The Epistle to the Hebrews is a letter attributed to Paul, although many Christian scholars doubt this fact. But if it is indeed a text by Paul, it was probably one of his last letters.
Based on its literary style, this letter was addressed to Jews converted to the Christian faith. In fact, the writer of this spiritual text possessed a deep knowledge of the Old Testament, as was the case of the apostle Paul, that is why the author began his text with these words: "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son" Hebrews 1:1-2.
As an epistolary letter, the epistle begins in a very direct way: Jesus is superior to all angels and prophets, and his glory is greater than that of Moses. And not only this, Jesus is the only mediator and high priest of the new covenant. With Jesus, the limitations of the Law of Moses were overcome, and through grace Christians are called not to a promised land but to the spiritual gift of eternal life itself, which is the rest of God.
And after a long exhortation to live the faith with perseverance, firmness, and hope, the apostle wrote his last words referring to the relationships that Christians should maintain with their neighbor. It is for this reason that the apostle wrote about the importance of Christian mercy with these words: "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" Hebrews 13:3.
And for the apostle Paul, living the spiritual gift of mercy (compassion, kindness, gentleness) was fundamental, because according to the Beatitudes of Jesus, those who live this gift are destined to receive the same from God. That is why Paul also spoke of that future city, the city of God, to which all who have citizenship in the kingdom of God are called, and he expressed this fact with these words: "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" Hebrews 13:14.
Faith, according to Paul's thinking, is therefore a path towards personal transformation through love and mercy, and a path towards social transformation through communion to achieve the city of God in the world.
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