Who Was its Author? The Apostle Paul
Here’s what we know about the Here’s what we know about the author from Hebrews itself (author from Hebrews itself (aka aka internal evidenceinternal evidence):):~~ Like Paul, he was a Jew ( Like Paul, he was a Jew (2:1-4 & & 4:14-16).).~~ Like Paul, he was in Italy ( Like Paul, he was in Italy (13:24).).~~ Like Paul, he was close to Timothy Like Paul, he was close to Timothy ((13:23).).~~ Like Paul, he was highly educated. Like Paul, he was highly educated.~~ Like Paul, he was not an immediate Like Paul, he was not an immediate disciple disciple of Christ ( of Christ (2:3, cf. , cf. 1 Cor. 15:8).).~~ Like Paul, he was very well acquainted Like Paul, he was very well acquainted with with The Law of Moses, quoting from it The Law of Moses, quoting from it approxi-approxi- mately 30 times and alluding to it mately 30 times and alluding to it approxi-approxi- mately 50 times. mately 50 times. (It’s doubtful that any (It’s doubtful that any Christian Christian writer was better acquainted with the OT than writer was better acquainted with the OT than Paul; Paul; cf. cf. Acts 22:3, , Acts 5:34, & , & Php. 3:4-5.) .) And…And…
~~ There are at least 12 similarities in There are at least 12 similarities in expression expression and thought in Hebrews to the and thought in Hebrews to the undisputed undisputed writings of Paul; for examples, writings of Paul; for examples, referencing the referencing the prophetic prophetic statementstatement the just shall live by faith is unique to Paul ( is unique to Paul (Rom. 1:17, , Gal. 3:11, & , & Heb. 10:38), and the ending benediction ), and the ending benediction grace be with you all was used by Paul in every was used by Paul in every letter, letter, but not by any other writer. And… but not by any other writer. And…
One verse in particular seems to clinch One verse in particular seems to clinch Paul’s Paul’s authorship: authorship: Hebrews 10:30.. Why?Why? BecauseBecause this this exact same paraphrase of exact same paraphrase of Deuteronomy 32: 35-36 is also and only found in is also and only found in Romans 12:19, , an undisputed writing of Paul. an undisputed writing of Paul. (Cf. James Burton (Cf. James Burton Coffman’s Coffman’s
comments on Rom. 12:198 & Heb. 10:30.) comments on Rom. 12:198 & Heb. 10:30.) And…And…
Here’s what weHere’s what we knowknow about the author about the author fromfrom sources outside of Hebrews ( sources outside of Hebrews (aka aka external evidenceexternal evidence):):
~~ All early eastern Christianity attributed All early eastern Christianity attributed the the book to Paul from the beginning: book to Paul from the beginning: Clement of Clement of Rome even quoted from Rome even quoted from Hebrews in the in the con-con- text of another of Paul’s undisputed text of another of Paul’s undisputed writingswritings ( (First Corinthians) in AD 95.) in AD 95.
~ Peter, who wrote his letters to Jews (~ Peter, who wrote his letters to Jews (1 Pet. 1:1 & & 2 Pet. 3:1), said in his second ), said in his second letter that letter that Paul had also written to these Jews ( Paul had also written to these Jews (2 Pet. 3: 15); and no other known letter better ); and no other known letter better qualifies qualifies for this statement than Hebrews. for this statement than Hebrews. Now…Now…
Where Was Hebrews Written? In Italy
~~ Hebrews 13:24 confirms this. confirms this.
~~ It was probably written in Rome where it It was probably written in Rome where it seems the only church in Italy was seems the only church in Italy was located in located in the first generation of the church and the first generation of the church and where where Paul was imprisoned for a while (perhaps Paul was imprisoned for a while (perhaps
even along with Timothy, cf. even along with Timothy, cf. 13:23a).).
When Was Hebrews Written? Mid 60s
~~ It would’ve been just before Paul left It would’ve been just before Paul left Rome Rome ( (13:23) after his imprisonment there ) after his imprisonment there around around AD 62 (when he wrote his prison letters), AD 62 (when he wrote his prison letters), but but before the acute persecution under Nero before the acute persecution under Nero
(which began in AD 64) reached them. (which began in AD 64) reached them. Why do Why do I say this? Because… I say this? Because…
~~ They had yet to experience bloodshed for They had yet to experience bloodshed for
Christ ( Christ (Heb. 12:4), most of which was ), most of which was shed shed under Nero’s rule. under Nero’s rule.
Why & Who Was Hebrews Written To?
~~ The content (as well as the title) The content (as well as the title) unquestion-unquestion- ably establishes that the recipients of ably establishes that the recipients of this let-this let- ter were ter were Jewish Christians. And…. And…
~~ It was written It was written to prevent them from returning to Judaism ( (2:1-4, , 3:12-13, , 4:1-3, , 11 & & 14, , 6: 1-3, , 10:23-31, , 12:1-3 & & 12-16, & , & 13:13-15). ). Incidentally… Incidentally…
~~ This may explain why Paul didn’t identify This may explain why Paul didn’t identify him-him- self: such a letter would likely engender self: such a letter would likely engender more more persecution than he was already persecution than he was already enduring; be-enduring; be- sides, the recipients knew who the sides, the recipients knew who the author was author was ( (6:9, , 10:32-34, , 13:18-19 & & 23).).
