A question about the Book of Hebrews?

Question

The 1st test of canonicity for a New Testament book of the Bible is that the book had to be written or backed by an apostle. In other words, it had to have an apostolic signature or apostolic authorization.
The authorship of Hebrews is uncertain, dating between 64 and 68 AD. Suggestions of the author include Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, Silas, Aquila and Priscilla, and Clement of Rome. Nevertheless, no one is certain of who the author of Hebrews was.
My question is, how and when was Hebrews included in Biblical canon.

Incidentally, I love Hebrews...one of the most wonderful books about faith in the New Testament! My question is of a historical nature. I have no ulterior motive to bring the Book of Hebrews into question.

Answer 1

In the fourth century, the church largely agreed to include Hebrews as the fourteenth letter of Paul. Jerome and Augustine of Hippo were influential in affirming Paul's authorship, and the Church affirmed this authorship until the Reformation.

So it was included on the basis that it was written by Paul and, although it's now known it wasn't, it's still there

Answer 2

The first "official" cannon of the NT was put together by the Nicene Council in the mid to late 300s. They considered three different things when deciding on whether to include a book. One was that the author be someone who was either an apostle or writing (like Luke) under an aspotles authority. The book of Hebrews was not able to meet the test because its authorship was unknown.

But two other things were also looked at. Was the book in general usage by the church? The answer to that was a "yes". They were unable to find a church which did not use or include the book in its scriptures. A second test was what the early church father had to say about the book. They were able to find leaders quoting it, and speaking of it as scripture as far back as the early 100s. Also, they were unable to find anyone who rejected the book or considered it to be heresy.

So while the book could not be shown to have been written by an apostle, there was evidence that those who knew the apostles accepted the book as scripture, and it was already in general usage by the church.

There are about 40 New Testament from before the time of the Nicene Council that still exist in fragments today. All of those appear to contain the book of Hebrews, showing that it was in general usage at - and before - that time.

Answer 3

From what I read Eusebius and the Alexandrian church accepted the Book of Hebrews as written by Paul. However today it is said that Paul was not the author. When the Council of Trent put the Bible together it was already accepted writing and was widely used. To me it is a very matured Paul after Paul and Peter became very good friends. Don't you know Paul wanted to pick Peter's mind because Peter spent so much time with Jesus? Just my thoughts.

Answer 4

Paul wrote the Hebrews, the writing was completed around 61 C.E.
The writing of the book of Hebrews was truly in line with Paul’s commission to bear the name of Jesus to the sons of Israel.

However, some critics doubt Paul’s writership of Hebrews. One objection is that Paul’s name does not appear in the letter. But this is really no obstacle, as many other canonical books fail to name the writer, who is often identified by internal evidence. Moreover, some feel that Paul may have deliberately omitted his name in writing to the Hebrew Christians in Judea, since his name had been made an object of hatred by the Jews there. (Acts 21:28) Neither is the change of style from his other epistles any real objection to Paul’s writership. Whether addressing pagans, Jews, or Christians, Paul always showed his ability to “become all things to people of all sorts.” Here his reasoning is presented to Jews as from a Jew, arguments that they could fully understand and appreciate.—1 Cor. 9:22.
The internal evidence of the book is all in support of Paul’s writership. The writer was in Italy and was associated with Timothy. These facts fit Paul. (Heb. 13:23, 24) Furthermore, the doctrine is typical of Paul, though the arguments are presented from a Jewish viewpoint, designed to appeal to the strictly Hebrew congregation to which the letter was addressed. On this point Clarke’s Commentary, Volume 6, page 681, says concerning Hebrews: “That it was written to Jews, naturally such, the whole structure of the epistle proves. Had it been written to the Gentiles, not one in ten thousand of them could have comprehended the argument, because unacquainted with the Jewish system; the knowledge of which the writer of this epistle everywhere supposes.” This helps to account for the difference of style when compared with Paul’s other letters.

Answer 5

That is a very good question, but it is more important to what it says than who said it. There are a lot of the books in the Old Testament that has no known author. We all know that the whole Bible was written by men inspired by God.Do research and you probably can find your answer.

Answer 6

By the time this book was written Paul was too well known. His anonymous authorship of the book helped it gain a better acceptance with it's intended target group...The Hebrews.

This is the prevailing theory.

It is one of the most amazing books in the Bible do you not agree? It is the Revelation of the Mystery of the Messiah in the Mosaic Law. Praise God!

Answer 7

I would have to say that the Book of Hebrews is so Pauline in it's appearance that it's difficult for me to say that it was written by any other author. But that's just me, and I was not there at the Council of Nicea! lol

I would also say that it is so obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit, that it had to be the Holy Spirit, which confounded the rules of the Council. The Council made it's rules, God didn't. God has His own set of rules, and aren't we benefiting from those rules!

Answer 8

Canon wasn't finalized until Second or Third century, but the books as we have them were the same as what all the Churches were using. Hebrews is unique in that the author does not identify himself. I think that it was Paul. If you look at Acts you noticed that he is not looked upon favorably by the Jews. I think he chose not to use his name in writing this particular letter to the Jews so that it may be received a bit more favorably.

Answer 9

Good question
but the author, whoever he is, definitely seems to be inspired by God to write such things of Christian maturity.
Who are we to say that the author was not an apostle of unknown origin and we dont meet him till heaven?

Answer 10

the bible is inspired by God written through men preserved by the holy spirit