Chapter 1

1:2 - The author of Hebrews believed that he was living in the "last days."

* The author never claims that he thought he was living in the "last days of Revelation" (or the last days of the Earth's existence).

* This passage is better understood by reading verse 1, too.  Hebrews 1:1 and 2 read, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds."  If you were to say, "I ate sushi last year," nobody would think you were referring to the last year of the existence of the planet Earth.  In the same way, the phrase "last days" is referring to the time when Jesus Christ walked the Earth.

1:8 - In this verse, Jesus is addressed as "O God." but according to John (8:40) and Acts (17:31), Jesus was only a man. 

* Jesus was both God and man.  He was part of the trinity, who came down from Heaven in human form and returned to Heaven after His ascension.  Therefore, all of these scriptures correlate with each other and many others.

1:10 - God set the earth on a foundation; therefore, it must not move.

* This Greek word for "earth" means "soil."  God laid the foundation of the soil that we walk on.

* This passage never indicates that the planet Earth does not revolve, rotate, etc.

1:11 - This verse says the earth will perish, but Dt.4:40, Ps.78:69, and Ec.1:4 say it will last forever.

* Deuteronomy 4:40 is a passage referring to the Israelite's possession of the land of Israel.  This "earth" was given to them, forever.

* In Psalm 78:69 and Ecclesiastes 1:4, the word "forever" in the English phrase "the earth is established (abideth) forever" is better translated (from the Hebrew) "the vanishing point is concealed."  Therefore, it reads: "The earth's vanishing point is concealed."

* The Earth will perish and this correlates with many other passages of scripture.

Chapter 2

2:16 - This verse says Jesus is of the seed of Abraham. But how can this be if he lacked a human father as Matthew (1:18) claims.

* Jesus' earthly father, Joseph was from the seed of Abraham.

Chapter 3

3:1-3 - Who was the greatest prophet? Jesus.

* Jesus wasn't a prophet, teacher, or rabbi.  He was the Messiah, the perfect Son of God.

3:12 - Every skeptic and nonbeliever has "an evil heart of unbelief."

* Unbelief is a sin and it is unpleasing to God.  Having an evil heart of unbelief is essentially rejecting God.

Chapter 6

6:4-6 - It is impossible for fallen-away Christians to be saved. (Didn't the author know about confession or the finality of being saved?)

* The terms Paul uses for the "fallen away" ones do not indicate that they were saved through trusting, believing, and accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  The following terms were used for this person who falls away: "once enlightened, tasted, and partook."  They are not terms that are used for saved people.

* Jesus describes similar people in His parable of the sower, the seeds, and the different types of soil.  This person who falls away is just like the seed that falls on the stony ground and the thorny ground.  See Matthew 13:18-22.

6:4-6 - Is it possible to fall from grace?

* This was just addressed.

* God offers eternal life to those who trust, believe, and accept Jesus Christ.  It is apparent that this eternal life begins on Earth.  The saved believer has been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20).  The saved believer is in God's hands (John 10:28-30).  He or she does not have the ability to buy their salvation from God or jump out of His sovereign hands.

6:18 - Jer.32:27 and Mt.19:26 say that nothing is impossible for God. And 1 Kg.22:22 shows that God is capable of lying. Yet Paul disagrees, saying that it is impossible for God to lie.

* Yes, it is impossible for God to lie.  

* Jeremiah 32:27 and Matthew 19:26 are referring to God's power and ability.  God can do mighty things.  However, God has made many promises to humans that He will not break.  For instance, God has chosen to abstain from destroying the world with a Great Flood, again.  This doesn't mean that He is not able to do this, but it means that He has promised us that He wouldn't.  Likewise, God promises us that He will not lie.

* In 1 Kings 22:22, God allowed a lying spirit to work through Ahab's prophets.  This isn't an instance of God telling a lie.  God allows evil spirits to enact God's punishment for their sins, to help people grow spiritually, to show people their need for God, etc.

Chapter 7

7:3 - Is everyone descended from Adam and Eve?

* Yes, every human has descended from Adam and Eve.

