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84

THE EXCELLENCE OF CHRIST

IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

By: Pieter G.O. Sunkudon

Abstract

Penulis Ibrani telah mengafirmasi eksistensi Kristus sebagai yang

unggul dari segala hal yang menjadi kebanggaan religius PerjanjianLama. Makalah ini membicarakan, berdasarkan hasil pengamatan

terhadap Surat Ibrani, tentang keunggulan Kristus atas segala

kebanggaan tersebut.

Keywords: Kristus, keunggulan Kristus, malaikat, musa, imam besar,

sabat.

Preliminary

In religious context, the human race has at least figure as afigure to be proud of from time to time, someone who is not only

acceptable, but also sometimes be respected and conversation central.

Figure like this is not just respectable, but also remembered for his

exploits revolutionary and kontraversional the value system in thecontext of a particular level. Talk about figures like these contain

certain risks, especially when faced with the demands of objectivity

but also constructive fanaticism.To produce work that is authentic, it takes exposure to

authentic evidence. Therefore, in giving exposure to the person of

Jesus, specifically the author will give a special place to the Hebrewletter. This is due to the major themes that have been agreed upon by

most theologians, that the letter was talking about the superiority of

Jesus or another words the exellence of Christ.

In the end, writers will find the value of the consequencesand relevance to the world of theology. Thus the value of Jesus'

superiority expressed by the writer of Hebrew will be able to be

understood not only in the context of the original author, but also bemeaningful in the lives of today's realities.


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The Excellence Of Christ In The Book Of Hebrews 85

Pieter G.O. Sunkudon

Introductions to Hebrews

Have complete information about the background of the

text that will be explored are significant subject. The interest is

caused by the need for historical interpretation that demandsconsistent attention to the background of a paper to be investigated.

That is why in this section the author will inform some important

things about the introduction of the Hebrew as a first step towardsanalyze letter.

Author

Hebrew text is not suggests at all whos the author clearly.

Since the end of the second century, many that include it as part of the

work of Paul. Clement of Alexandria (220) theorized this letter was

written by Paul in Hebrew for the Jews, then Luke translated it intoGreek. But somehow it is difficult to be accepted by modern scholars.

Several church fathers as Clement and Origen (254) such as, Jerome(419) and Augustine (430), also believes that this letter is Paul's

writings.1

There is some objection to the view above, like, no

inclusion of common identity as Paul in his letters to another. Even in2:3 indicates that the author was an eyewitness disciple of the Lord

Jesus. As the evaluation of F.F. Bruce that, "clearly we can say that

the ideas in this paper does not belong to Paul, Paul does not belongto the language style, and technique of quoting from the Old

Testament in this paper is not the style of Paul."2

According to the tradition of early Christianity, the authorof this letter was Barnabas. Tertullian is One who believes this (220),

and many more. In contrast to Luther, based on Acts 18:24, Apollos

put forward as the author of Hebrews. Some other names put forward

as a possible author of this letter is, Luke, Silas (Acts 15:22), and

1Hebrews, Epistle To the dalamFaussets Bible Dictionary dari

BibleWorks 6.0. LLC, Copyright 1992-2003, All rights reserved. Programmed by

Michael S. Bushell and Michael D. Tan. [CD ROM]2Hebrews, The Epistle To The dalamIlumina Gold Ensiclopedia,

Tyndale House Publishers, t.t. [CD ROM]


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86 ILUMINASI/2013

several others. Of the possibilities above, in the end can only be

concluded that, "but who actually wrote the letter, only God knows."3

Therefore it is wise advice to let the letter writer Origen remainincognito remembered by contemporary interpreters,

4clear that the

first recipient of this letter know exactly who wrote it.

Recipients

Not clearly stated who the original recipients of this letter,but the letter of the oldest manuscripts clearly entitled "to the Hebrew

people." This indicates that this paper is addressed to Jewish

Christians who in the colony due to suppressed everywhere. But in its

development, under 5:11-13, many believe that the recipient of thisletter are those Christians who are spiritually immature.

5Which also

spiritually threatened to leave Christ and return to Judaism.6

Date

About the date of writing, there is no certainty. However,the possibility of recipients are disciples who never hang out with

Jesus while He was still in the world (2:3). Evidence further indicates

the possibility that Paul was dead but Timothy is still alive (13:23).

Moreover, the lack of information about the destruction of the Templeof Jerusalem shows, that this letter was written before the year 70. If

this letter was written after Paul's death, it is most likely about 67 AD,

according the execution of Paul by tradition. So chances are between67-70 AD.

