Hebrews 1:1–2 (which opens the book by saying God has “spoken to us by his Son”) is part of a short New Testament letter whose human authorship has been debated since the early church. From an evangelical Christian perspective the answer is usually given in one of two ways: the traditional evangelical position that Paul wrote Hebrews, or a more cautious/contemporary evangelical view that a gifted early Christian teacher other than Paul—commonly suggested candidates include Apollos or Barnabas—wrote it.
Key points evangelicals typically consider
– Early tradition and the “Pauline” position
– For many centuries (especially in the Western church and in many evangelical circles) Hebrews was included among Paul’s letters. Early supporters pointed to theological continuity (strong Christ-centred theology, fulfillment of the Old Testament) and the book’s importance for Pauline-style gospel teaching.
– Arguments for Pauline authorship emphasize early church attributions and the book’s robust Christology and soteriology, which fit well with Paul’s concerns.
– Reasons many evangelical scholars reject or question Pauline authorship
– Style and language: Hebrews is written in very polished, Hellenistic Greek, noticeably different from the style of Paul’s undisputed letters.
– Lack of personal Pauline features: Hebrews lacks Paul’s typical introductory greeting (“Paul, an apostle…”), his personal travel plans, and his signature closing greetings.
– Vocabulary and theological emphases: Hebrews uses some terms and rhetorical patterns rare in Paul’s letters and draws heavily on priestly/temple imagery in a way that differs from Paul’s usual emphases.
– Leading alternative candidates within evangelical discussion
– Apollos: Frequently suggested because Acts describes Apollos as eloquent, a learned Alexandrian (good with Greek and Scripture), and someone who powerfully taught about Jesus. The polished Greek and learned use of Scripture in Hebrews fit that profile, so many evangelicals today see Apollos as a plausible author.
– Barnabas: Early church tradition (in some circles) named Barnabas; he was a Levite (Acts 4:36) and close to Paul—argued by some to fit Hebrews’ priestly interests.
– Priscilla, Luke, Clement and others: Various scholars have proposed other names; Priscilla is suggested by some because of perceived literary reasons and early hints that a female teacher may have been involved. No consensus exists.
– Anonymous/Hellenistic Jewish Christian: Many evangelicals accept that the author may be an otherwise unknown, highly educated Jewish-Christian teacher from a Hellenistic background.
A balanced evangelical conclusion
– There is no unanimity. Historically many evangelicals accepted Paul; in contemporary evangelical scholarship Apollos (or an Alexandrian, Hellenistic Jewish Christian) is widely considered a strong candidate because of the Greek style and rhetorical method.
– Most evangelicals, however, emphasize that authorship questions do not affect the book’s authority or theological importance. Hebrews 1:1–2 remains a foundational, Christ-centered revelation: God’s final speaking is in his Son.
Further reading (evangelical-friendly)
– F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews (commentary) — classic evangelical treatment.
– George H. Guthrie, Hebrews (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) — recent evangelical commentary that interacts with authorship issues.
If you’d like, I can summarize the main arguments for Apollos or for Paul in more detail, or list what several prominent evangelical scholars conclude. Which would you prefer?
