WHO WROTE HEBREWS?
Paul? Hugo McCord wrote: "The caption in the KJV, 'The Epistle of Paul the Apostles to the Hebrews,' cannot be accurate, for Paul put his name on every letter than he wrote: 'The salutation of Paul, with my hand, which is the sign in every letter' (2 Th 3:17)." McCord further stated, "the author of the book of Hebrws received his inspiration, not by a 'revelation of Jesus Christ' (as did Paul, Ga 1:12), but second hand from those who had 'heard' Jesus (He 2:3)."
Barnabas? About 200 AD, a document suggested that Barnabas was the author of Hebrews. In support of this suggestion, it is observed that Barnabas was the "Son of exhortation [Greek: paraklesis]" (Acts 4:36 ASV), and that Hebrews was "the word of exhortation [Greek: paraklesis]" (Hebrews 13:22 ASV). It is also observed that Barnabas was from the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36), a tribe of which Hebrews has much to say (e.g., Hebrews 7:5-9).
Apollos? Martin Luther (after whom the Lutheran Church is named) thought Apollos was the author. In support of this, we know that Apollos was native to Alexandria (Acts 18:24), and the Old Testament quotations in Hebrews come from the Septuagint, which was made in Alexandria. Other characteristics of Apollos also fit the author of Hebrews: "eloquent, "competent in the Scriptures," "fervent in spirit," and he "powerfully refuted the Jews" (Acts 18:24-28 ESV).
Priscilla? Priscilla has also been suggested as the author. However, when the writer of Hebrews says, "I do not have time to tell about Gideon" and others (Hebrews 11:32 TNIV) the expression to tell, "Translates the masculine form of a Greek verb, indicating that the author of Hebrews was a man" (TNIV Study Bible).
Conclusion: As our brother James Thompson wrote, "One must conclude with Origen (early third century) that, regarding the authorship of Hebrews, 'only God knows.' The authority and significance of the book is dervied from its contents, not from knowing who was the author."
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