Did Paul Author Hebrews?

Jack Kilmon jkilmon at historian.net
Tue Sep 8 16:43:04 EDT 1998




CWestf5155 at aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 9/8/98 4:54:38 AM Mountain Daylight Time, thmann at juno.com
> writes:
>
> > Greetings All:
> >
> >  This is probably too involved a question for B-Greek, but I have been
> >  wondering what the pros and cons are (grammatically, syntactically, etc.)
> >  regarding the Pauline authorship of Hebrews.  Can anyone suggest a
> >  particularly well-balanced article or book dealing with this question?
> >  Many thanks.
> >
> >  Best in Christ,
> >
> >  Theodore "Ted" H. Mann
> >  thmann at juno.com
> >
>
> In addition to the introductions cited, P. Ellingworth discusses authorship in
> his <<Commentary on Hebrews>>, pp. 3-21. As he says, "The idea of Pauline
> authorship of Hebrews is now almost universally abandoned" (p. 3).
>
> To me, two things about the letter that are strikingly Pauline are the
> association of the triad of love, faith and hope (see particularly 10:10-25)

This association is addressed by Paul to the Corinthians, a mission towhich Apollos
was dispatched.  Apollos would have been very
familiar with this.

> and the association with Timothy in 13:23.

Who must have been well known...and also considered a "brother" to otherPauline
proteges...such as Apollos.

> In contrast, the style of Greek, the structure of the letter, the vocabulary
> selected, the way the OT is used and the way in which the author relates to
> the recipients (who are known to him) and interjects himself into the text is
> markedly different from Paul's other letters.

Yes..using very Philoesque formulae in beautiful Alexandrian Greek,also suggesting
Apollos who certainly would have been acquainted
with the Philo school, if not a member..prior to his leaving Alexandria
for Ephesus.

I think all indicators point to Apollos, at least among the known
associates of Paul or alternately another highly educated Alexandrian
emigre to Asia Minor...probably Ephesus.

Jack




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