DID PAUL WRITE HEBREWS?

2 PETER 3:11–18

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him

(2 Peter 3:15).

First Peter is usually regarded as having been written to Jewish converts (1 Peter 1:1). Second Peter was written to the same people (2 Peter 3:1). Peter speaks of a letter by Paul written to the same people (2 Peter 3:15). Did Peter have Hebrews in mind?

The early church thought he did. The King James Version of the Bible titles this book “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews.” Many of the church fathers believed that Paul wrote Hebrews in the Hebrew or Aramaic language. Then, under divine guidance, it was translated into Greek by Luke or someone else in Paul’s retinue. There are stylistic differences between Hebrews and the (other) Pauline letters, but these can be accounted for by translation or even, if Paul wrote it in Greek, by the fact that the subject matter is different in this book.

If Paul was the writer, why didn’t he identify himself? Because, the fathers maintained, Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, it was not appropriate for him to sign a book written to Jewish Christians. The book may have been by Paul, but theologically speaking, not by the same Paul commissioned by God to go to the Gentiles. So many Jews were suspicious of Paul, it was best for him to hide his name.

Since the Reformation, most scholars have rejected Pauline authorship. Most have felt, however, that the book emerged from the “Pauline circle,” written either by Barnabas or Apollos. The rhetorical excellencies of Hebrews might point to Apollos, who was a trained orator. That the book is a book of encouragement might point to Barnabas, whose name means “son of consolation” and whose compassion is noted throughout the book of Acts. Luke has also been suggested as the author. God does not want us to know for certain because He has withheld the name of the human author from us.

When was Hebrews written? Almost certainly before the destruction of Jerusalem. The book refers to the temple services as if they were still happening. Also, the book refers to an event on the near horizon, which is almost certainly the destruction of Jerusalem. Usually the book is dated in the early 60s a.d.

CORAM DEO

2 Samuel 16–18

WEEKEND

2 Samuel 19–24

Who wrote Hebrews? God did, just as He wrote all the Bible. The Spirit has always testified to the church that Hebrews is an inspired writing, and we can readily believe it when we read it. Today ask the Spirit, who wrote Hebrews, to help you study and learn from it.

For further study: Acts 9:17–30 • Romans 1:1–6 • Hebrews 10:19–25

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