Jan 02, 2020 church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. Belief in the authorship of hebrews as by paul, the apostle to the gentiles, was anciently held. Hebrews is one of the most challenging books in the new testament. David allen black has revived the pauline authorship of hebrews in a series of articles now summarized in a short book, the authorship of hebrews. In light of this fact, any further attempt to use origens words in support of an agnostic position on the authorship of hebrews is. Hebrews authorship has been debated throughout the years, but this shouldnt prevent us from learning as much as we can about the author and his character from clues found in the text. 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.
It is in many ways an enigma, but it is also in many ways the clearest teaching in the whole nt about the value of christ and his ministry on our behalf before god. Although we may not know who wrote the book of hebrews, we do know that it belongs in the scriptural canon. When you consider the wide agreement among biblical scholars about who wrote every other book of the new testament, its a little mysterious that we dont know who wrote hebrews. She was the teacher of apollos and was married to aquila and traditionally listed among the seventy disciples see luke 10. This guide focuses on the book of hebrews, and it should be especially helpful if. Yet one thing is certain, hebrews has had a place in the new testament ever since the formation of the canon of scriptures. The book of the new testament routinely known as hebrews is a difficult nut to crack. Why was the book of hebrews included in the bible when. Origens opinion on who wrote the book of hebrews, where he accepted that only god knows jobes, 37. Alexandria as a whole believed that paul was the author, while the west i. Dec 20, 2019 i accept the book of hebrews as the inspired word of god, and a valid part of the new testament. In the end, though, its best to conclude with origen that only god really knows.
As richard heard notes, in his introduction to the new testament, modern critics have confirmed that the epistle cannot be attributed to paul and have for the most part agreed with origens judgement, but as to who wrote the epistle, only god knows the truth. Many other names have been mentioned of who the author of the book of hebrews could be, chief among whom are barnabas, to whom tertullian attributed it, and apollos, a guess from martin. The author of the book of hebrews refers to themselves only seven times in the entire book. Over one hundred ancient writers in from 70730 ad say paul wrote hebrews. If so, i thought that no one knows who wrote hebrews, though i believe tradition attributed it to paul. I hear the consensus opinion is that paul did, but i am wondering what others might say, or theorize. It was only in reference to the identity of the penman that origen wrote in truth god knows. He writes, in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control 2. On the probable authorship of hebrews by priscilla starcourse.
However, a further investigation of origens writings will demonstrate that he. The writer points to christ as the sustainer of all things, even the letter that he has penned. This was taken as evidence that paul had written it. His opinion on the authorship of hebrew was only god knows who wrote the book of hebrews.
Possibilities for the authorship of hebrews youtube. 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. Authors such as luke, barnabas, apollos, and even clement have been considered as possibilities. How do we know that the book of hebrews was written to the. From the first records of the christian church, its origins and who wrote it have been contemplated. But its not as if the authorship of the letter to the hebrews is a co.
Origen is usually quoted as saying, but who wrote the epistle, in truth god knows hist. God does not call them to do many things, but to study god s word heb. I like the word of origen, the most influential christian theologian and christian author in the third century. Hebrews makes important theological contributions to the biblical canon, it has been drawn upon as sacred scripture since the late first century. My prayer is that we will allow this inspired nt author to clearly speak and not relegate hebrews to a theological footnote in a systematic theological grid, be it. Jan 24, 2018 since the book is anonymous and there is a mixed tradition about who the author might have been, perhaps it is better to agree with origen as say only god knows who wrote the book.
Aug 11, 2009 church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. Origen said that nobody knew who wrote the epistle. I dont of course claim that the attribution to priscilla is certain origen is clearly right to say but as to who wrote the epistle, only god knows the. Jun 28, 2019 my opinion is that the author of the epistle to the hebrews was paul.
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. Opponents of pauline authorship use origens statement to support their case. But who it was that really wrote the epistle, god only knows. Removed from its context, the statement is a halftruth.
Origen writes, who wrote the epistle hebrews, in truth, only god knows. If the epistle to the hebrews had not been written by paul, then there is no name that could be named. Because of that, one of the best ways to understand the bible as a whole is to know what the individual books are about. Jan 23, 2018 origens opinion on who wrote the book of hebrews, where he accepted that only god knows jobes, 37. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. Missing is pauls customary salutation so common to his other works and, too, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of christ jesus. He said, as to who wrote hebrews, only god knows who wrote hebrews. Unfortunately, questions about authorship and the ways some heretical groups misused the book of hebrews, led some people during the patristic period to doubt if hebrews should be included in the new testament canon. Calvin believed luke wrote it, and luther believed that apollos wrote it. The background and purpose of hebrews high definition video. However, the general line of argument and the style and diction of the book are not pauline. Because in those particular books, the authors did not identify themselves in those books. Origen on the authorship of hebrews dave black online. Most scholars today agree that paul did not write hebrews.
Origen 185254 ce in the east has been quoted as saying that god only knows who wrote the epistle although he also suggested that paul was the author robertson, 1932. The commentary in the back of one of my kjv bibles points this out. Many early church leaders believed paul to have been the author. The authorship of the book of hebrews return to home page. The epistle to the hebrews of the christian bible is one of the new testament books whose. Those who have rejected pauline authorship are divided as to who did write hebrews. This statement shows that origen did not allow this largely controversial subject to cause division between him and other believers. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries.