What Is the Content of Hebrews?
~~ It contains unanswerable proof for the It contains unanswerable proof for the superi-superi- ority of Christ and His law over Moses ority of Christ and His law over Moses and his and his law, thus fulfilling the author’s purpose. law, thus fulfilling the author’s purpose.
~~ To understand the purpose (the “why”) To understand the purpose (the “why”) of of Hebrews better, let’s talk about… Hebrews better, let’s talk about…
The Backdrop for Our Study on
Hebrews
Jesus came on the scene fulfilling Jesus came on the scene fulfilling every Messianic prophecy.every Messianic prophecy.
~~ The Jews, in general, rejected Him as The Jews, in general, rejected Him as their their Messiah. So… Messiah. So…
~~ Jesus warned of the impending doom of Jesus warned of the impending doom of their their idolized city and temple. So… idolized city and temple. So…
~~ In order to shut Him up, they crucified In order to shut Him up, they crucified Him. Him. However, that failed, because… However, that failed, because…
The church He promised to build was The church He promised to build was es-tablished within two months after es-tablished within two months after He died.He died.
~~ The Jews, again in general, likewise The Jews, again in general, likewise rejected rejected His church. So… His church. So…
~~ Its members preached the same message Its members preached the same message of of doom to their rejecters just as Jesus did. doom to their rejecters just as Jesus did. So…So…
~~ In order to shut them up, they went In order to shut them up, they went about about trying to rid themselves of Christianity. trying to rid themselves of Christianity.
This persecution (which included This persecution (which included flogging, imprisonment, & even death flogging, imprisonment, & even death at the hands of the Jews) was initially at the hands of the Jews) was initially led by the enthu-siastic Saul of led by the enthu-siastic Saul of Tarsus who we know later became Tarsus who we know later became the apostle Paul.the apostle Paul.
~~ Although the worst of Jewish persecution Although the worst of Jewish persecution last-last- ed for 3.5 years from the establishment ed for 3.5 years from the establishment of the of the church (AD 33) until Caligula became church (AD 33) until Caligula became Caesar Caesar and Saul was converted (AD 37, cf. and Saul was converted (AD 37, cf. Acts 9:31), ), there was always persecution of there was always persecution of Christians in Christians in some form or another wherever Jews some form or another wherever Jews were were found in the Roman Empire. found in the Roman Empire. So…So…
~~ Because Christians were growing weary Because Christians were growing weary of the of the acute pressure to turn their backs on acute pressure to turn their backs on Christi-Christi- anity and return to Judaism, Paul took it anity and return to Judaism, Paul took it upon upon himself to write himself to write Hebrews. Besides…. Besides…
~~ Since there would be an even greater Since there would be an even greater 3.5-year 3.5-year wave of persecution later when Romans wave of persecution later when Romans under under Nero would ally with Jews against Nero would ally with Jews against Christians Christians (something Paul may have been able to (something Paul may have been able to per-per- ceive while in Rome), I’m sure Paul saw ceive while in Rome), I’m sure Paul saw the the imminent future need for this letter. imminent future need for this letter. So…So…
No wonder there are seven No wonder there are seven paragraphs of warning within this paragraphs of warning within this letter, warnings which became letter, warnings which became stronger as the letter progresses—stronger as the letter progresses—from neglect to rejection.from neglect to rejection.1.1. A Warning Against Neglect ( A Warning Against Neglect (2:1-4))2.2. A Warning Against Unbelief ( A Warning Against Unbelief (3:7-19))3.3. A Warning Against Carelessness ( A Warning Against Carelessness (4:1-13))4.4. A Warning Against Immaturity ( A Warning Against Immaturity (5:11—6:20))5.5. A Warning Against Willful Sin ( A Warning Against Willful Sin (10:26-31))6.6. A Warning Against Desertion ( A Warning Against Desertion (12:14-17) ) And…And…7.7. A Warning Against Rejection ( A Warning Against Rejection (12:18-29) ) But…But…
Hebrews isn’t all negative; in fact, it’s Hebrews isn’t all negative; in fact, it’s more posi-tive than negative. So to more posi-tive than negative. So to appreciate the general, positive content appreciate the general, positive content (the “what”) of Hebrews, let’s consult the (the “what”) of Hebrews, let’s consult the following … following … OUTLINE OF HEBREWS::
Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Person (1:1—4:13)Superior Person (1:1—4:13)
Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)
Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—
7:10)7:10)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)
Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)
Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Results (10:1-18)Superior Results (10:1-18)
Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ (10:19—13:25)(10:19—13:25)
Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)
Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)
The key word of Hebrews is pretty The key word of Hebrews is pretty obvi-ous: it’s the word obvi-ous: it’s the word better, used , used 13 times.13 times.
There are 2 other very significant There are 2 other very significant words: words: perfect and and eternal..
~ ~ The original word for The original word for perfect is used 14 is used 14 times. And… times. And…
~~ The original word for The original word for eternal is used 19 is used 19 times. So… times. So…
~~ Jesus Jesus andand ChristianityChristianity areare better because better because they they provide man a perfect standing before provide man a perfect standing before God, God, and its blessings are eternal. and its blessings are eternal. (For a great study (For a great study outline,outline, cf. cf. The Outline BibleThe Outline Bible by Harold L. Wilmington.) by Harold L. Wilmington.)
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