First Clement
The earliest attested reception of
Hebrews is found in a letter from the church in Rome to the church in Corinth.
This letter is known as 1 Clement and traditionally dated toward the end of the
first century, although some scholars are open to a date as late as 140 CE . .
. First Clement echoes the Christology of Hebrews, affirming that Jesus Christ,
“being the radiance of his majesty, is as much superior to angels as the name
he has inherited is more excellent (36.2).
However, the author of 1 Clement does
not appear to have internalized the emphasis on the abrogation of the old
covenant that is found in Hebrews. To give authority to his instructions for
church order, he appears to the law of Moses (40.1-41.4). Like the author of
Hebrews, he quotes from Num 12:8 (cf. Heb 3:5), but his purpose is to elevate
the authority of Moses’s legislation (43.1), not to show the superiority of
Jesus. Like Hebrews, 1 Clement also calls Jesus not only “the Guardian and
Helper of our weakness” (cf. Heb 2:18; 4:16) but also “High Priest” (36.1).
Christ’s high priesthood is not associated with his unique sacrifice, however.
Rather, he is ”the High Priest of our offerings” (36.1), the one through whom
believers render their praise to God (61.3; cf. 64.1). Also like Hebrews, the
author of 1 Clement quotes from Prov 3:12: “for whom the Lord loves his
disciplines, and he punishes every son whom he accepts” (56.4). In contrast to
Hebrews, he does not apply the quotation to the experience of persecution (cf.
Heb 12:6) but to the need for accepting church discipline. (Sigurd Grindheim, The
Letter to the Hebrews [The Pillar New Testament Commentary; Grand Rapids,
Mich.: Eerdmans, 2023], 47-48)