Within the same paragraph, origen writes, therefore, if any church holds that this epistle is by paul, let them be commended for this. The book of hebrews is a serious book, but it is also a wonderful book since it gives us a pattern for spiritual growth. Please specify whether you are theorizing, and the reasons for who you think wrote hebrews, including your sources. Thats why the author of hebrews placed their emphasis on standing strong in the faith. Tertullian 160220 ce in north africa spoke of an epistle of barnabas to the hebrews vincent, 1886. Many here answered paul, but appropriatelyaccredited scholars are in agreement that paul was not the author of hebrews. If it had, god would have made it clear who was his penman. The purpose of hebrews was to confront apostasy, the rejection of jesus as. 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. In this book we discover that the original audience was facing persecution and that they were tempted to turn away from christ. In this reading plan, well see how crucial it is that we stand strong in our faith, no matter what. Tertullian postured that barnabas wrote this book as he was a levite, had a good quality use of greek, and the parallel between acts 4.
May 18, 2008 although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. The son is the radiance of gods glory and the exact representation of his being. Youve posed a thoughtful and valuable question, since most nominal christians are barely aware of the letter to begin with, and still fewer are aware of the issue you present. Thus, we would have to say a book by a mysterious unknown writer. 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. The book of hebrews is thought of as more elaborate and refined than all of the books in the new testament. The letter itself does not indicate who the writer was. I accept the book of hebrews as the inspired word of god, and a valid part of the new testament. The book of hebrews hebrews is one of the most challenging. It is never pointed out, however, that the context of this quote argues for pauline authorship. There are a couple reasons why this might be the case. Ultimately, most would have to agree with origen who said, who it was that really wrote the epistle, god only knows. 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.
Hippolytus 170236 ce from rome denied it was written by paul. Whoever wrote hebrews must have been well known to those early christians. Church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. For it is christ to whom we should look for all our answers. Yet in the new testament, paul has no trouble attributing this psalm to the holy spirit. He wrote, for there is extant withal an epistle to the hebrews under the name of barnabas a man sufficiently accredited by god, as being. If so, i thought that no one knows who wrote hebrews, though i believe tradition attributed it to paul since about the 3rd or 4th century. And so if you were ever asked about the authorship of hebrews, the correct answer is well expressed by the church father origen ad 185. Scofields bible 1917 has at the start of the book of hebrews. This section of the bible has been titled as a masterpiece and immensely complex.
However, since the third century this has been questioned, and the consensus among most modern scholars is that the author is unknown. Rome was much less willing to accept pauline authorship. In light of this fact, any further attempt to use origens words in support of an agnostic position on the authorship of hebrews is not to quote origen, but to misquote him. Traditionally, paul the apostle was thought to be the author. Well, the question of who wrote hebrews is probably the question that i get asked most often. Mar 29, 2020 although we may not know who wrote the book of hebrews, we do know that it belongs in the scriptural canon. Missing is pauls customary salutation so common to his other works and, too, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of christ jesus 2. The epistle to the hebrews of the christian bible is one of the new testament books whose canonicity was disputed.
Early in church history scholars recognized the writing style of hebrews was different from pauls epistles. Why was the book of hebrews included in the bible when no. The unknown authorship of this book should not shake our confidence in its authority. Origen is often quoted as saying in reference to the book of hebrews authorship that in truth, only god knows. Origen on the authorship of hebrews welcome to dbo. Who wrote the book of hebrews, and why are there books in. But there have been a number of suggestions through history of barnabas and others. My opinion is that the author of the epistle to the hebrews was paul. It begins as an essay, progresses as a sermon, and ends as a letter heb. Introduction to hebrews the epistle to the hebrews is a unique book in the new testament. Apr 23, 2019 the author of the book of hebrews refers to themselves only seven times in the entire book. Apparently, but i could be wrong, there is no historical source definitively saying who wrote the bible book of hebrews. New testament and second temple judaism scholar eric mason argues that the conceptual background of the priestly christology of the epistle to the hebrews closely parallels presentations of the messianic priest and melchizedek in the qumran scrolls. Further, men of old have handed it down as pauls, but who wrote the epistle god only knows.
First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included after romans among the books written by the apostle paul. Who wrote the acts of the apostles and the book of hebrews. The most intellectually honest answer who wrote the book of hebrews. Clement of alexandria and eusebius believed paul wrote it. Hebrews uses old testament quotations interpreted in light of first century rabbinical judaism. Early in church history scholars recognized the writing style of hebrews was different from paul s epistles. The church father origines around 185 to 254 ac appropriately wrote. Mar 09, 2008 origen writes, who wrote the epistle hebrews, in truth, only god knows. Authorship of the epistle to the hebrews wikipedia. Rregarding the time of writing the opinions of the scientists differ as much as they do in respect to the authorship of the epistle. Since the book is anonymous and there is a mixed tradition about who the author might have been, perhaps it is better to agree with origen as say only god knows who wrote the book.