7

Thus, exposure of little evidence of the validity of the

Hebrew letters as well as a director of the canon of the inductiveinterpretation. There are still some things related to the introduction

3Ibid.4D. Guthrie, Ibrani, Surat Kepada Orang Ibrani dalamEnsiklopedi

Alkitab Masa Kini, peny., H.A.Oposunggu dan yang lainnya, pen., J.M. Pattiasina

(Jakarta: Yayasan Komunikasi Bina Kasih, 2004), 1:413.5Hebrews, The Epistle To The dalamIlumina.6George Eldon Ladd, Teologi Perjanjian Baru, Peny., Sumitro

Onggosanjoyo dan Ridwan Sutedja (Bandung: Yayasan Kalam Hidup, 2002), Jil. 2,

bag., 5, Surat-surat Umum,pen., Urbanus Selan dan Henry Lantang, 373.7Hebrews, The Epistle To The dalamIlumina.


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of the letter writer deliberately not included in this section. Because

some of the things have been described above, have been enough to

need an understanding of exposures in the following chapters.

Eternal Excellence of Christ

The uniqueness of the person of Jesus will begin when the

notice his existence actively in eternity, especially in the

understanding of Jesus as the second person of the One God. Conceptof unity of God has given color specifically in proper theology of

Hebrews. In theological language, the presence of Jesus in eternity

past before he was born into the world through the Virgin Mary,

called the pre-existence. Hebrew letters above description providesimportant insights about laying to the deity of Jesus, evidenced by the

pre-description of his existence.

Declaration of Christ Privileges

In the phrase . . . his Son, whom he hath appointed heir ofall things, (1:2), the author of Hebrews asserts that Jesus has been

set, it means in relation to all of these incredible creations are the

heirs of his position. The writer of Hebrews uses the Greek term

e;qhken (etheken), in the form of the aorist, constative aorist in thiscase, to say that something happened or been done. It is not expressedcontinuously or repeatedly, but rather act in a certain point

(punctiliar). Because the verb is not based on the past, present or

future.8

The section describes Jesus juridical possession over the

whole world, that God had given Him, so that this world has authorityover His own from eternity past. Although the de facto he has not

received "all things".9

Ownership Jesus also corroborated by the word

"heir" (klhrono,mon-kleronomon), which means a person entitled toreceive.

10

8Petrus Maryono, Diktat Kuliah: Gramatika dan Sintaksis, Th.M IV,

1994, 122-124.9Dave Hagelberg, Tafsiran Ibrani dari bahasa Yunani

(Bandung:Yayasan Kalam Hidup, 1999), 8.10Ibid.


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Furthermore there is a phrase that says: "By Him God

made the universe" (v. 2). Phrase has been made, with the term

evpoi,hsen(epoiesen) in the form of the aorist, referring to the role ofJesus, which God created everything that exists.

11He has created

tou.j aivw ////NAJ (tous ioonas), "worlds" (KJV, the worlds) or "the

universe", as in most modern translations. This term usually means"times", then there is a temporary commentators argue, that the word

here means "ages" of the universe makes more sense.The writer of Hebrews gives a description of the glory and

power of Jesus, which is associated with His pre-existence, when He

said: It is the light of God's glory and the exact representation of Godand upholding all things by the word of His power (v. 3). So that it

can be said that Jesus is the living manifestation of the properties and

majesty of God.

Two aspects that are being expressed by the writer of

Hebrews to the work of Jesus is, as the light states introducing God tohumans, here writer of Hebrews uses the term carakth.r (kharakter), aterm adopted into English, and if used for personal or this termindicates a group of mental or moral qualities of a person or a whole

group that person.12

As well as the private dominion over all creation.13

The point is that Jesus is God's present to human creation, as part ofthe authority's hands.

The whole phrase above, an important word to be

discussed is sat down.evka,qisen (ekatisen) here is a verb in theaorist active forms with indicative mode. Indicative mode is the mode

that confirms the actuality, certainty, or the reality of the actions from

the viewpoint of the speaker. This mode consists of a statement offact, but also can be used in negative sentences or questions.14

So it

11Ibid.12A. S. Hornby, character, dalam Oxford Advanced Learners

Dictionary, peny., Jonathan Crowther (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995),

186.13Hagelberg, Tafsiran Ibrani, 8.14Maryono, Diktat Kuliah, 88-89.


