Hebrews: A Social Identity Commentary

Matthew J. Marohl argues that Hebrews is written to Christ-followers in crisis. While the nature of their situation is unknown to us, their continued faithfulness is at risk. It is into this context that the author tells God’s grand narrative. Described as being higher than the angels, a Son in the house of God, a high priest and the bearer of a new covenant, Jesus serves as the ultimate example of faithfulness. While Hebrews is concerned with sustaining the faithfulness of the addressees, it is ultimately concerned with describing the faithfulness of God. God has been faithful throughout history and God will continue to be faithful in the lives of the addressees. With a text that so heavily relies upon a variety of forms of comparison, an appropriate conceptual framework is required. This commentary introduces a culturally sensitive reading of the text by employing a social identity approach. In the end, this social identity approach reveals a work with two strands thoroughly intertwined. Readers will encounter a unique and powerful depiction of the faithful Jesus and a dynamic group of Christ-followers who are called upon to maintain their faithfulness.