The book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus. I find this wholly unsatisfactory, since seventhday adventists, particularly, have been given inspired insight as to the true writer. 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. Paul taught the colossian saints that they should give thanks unto the father who sent his firstborn son that in all things he might have the preeminence colossians 1. These folks knew about angels, the old testament heroes, the devil, and moses tabernacle, but someone thought they needed to know a little more.
The epistle to the hebrews of the christian bible is one of the new testament books whose canonicity was disputed. Traditionally, paul the apostle was thought to be the author. Church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. So the book is certainly by an identified author, though it lacks paul s name in its opening. Some of them are in conjunction with the question of authorship, which we shall consider under the following divisions. This was taken as evidence that paul had written it, and some eastern churches accepted hebrews as canonical earlier than in the west. What priesthood had a higher order according to the book of hebrews. Guthrie points out how the book of hebrews refers to the old testament. The letter was composed sometime during the latter half of the 1st century. Missing is paul s customary salutation common to his other works. The chester beatty papyrus numbered p46 and dated prior to 200ad1 contains a collection of pauls epistles and includes hebrews among them. The epistle to the hebrews the new international greek testament commentary ellingworth, paul on. Jesus, the kingpriest his present ministry and coming reign a study of the book of hebrews. For example, the italicized words, the book titles, the paragraph marks, the punctuation and the endings in the books of paul.
The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. Sep 10, 2017 the term kreitton literally, more excellent or better permeates the book. This was the thesis of andrew pitts and joshua walker in an essay in paul and his social relations edited by stanley e. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of. The book of hebrews ties together the old and new testaments better than any other in the new testament. The early church father eusebius believed that paul wrote the.
Hebrews with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. For this reason, the book of hebrews must have been written after paul s death, which took place sometime around a. Many who refuse paul s authorship conclude for reason of hebrews 2. At its end, hebrews mentions timothy, whose name appears only in acts in connection with paul and in eleven of paul s letters. Letter to the hebrews, new testament letter traditionally attributed to paul but now widely believed to be the work of a jewish christian, perhaps one of pauls associates. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. Pauls claim in philippians is that he is a proper jew circumcised on the eighth day indicates that he comes from a family that is keeping the jewish traditions despite living in tarsus. Aug 05, 20 the book of hebrews niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 58 duration. Specifically, some say he only wrote thirteen of the twentyseven books of new testament, while others say fourteen.
If the epistle to the hebrews had not been written by paul, then there is no name that could be named. Aug 11, 2015 lesson 1 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. Whoever wrote hebrews appears not to have been an apostle of jesus. The principal purpose of this substantial volume is to clarify the meaning of hebrews, long considered a complicated and obscure book.
For it is christ to whom we should look for all our answers. Clement of alexandria suggests that paul wrote the book originally in hebrew and that luke translated it into greek, though the greek of hebrews. There are many other logistical problems with the lines of reason in the book of. Was paul saying that the son of god jesus was greater than moses. This superb work is sure to win a name for itself as one of the major commentaries on the epistle to the hebrews. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus. 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. If hebrews is not the worst book in the bible in the eyes of heaven, its right on the heels of pauls letters to the galatians and romans. This section of the bible has been titled as a masterpiece and immensely complex. Thankfully, we do not need to know who wrote the book in order to know what the book teaches. The text is traditionally attributed to paul the apostle, but doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius. The writer points to christ as the sustainer of all things, even the letter that he has penned. There are, however, some who question pauls authorship of this epistle because its style and language are so different from pauls other letters. The internal evidence presented by the book of hebrews itself indicates an author other than paul.
This post will introduce better as one of these tools in the construction of this great book. If you think paul wrote hebrews, youre in good company. David pawson hebrews 1 unlocking the bible youtube. Some think that paul wrote it but the style and vocabulary are very different from paul s other letters. Many early church leaders believed paul to have been the author.
