Hebrews

Audience The work itself gives no direct indication of its intended readers (the title To the Hebrews is a later conjecture), nor their location. It was probably written to a JewishChristian community, possibly the one in Rome. Occasion Hebrews is not a traditional epistle, but rather takes the form of the homily or sermon, written to exhort the readers to continued faith and hope in the face of hardship (13:22). Authorship Like the gospels, this letter is anonymous the author does not name himself. Tradition has ascribed Hebrews to Paul (possibly because of the mention of Timothy in 13:23), but dramatic differences in style make this very unlikely. Pauline authorship has been questioned since the late 2nd century A.D. Other possible authors have been suggested, including Barnabas, Luke, Clement of Rome, Priscilla, Epaphras, and Silas. Date Without references to external events, its very difficult to date Hebrews. Internal evidence and external quotation suggest a likely date range between A.D. 60 and 90. Themes The superiority of Christ over all other witnesses (1:14:13). Christs mission and witness were superior to all missions and witnesses that came before him, including Moses, Joshua, and the other prophets, and even the testimony of angels. Christ as the high priest after the order of Melchizedek (5:110; 7:128). Jesus priesthood authority is superior to the Levitical priesthood of the Jewish temple, because his priesthood is like the prophet Melchizedeks, who preceded Moses. Follow the examples of faith (11:112:2). Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (11:1). Follow the examples of faith set by the prophets and Christ himself. Structure Christ is superior to the prophets (1:14). Christ is superior to the angels (1:52:18). Demonstrated by seven quotations from the Old Testament (1:414). A practical warning: the danger of drifting (2:14). Christ the model of humanity (2:518). Christ is superior to Moses (3:118). Jesus as faithful Apostle, High Priest, and Son (3:16). A practical warning: missing the moment and risking loss (3:718). Christ is superior to Joshua (4:113). Christ is the eternal Melchizedek high priest and all-sufficient sacrifice (4:1410:18). Because of Christs work, we can approach Gods throne with boldness (4:1416). Christ as a type of Melchizedek (5:110). We must grow in spiritual maturity (5:11 6:8). Taking hope in Gods promise (6:920). Christs Melchizedek priesthood superior to the priesthood of Aaron (7:128). Christ, the mediator of a better covenant made through better promises (8:113). Christs perfect sacrifice replaces the sacrifices of the Law of Moses (9:110:18). Exhortation to faithful endurance (10:19 13:25). Practical exhortations: Faith, assurance, worship, fellowship, enduring to the end (10:1939). Faith defined and exemplified (11:112:2). God disciplines us as a father disciplines his children (12:317). Mount Sinai and Mount Zion contrasted (12:1829). Concluding exhortation: Mutual love, support for church leaders, warning against strange teachings (13:117). Greetings, blessing, and postscript (13:18 25).
Adapted from Anthony C. Thiselton, Hebrews, Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible (2003), 145482; and The New Oxford Annotated Bible (3rd ed., 2007), NT 37085.

James
Audience James is written to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad (1:1), Greekspeaking Jewish Christians who lived in the larger Roman world outside of Palestine. Occasion There are no immediate concerns that seem to prompt this letter. It offers wisdom and counsel on right living, similar to the Sermon on the Mount. Authorship This letter is ascribed to James, the brother of the Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19), the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9, 12; Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18) who died a martyrs death in A.D. 61. Some scholars have argued against the letters authenticity, but there are really no compelling reasons to doubt that James was actually the author. Date The traditional date for James is the midto-late 40s A.D., before the Gentile controversies and the Jerusalem Council of A.D. 49 (Acts 15). Some date James later than that, to the late 50s (in reaction to Pauls teaching on justification by faith), or after A.D. 70 and the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (if one believes that it is pseudonymous). Themes Godly wisdom. If we lack wisdom, we should ask God (1:58). True wisdom shows itself in Godly behavior (3:1318). Hearing and speaking. James encourages his readers to be quick to listen and slow to speak (1:1921) and to control our tongues (1:26; 3:112; 4:1112). Faith requires action. We should be doers of the word, and not hearers only (1:22), showing charity towards all classes of people (2:17; 5:46), for faith without works is dead (2:1426). Structure Prescript (1:1). Joy in temptations (1:218). From trials to completion (1:24). Prayer for wisdom (1:58). The lowly and the rich (1:911). God and temptation (1:1215). Gods perfect gift (1:1618). Hearing, speaking, doing (1:1927). Quick to hear, slow to speak (1:1921). Doers, not merely hearers of the word (1:2225). Pure religion (1:2627). The command to love and dead faith (2:126). No faith with favoritism (2:14). Poor and rich (2:57). Love as the royal law (2:813). Faith and the needs of the poor (2:1417). No faith without works (2:1820). The example of Abraham (2:2124). The example of Rahab (2:2526). Ethics of speech for teachers (3:112). The tongue like a horses bit, a ships helm, a forest fire (3:16). The untamed tongue (3:710a). No doubletalk (3:10b12). The wise and humility (3:134:12). The meekness of wisdom (3:1318). Passions as the cause of conflict (4:13). Grace to the humble (4:46). Humble before God (4:710). Gad as the only Lawgiver and Judge (4:11 12). Warning to the rich (4:135:6). Tomorrow belongs to God (4:1317). Warning to the rich (5:13). Oppression of the poor and the just (5:4 6). Patience until the coming of the Lord (5:720). Example of the patient farmer (5:79). Example of the persecuted prophets (5:10 12). Prayer of the elders for the sick (5:1315). Effective prayer of all church members (5:1618). Bringing back sinners (5:1920).
Adapted from Rainer Riesner, James, The Oxford Bible Commentary (2001), 125762.