We do not know who wrote the Book of Hebrews—perhaps the eloquent preacher Apollos, or (my favorite guess) Priscilla, Paul’s co-worker and friend who, with her husband Aquila, once took Apollos aside to update his gospel knowledge. The Greek used is skillful and erudite; the author’s use of Old Testament Scripture is deft. As you might expect from the title of the book, it was for Jewish Christians.
Many of our New Testament letters were written to educate former pagan Christians in ethical living, but this letter was for former Jews. The Jews of the writer’s time were under great pressure, and were persecuted by both synagogue Jews and Romans. They were apparently so harassed and terrified that they considered retreating back into Judaism, leaving their new Christian faith and belief in Jesus behind. The writer of Hebrews worked to convince them that, having come to Jesus, they should never turn their backs on him; they would find in him everything their ancestors ever hoped for. The whole of chapter 11 is the retelling of the faith and salvation history of their forefathers and mothers in the faith, none of whom got to encounter Jesus as they had: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for, and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for…” (Hebrews 11:1-2). The writer of Hebrews was saying, “You Jewish Christians have an immense benefit in having believed in Jesus, the Messiah, who generations longed to see—and you want to turn your backs on Him?” “All of these were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39). The writer reminded them that they were “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). These witnesses were the faithful of the Old Testament (they are listed in Chapter 11), and instead of turning back they should “run with perseverance the race set for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). That word “perseverance” is often used in the New Testament letters, along with “endurance,” to denote the attitude Christians should aim for under persecution. The Jewish Christians were being persecuted, and it was that persecution that made them wonder if they should not go back to Judaism. The writer of Hebrews reminded them that though circumstances were hard for them, they had not yet begun to suffer as Christ suffered on their behalf: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3).
Chapter 13 of Hebrews includes final exhortations to the church to keep loving one another as brothers and sisters and to show hospitality to strangers, “for by doing so, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:1-2). The book ends with a familiar benediction, “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
The five-chapter book of James was written by the no-nonsense, straight-talking younger brother of Jesus. He was the leader of the church of Jerusalem, and he had definitely had practical, hands-on experience in working with church people and their issues. He wrote to the “12 tribes scattered among the nations,” meaning that he wrote primarily to Jewish Christians, scattered by persecution across the Roman Empire. This book’s main claim to fame is the section about faith and works in Chapter 2: “Faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). But James’ keen eye and mind also warned the church against favoring rich over poor in 2:1-8. He told them that under persecution, they should persist and persevere, not being deterred, for this would produce deeper faith. “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4). James warned the church of the power of the unbridled tongue to do harm, “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8).
James warned rich oppressors that their treasure would waste away but their evil deeds would cry out to God. James reminded his flock that like a patient farmer who waited and watched over his field, they should be patient in their suffering, for the Lord would come to judge those who persecuted them: “The Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:9). He finished this book of practical advice by giving instructions on how to pray for a brother or sister who was sick, and emphasized that prayer did real work and that the prayer of a righteous person was strong and effective.