I. THE SUPERIORITY OF THE SON, THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW REVELATION, TO ANGELS: 1:5-2:18.
II. MOSES, JOSHUA, JESUS, THE FOUNDERS OF THE OLD ECONOMY AND OF THE NEW: ch. 3; ch. 4.
III. THE HIGH-PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST, UNIVERSAL AND SOVEREIGN (MELCHIZEDEK): ch. 5-7.
IV. THE FULFILMENT OF CHRIST'S PRIESTLY WORK: 8:1-10:18.
V. THE APPROPRIATION AND VITAL APPLICATION OF THE TRUTHS LAID DOWN: 10:19-12. A PERSONAL EPILOGUE: ch. 13. These chief divisions can be followed a little more in detail:
THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE: THE FINALITY OF CHRISTIANITY: 1:1-4.
i.
The contrast of the Old Revelation and the New in method, time, persons
(vv. 1,
2).
ii.
The nature and the work of the Son, in regard to His Divine Personality and to the Incarnation
(v. 3).
iii.
Transition to the detailed development of the argument
(v. 4).
I. THE SUPERIORITY OF THE SON, THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW REVELATION, TO ANGELS: 1:5-2:18.
i.
The testimony of Scripture
(1:5-14).
ii.
The peril of neglecting the new revelation through the Son
(2:1-4).
iii.
The fulfilment of the divine destiny of man in the Son of man (Jesus) through suffering
(2:5-18).
II. MOSES, JOSHUA, JESUS, THE FOUNDERS OF THE OLD ECONOMY AND OF THE NEW: ch. 3; ch. 4.
i.
Moses and Jesus: the servant and the Son
(3:1-6).
(1) A general view of the dignity of Jesus (3:1, 2).
(2) Moses represents a house: Jesus the framer of it (3:3, 4).
(3) Moses a servant: Jesus a son (3:5, 6).
ii.
The promise and the people under the Old and the New Dispensations
(3:7-4:13).
(1) Faith the condition of blessing (3:7-19).
(2) The promise remaining (4:1-13).
iii.
Transition to the doctrine of the High-priesthood, resuming
2:17, 18 (4:14-16).
III. THE HIGH-PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST, UNIVERSAL AND SOVEREIGN (MELCHIZEDEK): ch. 5-ch. 7.
i.
The characteristics of a High-priest (sympathy and divine appointment) fulfilled in Christ
(5:1-10).
ii.
Progress through patient effort the condition of the knowledge of Christian mysteries
(5:11-6).
iii.
The characteristics of Christ, as absolute High-priest, shadowed forth by Melchizedek (King-priest)
(ch. 7).
IV. THE FULFILMENT OF CHRIST'S PRIESTLY WORK: 8:1-10:18.
i.
A general view of the scene and the conditions of Christ's High-priestly work
(ch.
8).
(1) The new Sanctuary (8:1-6).
(2) The New Covenant (chs. 7-13).
ii.
The Old Service and the New: the Atonement of the Law and the Atonement of Christ
(ch. 9).
(1) The Sanctuary and Priests under the Old Covenant (9:1-10).
(2) The High-priestly Atonement under the New Covenant (9:11-28).