To moffatts list we might add the names of luke, silas. Both luke and the author of hebrews are described by most new testament scholars as the most literary writers of the new testament 9. There has not always been agreement that paul either did or did not write hebrews. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included after romans among the books written by the apostle paul. 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. Ultimately, when reading the book of hebrews one should not be so invested in knowing the author or not knowing the author. There are several reasons why apollos could have written hebrews and. The book of hebrews ties together the old and new testaments better than any other in the new testament. During the reformation doubt was again put on the authorship as luther 14841546 said it was written by apollos robertson, 1932 and calvin 15091564 denied it was pauline vincent, 1886. There are a couple reasons why this might be the case.
Indeed, those in our day who question pauls authorship of the book, offer no real evidence as to who did write it. Not even modern, sophisticated analysis of authorship can suggest a plausible writer for this great work. The early church counted hebrews among the letters of paul, even though it does not bear pauls name. However, i think we can almost certainly say that paul did not write hebrews.
The epistle to the hebrews of the christian bible is one of the new testament books whose canonicity was disputed. One thing about this book that really impressed me is. 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 absent. Theologically speaking, scholars generally regard the book of hebrews to be second in importance only to pauls letter to the romans in the new testament. Hebrews is one of the most challenging books in the new testament. To those who say paul did not write the epistle to the hebrews some of my bible teachers in college were in this group i respect their opinion but i would say to them the epistle was written by a man of brilliant intellect and deep spirituality whose former name was. For example, the writings of john his gospel in particular are very easy to read. Some of them are in conjunction with the question of authorship, which we shall consider under the following divisions. 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. Martin luther suggested apollos, since he would have had the education the writer. Whoever wrote this apparently wrote virtually nothing else.
Later, during apollos absence, the writer of the acts of the apostles recounts an encounter. He was an eloquent speaker, with matches the eloquence of the book of hebrews. I dont give apollos enough credit to have written so well, and i. When apollos first enters the picture in the book of acts, he was a strong disciple of john the baptist and recognized that humanity had a sin nature that required repentance, and so apollos would speak boldly in the synagogue, but when priscilla and aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of god more accurately. The authorship of hebrews cannot be known for certain, but we can know several things about the author. Third, the strongest reason for doubting pauline authorship is the way the writer of hebrews distanced himself from the first generation of jesus followers. Church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. A theological investigation into the authorship of hebrews. Nevertheless, various theories have been proposed for its authorship. Bullinger, made the following cogent summary, click on to enlarge gamaliel, wikipedia, pauls tutor in the law, acts 22.
But the testimony of men of later date should also be considered where painstaking study of. From the first records of the christian church, its origins. Anyone who has taken enough greek and is able to read the greek new testament can tell a difference between various nt greek texts. Among the reformers, luther ascribed authorship to apollos, an. Others have proposed barnabas because he was jewish and a respected leader. Was priscilla one of the most successful teachers, evangelists, and writers in the early church. Paul the apostle, apollos, philo, bible, alexandria egypt. Although we may not know who wrote the book of hebrews, we do know that it. And far be it from me to disagree with luther, but i kind of doubt it was apollos. The writer points to christ as the sustainer of all things, even the letter that he has penned. For one, its well written, and paul flat out says that he stinks at communications. The term kreitton literally, more excellent or better permeates the book.
Hebrews not only quotes extensively from scripture, but it speaks truth throughout its entirety. The epistle to the hebrews presents many moot problems. There is some speculation that the apostle paul, along with apollos, wrote the book of hebrews, although we cant say with100% certainty, as many scholars believe it was paul, but apollos may have had some input in this book, but we do know for certain that apollos was a preacher of the word, and was competent in scriptures, so he knew the scriptures well enough to prove that the christ was jesus, and he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully. 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. The writer of hebrews teaches us that jesus christ is supreme over all things. Bruce suggested that apollos may have written hebrews,6 but the obvious. This was taken as evidence that paul had written it. Today, modern scholars still wrestle with the same questions as did the.
I have a whole new appreciation for lukedoctor, historian, and linguistic master. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books,hebrewsis included. In this reading plan, well see how crucial it is that we stand strong in our faith, no matter what. Lukes purpose to writing to theophilus in his twovolume work seems to be the same as the sermon to the hebrews. Origen, clement, pantaenus, ambrose, rufinus and eusebius all ascribe the epistle to paul. Yeah, apollos or even aquilla, priscillas husband, could have been the writer of hebrews as well. Most authorities of the greek language consider the epistle to the hebrews as the most polished and eloquent of any book in the new testament. He writes, in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control 2. The evidence leans away from apollos not only because the epistle does not bear his signature, but because his conversion is unlikely to be that described in hebrews 2.
