Wednesday 11th March 2020 Devotion
Scripture:- Hebrews 13
Topic:- Who Wrote The Book Of Hebrews [1]
Text:- Hebrews 12:2
A. Who wrote the Book of Hebrews? Who was the Author of Hebrews?:
1. Theologically speaking, scholars generally regard the book of Hebrews to be second in importance only to Paul’s letter to the Romans in the New Testament.
2. No other book so eloquently defines Christ as high priest of Christianity, superior to the Aaronic Priesthood, and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. This book presents Christ as the Author and Perfecter of our faith. See Hebrews 12:2.
B. However, both the authorship and audience are in question:
1. The title, “To the Hebrews,” which appears in the earliest known copy of the epistle is not a part of the original manuscript.
2. There is no salutation, the letter simply begins with the assertion that Jesus, the Son of God, has appeared, atoned for our sins, and is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven. See Hebrews 1:1-4.
3. The letter closes with the words “Grace be with you all” which is the same closing found in each of Paul’s known letters. See Hebrews 13:25 Romans 16:20 ; 1 Corinthians 16:23.
4. However, it should be noted that Peter used similar—though not identical—closings. See 1 Peter 5:14; 2 Peter 3:18.
5. Possibly that it was simply customary to close letters like this with the words “Grace be with you all” during this time period.
6. Church tradition teaches that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. However, though a vast majority of Christians—both and scholars and the laity—still believe Paul wrote the book, there are some tempting reasons to think otherwise.
7. First and foremost is the lack of a salutation. Some sort of personal salutation from Paul appears in all of his letters. So it would seem that writing anonymously is not his usual method; therefore, the reasoning goes, Hebrews cannot be one of his letters.
8. Second, the overall composition and style is of a person who is a very sophisticated writer. Even though he was certainly a sophisticated communicator, Paul stated that he purposely did not speak with a commanding vocabulary. See 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:1; 2 Corinthians 11:6.
9. The book of Hebrews quotes extensively from the Old Testament. Paul, as a Pharisee, would have been familiar with the Scripture in its original Hebrew language. In other letters, Paul either quotes the Masoretic Text (the original Hebrew) or paraphrases it.
10. However, all of the quotes in this epistle are taken out of the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), which is inconsistent with Paul’s usage.
11. Finally, Paul was an apostle who claimed to receive his revelations directly from the Lord Jesus. See 1 Corinthians 11:23; Galatians 1:12.
12. The writer of Hebrews specifically says that he was taught by an apostle. See Hebrews 2:3.
Prayer Point:- Oh Lord God, make me a tool in Your hand for Your use henceforth by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ
Happy Mid-Week!
