Hebrews 1:1

God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He also made the worlds.

Who wrote the book of Hebrews? A look at the internal evidence behind one of Scripture's most debated questions.

Setting Up the Series

I feel it's somewhat necessary to preface this message, because it isn't exactly like the messages I typically deliver—it's a little more academic, so I ask that you bear with me. As we prepare to launch into a verse-by-verse exposition of Hebrews, which we officially start next week, it's helpful to set up the series, as we've been doing the last three weeks.

Because of that preface, I think it's important to take a moment to talk about the author of Hebrews. If you're new to the Bible, this is probably something you've never thought about, and that's perfectly okay. But if you've been around the Bible for a while, you know there's some discussion here. The book of Hebrews is slightly different from many of the other books that make up the New Testament.

A Letter Without a Name

Most of the New Testament is comprised of letters called epistles, written by apostles. From Romans through Jude you have that big section of the New Testament, all letters written by individuals to individuals or to churches. Paul's letters all begin the same way, with his name at the very beginning—that was the customary way to begin a letter in the first century. Whether you read Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, or Philemon, they begin, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ," or "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ."

It wasn't just Paul. James begins, "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." Jude begins, "Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James." Peter's letters begin "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ" and "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle." The customary way to write a first-century letter was to announce yourself at the very front.

But Hebrews 1:1 doesn't begin like that. It's fairly unique among the New Testament letters. On a number of occasions over the last several weeks, people in the church have stopped me and asked, "So who wrote the book of Hebrews?" This is one of those nerdy Bible questions people like to talk about, so this will be like our nerdy Bible study today.

The Wise Guy Answer

When I've asked people who they think wrote Hebrews, some have said, "God wrote the book of Hebrews." In all honesty, I could be a bit of a wise guy and say that, and it would be perfectly acceptable. In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul writes that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God—the NIV says "God-breathed." Peter writes that holy men of God wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

So Scripture is given by divine inspiration. This is one of the core tenets of the Christian faith, and God is the ultimate author of Hebrews. But the wise guy answer aside, it would be a cop-out to stop there. Who is the holy hand that God, by the Holy Spirit, moved to write these thirteen chapters?

Why Authorship Matters

Before we get to the answer, you might be asking a different question: why does this even matter? Authorship matters for two reasons—authority and legitimacy.

Every New Testament book—there are 27—was either written by an apostle or had an apostle's endorsement. There was either apostolic authorship or apostolic endorsement. The Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi, was already established under Judaism, and Christianity carried on that tradition. But the 27 New Testament books were discussed in councils in the early church, especially in the second, third, and fourth centuries AD, where it was determined what books belonged in the canon. Some letters and even some so-called gospels were set aside because authorship was unknown or because they were written far outside the first century.

The Foundation of the Apostles

The church was established upon the life, ministry, and teaching of Jesus, and also upon the doctrine of the apostles. At the birth of the church on Pentecost, Acts 2:42 says the early church "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine." Later, in Acts 6, the apostles said they would not depart from the word of God and prayer. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul says the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone.

What was so special about these men? Two things set them apart with distinct authority. First, they were eyewitnesses of the risen Lord Jesus. Second, they were directly commissioned to the work by Jesus. These were the disciples Jesus called after a night of prayer, who spent three years with Him. After His death the number went from twelve to eleven; the early church added a twelfth, and later God added the apostle Paul.

In Matthew 28:18, Jesus came to His disciples and said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." With His authority, He commissioned them to the work of teaching the apostles' doctrine.

These first-century apostles held a unique level of authority we do not believe was handed down to others. We do not hold to the concept of apostolic succession. Their unique authority is seen in that what they wrote and taught became the foundational doctrines of the church, often codified in books placed in the canon.

Who the Apostles Were

We think of Matthew, a follower of Jesus who saw the risen Lord and wrote the gospel of Matthew. John wrote his gospel, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Revelation. Paul, though not one of the early eleven, was revealed to by the risen Lord and commissioned an apostle, and God used him to write much of the New Testament. James, the brother of Jesus, wrote James; Jude, also a brother of Jesus, wrote Jude; and Peter wrote 1 and 2 Peter.

A few books I've left out—Mark, Luke, and Acts—received apostolic endorsement. It is commonly believed that Mark had the endorsement of Peter, so much so that some call it the gospel according to Peter. Luke, a traveling companion of Paul, wrote Luke and Acts under Paul's endorsement.

The Debate Over Hebrews

This leaves us with Hebrews, which stands uniquely among all the books of the Bible. There is actually a passionate debate over its authorship—even within this church. Years ago I taught a home Bible study through Hebrews, and we had quite a heated discussion about who wrote it.

This can be a real problem, because the questions surrounding Hebrews' authorship have caused some theologians to question its legitimacy and canonicity, and even its authority. Some within the church treat Hebrews as having a second-rate status, and some churches have practically ignored it. That's a big problem, because Hebrews has deep theological importance, especially regarding salvation (soteriology) and church structure (ecclesiology). We need to be able to trust that the Bible we read and study is the Bible as it should be.

The Possible Authors

If you've been around Hebrews for a while, your opinion is likely that Paul wrote it. Early church tradition held this, and Hebrews shows a strong knowledge of Hebrew tradition that Paul, a former Pharisee, certainly possessed. But there's a problem: Paul's letters all begin with his name, and Hebrews doesn't. Defenders point out that it ends like Paul's letters—every one of Paul's letters ends with the salutation "the grace of the Lord be with you," and Hebrews 13:25 ends, "Grace be with you all. Amen."

