The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

18 between Jesus and angels (1:5-14; 2:5-18). It would then appear that the author's subject was merely superiority of the person of Jesus compared to angels. The author's concern, to be sure, however was more than to convince his readers that Messiah is greater than angels. His argument begins with the comparison of the revelation which was given through angels with that which has come through Christ. He reasons simply that superior revelation comes through superior channels, and if one obeys revelation given in the past then he so much the more ought to obey superior revelation. The reasons for this understanding follow. The Contribution of the Introduction 1: 1-4 The purpose already announced by the writer (1: 1-4) is to demonstrate the finality and greatness of this most recent revelation by asserting the superiority of the mes– senger. 26 Thus, it would be logical that he would continue to develop his stated purpose in the passage which immediately follows. In addition, the parallels between the introduction (1: 1-4) and stated conclusion of chapter two (2: 1-4) are quite strong, also indicating that the author has not changed his subject in chapter two . 1:1-4 1: 1 God spoke o 8Eo~ AaAricra~ 1:2 God has spoken to us in Son EAOATJOEV ~µ1v EV ulQ 2:1-4 2: 1 We must hold fast what we have heard npocrfxEt v ~µa~ To1~ aKoucr8E1cr1 2:3 what wa spoken to us by the Lord AOAE1cr8at 81a TOO Kup(ou . El~ ~µcic; The focus i not upon the me enger nece arily but only a their inh rent qu lit r fl t upon the importance and thu the finality f their me t th 1 mn pp 1 t pa th h p en in th exordium (1 :1-2 ) pr par for th pr "d 6 "Th und m nt 1 tl e te t t tl 1m umptt n th r um nt i th t th rt n nd tm ht f ht m , " L n , Hebrew , ..io h t n r