Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament

Here the author sets out the faithfulness of Jesus as a model for the community.

Just as the comparison between Christ and the angels (1:4–14) is the basis for the exhortation not to drift away (2:1–4), the comparison between Christ and Moses (3:1–6) is the basis for the exhortation in 3:7–4:13 not to fail because of unbelief.

In both units, the response to God’s word is the controlling theme (cf.

3:7, 15).

The comparison has shifted from the word spoken through angels at Sinai to Moses, the one who spoke for God.

Everything depends on the response to God’s word, for the greatness of salvation is accompanied by great consequences for those who hear.

Moses was, to the Jews, the greatest Israelite who ever lived.

Moses was saved as a baby.

He was chosen by God to free the Israelites from Egypt.

He led them out of Egypt to the brink of the Promised Land.

Moses spoke face-to-face with God.

He received the commandments from the Lord.

He had seen the very glory of God.

There was none like Moses

Scripture

Outline

Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken

Hebrews 1:5-14 - The Son is Superior to the Angels

Hebrews 2:1-4 - A Warning

Hebrews 2:5-9 - Lowliness to Crowning Glory

Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus has Delivered His Brothers

Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses

Hebrews 3:1-2 - Jesus and Moses Were Faithful

Hebrews 3:3 - Jesus More Glorious Than Moses

Hebrews 3:4 - God is the Builder of all Things

Hebrews 3:5-6a - Moses’ and Jesus’ Faithfulness to God’s House

Hebrews 3:6b - Those who Persevere are God’s House

Purpose of Book

Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise

Main Point

Jesus, as the faithful Son over God’s house, is worthy of more glory than Moses

Hebrews 3:1-2 - Jesus and Moses Were Faithful

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling,

Therefore - continuing the argument, not beginning a new one

Holy

to being dedicated or consecrated to the service of God

Made holy by Jesus

Brothers/sisters

Follow the author’s flow - Hebrews 2:10-18 Jesus’ brothers

Heavenly calling

Calling

① invitation to experience of special privilege and responsibility

Why do we have a heavenly calling?

Recall Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus’ becoming human, suffering, and making propitiation for sins

Who initiated the heavenly calling?

God

Our calling is otherworldly, we must live with a heavenly view in mind

Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession

As a result of Jesus being a merciful and faithful high priest, consider Jesus

Consider - Imperative

③ to think about carefully, envisage, think about

Focus one’s attention on Jesus, our sent one and intercession, and only Jesus

Trust Jesus’ ministry as the apostle and high priest of our confession

Though under persecution, the author commands his readers to take time to focus in on the person of Jesus

Apostle

① of messengers without extraordinary status delegate, envoy, messenger

Jesus is the sent one from God the Father to bring salvation

Priest

• extension, of Christ, who serves as high priest by atoning for the sins of humans

Confession

② statement of allegiance, as content of an action, confession, acknowledgment that one makes

Who was faithful to him who appointed him,

Faithful

To Him - God the Father who appointed him (Jesus)

Appointed

To the task of being apostle and priest

Just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.

Moses was faithful in God’s house - the Israelites

Exodus 35-40 - 22x Moses‘ faithfulness to God

In - Was entrusted to God’s house for a time

Hebrews 3:3 - Jesus More Glorious Than Moses

Moses and Jesus are not on the same level.

They were both faithful to their callings, but Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses.

Why is this so?

The author uses an illustration from everyday life.

When a house is built, honor goes to the one who built the house.

No one thinks the house deserves more honor than the one who built it.

The application of the illustration is evident given verse 2. Jesus as “the builder” (ὁ κατασκευάσας) of the house warrants more honor than Moses as a member of the house.

For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses —

Like the angels in chapter 1, the author reveals how Jesus is greater than Moses

There is no intention of reducing the importance of Moses

Both are faithful, but Jesus has more glory

God has counted Jesus worthy of more glory than Moses for He crowned Jesus with glory and honor

As much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.

Hebrews 3:4 - God is the Builder of all Things

(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)

Hebrews 3:5-6a - Moses’ and Jesus’ Faithfulness to God’s House

Hebrews 3:5–6 (ESV)

5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.

7 sn The Greek makes the contrast between v. 5 and v. 6a more emphatic and explicit than is easily done in English.

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant,

number 12:7

God’s house

Servant

one who renders devoted service, esp.

as an attendant in a cultic setting

A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament: The Gospel Realized

The Greek word θεράπων, translated as “servant,” differs from the term for “slave,” δοῦλος, because Moses served as God’s honored servant.