Who wrote the book of Hebrews

Who wrote the book of Hebrews?

 

For most of Christian history it has been believed that Paul, the apostle, wrote the book of Hebrews. It formed one of the 14 books authored by the man whose works make up half of the New Testament.

In the KJV at the start of the epistle to the Hebrews (book of Hebrews) there is the title “the epistle of Paul the apostle to the Hebrews.”

This is true of the 1611 KJV and KJV’s printed today.

However, many modern scholars, and many Christians, based mainly on the assertions of these scholars, now reject Paul as being the author. This is often used as an argument against the KJV as evidence that it gets things wrong, crediting the book of Hebrews to Paul when Paul did not actually write the book.

The attributing the authorship to Paul which the KJV most certainly does, is not only a KJV “thing”.

The Bishops Bible also attributes the book of Hebrews to Paul, we must remember that the KJV followed the Bishops Bible, whenever possible. But it is evident that the KJV translators did indeed attribute the book of Hebrews to Paul.  Here, I will also make note that so does the Coverdale Bible, Matthews Bible and the Great Bible, all of which preceded the KJV.

This was due to the acceptance by most that Paul was the author.

However, many modern versions do not include the epistle of Paul in the title page to the book of Hebrews.

 

So, who wrote Hebrews? Was it Paul or was it someone else?

 

There are, numerous names that have been postulated as possible, or even likely candidates such as Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, Barnabas, Timothy or Apollos all of which were well known by Paul, Aquilla, Prescilla and even Clement of Rome. Others will simply say that we do not know the author, or that the book was written anonymously and so we cannot know who the author was.

While it is true that for most of Christian history, Paul was believed to be the author, the authorship has been subject to some debate during that time.

In this study, we will look at the evidence for and against the book of Hebrews being written by Paul.

 

As stated, the epistle to the Hebrews has been credited to Paul for much of Christianity, of course, this is not proof but it is evidence for Paul being the author.

 

We must take historical evidence into account when looking into the authorship. We must also note the manuscript evidence. Our earliest manuscript of this book, P46 includes the title page that attributes the book to Paul placing it amongst the Pauline epistles after the book of Romans. Most Greek manuscripts and some old Latin manuscripts include the name Paul at the title page of the book.

 

Got questions acknowledges that the earliest manuscript includes the title “to the Hebrews” butt then says that this was not a part of the original manuscript.

The title “To the Hebrews,” which appears in the earliest known copy of the epistle, is not a part of the original manuscript. 
Got Questions on the author of Hebrews 

 

There is thus no actual evidence that the book circulated anonymously or that the title did not appear on the original manuscript. This is simply conjecture, that actually goes against the physical manuscript evidence that we have.

The book of Hebrews is included amongst the Pauline literature in all ancient manuscripts where it is found. P46 contains Romans, Hebrews, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. (there is damage to the manuscript so there are pages missing).

 

Got questions also points out a second objection to the book having been written by Paul, that the letter does not begin with a salutation, something that Paul’s other letters include.

 

There is no salutation; the letter simply begins with the assertion that Jesus, the Son of God, has appeared, atoned for our sins, and is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven (Hebrews 1:1-4).

Got Questions on the author of Hebrews 

This is true, there is no salutation in the book of Hebrews, Pauls other writings do start with a salutation. 

The letter does end like the other Pauline epistes.

Hebrews 13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

 

“God of peace” (Heb 13:20) is found in Rom 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23 but in no other epistolary postscript in the New Testament. The expression “from the dead” (ek nekrōn, Heb 13:20) appears 17 times in Paul but only two times elsewhere among the NT epistles. Note as well that Hebrews does not begin as a letter because it is most likely not a letter. Hebrews identifies itself as a “word of exhortation” (Heb 13:22), an expression that referred to the sermon both in the synagogue and in the Christian church

The audience knew who the author was. He requests them to pray for him so that he may be restored to them sooner (Heb 13:18–19).¹¹ The author refers to a Timothy, who must have been known both by the author and the audience (13:23
https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/60110

 

 

Many modern scholars will often argue that while the majority of Christianity for the majority of the history of Christianity has believed that Paul wrote the gospel, not everyone has shared this belief. They point out that this has been a source of debate.Not everyone throughout history has believed that Paul was the author of Hebrews. This is true, however, they will often over estimate and over assert their position based on misrepresentation of those they wish to cite, usually by actually referencing someone else who has said that a person rejected Paul as that author, without actually checking whether or not they really did reject Paul.

