Studies in Hebrews, Authentication
By Jeremy Lucas (02/28/06)
To those who share in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Among the many great challenges we face in our efforts to study, analyze, and prove ourselves Bereans of nobility is our consistent pride that may often credit itself with insight or fail to give outside input that which is due. Each Berean had one advantage that is heavily overlooked by those, such as myself, who fight so fervently for the individuality of spiritual maturity. What they had were teachers to rebound truth and presentation.
As you'll often hear me say, the epistles to Timothy exhibit two very distinct lives for those in the church. I Timothy displays the life of those under submission to authority while II Timothy beautifully completes the picture of Christian individuality. Personally, I tend to enjoy the foundation of the latter as it allows both myself and those who entertain similar ideology to engage the Scriptures solely on their own two feet. However, as mentioned in the above paragraph, the Bereans (as we call ourselves) were not "going it alone." They were Berean because they first heard a message and then broke it down, analyzed it, examined it, then came back to the forefront of discussion of maturity having used the Word of God as their backbone, their foundation, and their truth.
Why all this seeming nonsense to begin an introduction to Hebrews?
Late this evening, I sat down to a breathtakingly refreshing insight into the book of Hebrews that helped to illuminate many things that, as they often do, come across unclear or spotty. The use of "commentary" theology can often be a crutch that we lean upon as the reason we believe what we do, but I certainly hope that you can, through your knowledge of me, recognize that for my eyes to have been illuminated, it was not by way of sheer listening and agreeing. Rather, my open eyes (as it were) have as such been opened because I took what was given to my ears and chose to be that Berean we speak of so often. Our ears are always the recipient of truth and fallacy, but it is our eyes that either see or do not see that which is before us. My treasure this night comes from through the voice of Stuart Allen, a man who passed away in the early part of 1998. It has not been my pleasure before this day to hear his method and style of presentation that is truly one of the softer, more graciously notable approaches among many.
Over the past number of weeks, the subject of Hebrews has been at the forefront of several discussions here at G.R.A.C.E. Ministries and therefore, it seems only fitting that I return to a book that has often been ignored, set aside, or disregarded by those who might find it uncomfortable. Every once in a while, as I present each chapter verse by verse in my understanding at present, I may choose to share phrases or quotes by our late Brother Allen.
What you read from here on out will be both a combination of my own perspectives and thoughts regarding the Scriptures as well as a genuinely Berean analysis and examination of that which I have heard from Mr. Allen. I certainly hope that you will enjoy what you read as I have sincerely enjoyed my return to Hebrews this peaceful, calm night.
Now.
Let me begin by saying that upon a careful and patient review of Hebrews, I have myself come to some very different conclusions than those that were previously believed in vaguely downplayed possibility. The main difference has to do with authenticity.
Who wrote the book of Hebrews? Was it Paul? Was it Peter? Was it Apollos? Was it an unknown dispenser of the Holy Spirit's inspiration?
That last question is probably the most valuable, isn't it? For we all MUST at least agree that apart from our disagreements of the human author, it was indeed penned by a Spiritual Author in the Holy Ghost. Would you agree?
If indeed this is the case, then we're left with one of two interesting deductions:
1) Either God did not intend for us to know the author of Hebrews... in which case, He would likely offer an internal explanation for such an absent participant.
or...
2) God did intend for us to know the author of Hebrews, but He, for reasons also known within the Scriptures, did not reveal it conventionally.
It really can't be outside of these two deduced likelihoods. For there to be a third, we'd be suggesting that there are accidental mistakes, inconsistent authentications, or questionably unanswered material in the Word of God. As Bereans, can we reside ourselves to say that the answer to this question is unknowable? Why then would we call ourselves Bereans if we end on that note and let it be unknown? The entire basis for who we are requires that we dig and dig and dig until it is shown and our eyes are illuminated.
For many of us in right division, the question of authenticity ends with something like this:
"Well, it can't possibly be Paul, so it's not for us."
