OUTLINE:

Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews?
There’s no consensus among theologians on who wrote the Book of Hebrews. In antiquity, arguments were made for Paul, Barnabas, Luke, and Clement of Rome. In recent times, Apollos, Sylvanus, Philip (the deacon), Priscilla/Aquila, Jude, Aristion, and others have been suggested. The writer is anonymous because we don’t have enough evidence to dogmatically support any one candidate.

The Writer of Hebrews
He was known to his audience (v13:19). He was a man (v11:32).

The Writer of Hebrews
He was part of what we might effectively call “the Pauline circle” (v13:22-23) who numbered himself among those who had heard the Gospel from those who heard it from Jesus, directly (v2:3-4).

The Writer of Hebrews
He wrote distinctly different than Paul, using imagery alien to Paul (v2:1, 4:12-13; 6:7-8; 19).

The Writer of Hebrews
He leaned heavily on Hellenistic Jewish cultic perspective to relate to his audience (ref: priesthood and sacrifices).

Don’t Be a Lazy Reader
Never skip over the opening remarks of the writer of a book, for that is often where he plainly reveals himself and his audience, which helps sets context for the book.

William L. Lane on Hebrews
“The writer may be characterized as an intensely religious man. For him Christianity is an expression of God’s new cultic action.”

W. G. Johnsson on Hebrews
“Johnsson suggested that cultic categories were ingrained in the mind of the writer…Moreover, he lived in a society where cults and cultic sacrifice were command and in which “structures” of thought such as those of defilement, blood, and purgation were the common property of devoutly religious persons.” - Lane

William L. Lane on Hebrews
“Hebrews proves to be a unique blend of Christology and primitive Christian eschatology within a cultic frame of reference.”

The Audience of Hebrews
The message was prepared for a specific local group who considered themselves Christians and were distinguished from leadership, though intimate with them (past and present). (Heb 13:17, 24)

The Audience of Hebrews
It is very likely that the local assembly was a house church located in an urban setting and that it had been depleted by defections. (Heb 10:25; 13:1-6, 14)

Apostate – from apostasia
Apostasy is defection from the Truth (1Th 2:3). An apostate is a person who once claimed to be a Christian but has since renounced the faith. This defection demonstrates their faith was never genuine. (1Ti 4:1; 1Jn 2:19)

The Audience of Hebrews
It is very likely that the local assembly was a house church located in an urban setting and that it had been depleted by defections. (Heb 10:25; 13:1-6, 14)