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can be said that the verb is the main verb in this sentence that reveal

His power, unparalleled.15

This expression gives an indication of the central notion ofthe concept of Christology in the New Testament, in honor of Christ

sits in heaven at the right hand of God. In the only personal positions

given singular honor, which later led to the concept of Jesus the HighPriest.16

Given to Jesus, the name the more special and much higher

than even the angels, His nature is much different from the value of

the nature of angels. Noun kleronomon here has accusative case, thismeans that the structure of the grammar, the noun stands as the direct

object in the sentence, so it is more precise to mean, inherited or

heirs.17

Overcoming Glory of Moses

Reason the authors argue, based on the phrase "For this

man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, in as much as hewho hath builded the house hath more honour than the house."

(KJV_3:3). Expression of the exellence of Jesus above Moses has avalue that exceeds kontraversional in Jews concept, because Moses is

deemed greater than the angels. Through Moses, God has given the

law and the majesty of the law has its own value in Jewish efforts to

get closer to Yahweh, cannot imagine anyone else who could exceedthe greatness of Moses. Facts raised by the writer of Hebrews was

Moses faithful as a servant in the house of God, whereas Christ is

faithful as a Son who heads the house (3:5-6).

Rest Day or Sabbath

Sabbath or rest, according to the mindset of Jewish leaders

in New Testament times, describing the world to come. So, based on

this background, it can be said that entering His rest means getting

15Dave Hagelberg, Tafsiran Ibrani dari bahasa Yunani

(Bandung:Yayasan Kalam Hidup, 1999), 8.16J.A Buhner,caqhmai dalamExegetical Dictionary of the New

Testament, peny., Horst Balz and Gerhard Schneider (Grand Rapids: William B.

Eerdmans Publishing, 1994), 2:223-224.17BibleWorks 6.0. LLC, Copyright 1992-2003, All rights reserved.

Programmed by Michael S. Bushell and Michael D. Tan. [CD ROM].


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90 ILUMINASI/2013

inheritance, obtain parts, everything has a meaning, which is to follow

the Son of Man in His victory in the world to come.18

The term rest taken from the text of Psalm 95. The term

is used psalmist stops derived from yt!h*WNm=19 from the root word hw)nm(manuha) which means resting-place,

20which in this context refers to

the land of Canaan as an end of their long journey over 40 years in thewilderness. The purpose of the disclosure of the writer of Hebrews is

expect them still far in the future when compared to the excellence of

Jesus.

Melchizedek, Aaronic Priesthood and Holy Places

Priesthood emphasis which makes the value of the

excellency of Jesus's ministry was he offered a perfect sacrifice,

namely Himself. The writer of Hebrews uses Melchizedek activitiesand work as a stepping stone, which lead to the priesthood than

Aaron, to bring readers the correct understanding of the concept ofthe excellence of Jesus. First, the Levite priesthood represented byAaron, should be repeated that just proves how ineffective these

sacrifice. Second, in 7:3 says, "He (Melchizedek) Without father,

without mother, without genealogy." It's like comparing the rules in

the Levitical priesthood of Melchizedek rules that applied to theperson of Jesus. If the priesthood according to the order of Aaron

should be based on heredity as a requirement21

so the priesthood of

Jesus is not based on the rules.Furthermore, clause, "he remains a priest forever"

22shows

that, if the office of high priest after the order of Levi apply in a

period,

23

then this does not apply to the priesthood of Jesus. Not onlythat, he explained that he thoroughly deserves to be a high priest.

18Dave Hagelberg, Tafsiran Ibrani dari bahasa Yunani, 29.19John Owens,Analitical Key to the Old Testament vol 3: Ezra-Song

of Solomon (Grand Rapids:Baker Book House, 1995), 429.20Francis Brown, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English

Lexicon (Boston: Hendrickson Publishers, 1996), 629.21Keluaran 28:1; 40:15; Bilangan 3:10.22Ibrani 7:3.23D.H. Tongue, Imam-iman dan Golongan Lewi dalamEnsiklopedi

Alkitab Masa Kini, peny., H.A. Opposunggu dan yang lainnya, pen., Harun

Hadiwijono (Jakarta: Yayasan Komunikasi Bina Kasih/OMF, 2004), 1:423.


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Jesuss priesthood ministry did not approach the furniture in the

temple of God, but he approaches God himself in heaven. So Jesus is

superior included in the value and weight of all the ritual symbol thatis in Jerusalem.