The author to this book has been the subject of debate, there is no name within the text so this has led much speculation. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. Hebrews was written for christians who had been in the church for a while. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. The text does not mention the name of its author, but was traditionally attributed to paul the apostle. On the other side, the latest likely date for the book would be around a. The teachings and practices of the old testament are fulfilled in the life and mission of jesus christ. Proof that the apostle paul wrote hebrews purely presbyterian. I believe hebrews is just the book gods spirit may employ to move us in this direction. Should it be listed with the rest of the new testament. Following are some important ideas to look for in the book of hebrews. A further road sign pointing to paul is the famous quotation from the prophet habakkuk that says, the just shall live by faith,hab. More than any other new testament book, hebrews connects the dots between the old testament and the new.
And in fact, if we compare the language of hebrews to paul s preaching as recorded by luke in acts, all of a sudden, the language starts to sound much more similar. Jesus is greater, so hold fast to him overviewbible. Since the reformation it has been widely recognized that paul could not have been the writer. However, since the third century this has been questioned, and the consensus among most modern scholars is that the author is unknown. Epistle to the hebrews read the bible online bible study tools. The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. He writes, in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control 2. Their community was a result of the apostolic mission. Throughout the medieval period, most leading scholars continued to believe that paul wrote hebrews. Jan 24, 2018 another way to get the pauline influence on the book of hebrews is the suggestion that luke used a synagogue sermon by paul to write what we now know as the book of hebrews. Another way to get the pauline influence on the book of hebrews is the suggestion that luke used a synagogue sermon by paul to write what we now know as the book of hebrews. The chester beatty papyri do just that by listing hebrews as the second item in paul s letters.
There is one certainty pertaining to the author of hebrews and that is that the author was someone who was known in the ranks of pauls cohorts. The book of hebrews begins with jesus christs work in creation, as does the book of colossians. 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. Is the temple a physical thing or made up of the body of christ. Stevens january 6, 2012 for years it seems that nearly every reference i come across on the book of hebrews attributes it to the amorphous writer of hebrews.
Paul wrote he was made a minister to complete the scriptures colossians 1. He is therefore authorized to fulfill the old covenant of the law and administer the new. The epistle of paul the apostle to the hebrews greene, oliver b on. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. A pdf version of the presentation slides are available for download below.
Most latterday saints accept paul as the author of hebrews see bible dictionary, pauline epistles. The book of hebrews certainly is not the infallible word of god. Perhaps the most common conjecture through the centuries has been that the apostle paul is the author. 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. The writer of hebrews teaches us that jesus christ is supreme over all things. The apostle paul wrote more than half of the new testament. If hebrews is not the worst book in the bible in the eyes of heaven, its right on the heels of paul s letters to the galatians and romans. Apostle paul the book of hebrews is thought of as more elaborate and refined than all of the books in the new testament. The first part of hebrews covers the superiority of christ and his sacrifice chapters 1 through 10. According to our book, the style of hebrews, except in the closing verses.
The last part of the book looks at elements of the faith 10. Thus, we would have to say a book by a mysterious unknown writer. In the eastern empire, especially in alexandria, clement of alexandria and then his student, origen, were aware of traditions that paul wrote hebrews, that luke may have written hebrews. The gospel was confirmed unto us by them that heard him hebrews 2. Heres an excellent source, advocating for a pauline penmanship of the book of hebrews. Paul didnt want to include his name in the book of hebrews since his relation with the gentiles making him unpopular with his native people. As you carefully read and try to understand hebrews, the old testament will make more sense to. Lesson 1 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. Paul s claim in philippians is that he is a proper jew circumcised on the eighth day indicates that he comes from a family that is keeping the jewish traditions despite living in tarsus. The epistle to the hebrews presents many moot problems. The epistle to the hebrews the new international greek. From the first records of the christian church, its origins and who wrote it have been contemplated. The expositors bible commentary revised edition refers to five warning passages in hebrews.