 

Origen

As evidence that the book of Hebrews was not written by Paul, many will cite Origen and say that Origen stated that he did not know who wrote the book but gave 2 possible options for the authorship from passed down tradition. Origen wrote in the 3rd Century AD and so it is asserted that there was doubt over authorship even in early Christianity.

 

For not without reason have the men of old handed it down as Paul’s. But who wrote the epistle, in truth God knows. 

Origens words are recorded in Eusebius’s writing Church History.

 

You will find this quotation on many websites and writings dealing with this subject.

However, these words are actually taken out of context and Origen was not claiming that Paul was not the author, or at least his thoughts were behind the book, but rather Paul didn’t physically write the book but likely used a scribe and it is the writer, the scribe, that is not known.  Origen stated that it was his own opinion that the thoughts were Paul’s and someone else had written them down and it is this writer that was not known.
What we need to do is look at the complete quotation.

 

That the character of the diction of the epistle entitled To the Hebrews has not the apostle’s rudeness in speech, who confessed himself rude in speech, that is, in style, but that the epistle is better Greek in the framing of its diction, will be admitted by everyone who is able to discern differences of style. But again, on the other hand, that the thoughts of the epistle are admirable, and not inferior to the acknowledged writings of the apostle, to this also everyone will consent as true who has given attention to reading the apostle…. But as for myself, if I were to state my own opinion, I should say that the thoughts are the apostle’s, but that the style and composition belonged to one who called to mind the apostle’s teachings and, as it were, made short notes of what his master said. If any church, therefore, holds this epistle as Paul’s, let it be commended for this also. For not without reason have the men of old handed it down as Paul’s. But who wrote the epistle, in truth God knows. Yet the account which has reached us [is twofold], some saying that Clement, who was bishop of the Romans, wrote the epistle, others, that it was Luke, he who wrote the Gospel and the Acts.

Origen gives names that have been posited in the past and handed down. 

 

Bart Ehrman in his book Forgery and counterforgery makes the claim that Origen refused to call the book Pauline.

 

Origen’s attitude may seem to justify Baum’s view that only the contents
mattered in establishing “genuine” authorship. But in fact it does not. Even
though Origen agrees that the contents of the letter to the Hebrews are Pauline,
he refuses to call it Pauline (even though he understands why others would want
to do so). In other words, he refuses to do precisely what Baum’s view suggests
he should have done: accept the Pauline authorship of the book because of the
Pauline contents. For Origen—at least in his one explicit discussion of the matter
—the contents are not enough. He will not say a book is by Paul unless Paul
actually wrote it.
Bart Ehrman Forgery and counterforgery.

 

Bart is only telling part truths here,.

Elsewhere, in his letter to Africanus, Origen did state that Hebrews was written by Paul and that he at some time should use arguments against those that rejected Paul as the author to prove that Paul did write Hebrews.

9. But probably to this you will say, Why then is the History not in their Daniel, if, as you say, their wise men hand down by tradition such stories? The answer is, that they hid from the knowledge of the people as many of the passages which contained any scandal against the elders, rulers, and judges, as they could, some of which have been preserved in uncanonical writings (Apocrypha). As an example, take the story told about Esaias; and guaranteed by the Epistle to the Hebrews, which is found in none of their public books. For the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, in speaking of the prophets, and what they suffered, says, They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were slain with the sword. To whom, I ask, does the sawn asunder refer (for by an old idiom, not peculiar to Hebrew, but found also in Greek, this is said in the plural, although it refers to but one person)? Now we know very well that tradition says that Esaias the prophet was sawn asunder; and this is found in some apocryphal work, which probably the Jews have purposely tampered with, introducing some phrases manifestly incorrect, that discredit might be thrown on the whole.

