The arguments for Paul’s authorship are (continues): [7] There is nothing in the epistle contrary to Paul’s authorship, and there is much internal evidence that Paul was the author: (1) Both books argue at length on the abolishment of the old covenant. (2) Both anticipate the visit of the writer (Gal. 4:20; Heb. 13:19). (3) Paul was the only writer of the New Testament who requested prayer for himself (cp. Heb. 13:18 with 2Thess. 3:1). (4) Many exhortations in Hebrews are similar to those of other epistles of Paul (cp. Heb. 12:3 with Gal. 6:9; Heb.12:14 with Rom. 12:18; Heb. 13:1-3 with Eph. 5:2-4; Heb. 13:16 with Php. 4:18; Heb. 5:12 with 1Cor. 3:2; Heb. 8:1 with Eph. 1:20; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; Gal. 3:19-20; 1Tim. 2:5; Heb. 10:1 with Col. 2:17; Heb. 10:33 with 1Cor. 4:9; Heb. 13:9 with Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:10 with 1Cor. 9:13; 10:18; Heb. 13:20-21 with Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2Cor. 13:11; Php. 4:9; 1Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:22 with Acts 24:16; etc.). (5) The author of both books wrote from Italy (Heb. 13:24). (6) Paul was the only New Testament writer who wrote from prison and expected release (Heb. 13:19, 23 with Php. 1:7-8, 13, 26; 2:23-24; etc.). (7) No other writer of epistles mentions Timothy. Paul refers to him 20 times in his recognized epistles (cp. Heb. 13:23). When Paul mentions Timothy to others he always calls him brother (2Cor. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1Thess. 3:2). (8) The conclusion of the epistle is like others of Paul (cp. Heb. 13:18-25 with the end of his other epistles).
The theme of this book is to present Jesus Christ as deity, and as better than all human beings and angels; to prove that Judaism and the law have come to an end; to confirm Jewish Christians in the faith; and to set forth new covenant doctrines for all people.
Statistics: 58th book of the Bible; 13 chapters; 303 verses; 6,913 words; 17 questions; 270 verses of history; 9 verses of fulfilled and 24 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.
Living the Word 