Reviewed by Eyob Abera

Review on “Hebrews” An Introduction and Study Guide by Patrick Gray and Amy Peeler

This commentary is introduced by discussing various matters, such as the author and audience.
While most early church fathers believed that Paul was the author, Gray and Peeler argue that it
was likely a well-educated Jewish man with a Greek or Roman background. The traditional view
is that the audience was “Christians who were descendants of Abraham” (p.6), but Gray and
Peeler believe it was a mix of Jewish and Gentile recipients. The book was written before 70 CE
and was intended for readers in Italy. The author's purpose was to encourage readers to persevere
in the face of hostility and not give up. The book is a hybrid letter, possibly meant to be read
orally. After outlining the book of Hebrews, the authors continue to discuss its contents.

The first chapter presents four particular outlines for the first six chapters of the book of Hebrews
and discusses various themes and teachings. It starts by “the supremacy of Christ and his
salvation” (p. 17–24), emphasizing his superiority over angels and the importance of not
neglecting the salvation he offers. Next, it compares Jesus to Moses and highlights “the example
of Israel in the wilderness” (p. 24–29), urging readers not to repeat their mistakes. The chapter
also discusses “Jesus as the Great High Priest” (p. 29–32), encouraging believers to approach
God's throne with confidence. Lastly, it emphasizes the need for maturity and faithfulness in the
Christian journey, using examples from Abraham's life as illustrations.

In the second chapter of the commentary, Gray and Peeler discuss chapters seven through
thirteen. They begin by examining the connection between “Jesus and Melchizedek” (p.37-40),
explaining how Jesus is superior to the Levitical priesthood because he belongs to the order of
Melchizedek. They then delve into the topic of the new covenant and emphasize that Jesus'
sacrifice is far superior to previous imperfect sacrifices. The authors also emphasize the
importance of fellowship and faith in approaching God, highlighting how drawing near to God
and to one another requires both faith and fellowship. Additionally, they discuss the virtue of
endurance and encourage their audience to aspire to this quality in light of their current situation.
Finally, they provide concluding exhortations to the readers.
In third chapter of the commentary, the authors focus on the Holy Spirit in Hebrews. they argue
that the Holy Spirit in Hebrews is a subject of ongoing debate among scholars studying the
author's theology. And exploring the role of the Holy Spirit, offers valuable insights that enhance
our understanding of the historical background of the book of Hebrews. They begin this chapter
with a review of recent literature on the Holy Spirit in Hebrews. Then they delve into discussions
about the Holy Spirit and divine speech in Hebrews. They explore how the Holy Spirit is
depicted as a source of divine communication in the book and analyze its significance within the
context of Hebrews' theology. Additionally, they examine the role of the Holy Spirit in human
salvation.

In Chapter 4, the authors focus on the reception history of Hebrews. They argue that the epistle
to the Hebrews was not given much attention by scholars compared to the gospels and Paul's
letters in the twentieth century. Scholars focused on understanding the historical context of the
text, overshadowing interpretations by ordinary readers and artists. However, the diverse
interpretations of Hebrews throughout history demonstrate its richness. They examine each
chapter of the book, taking into account its impact on the evolution of Christian theology
throughout the centuries. This analysis allows us to see how the book of Hebrews has influenced
and shaped theological thought over time.

This commentary provides a clear and organized overview of the book of Hebrews. It breaks
down the chapters and themes, making it easy for readers to follow along and understand the
main points. This commentary emphasizes the importance of perseverance, faith, and maturity in
the Christian journey, which can be inspiring and encouraging for readers. The chapter on the
Holy Spirit in Hebrews offers valuable insights into the role of the Holy Spirit in divine
communication and human salvation, which I did not find in some other commentaries. The final
part of the commentary, titled "For further study," encourages readers to delve deeper into the
study of the book of Hebrews and gain a comprehensive understanding of its content. Overall, I
found it a helpful guide for those seeking to gain a better understanding of the epistle to the
Hebrews, providing clear explanations and insights into its themes and historical context.