Others say it was Peter, since the author needed a good understanding of Hebrew background, and Galatians notes Peter was an apostle to the Jews while Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles. Martin Luther held strongly that it was Apollos, an eloquent early evangelist from Alexandria who ministered in Ephesus and Corinth. Still others argue for Barnabas, Paul's associate on his first missionary journey, or even Priscilla, the wife of Aquila, who ministered with Paul in Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome.

There are a lot of opinions. I sat down recently with three pastors, including my good friend David Guzik, who has written commentaries on nearly the entire Bible. He leaned across the table and asked, "Okay, who wrote the book of Hebrews?" Ask four pastors a direct question and you get seven opinions. But the bigger question isn't what tradition says—it's whether there is any internal evidence. And I'm here to tell you there is.

The Hebrews Author Covenant

Some of you are not going to like this evidence, so I want us to sign a covenant together: "I hereby promise that I will forthwith never argue with anyone about non-essential issues like who wrote the book of Hebrews." Sign your name and date it—February 26, 2017. I'm serious; I don't want any emails. Because I'm going to burst some bubbles.

A Second-Hand Hearer of the Gospel

The first bit of internal evidence is in Hebrews 2:1.

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away... how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?

Hebrews was written by a second-hand hearer of the gospel. This means Paul was not the author, and neither was Peter. In Galatians 1:11–12 Paul says, "the gospel which was preached by me was not according to man... but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." Paul received the gospel by direct revelation, not second-hand. In 1 Corinthians 11:23 he says, "I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you." Peter, too, heard the gospel directly from Jesus. So if you've passionately held that Paul wrote Hebrews—please see point number two.

Written by Someone in Chains

The next evidence is in Hebrews 10:32.

But recall the former days in which... you endured a great struggle with sufferings... for you had compassion on me in my chains.

Hebrews was written by someone in chains. You might say that points to Paul, who wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon, and 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus from prison. But Hebrews 2:3 already told us the author was a second-hand hearer of the gospel—so it can't be Paul.

The Septuagint Clue

There are nearly a hundred Old Testament references in Hebrews, some direct quotes. In the first century there were two primary sources for the Old Testament: the Hebrew Masoretic text and the Greek Septuagint, translated by about 70 Jewish scholars in the third century BC (hence the name, "the Seventy"). Jews living in Judea and Jerusalem generally used the Hebrew Masoretic text; Greek-speaking Jews outside Judea generally used the Septuagint.

Every Old Testament reference in Hebrews is taken straight out of the Septuagint. But Paul, in Romans, Corinthians, and Thessalonians, always quotes or paraphrases from the Hebrew Masoretic text. That's strike two for Paul—please see point number two.

Two Endings, Two Authors

So who wrote Hebrews? Turn to chapter 13. As we carefully consider the text, we find that Hebrews has two endings and two authors. The first ending begins at verse 17:

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive... pray for us, for we are confident that we have a good conscience... But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace... make you complete in every good work to do His will... through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Note three things. First, the author says "pray for us"—he's speaking of himself and at least one other person. Second, "pray that I may be restored to you quickly," which points back to the imprisonment of 10:34. Third, the glorious closing benediction concludes with "Amen" in verse 21. That ends the first portion of the letter—the previous thirteen chapters.

But then a second ending begins immediately in verse 22:

And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation; for I have written to you in few words. Know that our brother Timothy has been set free... Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Five things stand out. First, "bear with the word of exhortation"—a second author asks the readers to receive the heavy exhortations of the previous chapters. Second, "I have written to you in few words"—there are almost 7,000 words in Hebrews, but this short ending is only 62 words. Third, "Timothy has been set free"—encouragement that Timothy, apparently previously imprisoned, has now been freed. Fourth, "grace be with you all"—an ending many recognize as Paul's. Fifth, the conclusion, "Amen."

My Conclusion: Timothy and Paul

I am one hundred percent convinced the internal evidence supports the conclusion that Hebrews 1:1 through 13:21—the first ending—was written by Timothy while imprisoned later in Paul's life. Timothy was a second-hand hearer of the gospel; he heard it from Paul when Paul came to Lystra, where Timothy was born and raised. His mother and grandmother were Jewish, but his father was Greek, so his first language was Greek, and his Old Testament would have been the Septuagint. Hebrews even has a Pauline flair, which makes sense because Timothy was discipled by Paul.

I also believe the evidence supports that Hebrews 13:22–25—those short 62 words—were written as an apostolic endorsement by Paul of Timothy's letter, urging the readers to receive its exhortations. So if you thought Paul wrote Hebrews, you were kind of right—at least the last 62 words.

You're welcome to have a different opinion; everyone is entitled to be wrong. But you'd have to do so based on alternative facts, and you'd have to answer the internal evidence. My conclusion is that Timothy wrote Hebrews under the endorsement and tutelage of the apostle Paul. That's an important truth, because we want to know what we're studying has legitimacy and authority. As we go through this passage, we'll find some challenging things, and we need to recognize this is God-inspired for us, just as it was for these Hebrew Christians 2,000 years ago. God's word can and should be trusted.

Closing Prayer

Jesus, I thank You for Your word. As we're going to see in this book, it is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, and it cuts deep, Lord—it touches us at the soul level so that You can bring about transformation in our lives. I pray, God, that we would in some way be freed up as we study through this book to have our lives transformed by You and by Your grace, so that we would be able to manifest and share that grace with those we come in contact with. The world we live in is in desperate need of Your gospel of grace. Lord, we thank You that You love us so much that You've revealed Yourself, Your nature, and Your will to us in the pages of Scripture. Help us to learn it, memorize it, meditate upon it, and hold tightly to it. We ask this in Jesus' name, and all God's people said, Amen.