The Gospel in Hebrews: Key Bible Verses & Commentary

A short resource on the Gospel in Hebrews to showcase how the Scriptures reveal salvation by grace through faith.

The Epistle to the Hebrews acts as a compelling exposition of the superiority of Jesus Christ and His new covenant. Addressed to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution, and thus, temptation to return to Judaism, the letter presents Christ as the ultimate revelation of God's will and the fulfillment of Old Testament types and types.

Central to Hebrews is the message of the Gospel, showing how salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the perfect high priest, and the once-for-all sacrifice for sins. The letter calls believers to persevere in the faith, grounded in the assurance provided by Christ's finished work.

Take a look at Hebrews 7:22: "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament."

Unlike the Levitical priests, who offered sacrifices daily, Jesus offered Himself once and for all, obtaining eternal redemption for believers. See Hebrews 7:27: "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."

This obviously highlights the finality of Christ's atoning work, which surpasses the temporary nature of the old covenant sacrifices.

In this guide to the Gospel in Hebrews, we showcase Scriptures (using the King James Version) that best help the Christian zoom in on the Good News using this specific book as a lens. Each verse is accompanied by concise commentary to provide the takeaway in layman's terms. Our goal in this and all the other Gospel in the New Testament Series articles is to show how Hebrews presents the doctrine that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel in Hebrews Showcased in Scripture

• Hebrews 2:9: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."

Hebrews 2:9 speaks of Jesus' suffering and exaltation. It states that Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, suffered so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone who believes.

• Hebrews 4:14-16: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

This passage emphasizes Jesus' role as an empathetic high priest and encourages believers to seek God's grace with confidence.

• Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Hebrews 7:25 affirms that Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him.

• Hebrews 9:12: "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

This Scripture explains that Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, securing salvation for believers. Unlike the high priests of the old covenant who entered the earthly tabernacle with the blood of animals, Christ's sacrifice was once for all and obtained everlasting redemption.

• Hebrews 9:14-15: "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

Hebrews 9:14-15 discusses the superior efficacy of Christ's sacrifice. This sacrifice establishes Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

• Hebrews 10:10: "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Hebrews 10:10 explains that believers are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

• Hebrews 10:19-22: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

Hebrews 10:19-22 invites believers to approach God with confidence. It explains that, through the blood of Jesus, believers have a new and living way into the presence of God. They are encouraged to draw near with a true heart, full of assurance, having their hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water.

• Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

• Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the necessity of faith in pleasing God. It states that without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

• Hebrews 12:2: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:2 portrays Jesus as both the initiator and perfecter of the faith, highlighting His endurance of suffering and His exaltation which serves as a model for man to persevere in their own faith journey.

The writer also quotes the prophecy from Jeremiah in Hebrews 10:16: "This?is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;" In this we see how Hebrews underscores the necessity of faith in receiving the promises of God.

The famous Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11 recounts the stories of Old Testament saints who lived by faith, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. The writer exhorts believers in Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold fast the profession of?our?faith without wavering; (for he?is faithful that promised;)"

This invitation to approach God confidently reflects the legitimate power of the Gospel, which grants believers direct access to the Father through Christ the mediator.