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. As for me, i think that the view is unlikely if for no other reason that a masculine participle is used in 11. Beyond what i think, here are some of the things many scholars agree on regarding the author of hebrews. Some believe that apollos eventually returned to ephesus to serve the church there. If luke did not write the gospel, then there is no reason to believe that he wrote any other book in the new testament.
A contemporary and colleague of paul the apostle, he played an important role in the early development of the churches of ephesus and corinth. Now to paul, apollos, and the letter to the hebrews. The epistle to the hebrews is perfectly written at the highest intellectual level, and yet its authorship is a complete mystery. This section of the bible has been titled as a masterpiece and immensely complex. A writer would do well just studying the prologues of luke, acts, and hebrews.
Prisca, barnabas, and paul have all been suggested as the possible author. The book of hebrews was at one stage attributed to paul, but it is so clearly not an epistle, and the style and theology are so clearly not pauline, that scholars no. Was the author of the book of hebrews paul, or barnabas, or james. Origin also recognized that paul himself probably did not write hebrews. Studies on the authorship of the book of hebrews are at the same time extensive and inconclusive. Lastly, the book of hebrews explains the incentive for faithful living jobes, 2011. 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.
In this book we discover that the original audience was facing persecution and that they were tempted to turn away from christ. Even centuries earlier in the fourth century, the church of rome did not believe paul wrote hebrews, possibly retaining a. Luke is doing so much more than telling a story in his lukeacts narratives. Over one hundred ancient writers in from 70730 ad say paul wrote hebrews. Scofields bible 1917 has at the start of the book of hebrews. What possible reason would apollos have for not signing his name. Thats why the author of hebrews placed their emphasis on standing strong in the faith. My opinion is that the author of the epistle to the hebrews was paul. Witherington 1991 146152 has found a number of striking similarities between the book of galatians and hebrews, and even suggests that galatians may have influenced hebrews if paul did not write the epistle. Hebrews is seldom ascribed to paul nowadays, and belief in the pauline authorship of hebrews should not be considered a test of orthodoxy. Volumes have been written and theories have been postulated. Is there a case to be made that luke wrote the book of. This still leaves open the possibility that luke, the actual author of lukes gospel was the author of hebrews. The answer is that there is no evidence that apollos wrote the book.
Of course, from the first, we want to echo origen, only god knows, although i have a feeling bill lane, author of the word biblical commentary on hebrews, pressed for an answer upon entering the lords presence at his death last. This epistle is not a letter to the hebrews, but a detailed explanation to everyone of the reasons behind jesuss life and passion, and how god did not fail to intervene as many mistakenly think. Istm that the one thing that is certain is that paul didnt write the essay. Traditionally, paul the apostle was thought to be the author. The background and purpose of hebrews 3 for videos, study guides and other resources, visit third millennium ministries at. Unlike the actual letters in the new testament, this book is not introduced by the name of its author. 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. The literary koine greek fits the training that he had received, he is from alexandria, and the birthplace of the septuagint 280150 b. Many early church leaders believed paul to have been the author. The letter itself does not indicate who the writer was.
As a result, although a few people today believe paul wrote hebrews, such as theologian. The most extensive defense of this view i believe is ruth hoppins book which i think has been revised since i looked at it. Also, some identify apollos as the unknown author of the book of hebrews. However, since the third century this has been questioned, and the consensus among most modern scholars is that the author is unknown.
His theory rests mainly on the fact that hebrews has dozens of parallels with the book of wisdom. Given the fact that he was one of pauls most eloquent associates, and was very. Lightfoot 1976 2122 also lists several terms and phrases in hebrews which are similar to those found in the pauline letters. The authorship of hebrews or did paul write hebrews. If he didnt write it, what virtue can there be in thinking that he did. Moreover, as one reads the book of hebrews they should be inspired and grateful for the content and context it presents. It is the letter to the hebrews or hebrews for short. Bruce suggested that apollos may have written hebrews,6 but the obvious question remains. Clement of alexandria and origen noted that the writing style did not match pauls, but did not consider it a forgery. However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius. Its very possible that he did, although theres no biblical confirmation of this detail. The book of hebrews is thought of as more elaborate and refined than all of the books in the new testament. Is there any reasonable evidence that apollos wrote the book of hebrews. Some have proposed paul, but most reject this hypothesis because it does not appear to be written in his style.