* The appearance of Melchizedek was an Old Testament theophany (appearance of Jesus Christ, in human form).  There is no other explanation for him, his Christ-like priesthood, Abraham's tithing to him, etc.  Furthermore, this passage evidences his deity and Christ-like qualities.

* There were other Old Testament theophanies, too.  Jesus appeared with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:23-25).  Jesus wrestled Jacob (Genesis 32:24-31).  

Chapter 8

8:6, 7 - Is the law of God perfect?

* Yes, God's law is perfect.  God is perfect, so His laws are perfect as well.

* In Hebrews 8, we read about God's covenants.  The Old Covenant is contrasted with the New Covenant.  The Old Covenant is described as imperfect.  God and His laws are not described as imperfect.

* The Old Covenant involved making animal sacrifices for the temporary forgiveness of sins.  The New Covenant involves Jesus Christ's final sacrifice for our sins, so we can have faith and ask Him for forgiveness and be forgiven.  Therefore, in short, the New Covenant is better than the old one because it offers eternal forgiveness without having to sacrifice animals.

* Following God's perfect law perfectly would result in perfection; under either covenant.  However, no human has ever been able to do this.

8:9 - Misquote of Jer.31:32.

* Hebrews 8:8-12 quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34.  There is no misquote.  Despite one being in Hebrew and one being in Greek, the differences are negligible.  The English translations are nearly identical.

Chapter 9

9:4 - Here we are told that the ark of the covenant had a lot more in it that was reported in 1 Kg.8:9 and 2 Chr.5:10, both of which say that the ark had only Moses' tablets. From the dimensions of the ark in Ex.25:10 , Aaron's staff could hardly have fit anyway, since the ark was a box only 2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 cubits (About 45x27x27 inches). But, hey, maybe Aaron was a little short guy, or they broke his rod into pieces, or they just crammed it all in somehow. Who knows?

* In 1 Kings 8:9, only the ten commandments were in the ark of the covenant.  This passage doesn't say that these are the only things that were ever in the ark.  The same point is true for 2 Chronicles 5:10.

* These measurements aren't necessarily the correct interpretations of the cubits used in building the ark of the covenant.  A cubit was literally measured by an Israelite's forearm.  We know that pre-flood people and early, post-flood people were larger than they are today.  Therefore, it is probable that these cubits were larger and the ark was larger, too.

* Numbers 17:8-10 mentions Aaron's budding rod and how it was kept.  This rod fit inside the ark (either intact or otherwise).

* The golden censer with manna easily fit in this ark, too.

9:13-14, 22 - God will not forgive us unless we shed the blood of some innocent creature.

* These passages of scripture state that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is better than the Old Testament, animal sacrifices.

9:26 - Jesus sacrificed himself "in the end of the world."

* This verse (and the one before it) are stating that Jesus' sacrifice is better than the animal sacrifices because His sacrifice was only offered once and only needed to be offered, once.

* This English phrase "in the end of the world" is better translated (from the Greek) as "at the consummation of the age."  Jesus' sacrifice ended the "age" or time of animal sacrifices and began the new age (New Covenant) of faith in His sacrifice to cover our sins.

9:27 - This verse contradicts Jesus (Jn.8:51) by saying that everyone must die.

* In Hebrews 9:27, the author of Hebrews is speaking of human death.  Every human must die (once).  Incidentally, this verse speaks against reincarnation.

* In John 8:51, Jesus is talking about the second death.  See Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 20:14, and 21:8.

Chapter 10

10:4, 11 - If these verses are true, then much of the Old Testament is false.

* In both of these verses, the author of Hebrews is referring to the temporary forgiveness that was granted from making the animal sacrifices.  These sacrifices could never, completely take away their sins, but Jesus can.  This is why they had to continually offer sacrifices.

10:5-6 - Misquote of Ps.40:6.

* First, the author of Hebrews never says he is directly quoting Psalm 40:6.

* Hebrews 10:5 and 6 are a synopsis of Psalms 40:6-8.  In Psalm 40:7, it clearly says "I come," referring to Christ coming in the flesh.

