imperative.5 The author thus spoke to himself as well as to his readers. The key word of the book is “better.” The word is used thirteen times to show the superiority of the believer’s position in Christ (1:4; 6:9; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6 [twice]; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40). In Christ the believer has better promises and a better hope, covenant, substance, country, and resurrection.
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