The next book chronologically of the New Testament (NT) that needs to be considered is the Letter to Hebrews which is attributed to Paul. The letter is exceptionally rich. Its central and best-known metaphor presents Jesus as the “great high priest” who offers Himself as the “once for all” sacrifice. Its chapter on faith is one of the most famous in the NT. Its creative use of texts from the Jewish Bible, especially from Psalms and the prophets, is powerful.

Scholars have decided that we do not know who wrote it. In the 200s, an early Christian theologian named Origen said that its author “was known only to God.” In the centuries since, there have been guesses. Around the year 400, Augustine and Jerome suggested it was written by Paul and thus it has sometimes been called the fourteenth letter of Paul. But there is no reason to think Paul wrote it and many reasons to think he did not. Other guesses have included Barnabas, Apollos and Priscilla. None is persuasive and modern scholarship agrees with Origen: God only knows who wrote it.

We also do not know to whom it was written. Unlike most NT letters, it does not name its audience. The title “to the Hebrews” was added in the second century and is potentially misleading. “Hebrews” is most commonly a synonym for “Jews,” but the document is clearly written to Christians. Moreover, though the document does not have the typical     characteristics of a letter, its contents make it clear that it was meant for a particular community, not for a category of people like “the Hebrews” or “the Jews” or Christians in general.

From the document itself we learn a few things about the author. His use of Greek and his literary style were very sophisticated, perhaps the best in the NT. He knew the Old Testament (OT) very well, quoting it thirty times, sometimes at considerable length and alluding to it     another seventy times. He was brilliant, creatively weaving together evocative readings of texts from the Jewish Bible with a presentation of Jesus as the Son of God, who is also the great high priest and sacrifice.

We also learn some things about the community. It was made up of second-generation or later Christians. They had experienced suffering and persecution (though apparently not fatal). Some were considering abandoning Christianity and, perhaps, some had. The community may have been in Italy. “Those from Italy send you greetings” probably refers to the destination of the letter, not the location of the author. If in Italy, then perhaps it was sent to Rome.

As early as the end of the second century the Eastern churches had accepted Hebrews as an inspired work composed by Paul, but until the second half of the fourth century, the churches of the West questioned Paul as author. The letter of Clement of Rome (96 CE) cites the Epistle to the Hebrews.