The Mystery of Hebrews: Unveiling the Authorship & Exalting Christ

Hebrews, one of the most enigmatic books in the New Testament, has long puzzled scholars and readers alike. Unlike most New Testament letters, Hebrews does not begin with the name of its author, leaving us with the enduring mystery of who wrote it. While early church history suggests that many believed Paul to be the author, the resurgence of Greek scholarship during the Reformation led to doubts about Pauline authorship. The stylistic differences between Hebrews and Paul's other letters further cast doubt on this theory.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the authorship of Hebrews, its authority and canonicity have stood the test of time. Christians have recognized the voice of Christ in this epistle for two thousand years, finding its message to be God-breathed and valuable, regardless of the author's identity. In this article, we will explore the various theories about the possible authors of Hebrews and the evidence supporting each theory. Ultimately, we will see that the true value of Hebrews lies not in its authorship, but in its proclamation of the superiority of Christ.

One of the earliest suggestions for the author of Hebrews was Barnabas, a companion of Paul during their missionary journeys. However, the separation between Paul and Barnabas, as described in Acts, makes it unlikely that Barnabas would have authored Hebrews. Another candidate is Silas, who also traveled with Paul and is mentioned in the opening of 1 Peter. However, there is no direct evidence linking Silas to the authorship of Hebrews.

A more popular suggestion is Apollos, a Jewish man from Alexandria who is described in Acts as an eloquent and knowledgeable speaker. Martin Luther, the German Reformer, even suggested Apollos as the author of Hebrews, noting the similarity in style between Hebrews and Apollos' known writings. However, the lack of explicit references to Apollos as the author in early church writings raises doubts about this theory.

One of the most prominent theories proposes Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, as the writer of Hebrews. Origen, an early church father, noted the stylistic similarities between Hebrews and Luke-Acts. John Calvin and Franz Delitzsch also favored Luke as the author. Luke's Greek writing style is considered superior to Paul's, which aligns with the elegant Greek found in Hebrews. While this theory has gained traction, we cannot be certain of Luke's authorship, and it remains a possibility rather than a certainty.

Despite our uncertainty about the author, the canonicity of Hebrews has never been seriously challenged. The early church recognized its apostolic authority and the essential apostolic deposit contained within its pages. The epistle's theology and its powerful witness to Christ's glory and work in the world have been consistently acknowledged by the church throughout history. Hebrews has been received as Holy Scripture, not because of the author's identity, but because of the supernatural encounter between the risen Christ and his people that it manifests.

In Hebrews, the author repeatedly emphasizes the superiority of Christ. Whether it is his superiority over the angels, Moses, Joshua, or even the Old Testament priesthood, Hebrews proclaims that Jesus is better. The author invites readers to look to Jesus, to consider him as the source of our hope, and to run the race of faith with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on him. Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is the better sacrifice, the better covenant, and the better mediator.

As we read Hebrews, we may be tempted to focus on the mystery of the author's identity, but that is not the true value of this epistle. Hebrews exalts Christ and invites us to behold his glory. Its message is not dependent on knowing who wrote it but on hearing the voice of Christ speaking through its words. The supernatural encounter between God and his people, as revealed in Scripture, is what truly matters. Hebrews, regardless of its author, proclaims the peculiar glory of God in Christ to his people.

Let us not be discouraged by the riddle of Hebrews' authorship but instead be captivated by the surpassing greatness of Christ. The mystery of the authorship should not distract us from the profound truths contained within this epistle. Instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who is better than anything the world has to offer. In the end, the true reward lies in knowing and experiencing the glorious presence of Christ, not in knowing the name of the human author of Hebrews.