What was the purpose of writing the Book of Hebrews?

Answer 1

The clear purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews, was to address quite specifically Jewish Christians who were considering returning to Judaism. This explains the frequent occurrence of the terms 'better' which the writer applies to Christianity versus Judaism in a number of areas. Much of the Epistle also covers material which would only be familiar to Jewish readers such as details about the sacrificial system, all in a way which point to Christ.

It also contains five warnings which increase in intensity as the work progresses. The purpose of these being to warn Jewish readers of the consequences of apostasy.

Jesus Christ is exalted throughout and many verses from the Old Testament are either quoted or alluded to as a demonstration of the superiority of the 'new and living way' which Jesus opened through His 'once for all' sacrifice.

There is no evidence that the ending of the book of Hebrews was added later. Since it contains typically Pauline formulations and greetings it is one of many supports for the view that Paul wrote Hebrews. It also indicates that although the book contains much exhortation and is for the most part for a general Jewish readership, that there were actual recipients which the author had in mind and who he was addressing particularly in the course of speaking also to a wider audience.

Answer 2

The letter called Hebrews is for Christian Jews. The general idea of this letter is to demonstrate that Jesus more than fulfils all the highest ideas of the Jewish religion and He is far superior than any of the Old Testament prophets. Because of this the Jewish Christians are warned against relapsing into the old Jewish religion. The letter says a new agreement was established by God's visiting the earth in person and the new agreement is infinitely more important than the old agreement (covenant).

Answer 3

The book known as the Epistle to the Hebrews was never regarded as having been written by St Paul until late in the second century. Unlike the Pauline epistles, it does not claim to have been written by Paul, and it has a different style and theology.
Although we do not know the original purpose of the epistle, most of the book seems as if it could have been written as a sermon rather than a letter. If the book was a sermon, then the last chapter, which is written in the style of a letter and mentions Timothy, was probably added much later.