This was followed by a certain spiritual decline hebrews 5. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. The mystery of the authorship of the epistle to the hebrews has been the subject of endless debate. Eusebius quotes origen as stating, but who wrote the epistle, in truth, god knows. Over the next few posts, id like to explore introductory matters related to this important book. It contains in order the last eight chapters of romans, all of hebrews, almost all of 12 corinthians, all of ephesians, galatians, philippians, colossians, and two chapters of 1 thessalonians. The author shows how jesus is the ultimate revelation of gods love and mercy and is worthy of our devotion. The book presents christ as the final high priest and eloquently explains the old testament sacrificial system in light of the atonement of christ. People who study bible books often begin with these subjects.
Introduction to hebrews recently, i was given the task of introducing the book of hebrews at randolph street baptist church in charleston, west virginia. The text does not mention the name of its author, but was traditionally attributed to paul the apostle. I have written a book on this topic, priscillas letter. Christian, wife of a jewish freedman, fellow worker with paul, teacher of teachers, church planter and author of the epistle to the hebrews, a letter whose writers name is mysteriously. In this book we discover that the original audience was facing persecution and that they were tempted to turn away from christ. The author of hebrews begins by expounding on the preeminence of christs person and shows that because he is the magnificent sovereign of the universe and the ultimate revelation of god, he is inherently greater than the angels, moses and the priests of the old covenant. Regardless of the human hand that held the pen, the holy spirit of god is the divine author of all scripture 2 timothy 3. It is an anonymous book and the earliest suggested author paul is rarely defended today. Although the author of hebrews was not directly influenced by qumrans. There are a couple reasons why this might be the case.
Origen is often quoted as saying in reference to the book of hebrews authorship that in truth, only god knows. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus. The book of hebrews is thought of as more elaborate and refined than all of the books in the new testament. For it is christ to whom we should look for all our answers. The authorship of hebrews one can not be dogmatic or conclusive regarding the human author of the book of hebrews. The writer points to christ as the sustainer of all things, even the letter that he has penned. However, since the third century this has been questioned, and the consensus among most modern scholars is that the author is unknown. Now i turn to the fourth author, sir robert anderson, and quote from his book, the hebrews epistle in the light of the types. It ends like a letter but begins more like an essay or sermon. However, both the authorship and audience are in question. Authorship of the epistle to the hebrews wikipedia. This summary of the book of hebrews provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of hebrews.
The book of hebrews does not tell us its authors name. Lesson 1 introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book to our modern world. The book of hebrews hebrews is one of the most challenging. This book presents christ as the author and perfecter of our faith hebrews 12. So, regarding the author of hebrews, weve seen that he was 1 a man, 2 a secondgeneration believer probably not paul, 3 who may have chosen to remain anonymous to echo the mysterious nature of one of the main characters in his book, melchizedek. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. There is a big difference between pseudonymous authorship and anonymous authorship. May 30, 2014 the book of hebrews is thought of as more elaborate and refined than all of the books in the new testament. Contrary to pauls usual practice, the author of hebrews nowhere identifies. Upon reading the epistle of clement of rome to the corinthians hereafter 1 clement, it is not hard to see why he has been suggested as an author. I believe knowing the background, that is, the historical setting, the literary design, and the major. Lets take a look at the reasons each of them might be the author.
He writes, in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control 2. Epistle to the hebrews it will probably surprise some of you to learn that many bible scholars believe that a new testament woman named priscilla wrote the book of hebrews. Clement of alexandria suggests that paul wrote the book originally in hebrew and that luke translated it into greek, though the greek of hebrews bears no resemblance to translation greek e. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the. The book of hebrews ties together the old and new testaments better than any other in the new testament. Luke as the author of the third gospel and acts after having attributed information from numerous eyewitnesses, and the apostle paul as the. Sep 01, 2009 originally published in 1997, priscillas letter. There is nothing in the letter to tell us who wrote it nor is there a strong tradition to associate an author with the book. Hebrews is one of the most challenging books in the new testament. The letter itself does not state it is to the hebrews, but it obviously is, given its content. The only comprehensive book on the subject, priscillas letter is a scholarly examination of this puzzling new testament question. No other book so eloquently defines christ as high priest of christianity, superior to the aaronic priesthood, and the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The author does not identify himself or those addressed, which letter writers normally did.
The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. Bible scholars believe one of the following three people are most likely to have written it. The first person known to have quoted from the book of hebrews was clement of rome in the latter part of the first century ad. Many have been suggested as possible authors of the book of hebrews, but it is not possible to be definitive in ones conclusion. The term kreitton literally, more excellent or better permeates the book.
However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius. The book of hebrews compares and contrasts jesus to key historical people and events from the old testament. While we are not sure who wrote the letter to the hebrews, this is different than reading a letter like the gospel of thomas, which is a fraudulent author, trying to pass as an apostle. Feb 14, 2018 regardless of the human hand that held the pen, the holy spirit of god is the divine author of all scripture 2 timothy 3. It contains in order the last eight chapters of romans, all of hebrews, almost all of 12 corinthians, all of ephesians, galatians. Although harnacks idea generated much discussion in its day, the author refers to himself in hebrews 11.