* Psalm 40:8 reads, "Behold, I come.  In the scrolls (volumes of the books), it is written (of Me)."  This correlates with John 1:14, which reads, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

10:28-29 - Those who disobeyed the Old Testament law were killed. It will be much worse for those who displease Jesus.

* These scriptures are saying that the people who rejected God's law in the Old Testament died without mercy.  It is also telling us that rejecting Jesus' gift of salvation and forgiveness will be punished severely.

10:31 - Try to stay away from God because " it is a fearful thing to fall into" his hands.

* This verse never says to stay away from God.  However, it does tell of God's judgment.  God is loving and merciful and He is giving people a chance to repent, now.  There will come a day when there is no more time to repent, though.

10:37 - The author of Hebrews believed that Jesus would come "in a little while, and will not tarry."

* This verse was part of a quote from Habakkuk.  The passage in Habakkuk was pointing toward Christ and how He was coming.  This had already happened.

* Hebrews' author is giving this Old Testament passage a dual meaning.  Now, he is saying that Christ will be returning.  He does not give a timetable for His return, though.  The author undoubtedly adheres to the common belief throughout the New Testament: that Christ would return at an unknown hour.  See Matthew 24:36, Revelation 3:3, etc.

10:38 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

Chapter 11

11:5 - Jn.3:13 says that no one has ever ascended into heaven. but this verse says that Enoch did.

* Enoch did not ascend to Heaven.  Ascending into Heaven involves using one's own will and power.  Enoch was "assumed, translated," or "raptured" into Heaven by God's will and power.

11:6 - If you don't believe the same things as the author of Hebrews, then it's impossible to please God.

* This verse clearly says, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

11:9-13 - In Genesis (13:15, 15:18, 17:8) and Exodus (32:13) God promises Abraham and his descendants "the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession." But here Paul admits that God's promise went unfulfilled.

* Paul doesn't admit that God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan was unfulfilled.  In fact, this was fulfilled and during King David's reign, they possessed all of the land that God promised them.  Due to their sin, over time, they've lost and given away some of this promised land.

* In Hebrews 11:13, it is clear that the author of Hebrews is talking about Heaven: the real promised land.  Hebrews 11:13 reads, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."  Verse 16 explains this further: "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

* In case it hasn't been made obvious, the writer of Hebrews is contrasting the promise of Canaan with the promise of Heaven.  The Israelites were given the land of Canaan, however the real promised land was and is Heaven.  They were called pilgrims and strangers, even in the earthly promised land because they were not in their heavenly promised land.

11:17 - This verse says that Abraham had only one son, but Genesis (16:15) and Galatians (4:22) say he had two.

* The phrase Abraham's "only begotten son" refers to Isaac, the prophesied child that God promised to Him (foreshadowing the prophesied, only begotten Son, Jesus Christ).

11:27 - Did Moses fear the king? This verse says he did, but Exodus (2:14-15) says he didn't.

* Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses did not fear or revere the Egyptian king's wrath.  This is referring to the king's wrath against the Israelites.  They had to do harder work because of Moses; like make bricks by finding their own straw.

* Exodus 2:14 and 15 are describing the time when Moses murdered an Egyptian.  This was before God called him to deliver His people.  Consequently, this isn't the same situation mentioned in Hebrews 11:27.

* Interestingly, there were likely different Pharaohs in charge before and after Moses murdered a man and spent time in the desert.

11:31 - This verse says Rahab the harlot was saved by faith. but James (2:25) says she was saved by works (God saved her for lying.)

* Rahab was saved by her faith; as this verse says.

* James 2:25 is better understood by reading the verses that precede this verse (especially verse 18).  James 2:18 reads, "But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.'"  This entire passage (James 2:18-26) is prefaced by this: "You show me . . . and I'll show you."  Therefore, this isn't referring to someone's heart before God.  This passage is referring to how humans can tell if other people are saved and the importance of doing good works.  Incidentally, this passage of scripture correlates with many other passages.

