The Authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews

April 15, 1998

Hebrews - Spring 1998

Dr. Diemer

by

Jason Gastrich

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

The Apostle Paul 4

Barnabas the Levite 6

Apollos 7

Priscilla and Aquilla 8

Luke 9

Other Possible Authors 10

Conclusion 10

Bibliography 12

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The Authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews

Introduction

The authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews is a debatable subject. However, countless commentaries and books on Hebrews have omitted it! Others have assumed Paul has written this epistle, without much explanation or examination. Despite the seemingly scared or presumptuous theologians and scholars, there has been enough information on several different possible authors to entertain their plausibility.

Although the authorship of this epistle is important, it should not separate Christians or cause them to hate one another. There are some issues that are of utmost importance, such as salvation. Furthermore, there are some issues that are not as important. The author of this epistle is unknown. Any honest scholar will tell you that. The scholar named Origen states this eloquently: "But who wrote the epistle in truth, God knows." ⁽¹⁾ The best that we can do is examine the possible authors. Certain writers provide more evidence and likelihood than others.

Over the centuries, there have been many proposed authors. The most feasible ones, that have been backed up with some data, include the Apostle Paul, Barnabas the Levite, Apollos, Priscilla and Aquilla and Luke. Due to our lack of certainty, these are all possible authors. Each person has arguments for and against their authorship. By the end of this research paper, you will be able to draw a knowledgeable, well-informed conclusion and form your own opinion on this matter.

The Apostle Paul

The most widely known apostle and most assumed author is Paul. However, simply because he has been assumed the author by many people isn't reason enough to believe it. There are many reasons why Paul may not be the author.

Arguments in favor of Paul's authorship seem to be everywhere. Timothy and Paul were friends and traveled together. In Hebrews 13:23, there is a references to Timothy. This shows that the author knows him and was thinking about him.

The centrality and the person of Christ are themes in the known epistles of Paul and the epistle to the Hebrews. Salvation is a theme that is also present in both Paul's writings and the writings of the unknown author. However, Paul's main theme in his epistles is "justification by faith." That concept is not emphasized in the document in question.

Another argument in favor of Paul's authorship is that Peter mentions an epistle that is difficult to understand.⁽²⁾ Hebrews is surely a complicated letter. In addition to this, Peter knew Paul, so this association is possible.

Paul called himself a Hebrew of the Hebrews.⁽³⁾ He truly cared about the Jews, therefore he could have written them a letter from his great love for them. Paul wrote much of the undisputed New Testament.

Clement, the second century historian, gives Paul the credit for writing Hebrews. Eusebius

believes the epistle was written by Paul, also. These two early men could be right, but we cannot take their opinion as law simply because they lived closer to the time of Paul and the conception

of the epistle.

In addition to the arguments for Paul's authorship, there are evidences that he may not have written this epistle. This letter majors on Christ's high priestly work in Heaven. Prime Pauline works address His work on earth. It is referred to, but not a major theme.

The law is ceremonial in Hebrews. In the Pauline epistles, it is ethical. Wouldn't Paul give a consistent picture of the law? Of course the recipients of the different epistles were of different cultures. But could a single author reveal such different language and truth?

One of the biggest arguments against Pauline authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews is the fact that he did not sign the letter. In all of his other known letters he signs his name. Why wouldn't he sign his name on this document? By the way his boldness was revealed through the epistles, he does not seem like a scared man. Perhaps the Jews hated him and he wanted them to read his letter. He did become a Christian after being a Pharisee. This most likely displeased many Jews.

Although Paul loved the Jews, he is called the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.⁽⁴⁾ Some scholars have brought up the point, "Why, then, would he be writing to the Jews?" Hadn't the Jews rejected Paul? Hadn't he decided to preach to the Gentiles?

"Paul....and apostle of Jesus Christ...."⁽⁵⁾ is the common beginning of his proven letters. The

common salutation that Paul gives at the beginning of his epistles is missing from the one to the Hebrews. Why wouldn't Paul remain consistent in his opening statements? The same defense for not putting his name on the letter can be used here. There were Jews who hated Paul and would not read his letter if he had signed his name. Likewise, the counter-argument remains; Paul was a faithful and bold man. Omitting his name does not seem characteristic for what we know of the apostle Paul.

The author of the disputed epistle calls himself, a "disciple of the apostles".⁽⁶⁾ Paul never referred to himself in this manner. Why would he do so here?

