What everyone asks about Hebrews: “Who do you think wrote it?”
What Hebrews asks us instead: “Who do you think Melchizedek is, and what does he have to do with the Son of God?”
As it turns out, this is the kind of question that actually matters most. More important than figuring out who wrote the letter is understanding how the word of God is about and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. That is what the author focuses on, and that is how we go on to maturity, hold fast our confession, and endure to the end with joy.
Our stance on the authorship of Hebrews is that the author is simply unknown. There is compelling evidence both for and against the Apostle Paul. For the best argument in favor of him, see John Owen.1John Owen, An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Volume 1, ed. W. H. Goold, The Works of John Owen, vol. 18 (Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter, 1854), 65-95. For arguments against Pauline authorship, and also a good overview of the Pauline tradition, see Paul Ellingworth.2Paul Ellingworth, The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1993), 3-21. But as the church father Origen (third century) once remarked, “Who wrote the epistle, in truth, God knows.”3Eusebius of Caesaria, “The Church History of Eusebius,” in Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, and Oration in Praise of Constantine, ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, trans. Arthur Cushman McGiffert, vol. 1, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1890), 273.
Recommended Resources
Here are some helpful guides through the book of Hebrews from authors that span the broader Protestant tradition (Anglican, Baptist, Reformed, Wesleyan).
- Hebrews: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries), David G. Peterson
- Hebrews (Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary), Thomas R. Schreiner
- Perfect Priest for Weary Pilgrims: A Theology of Hebrews, Dennis E. Johnson
- Hebrews: A Call to Commitment, William Lane.
If you’re a podcast person, the Theopolis Podcast has an outstanding series where a group of pastors and bible scholars (Peter Leithart, Alastair Roberts, James Bejon, and Jeffrey Meyers) work through the entire book of Hebrews. You can find it on all major podcast platforms.
As always, Bible Project has an excellent animated overview worth checking out as well.
Matt Bedzyk is the lead pastor of Emmanuel Community Church where he has faithfully served in many capacities for most of his life. He received his Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and currently oversees preaching and liturgy. Matt and his wife Brianna have four children: Lorien, Owen, Vivian, and Simon. In his spare time, you can find him brewing coffee, enjoying music, quoting Frasier with his wife, and dancing with his kids.