11:32 - This verse lists the big heroes of faith. Let's take a look at some of the things these heroes did during their lifetimes.

Gideon
Gave God some really weird tests. Jg.6:36-40
Selected for his army the men who lapped water like a dog. (This test was proposed by God.) Jg.7:4-7
Tortured prisoners of war and civilians with thorns and briers. Jg.8:7, 16-17
Ordered his young son to kill prisoners of war, and then did it himself when his son refused. Jg.8:20-22
Made an ephod that "all of Israel ... went whoring after." Jg.8:28
Had many wives and concubines.Jg.8:29
Jephthah
Sacrificed his daughter to God as a burnt offering. Jg.11:30-39
Samson
Killed things whenever "the Spirit of the Lord" came upon him. Jg.14:6, Jg.14:19, Jg.15:14-15
Caught 300 foxes, tied their tails together, and set them on fire. Jg.15:4-5
Saw a harlot and "goes in unto her." Jg.16:1
Collapsed a building and killed 3000 people. Jg.16:28-30
David
Bought his first wife with 200 Philistine foreskins. 1 Sam.18:27
Killed all Amalekite men and women. 1 Sam.27:9-11
Had many wives and concubines. 2 Sam.3:2-5, 5:13, 1 Chr.14:3
Commanded his young men to kill some guys, cut off their hands and feet, and hang their bodies up over a pool in Hebron. 2 Sam.4:12
Danced naked, or nearly naked, in front of God and everyone. 2 Sam.6:14, 20-23
Committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed in battle. (To punish David for this, God killed the Bathsheba's son.) 2 Sam.11:2-27, 2 Sam.12:15-18
Tortured the Ammonites with fire, saws, and axes. 2 Sam.12:31, 1 Chr.20:2-3
Delivered Saul's seven sons to the Gibeonites so that they could kill them and hang their bodies up before the Lord. 2 Sam.21:1-9
Samuel
Told Saul that he was rejected by God as King of Israel for failing to commit genocide. 1 Sam.15:2-33

* This so-called "Hall of Faith" is magnificent for many reasons.  Here are some: 1) Even though these people sinned, God still loved them and rewarded their faith, 2) we are reminded of the Bible's authenticity because its main characters have flaws and make mistakes, 3) God's grace and mercy is seen by loving sinners and still using their efforts, even though they fail and are imperfect people.

Chapter 12

12:6-8 - Contrary to Proverbs (12:21, 19:23) God hurts those that he loves. And if God doesn't hurt you, they you are a bastard, not a son.

* Hebrews 12:6-8 simply states that God disciplines the ones He loves.  Since sin hurts people, He takes the time to correct them and help them.

* Both Proverb 12:21 and Proverb 19:23 mention "the just" and those that "fear the Lord."  When people are just and fear the Lord, they are not disciplined or corrected.  However, when they fail to be just (righteous) and fear the Lord (obey God), then they receive God's discipline and correction.

12:20 - God ordered animals to be "stoned, or thrust through with a dart" if they "so much as ... touch the mountain."

* This correlates with Exodus 19:12 and 13.

12:23 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

Chapter 13

13:2 - Be hospitable to strangers for "thereby some have entertained angels."

* Yes, God has given some angels permission to visit Earth, take human form, and interact with humans.

13:3 - Does God approve of slavery?

* This passage simply tells us to remember those that are in bonds.

13:9 - Avoid "strange doctrines." Those who do so will avoid nearly everything that the Bible teaches.

* Strange doctrines contradict the scriptures.  Although some of the Old Testament laws that were directed solely toward the Israelites may seem strange to 21st century people (perhaps, especially in the U.S.), this surely doesn't mean that the doctrine of salvation (among other New Testament doctrines) is strange or unfathomable.

13:20 - Is this "God of Peace" the God of war (Ps.18:34, 144:1, Ex.15:3) who ordered the massacre of entire tribes? (1 Sam.15:2-3)

* Yes.  God has a multi-faceted character.  He is not only loving and merciful, but He is also righteous and just.  He is not only the God of peace for the upright, but the God of war to the unbeliever.