And that's about it. How then, does one follow this up? Do we just not bother to read it? Do we only read Hebrews long enough to figure out that it's not for us and then set it down? To what degree can Hebrews, as a part of the inspired Word of God become our escape clause for "this isn't ours so we won't mess with it?"
These are the dangerous risks that we play upon a surfaced investigation of Hebrews in which the only reason we're looking at it is to determine who wrote it. For once we figure that much out, we have little use for it. Can this be right?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
So tonight, rather early this morning if you will, I'd like to hopefully dispell the questionable authenticity of Hebrews by diving right into the Scriptures.
One of the first times that we see the author of Hebrews speak about his own style or condition is near the end of its entirety:
"And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you." Hebrews 13:22-23
First of all, if you'll notice, when the author says that he wrote a "letter... in few words," we must note that most letters in the New Testament, with the exception of perhaps Romans and the Corinthians, were much smaller than Hebrews. So in terms of a letter's sheer size, Hebrews isn't very well a "letter of few words." One might suggest that it does indeed have a small span if compared to the likes of the Gospels, Isaiah, or previous books of Old Testament literature, but if we're comparing it to other epistles... it isn't comparably a "few words" letter.
What does this suggest?
As Brother Allen makes lively and notable, many have suggested that the book of Galatians and Hebrews were sent to the same location with one being the assumed cover letter or, in other words, "letter of few words." Why might this be presumed? For several reasons... not the least of which necessarily require the authenticated author to be Paul at this point. What we're focusing on is the necessity of understanding what the Hebrews writer means, in theory, when he says, "letter in few words?" Please keep in mind that the following do not nearly give the illumination that you will hopefully see toward the end of this observation.
"I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you." Galatians 4:20
"Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you." Hebrews 13:22-23
Paul speaks of changing his voice, but ultimately wanting, if all things work together, to see his audience. This isn't always the case when he writes to a particular group.
"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith." Galatians 3:11
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:38
Interlining thematic material of similarity.
"Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not [a mediator] of one, but God is one." Galatians 3:19-20
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." Hebrew 8:6
"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:15
"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel." Hebrews 12:24
Jesus, the mediator. Similar terms.
"But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." Galatians 4:26
"But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels," Hebrews 12:22
Heavenly Jerusalem is used both in our familiar epistle and that which is to the Hebrews. Yet again, similar terms of usage.
Thus far, as I mentioned, comparability of Hebrews to Galatians does not make it necessarily absolute. These are not the things that are crucial to our progress yet. They are, rather, an introduction into the larger truth that is alluded to IN the Epistle to the Hebrews. Let's look at it again:
"And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you." Hebrews 13:22-23
The second, and probably most inconsequential consideration for the author of Hebrews is his relational mention of the "brother Timothy." No other common Hebrew writer (among James, John, and Peter) speaks of Timothy because he does not share in their ministry. Certainly we could all note the significance that Timothy had to Paul's ministry in that while all others went seperate ways... Timothy was the remaining brother who did not flee.
Are we together so far? There have only been two notes of rather insignificant proportion.
1. The author of Hebrews suggests another letter "in few words" which we could likely assume is not Hebrews itself. What it might be is probably a discussion all its own.
2. The author of Hebrews has a close relational tie to Timothy that does not simply speak of him as a bystanding observer, but as one who is "coming shortly." This indicates having been sent out... that Timothy himself was likely the carrier of the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Again, are we together so far? Because everything so far is just basic observation within the text of Hebrews. What we're going to do now is open our eyes to two things that may not have been previously noted in your individual studies.
First, let's look at I Peter 1:1...
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." I Peter 1:1-2
As we all should know fairly well, there were two groups of Hebrews and Israelites to speak of during this time. Those who remained in the close vicinity of Jerusalem after Christ and those who "went out" into the far regions beyond Israel itself. The latter group were, of course, to be strangers in foreign lands. Among those included which ought to be most notable are Galatia and Asia.
So if we're being directly fair to Peter's letter, we'd have to say that HIS audience were the Hebrews scattered in the Asian regions north of Israel. At least, that's what we come up with when we read Peter's first epistle. In the opening to Peter's second epistle, we don't find a similar opening, so we're obligated to dig a little further...