However, some one hard pressed by this argument may have recourse to the opinion of those who reject this Epistle as not being Paul’s; against whom I must at some other time use other arguments to prove that it is Paul’s.
Origen to Africanus 9 

 

Furthermore, Origen quoted the book of Hebrew many times, around 200 times,  in his writings in which he directly attributes the book to Paul.

 

De Principiis 1:

And therefore I think it sufficient to quote this one testimony of Paul from the Epistle to the Hebrews, in which he says [Heb 11:24-26], “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of the Egyptians.”

De Principiis 3.2.4:

And the apostle Paul warns us [Heb 2:1]: “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest perhaps we should let them slip.”

De Principiis 4.1.13:

In another Epistle also, when referring to the tabernacle, he [the reference is to Paul] mentions the direction which was given to Moses [Heb 8:5]: “Thou shalt make (all things) according to the pattern which was showed thee in the mount.”

De Principiis 4.1.13:

Moreover, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, discoursing of those who belong to the circumcision, he [Paul] writes [Heb 8:5]: “who serve for an ensample and shadow of heavenly things.”

De Principiis 4.1.24:

For Paul openly says of them [Heb 8:5], that “they serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.”

De Principiis 2.7.7:

And the apostle [Paul] says with reference to the law [Heb 8:5], that they who have circumcision of the flesh, “serve for the similitude and shadow of heavenly things.”

De Principiis 2.3.5:

I will show, however, from what statements of Paul I have arrived at this understanding. He says [Heb 9:26], “But now once in the consummation of ages, He was manifested to take away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”

De Principiis 3.1.10:

To show more clearly, however, what we mean, let us take the illustration employed by the apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where he says [Heb 6:7-8], “For the earth, which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, will receive blessing from God; but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned.”

Against Celsus 7.29:

And it is in reference to this Jerusalem that the apostle [Paul] spoke, as one who, “being risen with Christ, and seeking those things which are above,” had found a truth which formed no part of the Jewish mythology. “Ye are come,” says he [Heb 12:22], “unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.”

Against Celsus 3.52:

For the word is used by our Paul in writing to the Corinthians, who were Greeks, and not yet purified in their morals…. Now the same writer, knowing that there was a certain kind of nourishment better adapted for the soul, and that the food of those young persons who were admitted was compared to milk, continues [Heb 5:12-14]: “And ye are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

To Africanus 9:

For the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, in speaking of the prophets, and what they suffered, says [Heb 11:37], “they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were slain with the sword.” …some one hard pressed by this argument may have recourse to the opinion of those who reject this Epistle as not being Paul’s; against whom I must at some other time use other arguments to prove that it is Paul’s.”

 

We must also take into account the recently discovered Homilies of Origen on the Psalms. Discovered in 2012. The works are likely come from the end of his writing period and in them he refers to Hebrews as being Pauline.

This is outlined in a work by Matthew Thomas

Finally, we would be remiss if we failed to note the newly discovered (in 2012) homilies of Origen on the Psalms,Footnote⁴⁸ which Lorenzo Perrone suspects to postdate Contra Celsum and which may now represent the end point of Origen’s literary corpus (post-248–9 ce).Footnote⁴⁹ Could these offer any evidence of an end-of-life conversion away from Pauline authorship, and provide a dramatic rescue for the Metzger hypothesis? Origen’s answer is unmistakable: ‘Hear Paul saying, “But you have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and myriads of angels, to the assembly and church of the firstborn enrolled in heaven”’ (Hom. Ps. 77.7.7, Heb 12.22–3). Origen refers to Hebrews as Pauline multiple times in this series, including the 9th homily on Psalm 77, which – in view of Origen’s reference to his Hosea commentary, which Eusebius places in the last period of his writing activity – is the very homily that for Perrone decisively supports a dating at the end of Origen’s career.Footnote⁵⁰

Origen on Paul’s Authorship of Hebrews Matthew Thomas Introduction
Codex Monacensis Graecus 314 Munich codex:

 

The claim that Origen did not know who wrote the book of Hebrews is an oversimplification and misrepresentation of what Origen actually stated. Whether or not Origen believed Paul actually did the penmanship of the book is debatable, and it is likely that he did not, in fact, think that Paul wrote the book with his own hand, and it is the hand that wrote the book that he did not know, but what is undeniable, is that Origen did believe that Paul was behind the book and thus attributed the book to Paul.

