Thoughts on Hebrews

[EddieM]

I don't know how many commentaries there are on Hebrews, but most of them put their guesses in concerning who the author is. I certainly don't know and would never speculate as to who it is. But, I can eliminate those who did not write it. I wrote a post on the cessation of miracles based on the passage at 2.1-4. I also use this same passage to eliminate potential authors.

In this passage the author goes back and forth switching between 1) the first generation of Christians, and 2) the second generation of Christians. What we DO KNOW is that author is not a first generation believer. They are the ones who saw the miracle performed. Then the author shows that the author is a second generation believer. They didn't see the miracles but were told about them by the first generation believers.

One thing that we can say is that the Apostle Paul (a first generation believer) did NOT write the book of Hebrews. I point this out because so many people state with near certainty that Paul wrote it.

I will admit that knowing that Paul didn't write Hebrews can be put in your Gee Whiz file.

More to come

 

[GWH]

I don't know how many commentaries there are on Hebrews, but most of them put their guesses in concerning who the author is. I certainly don't know and would never speculate as to who it is. But, I can eliminate those who did not write it. I wrote a post on the cessation of miracles based on the passage at 2.1-4. I also use this same passage to eliminate potential authors.

In this passage the author goes back and forth switching between 1) the first generation of Christians, and 2) the second generation of Christians. What we DO KNOW is that author is not a first generation believer. They are the ones who saw the miracle performed. Then the author shows that the author is a second generation believer. They didn't see the miracles but were told about them by the first generation believers.

One thing that we can say is that the Apostle Paul (a first generation believer) did NOT write the book of Hebrews. I point this out because so many people state with near certainty that Paul wrote it.

I will admit that knowing that Paul didn't write Hebrews can be put in your Gee Whiz file.

More to come

And I am quite confident that Paul DID write Hebrews for the following reasons:

1. We know of no other apostle who had the capacity for writing such an inspired epistle.

2. The absence of stated authorship may be because technically Paul's ministry was to the Gentiles.

3. The content harmonizes with that in Paul's epistles.

4. Paul was not one of the original disciples, but he learned about the life of Christ from Peter and James.

 

[EddieM]

And I am quite confident that Paul DID write Hebrews for the following reasons:

1. We know of no other apostle who had the capacity for writing such an inspired epistle.

2. The absence of stated authorship may be because technically Paul's ministry was to the Gentiles.

3. The content harmonizes with that in Paul's epistles.

4. Paul was not one of the original disciples, but he learned about the life of Christ from Peter and James.

I personally do not find these reasons you have listed to be compelling.

1. This is an poor argument from silence, the second generation author is the only option based on Hebrews itself. There were hundreds of possible candidates in the second generation of Christians who could have written it. Paul is a first generation believer, so he is disqualified per Hebrews chapter 2.

2. Without exception, Paul begins all his writings with "from Paul." Every epistle and book begins with Paul identifying himself. All of Paul's letters were written to both Jews and Gentiles.

3. The reason for Paul not identifying himself is more likely evidence he did not write Hebrews, than to speculate that he was an apostle to the Gentiles.

4. This is a non sequitur. Besides Paul was taught the life of Christ by Christ himself.

Galatians 1:
15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased

16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.

17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus

As you can see, there are passages of scripture that do not fit with your argument.

 

[GWH]

I personally do not find these reasons you have listed to be compelling.

1. This is an poor argument from silence, the second generation author is the only option based on Hebrews itself. There were hundreds of possible candidates in the second generation of Christians who could have written it. Paul is a first generation believer, so he is disqualified per Hebrews chapter 2.

2. Without exception, Paul begins all his writings with "from Paul." Every epistle and book begins with Paul identifying himself. All of Paul's letters were written to both Jews and Gentiles.

3. The reason for Paul not identifying himself is more likely evidence he did not write Hebrews, than to speculate that he was an apostle to the Gentiles.

4. This is a non sequitur. Besides Paul was taught the life of Christ by Christ himself.

Galatians 1:
15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased

16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.

17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus

As you can see, there are passages of scripture that do not fit with your argument.

Compelling, no, but convincing to many including me, yes, and I can see that you ended your quote of Galatians 1
just before Paul said, "Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter... I saw James, the Lord's brother...
Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem... and set before them the gospel that I preach..."

1. Viewing Paul to be disqualified because of Heb. 2:3 is a valid point, but not compelling in itself.
What second generation author do you nominate as author?

2&3. I gave a perfectly logical explanation of why Paul may not have identified himself in this epistle,
and no other epistle was addressed only to Jews/Hebrews.

4. Yes, but the manner in which Paul became an apostle makes him a 1.5 generation disciple.

You did not address my #3. I find the theme of Heb. 7:18-10:1 regarding the OC being superseded by the NT to be quite Pauline.
Christ as mediator (Heb. 9:15) echoes 1Tim. 2:5, the passing of external rites reflects Col. 2:16-17, the reference to slavery and brothers of Christ in Heb. 2:14-17 reminds one of Romans 8:15-16, and the mention of infants in Heb. 5:11-13 is akin to Eph. 4:14-15, etc.

