The purpose of this book is to explain to believers one of the important lessons in the Epistle to the Hebrews – striving for maturity in our walk before God. We have for our examples the faithful witnesses in the 11th chapter. Our God desires that we not remain as babes in Christ, feeding only on the milk of the Word, but rather that we strive to reach our full growth and feed on the meat of The Word.
We need to understand that we can move only forward or backward in our Christian walk, forward to maturity, or slip backward to suffer the loss of rewards.
The writers begin by exploring the authorship of Hebrews which is difficult since it wasn’t signed. They agree that no one can dogmatically conclude that Paul wrote this letter, however, the thoughts seem to be those of the apostle. Then the two terms perfection or perdition are explained.
Perfection - (greek = Teleiotes) to take whatever is in view to a finish, conclusion, or end. This is broken down further to reveal several ways this word is used.
1) Perfecting holiness or practical sanctification. 2 Corinthians 7:1.
2) Perfection contrasted with ”The beginning” Hebrews 6:1.
3) “The perfect” to indicate the adult as over against the immature or babe. Hebrews 5:12-14.
Perdition - (greek = apollumi) to perish or be destroyed, lost or lose.
The writers do not suggest that one can lose his hope of resurrection, but rather a loss of reward is in view.
Finally, we see what was expected of the Hebrew believers to go on to perfection. “God, who at sundry times.. spake in time past.. by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us in Son.” Hebrews 1:1,2. They were to move away from the types and shadows and ordinances that were given to them in the past by the prophets and move forward to the reality that God spoke now through Christ. The hope being offered to these folks was that they could have a better resurrection in that Heavenly City, “.. which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.“ Heb.11:10. They were to keep their eyes on the hope of the Heavenly City just as we are to keep our eyes on the Heavenly Hope far above all. Ephesians 1:20,21
Author: Welch & Allen
