During my years in seminary, my love for the book of Hebrews has grown exponentially. As I’ve studied Hebrews in-depth, I’ve come to appreciate its interconnected themes, references to the Old Testament, and unique focus on Christ’s priesthood. Yet when I share my love for Hebrews with fellow believers, I’m often met with thoughtful questions and curiosity about its meaning and relevance, mixed with some confusion and fear:
Why does Hebrews reference the Old Testament so often?
What is the significance of Melchizedek?
Why is the language in Hebrews so complex?
What is the significance of the old covenant being declared “obsolete” in Hebrews 8?
These questions and areas of confusion are often compounded by a general misunderstanding of the book of Hebrews among Christians and church contexts. It seems there are few accessible resources (such as Bible studies and devotionals) written about Hebrews, and most commentaries are written with a scholarly audience in mind. Many churches have sermon series on New Testament books—such as Ephesians or Philippians—but avoid Hebrews entirely.
If this is your experience, you’re not alone! While an article can in no way cover all the beauties and intricacies of Hebrews, I want to encourage you in your study by providing an overview of some key themes, along with methods and tools for studying and applying Hebrews in your own study time.
Key Themes in Hebrews
One way to grow in your understanding of Hebrews (or any book of the Bible) is to have an ongoing list of its key themes. It’ll be an even more helpful resource if you write down the verse references too!
A theme is simply a recurring idea or topic that occurs throughout a book (and often many books) of the Bible, revealing something about God’s character, Christ’s work, or God’s relationship with humanity. Grab a notebook and pen, and write your list. I’ll help you get it started:
- Jesus is greater: Hebrews emphasizes the greatness of the Son, Jesus, above the prophets, the angels, and all people (1:1–13; 2:5–9).
- Old versus new: Hebrews juxtaposes the old (Mosaic) covenant and law with the new covenant and law inaugurated in Christ (6:13–20; 8:7–13; 9:1-28; 10:1–18).
- Christ’s high priesthood: Unlike any other book in the Bible, Hebrews specifically emphasizes the eternal priesthood of Christ (3:1–6; 4:14–16; 5:1–10; 7:11–28; 8:1–6).
- Perseverance in trials: Drawing upon the example of Israel, Hebrews offers present-day believers encouragement and instructions for perseverance in trials (11:1–40; 12:1–13).
- How to live as God’s people: Written to an audience of persecuted Christians at risk of departing from their faith, Hebrews spends its final chapters encouraging believers to live holy lives that set a godly example for others (10:19–39; 13:1–19).
As you study, add to your list of themes when you observe repeated concepts, phrases, and ideas. If you want to add an additional step, write down references to where you see these key themes appear outside of Hebrews! Attentiveness to the themes in Hebrews will help you connect the dots of the book’s argument and structure, contributing to your overall understanding.
Methods and Tools for Studying Hebrews
As with any other book of the Bible, careful study is always a must! There are several great tools, methods, and techniques you can use to study a text. But before picking up any tool, the best start to your study is with prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to God’s instruction, aid your understanding, and reveal what you need to know about God and yourself. Ask for a humble, teachable, and patient heart that is open to what God has to teach you.
After praying and carefully reading the text, ask good questions about the text! One tool I often recommend and have appreciated is Duvall and Hays’s Interpretive Journey, which asks five core questions:
- What did the text mean to the original audience?
- What are the differences between the biblical audience and us?
- What is the theological principle in this text?
- How does our theological principle fit with the rest of the Bible?
- How should individual Christians today live out the theological principles?
Accessible methods like the Interpretive Journey are helpful study tools because they point you to the original context and audience of Scripture, while bridging the gap between the original audience and your personal context. Working through the text with a short list of questions will help you engage the text deeply and eliminate confusion through careful study.
If you’re looking to enhance your study further, there are several helpful, accessible Bible study tools. Logos offers an online, free Bible software that can help you engage biblical Greek and Hebrew. Study Bibles, such as the ESV Study Bible, offer in-depth introductions to each book of the Bible, along with study notes and cross references to other parts of Scripture. Many publishers have Bible handbooks, which provide word studies, lists of key themes, and other tools to help your study and comprehension.
As you seek to study Hebrews, approach it with prayer, concise questions, and careful study. It takes time, but is worthwhile for your personal, spiritual growth and engagement with the text.
Hebrews Is For You!
One common misconception I encounter among believers is the idea that a book or portion of Scripture “doesn’t apply” to them or isn’t relevant for their walk with Christ. Second Timothy 3:16 reminds us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness” (CSB). That means Hebrews—with all its Old Testament references, talk about Melchizedek, complex language, and discussion of covenants—is for you too!
Part of your study of Hebrews should also involve Christ-centered application. How does the text you’ve just studied holistically apply to you as you seek to be transformed in the image of Christ? The following questions are not exhaustive, but can be helpful in your study1:
- What does this text teach me about God?
- What does this text teach me about people (including myself)?
- What does this text teach me about my relationship with God?
- What does this text teach me about my relationship with other people?
- What does God want me to understand or think?
- What does God want me to believe about him and his Word?
- What does God want me to desire?
- What does God want me to do?
As you study and pursue Christ-centered application, I trust that you will come to realize that Hebrews—like every other book of the Bible—is for you, your knowledge of God, and your growth in faith, and I hope you’ll come to love it too.
Application Questions
- What has prevented me from studying Hebrews in the past? How does my approach to Hebrews need to change?
- What Bible study tools and methods might help me engage in deeper study of Hebrews?
- How can I more prayerfully prepare to read and study Scripture, and how might this change my study of Hebrews?
- Do I believe that Hebrews—and all of Scripture—is truly for me? What would change in my walk with Christ if my mindset shifted?
Notes
- These questions have been adapted from Matthew S. Harmon, Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible (Crossway, 2017). ↩︎
Photo credit: Emilee Carpenter
Leah Jolly is a theologian and writer with a Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary, where she is now pursuing a Master of Theology in Systematic Theology. Her writing has been featured by The Gospel Coalition, Hosanna Revival, andCore Christianity, covering Reformed theology, adoption, spiritual disciplines, and the application of Scripture to everyday life. She's passionate about helping others see the beauty of Scripture and the goodness of the gospel. You can connect with Leah on Instagram and Substack.