The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism. Aug 07, 2018 so, regarding the author of hebrews, weve seen that he was 1 a man, 2 a secondgeneration believer probably not paul, 3 who may have chosen to remain anonymous to echo the mysterious nature of one of the main characters in his book, melchizedek. It does not tell us where the original readers of the book lived. Lastly, the book of hebrews explains the incentive for faithful living jobes, 2011. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. Christian, wife of a jewish freedman, fellow worker with paul, teacher of teachers, church planter and author of the epistle to the. A theological investigation into the authorship of hebrews. Jan 02, 2020 no other book so eloquently defines christ as high priest of christianity, superior to the aaronic priesthood, and the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. I have chosen to end with these subjects because they are less important than the contents of the book.
For centuries, church fathers and biblical scholars. Jan 24, 2018 lastly, the book of hebrews explains the incentive for faithful living jobes, 2011. Thats why the author of hebrews placed their emphasis on standing strong in the faith. The author of the epistle to the hebrews writes of these persecutions also. Hoppin suggests that the author of hebrews intimately understood pauls theology and was closely associated with paul, engaging in many hours of conversation with him hoppin, p. External evidence a in the east the writing was unanimously regarded as a letter of st. The internal evidence presented by the book of hebrews itself indicates an author other than paul.
This reflected the belief that paul was either the author or that. Traditionally, paul the apostle was thought to be the author. The writer of hebrews teaches us that jesus christ is supreme over all things. Dear taylor, your case for priscillas authorship is wellpresented. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included after romans among the books written by the apostle paul. Significantly, the book makes no reference to the destruction of the temple at jerusalem in ad 70, and the author wrote as if the sacrificial system were still in existence hebrews 10. Although paul was an educated writer, he had personally declared that he did not write with a superior air of which hebrews is written. Volumes have been written and theories have been postulated. These folks knew about angels, the old testament heroes, the devil, and moses tabernacle, but someone thought they needed to know a little more. The best answer to this question is we do not know who wrote the book of hebrews. As early as 255 ad, church leaders concluded the author of the book was unknown. Aug 31, 2016 the book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus. I have developed study notes from my reading of the book.
From the first records of the christian church, its origins and who wrote it have been contemplated. The style of hebrews, except in the closing verses. Some speculate it was paul, and from 4001600 ad the roman church declared the letter to be the epistle of paul to the hebrews. The early church father clement quoted from the book of hebrews in a. Paul was the author of the book and originally wrote it in the hebrew language. Hebrews is commonly referred to as a letter, though it does not have the typical form of a letter. The book of hebrews elevates jesus above historical people. In the first few centuries, the book was grouped together with pauls nt letters. Ultimately, when reading the book of hebrews one should not be so invested in knowing the author or not knowing the author. The book of hebrews quotes extensively from the old testament.
The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. Even in the earliest centuries the question as to the author of the epistle to the hebrews was much discussed and was variously answered. It has also been described as an intricate new testament book. Moreover, as one reads the book of hebrews they should be inspired and grateful for the content and context it presents. Studies on the authorship of the book of hebrews are at the same time extensive and inconclusive. For centuries, church fathers and biblical scholars have sought to identify the author of hebrews. Paul, as a pharisee, would have been familiar with the scripture in its original. Many early church leaders believed paul to have been the author.
Some think that paul wrote it but the style and vocabulary are very different from pauls other letters. Out of the 27 books in the new testament, the book of hebrews is the only one where the author remains a mystery. Jan 23, 2018 the best answer to this question is we do not know who wrote the book of hebrews. At first glance, the letter to the hebrews can seem difficult to comprehend, but william barclay believed that no new testament book gives us such a glorious picture of jesus christ in all the splendor of his manhood and in all the majesty of his deity. Finding the author of the epistle to the hebrews was secretly taken out of print after only a few months of availability. This also means we know very little about when the book was written, the original audience, or. Circumstances suggest deliberate suppression, due to the influence of religious extremists who regard the concept of female authorship of the epistle intolerable. Jan 02, 2020 regardless of the human hand that held the pen, the holy spirit of god is the divine author of all scripture 2 timothy 3.
Hebrews was written for christians who had been in the church for a while. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. The most important points to be considered in answering the inquiry are the following. Therefore hoppin suggests that the author of hebrews can be found among pauls closest companions. Introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book to our modern world. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. Aug 11, 2015 lesson 1 introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book to our modern world. Christian, wife of a jewish freedman, fellow worker with paul, teacher of teachers, church planter and author of the epistle to the hebrews, a letter whose writers name is. Many have been suggested as possible authors of the book of hebrews, but. Besides the hebrews had become dull of hearing and slothful hebrews 5. The book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus. For some particular reasons, the writer of the book of hebrews did not pen his name on the book.
790 1035 637 282 497 572 1155 282 1125 1633 1601 1025 269 15 363 1265 1321 760 1420 427 934 1573 1142 1076 1080 230 1162 745 894 1055 1148 326 656