To me it only makes for an interesting discussion as to which disciple wrote it, and makes no difference in the understanding and interpretation of the book. However, though a vast majority of christiansboth and scholars and the laitystill believe paul wrote the book, there are some tempting reasons to think otherwise. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. The following is a response given on a recent episode of the wwutt podcast, answering a question on who wrote the book of hebrews. The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. The apostle paul wrote the epistle of hebrews in a time of crisis for gods church. Luther himself believed that paul wrote hebrews, but also suggested that apollos could have been the author. Authorship of the epistle to the hebrews wikipedia. I accept the book of hebrews as the inspired word of god, and a valid part of the new testament. Church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. 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. May 30, 2014 the book of hebrews is thought of as more elaborate and refined than all of the books in the new testament. Although many scholars have debated the authorship of various books of the bible, hebrews is the only one that does not have a majority rule as to who wrote it. The purpose for the book of hebrews is to show the supremacy and sufficiency of christ as the high priest who intercedes for us, the supremacy of christ as god himself, and as the.
Whoever wrote hebrews must have been well known to those early christians. Hebrews demonstrates the end of the mosaic legal system is the means by which righteousness before god is obtained and maintained. It is a book of no small size, has a doctrinal content which presupposes a solid grasp of old testament concepts, and provides clarification and a key to understanding hebrew believers in the first century. Watch our overview video on the book of hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of hebrews is a serious book, but it is also a wonderful book since it gives us a pattern for spiritual growth.
Who wrote the new testament epistle to the hebrews. Conjectures as to the author have ranged from the apostle paul, who wrote at least thirteen books in the new testament, to priscilla, a friend of pauls who accompanied him during part of his ministry. There is debate about who actually wrote the book of hebrews. In hebrews, the author shows how jesus is the ultimate revelation of god. The author of the book of hebrews refers to themselves only seven times in the entire book. For it is christ to whom we should look for all our answers. It is very dangerous to believe paul wrote the book of hebrews. Opponents of pauline authorship use origens statement to support their case. Paul brought a message of strong correctionand of inspiring vision and hope.
T he epistle of hebrews was written to demonstrate to jews that as great as the mosaic law was, as great as the temple was, as great as the levitical sacrifices were, christ was superior hebrews 1. There has been a lot of controversy over who wrote the book of hebrews, however the reason for the controversy is just plain unbelief. Hebrews differs in some respect with the other epistles of the nt. Mar 09, 2008 he claims, with authority, that paul wrote 14 epistles including the book of hebrews.
He claims, with authority, that paul wrote 14 epistles including the book of hebrews. Whoever it was, the author was well known to the hebrews heb. Not only has god spoken in this book we call the bible, but he is speaking. The book presents christ as the final high priest and eloquently explains the old testament sacrificial system in light of the atonement of christ. The basic teaching of hebrews centers on showing the superiority of the christian religion over judaism. Origen is often quoted as saying in reference to the book of hebrews authorship that in truth, only god knows. The epistle to the hebrews of the christian bible is one of the new testament books whose.
Though we cannot be absolutely sure who the writer was, the letter does give a few hints that help us identify certain characteristics about him. Apr 23, 2019 the author of the book of hebrews refers to themselves only seven times in the entire book. This section of the bible has been titled as a masterpiece and immensely complex. The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism. The theory that paul wrote hebrews has become more popular in recent years, and i would tend to support it if it were not for hebrews 2.
The traditional view is that paul wrote the book of hebrews. Many early church leaders believed paul to have been the author. Many of gods people had forgotten the reason for their calling and had lost their spiritual vision. Writing about psalm 95 in particular and applicable to all the scriptures, hebrews says the word of god is living and active, sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and. Notice here that the author of hebrews mentioned how salvation was first announced by the lord in other words, by jesus himself and was confirmed to us. 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. Who wrote the book of hebrews, and why are there books in. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the. May 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. Jan 02, 2020 church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed.