Lastly, it doesn't take a person with an English degree to compare the known writings of Paul and the epistle to the Hebrews and determine the language is different. Hebrews appears to have a different author due it's distinct language. It wouldn't be impossible for Paul to have authored this epistle, but it seems unlikely. Since Paul has been the most debated author, there will be more arguments for and against his authorship. However, you can now make a judgment or for an opinion on the basis of the facts that we do know and can surely assume from what we do know.

Barnabas the Levite

One of the strongest arguments for Barnabas as the author of the disputed epistle is that he is a Levite.⁽⁷⁾ The Levitical law and priesthood is a core theme in Hebrews. Christ is related to the Jewish high priest. There is information about the Holy of holies and other important Jewish traditions. These things could have been known by a common person, but it is very doubtful. It

is much more logical to assume a Levite such as Barnabas either wrote or co-wrote this epistle.

For a time, Barnabas worked closely with Paul.⁽⁸⁾ Could Paul and him have written the letter together? Some scholars have suggested this. Paul had a "thorn in his flesh,"⁽⁹⁾ that could have kept him from writing a letter such as the epistle to the Hebrews. However, the argument against this happening is the possibility that Paul and Barnabas may have only worked together early in their ministries.

Tertullian believed that the author was Barnabas. He asserts this notion, not as a private belief, but as the common belief of the people in his era. This belief was founded on Hebrews 13:22 and Acts 4:6. However, Hebrews 2:3 seems to exclude Barnabas from the possibility of authorship.

Barnabas' name means, "Son of Encouragement."⁽¹⁰⁾ Wouldn't it be quite fitting for him to write a letter of "encouragement" or "exhortation" to the Hebrews? He was also a member of the Hellenist party (Hellenized Jews). These things surely qualify him to write a Christian book to the Jews that interacts with the Levitical law. However, it cannot prove his authorship.

An obvious argument against Barnabas and any proposed author is the fact that he didn't sign the letter. Perhaps since he was a Hellenized Jew, the Jews would have rejected his letter outright. Or perhaps he signed his name but the page was lost or discarded.

Apollos

Apollos was from Alexandria, a learned man, knowledgeable in the scriptures,⁽¹¹⁾ strong in

faithfulness to the Lord, mighty in spirit, and one who powerfully proclaimed the gospel to the

Jews. The name that is synonymous with the proposal of Apollos as the author of Hebrews, is Martin Luther. Whether the author was Apollos or not, he was most likely a Jew like Apollos.

Apollos was a native of Alexandria. The writings of Philo of Alexandria have been compared to the epistle to the Hebrews. Apollos could have copied Philo's writing style and philosophy.

However, many have revealed that although Hebrews shares some important vocabulary with Philo, the basic elements of his thought are far removed from the neoplatonism and Stoicism that undergird so much of Philo.⁽¹²⁾

Luther's suggestion has been considered nothing more than a brilliant guess. There is, unfortunately, insufficient evidence to make it testable. If Apollos wrote the epistle to the Hebrews, he should have signed his name. He would seem less offensive to Jews as Paul. What would keep him from penning his name?

Priscilla and Aquilla

Priscilla has been nominated for the authorship of the disputed epistle. Her husband, Aquilla, has been suggested to have contributed a portion, also. They both had knowledge⁽¹³⁾ of the

scriptures; they had heard Apollos and discussed them with him.

The reference to Timothy in Hebrews is significant.⁽¹⁴⁾ Priscilla and Aquilla should have known

Timothy since they all worked with Paul in Corinth and Ephesus. In addition, the utilization of two authors helps explain the interchangeable use of the words "we" and "I" throughout the epistle to the Hebrews.

The fact that there is no name on the epistle can be defended best by Priscilla and Aquilla's authorship. Since Priscilla is a woman and would have written most of the letter, she could have been discriminated against. The last thing she would have wanted was to write a letter and have it discarded due to her sex.

A final point of argument against their authorship lies in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews.⁽¹⁵⁾ The writer appears to use the masculine singular form. If this passage is being correctly translated from the Greek, this would obviously eliminate a female writer.

Luke

John Calvin proposed Luke's authorship of Hebrews, primarily due to the reference to Timothy in Hebrews 13:23. He obviously went looking for another author after stating, "The manner of teaching and the style sufficiently show that Paul was not the author, and the writer himself confesses in the second chapter that he was one of the disciples of the apostles, which is wholly different from the way in which Paul spoke of himself."⁽¹⁶⁾

Luke is a possible author because the writing is somewhat like his writing style. He also would have known some of the Levitical law. Additionally, this epistle could belong to Luke simply because he was alive in the same period of time, wrote the gospel of Luke and loved Jesus Christ and the Jewish people. Why his signature is absent from the document is up for speculation.

