Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals
Tuesday, September 29
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Hebrews 13:22-And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
The Book of Hebrews concludes with an exhortation for the brethren to be faithful to the Word of God. Indeed the Book of Hebrews is here referred to as the “word of exhortation.”
What may we learn from this?
First, the specific phrase “word of exhortation” is only found one other time in Scripture and has led many people through the ages to believe that Paul is the author of this great Book of holy Scripture.
Acts 13:15-And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
In this passage, we read of a sermon that the Apostle Paul preaches to the people which is identified as a “word of exhortation.” A reading of this sermon and comparison with Hebrew shows many incredible parallels between the two.
To these facts we may add one final observation. It is good to bear in mind the descriptive title the author of Hebrews has given to the letter: tou logou tēs paraklēseōs (“ word of exhortation,” 13: 22). It is noteworthy that the noun paraklēsis is confined to Luke (6 times), Paul (20 times), and this letter (3 times). Of special interest is Acts 13: 15, where Paul and Barnabas enter the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch and are invited to give a logos paraklēseōs. It was Paul and not Barnabas who delivered this “word of exhortation,” which itself (Acts 13: 16-41) shows numerous parallels with Hebrews. This is perhaps a clue, though a small one, that an epistle that calls itself a logos paraklēseōs is not alien to the mind of the apostle Paul. (David Alan Black, The Authorship of Hebrews: The Case for Paul (Topical Line Drives Book 1), 19 (Kindle Edition): Gonzalez, Fl: Energion Publications)
Certainly, the textual evidence from the Greek manuscripts, the early translations of the New Testament into other languages and the vast majority of quotations from the church fathers, testify to the Pauline authorship of Hebrews.
Papyrus 46 (P46) can be used to lend credibility to early Pauline authorship. The Chester Beatty P46 holds 14 epistles (which includes the epistle of Hebrews), and “it is the oldest known copy of the Pauline Epistles,”[ 130] Albert Barnes remarks that the ancient inscription “The epistle of Paul the apostle to the Hebrews” is affixed to all of our present Greek manuscripts and nearly all of the ancient versions, such as the Peshito, the Old Syriac Version, made very early in the second century, and in the Old Italic version. The P46 (200 A.D.) is the oldest manuscript that contains the epistle of Hebrews with its familiar title. Trobisch says, “The thing we learn from the four oldest existing manuscripts of the New Testament is that the letter to the Hebrews is treated as a letter of Paul. This letter is always copied as one of the letters of Paul; it is not situated as one of the general letters.”[ 131] Since this inscription reveals the ancient tradition of the early Church fathers, we can use this testimony to give some weight of support for Pauline authorship.”[ 132] Thompson writes, “Hebrews has been included among the letters of Paul since ancient times. As early as the second century, Christians attributed the letter to Paul. The oldest complete extant manuscript of Hebrews, P46, placed Hebrews in the collection of Pauline writings, as did numerous later manuscripts. “Hebrews has been included among the letters of Paul since ancient times. No evidence is available to suggest that Hebrews ever circulated independently or in any collection other than that of Paul.”[ 133] Indeed, no evidence is available to suggest that Hebrews ever circulated independently or in any collection other than that of Paul.”[ 134] P46 represented the Pauline Corpus (Paul’s epistles). Early Christians in the East considered the book of Hebrews to be part of the Pauline writings. So Hebrews was included in the Pauline Corpus. This is evident in the second-century manuscript P46.”[ 135] Goodwin writes, “Quite noteworthy is the Chester Beatty Papyrus No. 2 (P46) believed to be from about 200 A.D. It has 86 leaves out of a codex that probably had 104 leaves; Romans, Hebrews, First Corinthians, Second Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, First Thessalonians and Hebrews is included in this early codex. P46 indicates that in about 200 A.D. Hebrews was accepted by early Christians as an inspired writing of the apostle Paul.”