The authority of the Son through whom God now speaks (Heb 1:1-3).
Argument from scripture showing the Son’s superiority to angels (Heb 1:1-14).
Exhortation to heed and obey the Son’s message (Heb 2:1-3).
Steps by which the Son’s message has been communicated to us (Heb 2:3-5).
2. A New Priesthood
Heb 2:5 to 3:6
Explanation of why the Son had to become like us and suffer death - "that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest... to make atonement" (Heb 2:5-18).
How the new High Priest compares with Moses (Heb 3:1-6).
3. A New Hope
Heb 3:7 to 4:13
The curse of times past - "they shall not enter my rest" - upon the generation that died in the wilderness and did not enter Canaan (Heb 3:7-19).
The new hope for today - "a promise remains of entering God’s rest" - for those who follow Christ into heaven (Heb 4:1-10).
Exhortation to strive for that heavenly Sabbath rest (Heb 4:12-13).
PART B. Understanding Christ’s Priesthood
4. Profile of Our High Priest
Heb 4:14 to 5:10
We have a great High Priest who is...
sympathetic(Heb 4:14-16).
divinely appointed (Heb 5:1-6).
obedient unto death (Heb 5:7-8).
the author of salvation (Heb 5:9).
of the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:10).
5. Dull Minds Make the High PriesthoodHard to Explain
Heb 5:11 to 6:12
A stern rebuke ~ you are not growing (Heb 5:11 to 6:3).
A solemn warning ~ you could fall away (Heb 6:4-8).
Loving encouragement ~ I am confident you will improve (Heb 6:9-12).
6. The Nature of Christ’s Priesthood
Heb 6:13 to 8:6
Based on an oath made by God (Heb 6:13-20).
Like the priesthood of Melchizedek [key argument in the letter] (Heb 6:20 to 7:17).
Summary of the above two points, with the conclusion that a new covenant is in force (Heb 7:18-22).
A permanent priesthood ~ this High Priest does not die (Heb 7:23-25).
A perfect priesthood ~ this High Priest does not sin, and therefore could offer himself as a sacrifice (Heb 7:26-28).
A heavenly priesthood ~ Christ is a priest in heaven, not on earth (Heb 8:1-6).
7. New Priest, New Covenant
Heb 8:7 to 9:11
Arguments in support of the conclusion that a new covenant is in force...
There were faults in the old (Heb 8:7-13).
The old was a symbolic shadow of the new (Heb 9:1-11).
A comparison of the blood offered (see below) (Heb 9:12 to 10:18).
8. Christ Offered His Own Blood
Heb 9:12 to 10:18
Christ offered his own blood, not the blood of animals (Heb 9:12-15).
Animal blood was merely a copy or symbol of Christ’s blood (Heb 9:16-24).
Animal blood had to be offered repeatedly, but Christ’s only once (Heb 9:25 to 10:4).
Argument from Psalm 40:6-8 supporting the point above (Heb 10:5-18).
PART C. Believing Christ’s Message
9. Unswerving Faith
Heb 10:19-39
What we should do after conversion (Heb 10:19-25).
What will happen to us if we don't (Heb 10:26-31).
The need for longtime Christians to heed this warning (Heb 10:32-39).
10. A Cloud of Witnesses
Heb 11:1 to 12:1
The nature of the faith we live by (Heb 11:1-3).
Old Testament examples of faithfulness (Heb 11:4-38).
Exhortation to follow their example (Heb 11:39 to 12:1).
11. Endurance Under Discipline
Heb 12:1-13
Running the race (Heb 12:1).
Looking unto Jesus (Heb 12:2-4).
Disciplined as sons (Heb 12:5-11).
Be strong (Heb 12:12-13).
12. Faith in Action
Heb 12:14 to 13:25
Exhortation to resist temptation (Heb 12:14-17).
Comparing our opportunity to live faithfully with the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness (Heb 12:18-28).
Practise love, hospitality, sympathy, sexual purity, contentment, confidence in Christ, submission to leadership, rejection of false teachings (Heb 13:1-9).