Editing Epistle to the Hebrews (section)

==Style==
{{See also|Form criticism}}

Hebrews is a very consciously "literary" document. The purity of its Greek was noted by [[Clement of Alexandria]], according to [[Eusebius of Caesarea|Eusebius]],<ref>Eusebius, ''Historia Ecclesiae'', VI, xiv</ref> and [[Origen of Alexandria]] asserted that every competent judge must recognize a great difference between this epistle and those of Paul.<ref>Eusebius, VI, xxv</ref>

The letter consists of two strands: an expositional or doctrinal strand,<ref>{{Bibleverse|Hebrews|1:1–14}} {{Bibleverse|Hebrews|2:5–18}} {{Bibleverse|Hebrews|5:1–14}} {{Bibleverse|Hebrews|6:13–9:28}} {{Bibleverse|Hebrews|13:18–25}}</ref> and a [[hortatory]] or strongly urging{{efn|Also translated "exhorting"}} strand which punctuates the exposition parenthetically at key points as warnings to the readers.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Hebrews|2:1–4}} {{Bibleverse|Hebrews|3:1–4:16}} {{Bibleverse|Hebrews|6:1–12}} {{Bibleverse|Hebrews|10:1–13:17}}</ref>

Hebrews does not fit the form of a traditional [[Hellenistic civilization|Hellenistic]] [[epistle]], lacking a proper prescript. Modern scholars generally believe this book was originally a [[sermon]] or [[homily]], although possibly modified after it was delivered to include the travel plans, greetings and closing.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Hebrews|13:20–25}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Ehrman |first=Bart D.|author-link=Bart D. Ehrman |title=The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings |year=2004 |publisher=Oxford |location=New York |isbn=0-19-515462-2 |page=411 }}</ref>

Hebrews contains many references to the [[Old Testament]] – specifically to the [[Septuagint]] text.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07181a.htm|title=Catholic Encyclopedia: Epistle to the Hebrews|website=www.newadvent.org|access-date=2017-09-26}}</ref>