Even if it can be argued that Origen did not know who wrote the epistle, he certainly did believe that it was scripture and quoted it many times in his arguments in defense of his beliefs against those who he considered to have incorrect beliefs.

 

Not knowing the penman of the book of Hebrews

Paul often used scribes in order to put down his teachings and beliefs. Most people accept that the Book of Acts was written by Luke but Paul was behind that particular work. There really isn’t any issue with Paul using someone, whether it be Luke or someone else, to write Hebrews.

We see throughout the works of Paul that include his name that he either didn’t personally write the book or it was a joint venture.

In Romans, a book accredited to Paul we are told that a man named Tertius wrote down the letter.

Romans 16:22 I Tertius, the one having written down this letter, greet you in the Lord.Romans 16:22 I Tertius, the one having written down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

We see the same in Philemon where we see it was written by Onesimus

1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. {Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.

In other works we see Paul and others.

1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 Corinthians 1:1 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

1 thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

Philomon 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 

 

There are times, however, when Paul specifies that what was written came from his own hand.

 

In Galatians Paul identifies himself as the one who wrote the letter by his own hand

Galatians 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

Colossians 4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. {Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.

2 Thessalonians 2;2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

1 Corinthians 16:21The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. {The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timotheus.

 

So it is clear that the works attributed to Paul are almost certainly collaborations with those he traveled with, and while Paul may well have penned some of the works, he unlikely penned them all

The argumentation against Pauls authorship based on writing style and vocabulary is thus weakened when we take into account this simple fact. The style of all Pauls books are likely to be affected by how much direct input into the penning of the book himself and how much was the work of a scribe and also how much free license that scribe had or took upon himself. These are difficult points to work out and may be impossible to make a clear distinction between styles and use this as argumentation against Paul.

As previously stated, there have been many postulations about who else may have written the book of Hebrews, either themselves, or on the behalf of Paul.

Barnabas, Apollos, Timothy, Luke, Aquilla and Clement of Rome to name some.

 

Tertullian

Tertullian argued that it was Barnabas that wrote the Book of Hebrews

For there is extant withal an Epistle to the Hebrews under the name of Barnabas–a man sufficiently accredited by God, as being one whom Paul has stationed next to himself in the uninterrupted observance of abstinence: “Or else, I alone and Barnabas, have not we the power of working?”
Tertullian On Modesty chapter 20

 

Clement of Alexandria argued that Paul wrote the book anonymously.

2. He says that the Epistle to the Hebrews is the work of Paul, and that it was written to the Hebrews in the Hebrew language; but that Luke translated it carefully and published it for the Greeks, and hence the same style of expression is found in this epistle and in the Acts.

3. But he says that the words, Paul the Apostle, were probably not prefixed, because, in sending it to the Hebrews, who were prejudiced and suspicious of him, he wisely did not wish to repel them at the very beginning by giving his name.

4. Farther on he says: But now, as the blessed presbyter said, since the Lord being the apostle of the Almighty, was sent to the Hebrews, Paul, as sent to the Gentiles, on account of his modesty did not subscribe himself an apostle of the Hebrews, through respect for the Lord, and because being a herald and apostle of the Gentiles he wrote to the Hebrews out of his superabundance.

Eusebius Church History book 6 chapter 14

 

It is often asserted that John Calvin had argued that Luke had wriiten Hebrews.

 

John Calvin (1509–1564) and the German Hebraist Franz Delitzsch (1813–1890) both went on record favoring Luke.

 

This is false. Nowhere in his writings did John Calvin say Luke wrote the book of Hebrews, rather, he simply stated that some early fathers had said Luke had translated the book from Hebrew into Greek. He also explicitly argued that the language used in the book did not exclude Paul from being the author.

