Hebrews: Who is the author of this book in the Bible?
As you may already know, there’s not a statement anywhere in the book of Hebrews or anywhere else in Scripture that answers this question for us. I think if the answer to this question was important for us to know, that information would be given somewhere in our Bible. But, to me, there are at least three passages of Scripture that settle the question about the authorship of the book of Hebrews as this relates to the apostle Paul.
1st—2 Peter 3:15
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [Emphasis added]
It is believed by many that this is a clear indication that Paul wrote to the Hebrews and what we know as the book of Hebrews must be that letter. However, if you survey the book of Hebrews, you will find that the author doesn’t write anything in that book on this subject-matter. The longsuffering of Christ related to The Second Coming of Christ is nowhere to be found in the book of Hebrews. Therefore, if Paul had written to them, it could not have been that book.
2nd—2 Thessalonians 3:17
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in EVERY epistle: so I write. [Emphasis added]
Paul did not sign the book of Hebrews with his name, so how could it have been written by him? It seems to me this alone should settle the matter in question. Obviously, with a statement like this, if Paul had written this book we’d have his signature on it.
3rd—Hebrews 10:26-27
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [Emphasis added]
Old Testament believers did not have eternal security as we do today as members of The Body of Christ. I have articles about all this on this website—
Salvation: Do we have to endure in faith to the end?
Salvation: Is the salvation of a believer secure?
The people of Israel’s salvation were not finalized until the day they died. Please note that the author identifies himself with Israel, not The Body of Christ. This cannot be Paul. He says, “if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. The “certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” does not refer to simply verbal rebuke. That “fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” is just what it sounds like.
Many pastors and authors for whom I respect believe Paul was the author of Hebrews. They all have their reasoning for believing as they do. But, to me, the above three items [and more] dismiss all their reasoning as unsatisfactory “evidence” that Paul was the author. I don’t know who the human author was, but it was not the apostle Paul, and I don’t even think it is important that we know. If it was, I believe it would be plainly stated in the epistle.
As members of The Body of Christ, we all have some degree of reward waiting for us in eternity. There will be nothing that in any way even resembles suffering and punishment. But observance of items in The Mosaic Law like tithing will not contribute to our rewards in Heaven at all. That represents improper and unfaithful stewardship of the mystery truths. I have articles about spiritual giving for today on this website—
Giving: Are believers supposed to tithe?
Giving: What are the basics on giving?
I remind you again of Paul’s words.
I Corinthians 11:1
1 Be ye followers of me [Paul], even as I also am of Christ. [Emphasis added]
All the above in this article was taken from my book—22 Key Promises You Can Count On. This book and more can be ordered through our website—4Us2UsMinistries.com