"This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in [both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:" II Peter 3:1
Same audience, correct? It is here that we discover, for sure, that his audience of Hebrews scattered in Asia has not changed. So bear with me as we dig just a little deeper into an incredibly valuable passage that we ALWAYS look at, but not for this purpose. As I'm sure you're familiar, let's look at Peter's confirmation of Paul...
"And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15-16
If I could make it any brighter I would.
"Paul, according to the wisdom given unto him, HATH WRITTEN UNTO YOU."
Hath written unto who? The Gentiles? The Body of Christ?
If you were with me as we dug into Peter's audience, nothing has changed. The "you" referred to are the Hebrews of upper Asia. Aliens scattered abroad. What, among the other 13 epistles, would be considered a "letter to the Hebrews" that Paul wrote? When, in the other 13 epistles, did Paul write TO the Hebrews directly as Peter was doing himself?
Certainly we couldn't refer to Paul's random insertions of Jewish teaching in books like Romans or Corinthians because that's not the same audience that Peter is speaking to. Peter's correlation of reference for Paul's credibility is to an audience who ALSO had Paul's written documentation of wisdom. What "writing" was this?
Look back at the end of II Peter 3:15 and the beginning of verse 16.
"hath written unto you; As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things;"
There are two completely different things here. First we have what was written to THEM. And second, we have a reference to "all his epistles." Thus suggesting that there was a deterring letter that extended beyond the REGULAR epistles and was written specifically to the Hebrews themselves.
Still with me? We've covered three areas of possible authenticity that seem highly credible. But there is one aspect of Paul's signature that we haven't even scratched the surface of yet. Turn now to II Thessalonians 3:17...
"The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen." II Thessalonians 3:17-18
Have you ever REALLY looked at what this salutation is? For it appears that Paul is not speaking of just this letter or the manner in which he is writing. Certainly we all recognize that upon his writing of Galatians, his eyesight was poor enough that such a signature would be written in "big letters" rather than normal legibility. But that's not the point. The signature wasn't HOW he wrote... it was WHAT he wrote.
And at the end of EVERY single epistle he wrote is the same salutation (as he suggests here). For it is this salutation that is PAUL'S SIGNATURE. When he is unable, for whatever reason, to speak of himself directly, the following signature would accompany his works. Join with me in reading all thirteen.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Romans 16:20b
(The remainder of Romans 16, verses 21-27, were written by Tertius)
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." I Corinthians 16:23
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all." II Corinthians 13:14
"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." Galatians 6:18
"Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen." Ephesians 6:24
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Philippians 4:23
"The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen." Colossians 4:18
Yet again, a reminder that THIS (not the style or the method, but the approach) is his signature salutation that NO ONE ELSE uses.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." I Thessalonians 5:28
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." II Thessalonians 3:18
"Grace be with thee. Amen." I Timothy 6:21b
"The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." II Timothy 4:22
"All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen." Titus 3:15
That last one is actually quite incredible. For instead in the final CANONIZED and 13th named epistle of Paul, we find him using this signature saluation as a community salutation. "All that are with me salute." With what? With the same salutation that distinguishes Paul from the rest...
Grace be with you.
Finally, the 13th...
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." Philemon 1:25
Did Peter use this as his ending? Even one time? Nope.
How about John or James? Not once.
So if you're like me and happen to be very Berean in your studies, you've already stopped reading this to open your Bible. And why? Because you're looking at the end of Hebrews. Ready for it?
"Grace be with you all. Amen." Hebrews 13:25
And just like that. If you haven't gone from the audio to the visual on this one... if your eyes haven't opened... then you weren't paying attention.
Having been rejuvinated on the subject matter of Hebrews, my goal is to continue reviewing each tidbit and kernel of the text and then presenting those observations to you that you yourselves might be as I have been alongside of Brother Allen... a faithful Berean who considers the things being taught and then proceeds to study them out to see if they are accurate and true while developing some individual observations and insights into the Word of God.
May the Lord guide and bless you this week as you enjoy the Scriptures, enjoy each other, and move forward in the grace of God.
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