Paul (?) concluded Hebrews with a list of brief commands or teachings, most of which he had taught elsewhere, including:
keep on loving each other (TOP #135), do not love money or be greedy (TOP #13), support and cooperate with Christian leaders
(TOP #215), avoid strange or heretical teachings that pervert the Gospel (TOP #131), offer prayer of praise and thanks to God for Jesus (TOP #180&217), do good (TOP #138&187) and share with others (TOP #163).

 

[Randy4u2c]

I don't know how many commentaries there are on Hebrews, but most of them put their guesses in concerning who the author is. I certainly don't know and would never speculate as to who it is. But, I can eliminate those who did not write it. I wrote a post on the cessation of miracles based on the passage at 2.1-4. I also use this same passage to eliminate potential authors.

In this passage the author goes back and forth switching between 1) the first generation of Christians, and 2) the second generation of Christians. What we DO KNOW is that author is not a first generation believer. They are the ones who saw the miracle performed. Then the author shows that the author is a second generation believer. They didn't see the miracles but were told about them by the first generation believers.

One thing that we can say is that the Apostle Paul (a first generation believer) did NOT write the book of Hebrews. I point this out because so many people state with near certainty that Paul wrote it.

I will admit that knowing that Paul didn't write Hebrews can be put in your Gee Whiz file.

More to come

Some things to consider that suggests that Paul was indeed the writer of Hebrews: All his other epistles were written to churches mainly consisting of Gentiles. In addressing such as epistle as Hebrews, he would naturally write as an instructed scribe, one brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers. The testimony of II Pet 3:15-16, strictly interpreted, proves that Paul wrote an epistle to the Hebrews, and if this is not the epistle, where is it? No trace or indication of any other has ever been found.

Also, the suspicion with which the Jews regarded Paul, and their furious hatred of him would be ample reason why, in addressing such an important letter to his own race, he would withhold his name. If it was necessary at the time of its publication to send out such an epistle, equally necessary was it that it should not be handicapped with a name regarded generally by the Jews of that of an infamous renegade. Hebrews in all probability was written in A.D. 53-54 during the eighteen months of Paul's sojourn at Corinth, during which he was teaching among them the word of God. These are not guesses but facts.

 

[lrs68]

I don't know how many commentaries there are on Hebrews, but most of them put their guesses in concerning who the author is. I certainly don't know and would never speculate as to who it is. But, I can eliminate those who did not write it. I wrote a post on the cessation of miracles based on the passage at 2.1-4. I also use this same passage to eliminate potential authors.

In this passage the author goes back and forth switching between 1) the first generation of Christians, and 2) the second generation of Christians. What we DO KNOW is that author is not a first generation believer. They are the ones who saw the miracle performed. Then the author shows that the author is a second generation believer. They didn't see the miracles but were told about them by the first generation believers.

One thing that we can say is that the Apostle Paul (a first generation believer) did NOT write the book of Hebrews. I point this out because so many people state with near certainty that Paul wrote it.

I will admit that knowing that Paul didn't write Hebrews can be put in your Gee Whiz file.

More to come

If we go by some of the answers that have been given throughout the first 400 years one would discover there's some interesting idealisms about who the author could be.

One of those came by way of the RCC Itself.
That answer happened to be a Monk or Priest basically took the entire Bible into consideration and wrote down a thesis that includes who Jesus is [Deity and Melchizedek Priesthood], Old Testament Saints (Honor Roll), a general viewpoint of God and His Plan throughout the Ages, the Cloud of Witnesses, and much more.

Some however believe this was a Sermon preached by the Apostle Paul and documented by Luke [(Author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts)].

Some believe it was Paul who put the quil to the parchment.

Now the strangest part of the Book of Hebrews is its date.
Most New Testament Books have been dated to mid 1st Century based upon the Papyrus Methods used for Parchment Paper.
Hebrews however dates to late 2nd Century which for some Scholars leads credentials to the possibility it was written long after Revelation by an unknown Author.

One thing is for certain, it holds and reads like a Bible Outline and hits on several key valuable truths.

Truth is that we won't ever know who the human Author is on this side of Heaven.
But one day be assured because we will know everything.

 

[EddieM]

Most New Testament Books have been dated to mid 1st Century based upon the Papyrus Methods used for Parchment Paper.
Hebrews however dates to late 2nd Century which for some Scholars leads credentials to the possibility it was written long after Revelation by an unknown Author.

Hebrews was likely written before 70 AD since the destruction of Temple would have been brought up to make the point the second generation author was trying making. But, the muratorian fragment does not list it as one of Paul's writings, but all 13 of his writings are mentioned.

Heb 2:3,4 identifies the author as someone who lived in the 2nd generation. The author did not perform miracles, he only heard about them from the first century Christians. Whoever wrote Hebrews, it was not Paul. This we know for certain based on this passage.

