The authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews has been a subject of considerable debate and mystery within Christian scholarship. Unlike other New Testament epistles, Hebrews does not begin with a customary greeting that identifies the author, leaving its authorship anonymous. Despite this, the epistle has been accepted into the canon of Scripture due to its theological depth, apostolic authority, and early church acceptance.

Historical Context and Early Church Views

The early church fathers offered various opinions on the authorship of Hebrews. Clement of Alexandria suggested that Paul wrote it in Hebrew and that Luke translated it into Greek. Origen, another early church father, famously stated, "Who wrote the epistle, in truth, God knows." This reflects the uncertainty and diversity of thought regarding its authorship even in the early centuries of the church.

Pauline Authorship

A traditional view held by some in the early church is that the Apostle Paul authored Hebrews. This view is supported by the epistle's deep theological insights and its focus on Christ's priesthood, themes consistent with Paul's other writings. However, the absence of Paul's customary greeting and the distinct Greek style and vocabulary have led many scholars to question this attribution. Hebrews 2:3, which states, "This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him," suggests that the author was not an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry, which would be inconsistent with Paul's self-identification as an apostle who received revelation directly from Christ (Galatians 1:12).

Other Proposed Authors

Several other figures have been proposed as potential authors of Hebrews:

1. Barnabas: A companion of Paul, Barnabas was a Levite, which might explain the epistle's detailed knowledge of Jewish rituals and the priesthood. Tertullian, an early church father, suggested Barnabas as the author.

2. Apollos: Martin Luther proposed Apollos, an eloquent speaker and knowledgeable in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24), as a possible author. Apollos' Alexandrian background might account for the sophisticated Greek style of the epistle.

3. Luke: Some have suggested Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, due to similarities in language and style between Hebrews and the Gospel of Luke and Acts.

4. Priscilla: A more modern hypothesis is that Priscilla, a prominent early Christian teacher, authored the epistle. This theory posits that the anonymity was intentional to protect her authority in a male-dominated society.

Theological Themes

Regardless of its human authorship, the Epistle to the Hebrews is a profound theological work that emphasizes the supremacy of Christ. It presents Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God, superior to angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews 1:3 declares, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." The epistle also explores the new covenant established through Christ's sacrificial death, contrasting it with the old covenant and emphasizing the once-for-all nature of His atonement (Hebrews 9:12).

Canonical Acceptance

Despite the uncertainty surrounding its authorship, the Epistle to the Hebrews was accepted into the New Testament canon due to its apostolic authority and consistent theological message. The early church recognized its value in articulating the person and work of Christ, and it has been a source of encouragement and doctrinal teaching for believers throughout the centuries.