The style of hebrews, except in the closing verses. He also appears to have been one to whom the apostles had confirmed the lords word. New testament of the bible cliffsnotes study guides book. Here are some proofs for the book title the epistle of paul the apostle to the hebrews now im going to give you seven reasons why the writer of the book of hebrews is the apostle paul. Again, someone in israels program, someone who was also a member of the nation israel, wrote the book of hebrews. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. The writer of hebrews the holy spirit uses words, phrases, and themes in the book to present jesus for who he is the messiah. Sundry holy and learned men from this expression, confirmed unto us, wherein they say the writer of this epistle placeth himself among the number of those who heard not the word from the lord himself, but only from the apostles, conclude that paul cannot be the penman thereof, who in sundry. The book of hebrews quotes extensively from the old testament. Lets talk about the book of hebrews biblical families. Saying this, the scientists obviously overlook the fact that the apostle paul himself did not belong to the apostles who had seen and heard the lord jesus on earth.
Hebrews has thirteen chapters, threehundred and three 303 verses, and sixthousand and ninehundred and thirteen 6,9 words. Hebrews is one of the greatest commentaries we have on the old testament. The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism. Luke translated it carefully and published it for the greeks, and hence the same style of expression is found in this epistle and in the acts. The author of the book of hebrews refers to themselves only 7 times in the entire book. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and superior in comparison. Authorship of the epistle to the hebrews wikipedia. And so if either clement or luke were involved in the production of the extant book of hebrews, he would have had a very free hand in working with pauls material, to the point that he would be. There is nothing in the letter to tell us who wrote it nor is there a strong tradition to associate an author with the book. The term kreitton literally, more excellent or better permeates the book. Of the 27 books in the new testament, 14 have been attributed to paul. Dec 23, 2015 furthermore, paul ellingworth also doesnt mention other sources advocating pauline penmanship of hebrews. One problem with this conclusion, however, is that what paul says in galatians 1.
Sep 06, 2011 in this passage paul says he was circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of israel, and the tribe of benjamin, a hebrew of the hebrews. Paul, as a pharisee, would have been familiar with the scripture in its original hebrew language. Paul, by many in the early church is viewed as the author of the epistle to the hebrews. In this passage paul says he was circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of israel, and the tribe of benjamin, a hebrew of the hebrews. If you think paul wrote hebrews, youre in good company see, e.
Doctrinal and stylistic similarities between paul and hebrews. The question of who wrote the book of hebrews has been debated from the very earliest days of the church. The style is notably different from the rest of pauls. While the council of carthage of the year 397, in the wording of its decree, still made a distinction between pauli apostoli epistoloe tredecim thirteen epistles of paul the apostle and eiusdem ad hebroeos una one of his to the hebrews h. Jan 02, 2020 church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. In light of that, paul certainly would not have been writing hebrews. Internal evidence on authorship is hebrews an epistle or treatise. After the christian community had existed for a few decades, the enthusiasm that characterized its earlier years began to wane. Sundry holy and learned men from this expression, confirmed unto us, wherein they say the writer of this epistle placeth himself among the number of those who heard not the word from the lord himself, but only from the apostles, conclude that paul cannot be the penman thereof, who in sundry places. The book of hebrews is replete with the language paul utilized to teach that doctrine. The expected return of jesus had not taken place, opposition to the movement had developed from different quarters, and doubts were beginning to arise concerning any permanent significance that christianity might have over other religious sects and parties. Hebrews the new international greek testament commentary. Aug 31, 2016 the book of hebrews is a long list of reasons to cling to jesus. The authorship of hebrews or did paul write hebrews.
In other letters, paul either quotes the masoretic text the original hebrew or paraphrases it. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle paul s writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books, hebrews is included after romans among the books written by the apostle paul. John owens article proof that the apostle paul wrote hebrews. I have written on the phrase let us in a post several years ago. Believe it or not, its written by the thirteenth apostle, paul. However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the new testament books,hebrewsis included afterromansamong the books written by the apostle paul.