Finally, the syntax and grammar are definitely not that of Paul's. Of the 13 epistles that Paul wrote, they all start off the same way: From Paul..." That is, Paul always authenticated his writings.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Hebrews was likely written before 70 AD since the destruction of Temple would have been brought up to make the point the second generation author was trying making.

It had to have been written while the temple was still standing because:

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: Hebrews 10:11​

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Hebrews was likely written before 70 AD since the destruction of Temple would have been brought up to make the point the second generation author was trying making. But, the muratorian fragment does not list it as one of Paul's writings, but all 13 of his writings are mentioned.

Heb 2:3,4 identifies the author as someone who lived in the 2nd generation. The author did not perform miracles, he only heard about them from the first century Christians. Whoever wrote Hebrews, it was not Paul. This we know for certain based on this passage.

Finally, the syntax and grammar are definitely not that of Paul's. Of the 13 epistles that Paul wrote, they all start off the same way: From Paul..." That is, Paul always authenticated his writings.

“I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. Grace be with you all.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:23-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

seems a clue there Priscilla and Aquila were from Italy and taught also become traveling and ministry companions with Paul and would have referred to Timothy as brother where as Paul referred to him as his son in Christ. Some of many possibilities the doctrine in Hebrews is consistent with the rest of the nt however

many people miss the kinship it shares with revelation

 

[Aaron56]

Hebrews is my favorite book.

 

[EddieM]

seems a clue there Priscilla and Aquila were from Italy and taught also become traveling and ministry companions with Paul and would have referred to Timothy as brother where as Paul referred to him as his son in Christ. Some of many possibilities the doctrine in Hebrews is consistent with the rest of the nt however

Where is the reference to "son of Christ" in Paul's writings? That is a new expression for me.

 

[DavidLamb]

Where is the reference to "son of Christ" in Paul's writings? That is a new expression for me.

But the post you were replying to said, "Paul referred to him as his son in Christ. " It didn't say, "son of Christ." In fact Paul refers to Timothy as his son "in the Lord":

“For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” (1Co 4:17 NKJV)

 

[GWH]

Hebrews was likely written before 70 AD since the destruction of Temple would have been brought up to make the point the second generation author was trying making. But, the muratorian fragment does not list it as one of Paul's writings, but all 13 of his writings are mentioned.

Heb 2:3,4 identifies the author as someone who lived in the 2nd generation. The author did not perform miracles, he only heard about them from the first century Christians. Whoever wrote Hebrews, it was not Paul. This we know for certain based on this passage.

Finally, the syntax and grammar are definitely not that of Paul's. Of the 13 epistles that Paul wrote, they all start off the same way: From Paul..." That is, Paul always authenticated his writings.

The muratorian fragment may not have listed Paul as the author of Hebrews because the epistle was unattested and the writer uncertain even at that time.

Heb. 2:3 is a good point, but the only thing it makes certain is that we cannot be certain Paul authored Hebrews.
Heb. 2:4 does NOT say "the author did not perform miracles". In face, the mention of the gifts of the HS is quite Pauline.

"Always" always has an exception.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Where is the reference to "son of Christ" in Paul's writings? That is a new expression for me.

“Son in Christ “

i eas saying that Paul identified Timothy as his son in Christ or his son in the faith

“unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And my other point was Hebrews addresses Timothy as “ our brother “ I wasn’t stating it as fact or proof Paul hadn’t written it but just feel like it’s a clue because Paul consistently referred to Timothy as his son in the faith or as I said it “his son in Christ “

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Hebrews is my favorite book.

It’s really really edifying if someone has studied the Old Testament and gospel probably the deepest book in the nt in my opinion . so much is covered between the two testaments and so much is added to the rest of the books and epistles

I like this part where they drop the axe and divide the understsnding after everything has been built up with the comparisons between the two testaments

(if anyone has read the giving of the law tonisrsel from Sinai in exodus this will make perfect sense )

“For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (for they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake



but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

whose voice then shook the earthin the ot the earthquake at Sinai ) but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.


Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:18-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s really a serious booo if someone is looking for understsnding but it’s sort of a pre requisite to at least a bit above general knowledge of the Hebrews scriptures in tbe ot in order to grasp it . Also one would need to have already heard of Jesus and his apostles if we’re looking to grow in understanding of the covenants Hebrews is the book for sure

 

[EddieM]

“Son in Christ “

i eas saying that Paul identified Timothy as his son in Christ or his son in the faith

“unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And my other point was Hebrews addresses Timothy as “ our brother “ I wasn’t stating it as fact or proof Paul hadn’t written it but just feel like it’s a clue because Paul consistently referred to Timothy as his son in the faith or as I said it “his son in Christ “

You are right. i looked back on your OP, and I could not find "son of Christ." i completely misread it. My apologies.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

You are right. i looked back on your OP, and I could not find "son of Christ." i completely misread it. My apologies.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it said it wrong I have a lot of issues typing correctly sorry for the confusion