WHO WROTE:  In William Tyndale’s 1526 A.D. New Testament, the title of this Book is, “Paul to the Hebrews.”  Clement of Rome, and in particular Clement of Alexandria, refer to Paul as expressly being the writer of the Book of Hebrews, on the authority of Pantaenus, chief of the Catechetical school in Alexandria (middle of Second Century).  Eusebius, in his work “Hist. Eccl.,” 6:14, attributes Paul as being the author of the Book of Hebrews.

 

That this Book was written by Paul, see GC:88:346 & 411 & 412-413; GC:347 & 411 & 413 & 416-417 & 420 & 421 & 436 & 512; HP:268; MH:167; PH069:11; PP:294 & 357; SpM:292; UL:111; 5T:651; 8T:79-80; 11MR:232; 12MR:12; 1888M:307; Advocate, November 1, 1899; RH, March 7, 1912.

 

Again, establishing that this Book was written by Paul, according to Second Peter 3:15, Paul is the author, because, “even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.”  The “unto you” is obvious in that Peter was writing to his Hebrew brethren and the “brother” title belongs to fellow Jews.  Therefore, if the Book of Hebrews was not written by Paul, then there is a missing letter written by Paul to the Hebrews.  Also, according to Second Peter 3:16, Pater calls Paul’s writing to the Hebrews as “Scripture.”  Only a Book included in the Canon can be called as “Scripture.”

 

To further prove that Paul wrote this Book, here is my Second Thessalonians 3:17 Note: “the token in every Epistle” = Paul’s signature, or better, this is his common phrase.  What Paul calls here his “token,” is contained in the phrase of verse 18:  “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.”  That this is Paul’s common phrase can be proven by seeing Romans 16:24; First Corinthians 16:23-24; Second Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 6:18; Ephesians 6:24; Philippians 4:23; Colossians 4:18; First Thessalonians 5:28; Second Thessalonians 3:18; First Timothy 6:21; Second Timothy 4:22; Titus 3:15; Philemon 1:25; and of course, Hebrews 13:25.

 

By the way:  No other Bible writer uses this particular phrase; essentially proving Paul to be the author of the Book of Hebrews.  The one exception is found in Second Peter 3:18; but even this is overruled in that Peter uses it as an exhortation and not as Paul does, i.e., that of a salutation or a blessing.

 

Many current Biblical Scholars are now considering the possibility that Paul preached a sermon to the Jews (in this Book of Hebrews), and that Luke was the one who wrote it down; simply because it is somewhat in the style of Luke.

 

It is also interesting to note that above our Lord’s head at the time of His crucifixion is an inscription in three languages:  Latin, Greek, and Hebrew (Luke 23:38; John 19:20).  Note that it is Paul who wrote to the Romans (the Book of Romans), the Greeks (the Books to the Corinthians), and to the Hebrews (this Book of Hebrews), covering all three of the major languages, just as Pilot did.

 

In the Book of Romans, 8:35-39, Paul lists 17 things that cannot separate you from the Love of Christ.  In the Book of Galatians, 5:19-21, Paul lists 17 things that cannot separate you from the Love of Christ.  And here, in the Book of Hebrews, 12:18-24, lists 17 things that cannot separate you from the Love of Christ.

 

Paul uses the Greek word “uihos,” meaning “sons” (Heb. 2:10; 7:5; 11:21; 12:7 & 8).  Whereas other New Testament writers use a similar Greek word “teknon,” meaning “children.”  This alludes to Paul’s style.

 

Paul is the “only one” to use the phrase, “Pray for us,” Hebrews 13:18 (see (1Th. 5:25; 2Th. 3:1).  While on the other hand, Paul is the only one who quotes Habakkuk 2:4, “The just shall live by faith.”  See Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; then Hebrews 10:38.

 

In Hebrews 10:30, Paul is loosely quoting Deuteronomy 32:35-36.  Paul uses his own rendering of this in Romans 12:19.  This is just another indication that Paul is the author of the Book of Hebrews.

 

Lastly, Paul is admonished by our Lord Himself, that Paul should speak to “Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel,” Acts 9:15.  That is a mandate from God.

 

So why did not Paul personally put his name onto the writing of this Book.  It was well recognized by the First Century Church that Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), and wanted to be known as such.  In fact, whenever Paul did speak to the Jews there was always a riot.  Thus, if the Epistle was to be read and accepted by the Hebrews, he had to remain anonymous.  Paul is ultimately, in writing to the Jews, working with “them which say they are Jews, and are not,” Revelation 2:9 & 3:9.  Those who will love Christ at the end of reading this letter to the Hebrew nation will understand the spirituality of this Book.  Whereas the un-spiritually minded Jews will not believe, but be of “the synagogue of Satan,” ibid.  According to First Corinthians 9:20-21, all Paul cared about was everyone’s salvation, to the point he would take upon himself whatever character was needed in order to accomplish that mission.

 

 

WHAT TIME PERIOD IS COVERED:  61 A.D. - 63 A.D.?

 

 

WHEN WRITTEN:  This Epistle was in all probability written at Rome, near the close of Paul’s two years of imprisonment (61 or 62 A.D.; see Acts 28:30 & Heb. 13:19; then my Heb. 13:24 Note).  It was certainly written before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (Heb. 13:10).  Obviously then, Timothy could not be the bearer or writer of It (see Heb. 13:23).  Maybe part of it as dictated by Paul.

 

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INTRODUCTION:  INTRODUCTION:  The entire purpose for the writing of the Book of Hebrews is to point out the principle of “Transference.”  One of the earthly ministrations of priesthood to that of a Heavenly Priesthood; an earthly Levitical system to a Heavenly Christly system; from an earthly Sanctuary to a Heavenly Sanctuary.  Revelation 11:19 teaches us that, “And the Temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in His Temple the Ark of His Testament.”  In other words, the earthly Ten Commandments are in reality originated from Heaven and in Heaven; and we no longer have a Levitical priesthood, we have Jesus.

 

Any Book written by Paul must be classified with this important statement from Peter, that all the writings of Paul are “hard to be understood,” Second Peter 3:16.  This Book is the Leviticus of the New Testament.

 

Here is an exert from my Introduction to the Book of Leviticus:  The principles on which the Epistle to the Hebrewsis to be interpreted are laid down in the Book of Leviticus.  We cannot read the Epistle to the Hebrews and not acknowledge that the Levitical priests “serve unto the example and shadow of Heavenly things,” Hebrews 8:5.  That the sacrifices of the Law pointed to, and found their interpretation in the Lamb of God, of which these principles were established in the Book of Leviticus and cannot be denied nor understood without command of the Book of Leviticus.  Therefore, those who attempt to understand the Book of Hebrews need first to venture into the Book of Leviticus to catch at least a flavoring of understanding of both Books.

 

One of the most significant breakdowns of the Sanctuary, and as such, the most important feature of the Book of Hebrews, in regards to the Sanctuary only (our Lord’s breakdown is the MOST important), is found in Hebrews, Chapter Nine, verses 1-3, which lay out the Sanctuary correctly; thus making it easy to apply for the entire New Testament.  Here is the breakdown for the Book of Hebrews:

 

“Hagia” and “Skene” should be translated as “Sanctuary” in:  9:1.

“Ta Hagia” should be translated as “Holy Place” in:  8:2; 9:2; 9:8; 9:12; 9:24; 9:25; 10:19; 13:11.

“Hagia Hagion” Should be translated as “Most Holy Place” in:  9:3 & 8.

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