A valid argument against Luke's authorship is found in Hebrews 2:3.⁽¹⁷⁾ Jesus didn't choose Luke as a disciple, but didn't he hear Jesus' teaching?. Why would he refer to himself as a disciple of the apostles?

Other Possible Authors

Although little evidence exists to promote the following authors, a simple list will be informative. It's not enough to know the major possible authors. Evidence may surface that promotes or even proves that one of the following people have actually written the epistle to the Hebrews: Clement of Rome, Peter, Silas, Epaphras, the deacon Philip and Mary the mother of Jesus. Those people relatively fit the criteria for authorship.

Conclusion

There are several people who could have authored the epistle to the Hebrews. Each one has arguments for and against them. As of now, nobody can prove who wrote it. The best we can do is compile the facts and make an educated guess. More respectable scholars will teach their students to analyze all of the information and make their own conclusion. Conversely, teachers

who believe they know it all will force their opinion on their students.

The Apostle Paul, Barnabas the Levite, Apollos, Priscilla and Aquilla and Luke have more evidence for their possible authorship, at this time, than anyone else. Despite the evidence that suggests these writers, we should not discount the possibility of others. When something is unknown, all of the possibilities should be entertained. More evidence may become available in the future which could lend itself to proving Clement or Peter, for example, wrote the letter.

Christians today are divided over many issues. Some Christians today hate each other. This is surely not what God intended. Whether you believe Paul wrote this epistle or whether you believe John the Baptist wrote the epistle, it should not cause us to sin or hate our brothers. It is much more reputable and respectable to admit ignorance and enjoy the pursuit of truth and educated guesses.

Perhaps more scholars will investigate this subject in the future. Surprisingly, there are only a select number of commentaries and books on the authorship of Hebrews. Did these scholars believe it was not worthy of their time to investigate the matter? That is not likely. The scholar's job is to search for the truth and reveal it. Due to ignorance, pride can suffer. It is not easy talking about something one doesn't know. But it would have been more helpful to people if, for example, John MacArthur would have written more than a very brief paragraph on the subject.⁽¹⁸⁾

If there were more information on possible authors, there could have been more information in this research paper. However, the scholars that be have elected to devote a limited amount of time to the subject. Regardless of their decision, you now have a more educated mind on the issue of the authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews.

1. Origen has also stated, "No one knows," when referring to the authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews. This may not seem brilliant, but it takes a large man to admit that he doesn't know something. More scholars, theologians and people in general should learn to say, "I don't know," when the answer is truly unknown.

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2. 2 Peter 3:15, 16 reads, "and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures."

3. Philippians 3:5 reads, "circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;"

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4. Romans 15:16 reads, "that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit."

5. 1 Corinthians 1:1 reads, "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother." This salutation or a similar one is found at the beginning of the following epistles: Romans, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.

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6. Hebrews 2:3 reads, "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him."

7. Acts 4:36 reads, "And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus."

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8. Acts 9:27; 11:30; 13:1-14:28.

9. 2 Corinthians 12:7 reads, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure."

10. Acts 4:36 reads, "And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus."

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11. Acts 18:24, 25 reads, "Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John."

12. An excerpt from "An Introduction to the New Testament."

13. Acts 18:26 reads, "So he (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately."

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14. Hebrews 13:23 reads, "Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly."

15. Hebrews 11:32 reads, "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets."

16. "Calvin's Commentaries: The Epistle . . . to the Hebrews and the First and Second Epistles of Peter," trans. W. B. Johnston (Edinburgh, 1963), p. 1.

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17. Luke was a disciple of Jesus Christ. Although the terminology is loose and uncertain, he was not a disciple of the apostles.

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18. "The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Hebrews," Mac Arthur, J. F., Moody Press, 1983, pg. x.

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Bibliography

"The Epistle to the Hebrews," Bruce, F.F., Eerdman's Publishing Co., 1990.

"Hebrews," Davidson, Rev. Prof. A. B., Zondervan Publishing House, 1950.

"An Introduction to the New Testament," Carson, D.A., Moo, Douglas J., Morris, Leon, Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.

"Luke the Physician," Ramsay, W.M., James Family Publishing Co.

"The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Hebrews," MacArthur, John, F., Moody Bible Press, 1983.

"Proclamation Commentaries. Hebrews," Fuller, Reginald H., Fortress Press, 1977.

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