distinguished by style and form (and in the case of 2:1–4, by diction) from the unit of exposition. It is the presupposition of this commentary that in Hebrews parenesis takes precedence over thesis in expressing the writer’s purpose. Argumentation serves exhortation. Hebrews is a pastorally oriented sermon whose goal is given expression in the parenetic sections of the discourse. In a striking descriptive phrase appended to the homily, the writer characterizes the whole discourse as parenesis or