Perseverance

in Gratitude

A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary

on the Epistle “to the Hebrews”

David A. deSilva

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan / Cambridge, U.K.

© 2000 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

2140 Oak Industrial Dr N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505 /

P.O. Box 163, Cambridge CB3 9PU U.K.

All rights reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

deSilva, David Arthur.

Perseverance in Gratitude: a socio-rhetorical commentary on the Epistle “to the Hebrews” / David A. deSilva.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN 978-0-8028-4188-9 (pbk.:alk. paper)

1. Bible. N.T. Hebrew—Socio-rhetorical criticism. I. Title.

BS27775.2 .D475 2000

227′.8707—dc21

99-462192

For James Adrian deSilva

and John Austin Alexander deSilva,

sons of encouragement

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

The recipients of the Letter “to the Hebrews”

Ethnic Background

History of the Community

The Occasion of Hebrews

Date and Location

The Author

Identity

World View

Use of the Old Testament

Expertise in Rhetoric

The Rhetorical Goal and Socio-Rhetorical Strategy of Hebrews

Ancient Rhetoric and New Testament Interpretation

Rhetorical Goal and Rhetorical Genre

The Socio-Rhetorical Strategy of Hebrews—an Overview

Outline

Bridging the Horizons

The Commentary

1. Responding to God’s Word and Work in the Son: Hebrews 1:1–2:18

Overview

Commentary

A Closer Look: Angels in Intertestamental Judaism

A Closer Look: Priestly Messiahs in the Intertestamental Period

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

2. The Inexpediency of Distrust: Hebrews 3:1–4:13

Overview

Commentary

A Closer Look: The Divine Other and Sustaining Minority Cultural Values

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

3. Jesus, Our Guarantor of God’s Favor: Hebrews 4:14–5:10

Overview

Commentary

A Closer Look: “Perfection” in Hebrews

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

4. Honoring God Necessitates Perseverance: Hebrews 5:11–6:20

Overview

Commentary

A Closer Look: Is Apostasy the “Unpardonable Sin”?

A Closer Look: Patronage, Eternal Security, and Second Repentance

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

5. Jesus, the Better Qualified Mediator of God’s Favor: Hebrews 7:1–8:13

Overview

Commentary

A Closer Look: Voluntary Death and Atonement

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

6. The Decisive Removal of Sin’s Defilement: Hebrews 9:1–10:18

Overview

Commentary

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

7. Draw Near to God and to Each Other: Hebrews 10:19–39

Overview

Commentary

A Closer Look: Athletic Imagery and Moral Exhortation

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

8. Faith’s Orientation in the World: Hebrews 11:1–12:3

Overview

Commentary

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

9. In Training for the Kingdom: Hebrews 12:4–29

Overview

Commentary

A Closer Look: Gratitude in Greco-Roman Ethics

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

10. Living in Gratitude to God: Hebrews 13:1–25

Overview

Commentary

Summary

Bridging the Horizons

Bibliography

Index of Ancient Texts

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Subjects

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About Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle “to the Hebrews”

This commentary is the first to fully apply the resources of socio-rhetorical analysis to Hebrews. Insights into the cultural and social world of the audience are combined with analysis of the author’s rhetorical strategy and ideology to create a rich, three-dimensional reading that helps unravel key issues in the interpretation of the epistle. David deSilva’s reflections on application concluding each section also make his commentary valuable to seminarians and pastors seeking to make Hebrews relevant to today’s world.

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