Book Notice: HEBREWS: AN INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARY, by David G. Peterson

A Brief Book Notice from Books At a Glance

Anytime we see a new book from David Peterson we know immediately it’s going to be worth the price of admission. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries series is being overhauled (now in its third series), and Peterson on Hebrews will certainly serve as a new “go-to” resource for the study of this important epistle.

As anticipated, Peterson’s commentary – though relatively brief, in keeping with the TNTC structure – is marked by exegetical precision, theological insight, inner-canonical connections, and redemptive-historical awareness.

Highly recommended.

Here’s a good word from Peterson’s Preface:

Although Hebrews may seem daunting at first, once the interplay between doctrinal exposition and exhortation is understood, the application becomes clearer. The author’s central concern was for those he addressed to ‘move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity’ (6:1). My prayer is that the readers of this commentary will be greatly assisted in achieving that goal. The new format of the series, with an outline of the theology of the book in the Introduction and theological reflections at the end of each section of the argument, should help to expose the contemporary relevance of this ‘word of exhortation’ (13:22).

Here’s Peterson’s Outline Analysis of Hebrews

1. GOD’S FINAL WORD IN HIS SON (1:1–4)
2. The new revelation compared with the old (1:1–2a)
3. The nature and work of the Son (1:2b–3)
4. The Son and the angels (1:4)
5. THE GREATNESS OF THE SON AND THE NEED TO PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO HIS MESSAGE (1:5 – 2:4)
6. The Son’s superiority to the angels (1:5–14)
7. A warning about holding fast to the Son and his message (2:1–4)
8. THE SON’S INCARNATION, DEATH AND HEAVENLY EXALTATION IS THE MEANS OF OUR SALVATION AND THE BASIS OF HOPEFUL CONFIDENCE (2:5 – 3:6)
9. The world to come subjected to the glorified Son (2:5–9)
10. Many sons brought to glory by the pioneer of their salvation (2:10–16)
11. The Son as a merciful and faithful high priest (2:17–18)
12. A WARNING NOT TO HARDEN OUR HEARTS IN UNBELIEF, TOGETHER WITH ENCOURAGEMENTS ABOUT THE WAY TO ENTER THE REST THAT THE SON HAS MADE POSSIBLE (3:7 – 4:13)
13. The negative example of the Israelites who failed to enter the Promised Land (3:7–19)
14. A warning about falling short of God’s promised rest (4:1–2)
15. Identifying the rest and those who enter it (4:3–11)
16. A warning about the power of God’s word to expose and judge (4:12–13)
17. THE SON’S HIGH-PRIESTLY MINISTRY IS THE BASIS FOR PERSEVERING FAITH AND OBEDIENCE (4:14 – 5:10)
18. A challenge to hold firmly to the faith we profess and approach God with confidence for mercy and timely help (4:14–16)
19. The perfecting of the Son as ‘the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him’ (5:1–10)
20. A CHALLENGE TO AVOID SLUGGISHNESS AND FULLY REALIZE THE HOPE SET BEFORE US (5:11 – 6:12)
21. The pathway to maturity in Christ (5:11 – 6:3)
22. A warning about the fate of those who profess faith and fall away (6:4–8)
23. The need to express faith, hope and love ‘to the very end’ (6:9–12)
24. THE HOPE CONFIRMED AND SECURED BY THE ENTRANCE OF OUR HIGH PRIEST INTO HEAVEN (6:13 – 7:28)
25. Responding to God’s guaranteed promise (6:13–20)
26. The priesthood of Melchizedek (7:1–10)
27. The eternal high priesthood of the Son of God (7:11–28)
28. THE SUPERIOR MINISTRY OF OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST (8:1 – 10:18)
29. Enthroned in heaven and serving in the ‘true tabernacle’ (8:1–6)
30. Mediator of a new covenant (8:7–13)
31. Opening the way to the Most Holy Place and cleansing consciences (9:1–14)
32. Providing the sacrifice that makes eternal salvation possible (9:15–28)
33. Sanctifying believers once for all and perfecting them for ever (10:1–18)
34. REFLECTING ON THE PRIVILEGES WE HAVE AS CHRISTIANS AND RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY (10:19–39)
35. Realize the benefits of Jesus’ high-priestly ministry (10:19–25)
36. Don’t turn away from the Son of God and his achievements for us (10:26–31)
37. Persevere and obtain what God has promised (10:32–39)
38. EXAMPLES OF PERSEVERING FAITH, CLIMAXING WITH A CHALLENGE TO REJECT SIN AND FOCUS ON JESUS ‘THE PIONEER AND PERFECTER OF FAITH’ (11:1 – 12:3)
39. Faith in the unseen (11:1–7)
40. The faith of Abraham and his descendants (11:8–22)
41. The faith of Moses and those associated with him (11:23–31)
42. Further examples of enduring faith (11:32–40)
43. Looking to Jesus (12:1–3)
44. CHALLENGES TO ENDURE SUFFERING AND PURSUE PEACE, HOLINESS AND GRATEFUL SERVICE TO GOD (12:4–29)
45. Submitting to God’s discipline (12:4–13)
46. Pursuing peace and holiness (12:14–17)
47. Living as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem (12:18–24)
48. Being attentive to the voice of God (12:25–27)
49. Serving God with reverence and awe (12:28–29)
50. FINAL ENCOURAGEMENTS, BLESSINGS AND GREETINGS (13:1–25)
51. Love that pleases God (13:1–6)
52. Faithfulness that endures (13:7–19)
53. Grace that equips and enables perseverance (13:20–25)

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HEBREWS: AN INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARY, by David G. Peterson

IVP Academic, 2020 | 352 pages

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