Exposition of Hebrews (Arthur Pink Collection Book 21)

The doctrinal importance of the Epistle to the Hebrews is unparalleled, not even surpassed by the Epistle to the Romans. Where its teachings are believed, understood, and lived out, ritualism and legalism, the two primary adversaries of Christianity, receive their ultimate defeat. No other book of Scripture so clearly and systematically exposes the sophistries and deceptions of Romanism. The errors of Popery are so thoroughly and pointedly refuted that the epistle might have been written after that satanic system had become established. As one of the Puritans aptly stated, "God, foreseeing the poisonous heresies that would be hatched by the Papacy, prepared this antidote against them."

The epistle is structured around the superiority of Christ over various figures and institutions. It begins by establishing Christ's superiority over the prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, and Aaron. It then contrasts the immaturity of Judaism with the maturity of Christianity, warning against the danger of apostasy. The epistle goes on to expound upon the twofold working of the Spirit, the two classes of professing Christians, the perseverance of true believers, the anchor of the soul in Christ, the priesthood of Melchizedek, the change in the priesthood, the setting aside of Judaism, and the perfection of Christ's priesthood.

The epistle further explores the two covenants, the typical tabernacle, the contrasted priests, the eternal redemption accomplished by Christ, the new covenant mediated by Christ, the great sacrifice of Christ, the divine incarnation of Christ, Christ's dedication, the perfecting of the church, sanctification, access to God, the path of tribulation, the saving of the soul, and the excellency of faith.

The remainder of the epistle focuses on the examples of faith found throughout the Old Testament, culminating in the "hall of fame" of the faithful in chapter 11. The author then issues calls to steadfastness, diligence, self-examination, and warns against apostasy. The superiority of Christianity over Judaism is emphasized, and the readers are exhorted to hear the voice of the Lord, to maintain brotherly love, to be content, and to offer spiritual sacrifices.

The author of this profound epistle was Arthur W. Pink, an English-born preacher and writer who lived from 1886 to 1952. After being born again at the age of 22, he studied briefly at Moody Bible Institute and then served as a pastor in several churches in the United States and Australia before returning to his native England in 1934. He spent his final years in Lewis, Scotland, where he continued his prolific writing ministry until his death.

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