OUTLINE:
Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews?
There’s no consensus among theologians on who wrote the Book of Hebrews. In antiquity, arguments were made for Paul, Barnabas, Luke, and Clement of Rome. In recent times, Apollos, Sylvanus, Philip (the deacon), Priscilla/Aquila, Jude, Aristion, and others have been suggested. The writer is anonymous because we don’t have enough evidence to dogmatically support any one candidate.
2Ti 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
“breathed out by God”
from theopneustos [theos = “God” + pneu = “breathe”] – means given by inspiration of God; divinely breathed
The Writer of Hebrews
He was known to his audience (v13:19). He was a man (v11:32).
The Writer of Hebrews
He was part of what we might effectively call “the Pauline circle” (v13:22-23) who numbered himself among those who had heard the Gospel from those who heard it from Jesus, directly (v2:3-4).
1Co 2:1
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
The Writer of Hebrews
He wrote distinctly different than Paul, using imagery alien to Paul (v2:1, 4:12-13; 6:7-8; 19).
The Writer of Hebrews
He leaned heavily on Hellenistic Jewish cultic perspective to relate to his audience (ref: priesthood and sacrifices).
“cult” – Merriam-Webster (partial def)
3: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents (the cult of Apollo)
“Hellenistic”
Refers to the spread of Greek culture that had begun after the conquest of Alexander the Great in the fourth century, B.C.
The Writer of Hebrews
He leaned heavily on Hellenistic Jewish cultic perspective to relate to his audience (ref: priesthood and sacrifices).
Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews?
There’s no consensus among theologians on who wrote the Book of Hebrews. In antiquity, arguments were made for Paul, Barnabas, Luke, and Clement of Rome. In recent times, Apollos, Sylvanus, Philip (the deacon), Priscilla/Aquila, Jude, Aristion, and others have been suggested. The writer is anonymous because we don’t have enough evidence to dogmatically support any one candidate.
The Writer of Hebrews
He was known to his audience (v13:19). He was a man (v11:32).
The Writer of Hebrews
He was part of what we might effectively call “the Pauline circle” (v13:22-23) who numbered himself among those who had heard the Gospel from those who heard it from Jesus, directly (v2:3-4).
The Writer of Hebrews
He wrote distinctly different than Paul, using imagery alien to Paul (v2:1, 4:12-13; 6:7-8; 19).
The Writer of Hebrews
He leaned heavily on Hellenistic Jewish cultic perspective to relate to his audience (ref: priesthood and sacrifices).