Hebrews: A Social Identity Commentary
A Social Identity Commentary
Published on 2. October 2025
Book
Hardback
176 pages
978-0-567-69603-8 (ISBN)
Description
In this volume, Matthew J. Marohl introduces a culturally sensitive reading of Hebrews employing a social identity approach. This allows readers to encounter a unique and powerful depiction of the faithful Jesus and a dynamic group of Christ-followers called upon to maintain their faithfulness. In the end, this social identity approach reveals a work with two strands thoroughly intertwined.
Through the lens of conceptual blending theory, Marohl examines the way in which the author combines the multiple identities of the addressees, shedding light on the community dynamics of early Christ followers. Marohl explores how the author describes ingroup boundaries, how faithfulness is held up as the ultimate ingroup norm, and how the promised rest is grounded in the language of the anticipated future. Ultimately, Marohl argues that Hebrews is a prime example of literature created out of crisis.
Through the lens of conceptual blending theory, Marohl examines the way in which the author combines the multiple identities of the addressees, shedding light on the community dynamics of early Christ followers. Marohl explores how the author describes ingroup boundaries, how faithfulness is held up as the ultimate ingroup norm, and how the promised rest is grounded in the language of the anticipated future. Ultimately, Marohl argues that Hebrews is a prime example of literature created out of crisis.
Reviews / Votes
It is a perpetual temptation of our modern culture to read biblical texts as if they only relates to the individual person. Matthew Marohl's masterful social identity commentary on Hebrews shows how this cannot, and must not, be our sole reading. Expertly leveraging Social Identity Theory, and through insightful perspectives on community, otherness, and intragroup comparison, this commentary deepens an understanding of the social dimensions of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Richly engaged in broader scholarship it is a vital resource for thoughtful interpretation and teaching. * Rev Dr Christopher Porter, Trinity College Theological School, University of Divinity, Australia *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
435 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-567-69603-8 (9780567696038)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Content
Series preface
Preface and Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1 Setting the scene
2 A social identity approach
Commentary
3 God's ongoing speech (1.1-4)
4 The Son is Superior to Angels (1.5-14)
5 Warning to pay attention (2.1-4)
6 Jesus, the pioneer of salvation (2.5-18)
7 Moses and Jesus, servant and son (3.1-6)
8 Warning against unfaithfulness (3.7-19)
9 God's promised rest (4.1-13)
10 Jesus as high priest (4.14-5.10)
11 Ingroup boundaries (5.11-6.8)
12 God's faithfulness (6.9-20)
13 Jesus and Melchizedek (7:1-28)
14 A new covenant (8:1-13)
15 Earthly and heavenly sanctuaries (9.1-22)
16 Christ's sacrifice (9.23-10.18)
17 A call to persevere (10.19-39)
18 A great cloud of witnesses (11.1-40)
19 The faithfulness of Jesus (12.1-3)
20 Another warning to persevere (12.13-29)
21 A call to love and service (13.1-19)
22 Benediction, exhortation and greeting (13.20-25)
References
Index of authors
Index of ancient and biblical references
Preface and Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1 Setting the scene
2 A social identity approach
Commentary
3 God's ongoing speech (1.1-4)
4 The Son is Superior to Angels (1.5-14)
5 Warning to pay attention (2.1-4)
6 Jesus, the pioneer of salvation (2.5-18)
7 Moses and Jesus, servant and son (3.1-6)
8 Warning against unfaithfulness (3.7-19)
9 God's promised rest (4.1-13)
10 Jesus as high priest (4.14-5.10)
11 Ingroup boundaries (5.11-6.8)
12 God's faithfulness (6.9-20)
13 Jesus and Melchizedek (7:1-28)
14 A new covenant (8:1-13)
15 Earthly and heavenly sanctuaries (9.1-22)
16 Christ's sacrifice (9.23-10.18)
17 A call to persevere (10.19-39)
18 A great cloud of witnesses (11.1-40)
19 The faithfulness of Jesus (12.1-3)
20 Another warning to persevere (12.13-29)
21 A call to love and service (13.1-19)
22 Benediction, exhortation and greeting (13.20-25)
References
Index of authors
Index of ancient and biblical references