref>Pawson, J. David, op cit p.1142</ref>
Chapter 11 of the epistle concentrates on [[faith]], and looks back to the great heroes of faith in the Old Testament, using them to inspire and to act as models. Also, there are warnings about losing faith and "backsliding". The warnings are severe, and describe two stages: drifting away, neglecting fellowship with other believers and neglecting faith; and wilful, deliberate [[apostacy]] and the denial of Jesus. Fellowship is rightly magnified by the epistle, given the circumstances in which it was written and first meant to be read. It emphasizes that there is safety in fellowship, and that the devil will pick off Christians on their own. when being persecuted, it is important to focus on jesus, and look to the church "family" for comfort - this message remains as valid today as it was for the early Christians under the persecution of Nero.
==External links==
*[http://www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/wings/hebrewsstudy.htm Hebrews - A Defense of Christian Faith''] - The Study of Hebrews: Ladies Bible Class, 2 January - 27 March 2001. West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas/Women In God's Service
*[http://www.aquinas.avemaria.edu/Aquinas-Hebrews.pdf ''Commentary By Saint Thomas Aquinas On the Epistle to the Hebrews''] - full text online
*[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-cvhebrews.html ''John Calvin: Commentary on Hebrews''] - full text online
==References==
==References==