Suffering and Tribulation

Value not only to the superiority of Jesus in glory frame,

as if it does not mean confront with the reality of sufferingexperienced by the people. The writer of Hebrews clearly says:

"Because we have a high priest, not a high priest which can not be

touched with the feeling of our infirmities, otherwise the same as us,

He was tempted, yet without sin". (4:15).Jesus' humanity is different from other human humanity,

the humanity of Jesus has had a perfect score, holy, innocent,

undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens

(7:26). The writer of Hebrews also includes facts about the humanityof Jesus as a person who took upon Himself the weak nature of the

ruling, but also suffering, sorrow, temptation and death.The authors observed that the discussion of this section

has a core linkage letters, all of which speak of Jesus' superiority over

existing priesthood or never happened according to the law. Verses 1-

5 tell about furniture and fixtures rituals, verses 6-10 is a refutation ofall ritual ever conducted by the priests, whose value does not reach

perfection.

Verses 15-22 is a specific result of the sacrifice of Jesus inHimself, so He deserves become the mediator of a new covenant, a

sacrifice of implementing a ransom for many. Verses 23-28 are the

conclusion of the sacrifice of Jesus as well as the impact on humansalvation which now has eternal value.

Meaning that can be taken is the excellence of Jesus as

high priest that he has done through the redemption of our sins

through Himself sacrifice, he would still defend to eternity future. Hewill remain a private mediator between God and the people, to

eternity future. New covenant in Jesus will be started by the eternal,

because no other person will ever appear worthy to intercede to Godbut Jesus alone.


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Supremacy of Jesus in Future Eternity

Exposure of the writer of Hebrews is expressly against this

section does not appear with the real, but he argues that:

He remains forever, his priesthood can not be transferred to

another person. Therefore He is also able to save completelyall who come unto God by Him. Because he always lives to

become their mediator.24

Also expressed in relation to the restoration of the Jewishin the future, which is evident when he quoted scripture that says

content:

I will put my laws in their minds and write them on theirhearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, or afellow brother, saying: 'Know the Lord! Because of them,

large and small, will know me. For I will be merciful to their

iniquities, and no longer remember their sins.25

Relationship with the new covenant prophecy (Jer. 31:31-34), God

will write His laws on the hearts of His people and He will not

remember their sins anymore. The road to God has been opened byJesus, no longer dependent on observance of legal formalities of the

law, but more inner worth.26

In relation to eternity future, the writer of Hebrews

expressed by the word forever.27

pa,ntote (pantote), derived from

24Ibrani 7:25.25Ibrani 8:10-12 yang dikutipnya dari pembahasan Yer. 31:33-34.26Leon Morris, Teologi Perjanjian Baru (Malang:Gandum Mas,

1996), 426.27Dalam hal ini, penulis surat Ibrani menggunakan istilahpantote

(pantote), digunakan sebanyak 42 kali oleh penulis surat Ibrani. Lih, Sakae Kubo,A

Readers Greek-English Lexicon of the Nw Testament and A Beginners Guide for


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the combination of two root words paj (pas) is translated by each,

every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, and everything, and

said ote (hote), which translates as whenever when, while, as long as.28

This word is related to the word zwn(zon) which has the sense to

live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)29

,with form

active present participle verb.30

Present time have a sense of meaning in the Greek is now

more refers to something that is being done. So Present Continuous

closer than Simple Present. That is a job/actions that are being takenor to be repeated in the present tense, are subjects of their own active

meaningful action.

In this case, Subject cause, produce and conduct theaction, mode participle is an adjective derived from the verb (Verbal

Adjective), describe participation in the actions taken by the verb. As

an adjective, participle explain and have the number, type, and the

same case with a noun or pronoun that expounds. As a verb, participle

explain and modify the main verb in a sentence.

31

Participle verb in the verb knotted with entugcanein

(entugkhanein-mediator), which has the infinitive verb form is active

present. Mode infinitive is a noun that is a verb (verbal noun). Verb isbecause it has tense and voice and has a subject and object. As a noun

has a substantive function and may be the subject or object of a

sentence. Infinitive can be used to express the purpose or result of anaction.

32

The writer of Hebrews has given so much evidence about

the facts of Jesus' excellence. He became a central Personal attention

and focus on living beings, but also the fact of the existence of an

excellence in eternity future, will require that the entire humanattention and make Jesus central of life.

the Translation of New Testament Greek(Grand Rapids:Zondervan Publishing

House, 1981), 226.28SABDA: Online Bible Versi Indonesia, Ver.2.0, Software Alkitab,

Biblika dan Alat-alat (Yayasan Lembaga Sabda).29Ibid.30Barbara Friberg and Timothy Friberg,Analytical Greek New

Testament(Grand Rapids:Baker Book House, 1975), 672.31SABDA: Online Bible Versi Indonesia.32Ibid.