 

Another subject has been much discussed, which is of no great consequence, as the inspiration of the Epistle is not thereby endangered, and that is the language in which the Epistle was originally written. An opinion prevailed among some of the Early Fathers that it was written in Hebrew, or rather in Syro­Chaldee language, and that it was translated into Greek by Luke, Clement, or Barnabas. It was stated as an opinion, confirmed by no authority, and founded mainly on two circumstances — that it was written to Hebrews, and that its style is different from that of Paul in his other Epistles. Almost all modern divines regard this opinion as not well founded. The Greek language was in Paul’s time well known throughout Palestine; the “General Epistles,” intended for the Jews as well as the Gentiles, were written in Greek; and there is no record of any copy of this Epistle in Hebrew. As to the style, it differs not more from that of the other Epistles than what may be observed in writers in all ages, or what might be expected in Paul when advanced in years, compared with what he wrote in his younger days. It may be further added, that the Epistle itself contains things which seem to show that it was written in Greek: Hebrew words are interpreted, Hebrews 7:2; the passages quoted are mostly from the Septuagint, and not from the Hebrew; and there is the use of a word, rendered “Testament,” in Hebrews 9:17, in the sense of a Will, which the Hebrew word never means.

John Calvin preface to the epistle of Hebrews

 

 

It is also asserted that Martin Luthor had argued for Apollos being the author.

 

Martin Luther did not, however, postulate that Apollos had written the book of Hebrews. However, Luther did state that Paul was not the author.

The four following had, in ancient times, a different reputation. In the first place, that this Epistle is not St. Paul’s, nor any other apostle’s is proved by the fact that it says, in Hebrews 2:3, that this doctrine has come to us and remains among us through those who themselves heard it from the Lord. Thus it is clear that he speaks of the apostles as a disciple to whom this doctrine has come from the apostles, perhaps long after them.
Martin Luther preface to the book of Hebrews 1522 

 

While Luther did not believe that Paul was the author of the book, he stated that the author of the book was not known and will not be known for a while.

 

Who wrote it is not known, and will not be known for a while; it makes no difference. We should be satisfied with the doctrine that he bases so constantly on the Scriptures, showing a right fine grasp upon the reading of the Scriptures and the proper way to deal with them.
Martin Luther preface to the book of Hebrews 1522 

Martin Luther does not clarify what he means by this statement, “and will not be known for a while”,  but I can only assume that he meant that one day evidence would be uncovered that would reveal the author or that we would know at the end of times. Whatever he meant by this it is clear that Luther did not posit the authorship to Apollos or anyone else for that matter. He also says that knowing the author makes no difference, it is the doctrine that the work is based on that we should be satisfied with. For further clarification, it should be noted that Luther did state the book, despite being a fine epistle, could not be put on the same level as the other epistles.

However that may be, it is a marvelously fine epistle. It discusses Christ’s priesthood masterfully and thoroughly, out of the Scriptures, and interprets the Old Testament finely and richly. Thus it is plain that it is the work of an able and learned man, who was a disciple of the apostles, learned much from them, and was greatly experienced in faith and practiced in the Scriptures. And although, as he himself testifies in Hebrews 6:1, he does not lay the foundation of faith, which is the work of an apostle, nevertheless he does build finely thereon gold, silver, precious stones, as St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:12. Therefore we should not be hindered, even though wood, straw or hay be mixed in with them, but accept this fine teaching with all honor; though to be sure, we cannot put it on the same level with the apostolic epistles.

Martin Luther preface to the book of Hebrews 1522 

 

What about Irenaeus and Hippolytus?

It is sometimes claimed that Irenaeus, a second century church father and one of his pupils, Hippolytus rejected Paul as the author of Hebrews.

The evidence that these men rejected Paul as the author of Hebrews comes from a comment made by Gobarus more than three hundred years later around 600AD., this is according to the writings of Photius around 800 AD. 