Out of the 27 books in the new testament, the book of hebrews is the only one where the author remains a mystery. This was taken as evidence that paul had written it. With several new books out on the subject of the authorship of hebrews, we thought it would be helpful to blog on. Removed from its context, the statement is a halftruth. Many here answered paul, but appropriatelyaccredited scholars are in agreement that paul was not the author of hebrews. Mar 29, 2020 although we may not know who wrote the book of hebrews, we do know that it belongs in the scriptural canon. Bible scholars believe one of the following three people are most likely to have written it. Traditionally, paul the apostle was thought to be the author. Who actually wrote the book is of lesser importance than the message it contains.
The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. It revealed that judaism based upon the mosaic law, levitical sacrifices, etc. You introduce abounding confusion into your christian life. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included after romans among the books written by the apostle paul. The book of hebrews most certainly is not the infallible word of god, nor is it one bit better than any of pauls books. The writer points to christ as the sustainer of all things, even the letter that he has penned. Early christian tradition suggests that barnabas may have written hebrews. The truth of the matter is, because it attempts to do away with god s law, if hebrews is not the worst book in the bible in the eyes of heaven, it is second only to some of pauls works. Regardless of the human hand that held the pen, the holy spirit of god is the divine author of all scripture 2 timothy 3. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and superior in comparison to anything.
The son is the radiance of gods glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all. However, a further investigation of origens writings will demonstrate that he. Dec 20, 2019 i accept the book of hebrews as the inspired word of god, and a valid part of the new testament. If it had, god would have made it clear who was his penman. He was a contemporary of eusebius and the theologian who defended the orthodox doctrine of christs deity against 4th century arianism. That the man of god may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of hebrews in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus. If you believe the authorized king james bible is the perfect, preserved word of god, then there should be no question about who wrote hebrews, because the book title tells you who wrote it. He is adamant that he received the gospel from the risen christ galatians 1. Some say the apostle paul i lean this way, clement of rome, barnabas, or luke. Scofield in his study bible declares that paul the apostle was the true author of hebrews, because of 11 peter 3. The epistle to the hebrews of the christian bible is one of the new testament books whose canonicity was disputed. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter.
Was the author of the book of hebrews paul, or barnabas, or james. Jun 28, 2019 my opinion is that the author of the epistle to the hebrews was paul. The book of hebrews exalts jesus and shows that he is superior. The supremacy of gods son long ago, at many times and in many ways, god spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Its audience members would have known the original author, a companion of paul or paul, and they would have found hope in its truthful words, numerous examples from the old testament, and list of heroes of the faith.
Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. Nov 01, 2019 not only has god spoken in this book we call the bible, but he is speaking. Origen, clement, pantaenus, ambrose, rufinus and eusebius all ascribe the epistle to paul. The writer of hebrews teaches us that jesus christ is supreme over all things. The truth of the matter is, because it attempts to do away with gods law, if hebrews is not the worst book in the bible in the eyes of heaven, it. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. There are a couple reasons why this might be the case. And hebrews presents christ and his service in the heavens as antitype and fulfilment of the old testament instructions of service. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. Many proofs show that it was actually inspired by god mainly for this end time, just before the. He writes, in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control 2. The book of hebrews is thought of as more elaborate and refined than all of the books in the new testament. Walter martin, founder of the christian research institute and writer of the bestselling book kingdom of the cults, quipped in his usual tongueincheek manner that the book of hebrews was written by a hebrew to other hebrews telling the hebrews to stop acting like hebrews. The book of hebrews highlights many blessings of the last days that are already ours in christ.
Early in church history scholars recognized the writing style of hebrews was different from pauls epistles. My opinion is that the author of the epistle to the hebrews was paul. The early church father clement quoted from the book of hebrews in a. God is not called father of the believers hebrews 12. 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. Many proofs show that it was actually inspired by god mainly for this end time, just. You destroy the clarity of the rightly divided word of god. From the first records of the christian church, its origins and who wrote it have been contemplated. Because in those particular books, the authors did not identify themselves in those books. Oct 15, 2015 watch our overview video on the book of hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. A great puzzle about the book of hebrews is the authorship, because the writer does not give his own name, or does he refer to any circumstances or connections inspired by the bible experience is a wonderful cd of black celebrites read, singing and playing background music to the bible inspired by media bible experience new testament cd and movie. The true author of the book of hebrews is the lord, himself. However, since the third century this has been questioned, and the consensus among most modern scholars is that the author is unknown.
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