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Logical Consequences Towards Theology

In a discussion about the advantages of Jesus in eternity, it

would require a special interpretation can be a bridge to the value ofthe urgency in the world of theology. This interpretation is necessary

in order to show the superiority of value in the present context.

hermeneutical interpretation would be able to contribute for theircommunity and church context. Such efforts by Tillich called the

correlation method. Through this correlation method describes the

contents of the Christian faith through existential issues and

theological answers that are interrelated.33

Attempt to make theology became more real in life and in

each context have started long ago. Such as liberation theology,

feminist theology, third world theology, black theology, contextual

theology, etc. Each approach is the result of theological interpretationaccording to each perspective. Theological approach can be also done

according to different themes, such as the theme of sociology,ecology, justice, peace and so forth. In relation to the field of science,

theology has a fundamental nature and not just a translation of the

teachings.

In other words the role of theology as a science is moreoriented towards the academic side and not just only in the life of the

church. Therefore theology should be more involved in other aspects

of science according to its development. Problems faced bytheological reflection is to determine the specific object, which is

relevant in living systems, as well as determine and account for the

characteristics of scientific theological reflection. 34Accurate interpretation of theological research is not only

born of text data, or the accompanying context, but also meaningfull

in each context. Whether it's in the context of the author and recipient

of the book, but also the context of contemporary readers. Sometimes

33Untuk keterangan lebih lanjut lihat, Dieter Becker, Pedoman

Dogmatika oleh (Jakarta:BPK Gunung Mulia, 1991).34Penjelasan lebih terperinci dapat dilihat dalam, Teologi yang

Eklesial dan Kultural oleh Tom Jacobs, Teologi dan Praksis Komunitas Post

Modern (Yogyakarta: Kanisius, 1994).


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Brown, Francis. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English

Lexicon. Boston: Hendrickson Publishers, 1996.

Buhner, J.A. caqhmai. DalamExegetical Dictionary of the New

Testament. Peny. Horst Balz and Gerhard Schneider, 2:223-224. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1994.

Friberg, Barbara and Timothy Friberg.Analytical Greek New

Testament. Grand Rapids:Baker Book House, 1975.

Guthrie, D. Ibrani, Surat Kepada Orang Ibrani. DalamEnsiklopedi

Alkitab Masa Kini. Peny. H.A.Oposunggu dan yang lainnya.Pen. J.M. Pattiasina, 1:413. Jakarta: Yayasan Komunikasi

Bina Kasih, 2004.

Hagelberg, Dave. Tafsiran Ibrani dari bahasa Yunani. Bandung:Yayasan Kalam Hidup, 1999.

Hornby, A. S. character. Dalam Oxford Advanced Learners

Dictionary. Peny., Jonathan Crowther. Oxford: Oxford

University Press, 1995.

Jacobs, Tom. Teologi dan Praksis Komunitas Post Modern.

Yogyakarta: Kanisius, 1994.

Kubo, Sakae.A Readers Greek-English Lexicon of the Nw Testament

and A Beginners Guide for the Translation of New Testament

Greek. Grand Rapids:Zondervan Publishing House, 1981.

Ladd, George Eldon. Teologi Perjanjian Baru. Dsisunting Oleh,

Sumitro Onggosanjoyo dan Ridwan Sutedja, Jil. 2, bag., 5,

Surat-surat Umum, Diterjemahkan oleh, Urbanus Selan danHenry Lantang. Bandung: Yayasan Kalam Hidup, 2002.

Maryono, Petrus. Diktat Kuliah: Gramatika dan Sintaksis, Th.M IV,1994.


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Morris, Leon. Teologi Perjanjian Baru. Malang:Gandum Mas, 1996.

Owens, John.Analitical Key to the Old Testament. Jil. 3: Ezra-Songof Solomon. Grand Rapids:Baker Book House, 1995.

Tongue, D.H. Imam-imam dan Golongan Lewi. DalamEnsiklopediAlkitab Masa Kini, peny., H.A. Opposunggu dan yang

lainnya, pen., Harun Hadiwijono, 1:423. Jakarta: Yayasan

Komunikasi Bina Kasih/OMF, 2004.

Computer Programs

Hebrews, Epistle To the dalamFaussets Bible Dictionary dari

BibleWorks 6.0. LLC, Copyright 1992-2003, All rights

reserved. Programmed by Michael S. Bushell and Michael D.

Tan. [CD ROM]

BibleWorks 6.0. LLC, Copyright 1992-2003, All rights reserved.Programmed by Michael S. Bushell and Michael D. Tan. [CD

ROM].

SABDA: Online Bible Versi Indonesia, Ver.2.0, Software Alkitab,Biblika dan Alat-alat (Yayasan Lembaga Sabda). [CD ROM]

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