[ 136] Metzger affirms that the “Corpus Paulinum (P46) does include the Epistle to the Hebrews,”[ 137] and also affirms that the total number of the Pauline Epistles was fourteen.”[ 138] It is most likely that after Paul’s death that Timothy or Luke collected Paul’s epistles into one corpus (P46) which is known to include the book of Hebrews. Timothy was the one that Paul directed to get his books, most especially the parchments, and bring them to Paul while he was in prison (2 Tim. 4: 13). It is possible that Timothy did not get to Paul before his execution. This would mean that Timothy would be the keeper of Paul’s book and writings. Even if he did get to Paul in time, he most likely would be the one to keep up with Paul’s epistles and get them to the churches for circulation.”[ 139] The “Greek structures of Pauline titles in P46 suggests that it probably was added when Hebrews began to circulate as part of collection of Pauline epistles.”[ 140] This would be as earlier, as when Paul was no longer able to travel and incarcerated or was no longer alive. “The thing we learn from the four oldest existing manuscripts of the New Testament is that the letter to the Hebrews is treated as a letter of Paul. This letter is always copied as one of the letters of Paul; it is not situated as one of the general letters.”[ 141] Comfort writes, “The epistle to the Hebrews occupies a distinctive place in the New Testament canon. It is by tradition associated with the Pauline corpus in Papyrus 46. “P46, one of the oldest New Testament manuscripts, contains the last eight chapters of Romans; all of Hebrews; virtually all of 1–2 Corinthians; all of Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and two chapters of First Thessalonians. Scholar Young Kyu Kim dated Papyrus 46 to the first century before the reign of Domitian (pre 81 A.D.),[ 142] According to Comfort, he places the date of this manuscript even earlier, he says, “P46 is the earliest manuscript of the Pauline corpus, and was written some time before the reign of the emperor Domitian—that is, before A.D. 81.”[ 143] Ancient Bible Versions Barnes notes that the ancient inscription, which is, “The epistle of Paul the apostle to the Hebrews” is affixed to all of our present Greek manuscripts and nearly all of the ancient versions, such as the Peshito Bible A.D. 150, the Old Italic Bible A.D. 157, dating very earlier as in the second century, and the Old Syriac Version A.D. 400…. Albert Barnes notes that the ancient inscription ‘The epistle of Paul the apostle to the Hebrews’ is affixed to nearly all of the ancient versions.”[147] The ancient versions of the Bible are solid and undeniable proof that Paul is the author of the book of Hebrews. Nearly “all Greek manuscripts”[148] testifies to this fact and that is why nearly every ancient version has it in the title because they were translated from those very manuscripts. The title is certainly very ancient; it is found in all the MSS. which contain the Epistle (with some variations, which may be seen in Scholz’ New Test.); it is found in the Syriac, and the Latin versions before Jerome; and the Fathers of the second and third centuries constantly refer to the Epistle as that to the Hebrews.[ 144]. (Joseph Wells, Jr., Pauline Authorship: Author For The Book Of Hebrews, 88-94 (Kindle Edition): CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform)
Regardless of whether or not Paul wrote Hebrews, we can definitely say that whoever wrote it was extremely familiar with Paul’s teaching. This is based on the amazing similarity of word structure and syntax between Hebrews and Paul’s undisputed Epistles. As such, we can say that Hebrews is Pauline (whether the Apostle to the Gentiles was the author or not).
Second, please notice that Hebrews is primarily an encouragement to Christians to be true and faithful to Jesus in the midst of a world that hates Him and His Word. Examples throughout the Book testify to the challenges that disciples of Christ will face for Him throughout life, including opposition from family, friends, and even governing authorities. Indeed, Hebrews chapter eleven enumerates many powerful reminders to us of God providing for His people in the midst of hardship and tragedy.
Hebrews 11:13-16-These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
What do we do during these times of difficulty?
We remain faithful to Jesus and devote ourselves to preaching and teaching His Word!
Father, give us a heart of courage in an often terrifying and difficult world. Help us to follow Jesus, wherever He leads. In His Name we pray, Amen.