The authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews is a much debated subject! The following are some reasons why the Apostle Paul may be its author:
“My Chains”
Heb 10:34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
Paul is the only writer to reference my chains in the New Testament, and he does so 9 times (Php 1:7, 13, 14, 16, Col 4:18, 2Ti 1:16, 2:9, Phm 1:10, 13).
My chains coincides with Paul’s letters written during either his…
1st Roman imprisonment (60-62AD): Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (aka The Prison Epistles)
2nd Roman imprisonment (67AD): 2nd Timothy
“Timothy” and “Italy”
Heb 13:23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. 24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
Timothy was Paul’s closest associate
1Co 4:17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
Php 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.
20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.
Paul was “bound” for Italy
Ac 27:1 ¶ And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.
Ac 28:30 ¶ Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house [in Rome], and received all who came to him,
“Hebrew of Hebrews”
Php 3:4 ¶ though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee
Q: Who would have been more qualified to address the Jews than Paul, the Hebrew of Hebrews?
“My Countrymen”
Ro 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
Paul loved his brethren to such a degree that, if it were possible, he would have been willing to be accursed for their sake!
Wide Circulation
In order for the Epistle to the Hebrews to be received authoritatively, it had to be authored by a significant church leader. With the exception of the Epistle of James (the half-brother of Jesus), all other NT writings have apostolic origins.
Compliment to the Epistle to the Romans
Just as the Epistle to the Romans was written by Paul for the Gentiles, Hebrews may have been written by Paul for the Jews.
So… why is it important to know who wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews? Well, actually it isn’t – not enough, anyway, that the Holy Spirit wouldn’t have included the information instead of remaining silent. All the same, the study of Paul’s life as it relates to his Hebrew brethren and to the Gentiles is inspiring!
Ac 26:22 “Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I [Paul] stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come–
23 “that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”