We do not have any writings of Irenaeus or Hippolytus themselves where they deny Pauline authorship.

 

 

121. [Hippolytus, Against Heresies]

Read the tractate of Hippolytus,¹ the pupil of Irenaeus, entitled Against the Thirty-two Heresies. It begins with the Dositheans,² and goes down to the heresies of Noetus ³ and the Noetians, which he says were refuted by Irenaeus in his lectures, of which the present work is a synopsis. The style is clear, somewhat severe and free from redundancies, although it exhibits no tendency to atticism. Some of the statements are inaccurate, for instance, that the epistle to the Hebrews is not the work of the apostle Paul. Hippolytus is said to have addressed the people after the manner of Origen, with whom he was very intimate and whose writings he so much admired that he urged him to write a commentary on the Bible, for which purpose he supplied, at his own expense, seven shorthand writers and the same number of calligraphists. Having rendered this service, he persistently demanded the work, whence Origen, in one of his letters, calls him a “hustler.” He is said to have written a large number of other works.
Photius BIBLIOTHECA OR MYRIOBIBLON chapter 21

 

Gauis of Rome rejected Pauline authorship.

 

Gaius of Rome rejected the Pauline authorship of Hebrews but also considered that the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation had actually been written by Cerinthus, the gnostic heretic.

3. There has reached us also a dialogue of Caius, a very learned man, which was held at Rome under Zephyrinus, with Proclus, who contended for the Phrygian heresy. In this he curbs the rashness and boldness of his opponents in setting forth new Scriptures. He mentions only thirteen epistles of the holy apostle, not counting that to the Hebrews with the others. And unto our day there are some among the Romans who do not consider this a work of the apostle.
Eusebius Church History book 6 chapter 20.3

 

 

 

 

Is the book of Hebrews authoritative?

Here I am going to just touch on a few points regarding the authoritative nature of the book. I will do a full study in a separate writing.

It is argued that the the book of Hebrews has not always been considered authoritative and viewed as scripture.

 

Marcion did not accept the Book of Hebrews and did not include it in his canon. Marcion rejected many of the books of the New Testament. He accepted only a redacted version of Luke and certain books of Paul. He also rejected the Old Testament.

The book of Hebrews quotes the Old Testament more than any other of the Pauline epistles, at least 35 times.

In reality only the Western church of Rome had any doubts about Hebrews. The Eastern church accepted it as scripture and the earliest church fathers all attached the name Paul to the epistle. The earliest of these would be Pantaenus who as head of the catechetical school of Alexandria. It is evident that he was aware of some doubts regarding authorship but had no doubts of the authorship of Paul himself. 

 

By the 4th Century the Western church had almost fully accepted Hebrews as scripture.

What is not usually noted, is that Clement of Rome in the first century AD accepted the book of Hebrews as scripture and quoted it more than any other book of the New Testament.

This demonstrates that epistle of the Hebrews was written, circulating and deemed scripture by the late first century.

Ambrose, Pelagius, and Rufinus all accepted the authorship of Paul.

Irenaeus quoted the book but it is uncertain if he considered it scripture. It isn’t until Tertullian that we get any doubts of authorship.

 

 

Peter attests to Paul having written to the Jews.

2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

Hebrews refers to Timothy, a companion of Paul, Paul is the only author to mention Timothy.

Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

 

Objections against style.

One of the main arguments against the authorship being that of Paul is the style of the writing.

I would certainly recommend reading “The Authorship of Hebrews the case for Paul” by David Alan Black.

He demonstrates that the objection is not nearly as strong as is asserted and in fact there are many internal evidences such as uniquely Pauline language that would support the authorship of Paul.

The usage of a scribe, such as Luke would also resolve any real arguments against authorshiip by Paul and Clement of Alexanders argument that Paul, while writing to the Hebrews did not feel putting his name to the letter would be beneficial to the cause seeing their distrust of him.

 

This is a basic study as of 28/2/2025.

This will be updated.

 

If you liked this study please subscribe here

You can buy my books on Amazon there is a link here 

Help me keep this site free for all. Join our Patreon membershiphere