Who Wrote Hebrews?

Bible Facts

Jan 2

Quick Summary

The book of Hebrews does not name its author, making it the most debated authorship question in the New Testament. While some early Christians associated Hebrews with Paul, others proposed figures such as Barnabas, Apollos, or Luke. Internal evidence, early church testimony, and modern scholarship agree on one central conclusion: the author of Hebrews was a highly educated, Greek-speaking Jewish Christian with deep knowledge of Scripture and theology, but the author’s identity remains unknown.

Introduction

Hebrews stands apart from every other New Testament letter. It lacks a traditional greeting, does not identify its author, and reads more like a carefully constructed theological sermon than personal correspondence. Its polished Greek, sustained argument, and sophisticated use of Israel’s Scriptures make it one of the most complex works in the New Testament.

Because Hebrews never names its author, the question of authorship has occupied Christian thinkers since the earliest centuries. The history of interpretation shows both careful reasoning and genuine disagreement, making Hebrews an important case study in how the church has understood authority, inspiration, and Scripture.

(Collins, Introduction to the New Testament, pp. 487–490)

Internal Evidence from the Book

Hebrews provides important clues about its author without offering a name. The writer speaks as part of the second generation of believers, stating that the message of salvation was confirmed by those who heard the Lord directly (Hebrews 2:3). This distinction suggests the author was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry.

The book displays extraordinary familiarity with the Greek Septuagint, frequently quoting Scripture in its Greek form rather than the Hebrew text. The author weaves extended interpretations of passages from Psalms, Jeremiah, and other books into a sustained theological argument.

(Koester, Hebrews, pp. 52–56)

Hebrews also reflects close ties to Pauline circles without sounding like Paul himself. The author knows Timothy personally and expects to visit the audience with him (Hebrews 13:23), placing the writer within Paul’s missionary network while maintaining a distinct literary voice.

(Attridge, The Epistle to the Hebrews, pp. 12–15)

Early Church Testimony

Early Christian writers disagreed over the authorship of Hebrews.

In the eastern church, figures such as Clement of Alexandria suggested that Paul was the ultimate source of Hebrews, proposing that the letter was originally written in Hebrew and later translated into Greek by Luke. Clement accepted Pauline authority while acknowledging stylistic differences.

(Clement of Alexandria, cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History6.14.2)

Origen famously summarized the difficulty of the question, noting similarities with Paul’s theology while admitting uncertainty about authorship. He concluded that only God truly knows who wrote Hebrews, a statement that shaped later Christian reflection.

(Origen, cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 6.25.14)

In the western church, Hebrews was slower to gain acceptance precisely because its authorship was uncertain. Over time, however, the book was received as Scripture based on its theological depth and consistency with apostolic teaching.

(Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.3.5)

Proposed Authors in Christian Tradition

Several candidates have been proposed throughout church history.

Paul was suggested early due to theological overlap, but differences in style, vocabulary, and rhetorical structure make direct Pauline authorship unlikely.

Barnabas has been proposed because of his Levitical background and close association with Paul, which could explain Hebrews’ focus on priesthood and sacrifice.

Apollos, described in Acts as eloquent and well-versed in Scripture, has gained significant support among modern scholars as a plausible author who fits Hebrews’ rhetorical and theological profile.

Priscilla has also been suggested by some modern scholars, though this view remains speculative and lacks early textual support.

(Attridge, Hebrews, pp. 6–9; Koester, Hebrews, pp. 47–51)

Modern Scholarly Consensus

Modern scholarship agrees on several key points despite disagreement over the author’s identity. The author of Hebrews was highly educated, trained in rhetoric, deeply immersed in Jewish Scripture, and writing to a community facing discouragement and potential persecution.

Most scholars conclude that Hebrews was written between approximately 60–90 CE and reflects a context of growing separation between Christian communities and their Jewish roots.

(Collins, Introduction to the New Testament, pp. 491–495)

Craig Koester emphasizes that Hebrews’ authority does not depend on knowing the author’s name. Instead, its power lies in its theological coherence, Christ-centered interpretation of Scripture, and pastoral urgency.

(Koester, Hebrews, pp. 60–63)

Inspiration and Authority

Hebrews provides one of the clearest examples of how inspiration functions independently of named authorship. The church ultimately recognized Hebrews as Scripture not because of certainty about who wrote it, but because it faithfully proclaimed Christ, interpreted Scripture responsibly, and shaped Christian belief and practice.

The book reminds readers that God’s word can come through voices whose names are lost but whose testimony endures.

(Wright, Paul and the Faithfulness of God, pp. 566–570)

Conclusion

The author of Hebrews remains unknown. Early Christians proposed several possibilities, and modern scholars continue to evaluate the evidence. What remains clear is that Hebrews was written by a deeply learned Jewish Christian closely connected to the apostolic world.

Its authority rests not on a signature but on its enduring witness to Christ as the faithful high priest and mediator of the new covenant.

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