9 Question 5

This is a question that has puzzled people for years.  I have read articles debating the authorship of this book.  It seems that most who have an opinion as to who wrote the book of Hebrews believe that the Apostle Paul wrote it.  However, many scholars disagree with this, saying that the writing style of Hebrews is different than the writing style of the other books that Paul wrote.

Without being dogmatic about it, I think that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews.  Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.  A Gentile is anyone that isn’t Jewish.  If you look at all the books in the Bible that we know that Paul wrote, they are all to Gentile people.  However, Peter in his book to the Jewish people wrote this in 2 Peter 3:14-16 – “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 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; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”  In this portion, Peter makes reference to the fact that Paul had written to the Jewish people.  Which book did Paul write to the Jewish people?  I believe it was the Book of Hebrews.  Again, I would not insist upon this.  There is no point in making an argument where there is nothing to be gained.

However, there is one thing that I am absolutely adamant about.  The true author of the Book of Hebrews is the Lord, Himself.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  Did you notice in Peter’s words when we read 2 Peter 3:14-16 that he referred to Paul’s writings as scripture?  Peter acknowledged that the writings of Paul were inspired of the Lord.  The Bible in its entirety, from Genesis to Revelation was given by inspiration of God, or literally, it means that all scripture is God-breathed.  2 Peter 1:21 tells us, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  Now, of course, this means that in the original manuscripts, the scriptures are perfect.  They are without mistake.  So, the next time someone asks you who wrote the Book of Hebrews, you just tell them that the Lord wrote it.  (9.5)