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The book was written for Hebrew believers who, having converted from one of the many religions that worshipped the God of the Israelites into Christianity, wanted to reverse their course in order to escape persecution from their Roman countrymen. The Author urges them to "go on to perfection"(6:1). This appeal is based on the "Superiority of Christ" over any other religious system.
The Author of Hebrews is unknown. The time of it's writing is unknown. The book was not accepted by the early church until the fourth century. Over the years, some have attributed it to Paul, some Barnabas, others Luke or Clement of Rome. Some have suggested Apollos, or even Priscilla as authors of the book. A third century theologian wrote, "Only God knows who wrote this book."
There are many reasons why most do not accept the authorship of Paul. The fact that his name and calling always is proclaimed in the first part of all of his other letters and is not found here. Also the polished Greek found in this letter is not typical of that found in the other letters. These two things lead most scholars to believe that Paul did not write this book. Some have suggested that it might have been originally written by Paul and re-written by someone who had these characteristics, but if that was so, they totally hid, in their re-writing, the characteristics that were so much a part of Paul's writing. Apollos may very well have been the author. He was from Alexandria, and he was an eloquent and learned man in the Greek. He was very knowledgeable of the scriptures and the evidence found in the book seems to point to him.
The book appears to have been written to Hebrew converts in Rome. They were well-to-do people who had never witnessed the actual ministry of Christ. They were founded in the faith, but unfortunately, were in danger of back sliding to escape persecution from the Romans.
A reasonable date for its writing would be about AD 66 to 69. Timothy was still alive and no mention is made of the fall of Jerusalem which occurred in AD 70.
The theme of the book is "The Superiority of Christ", it could also have been, "The Superiority of Grace over the Law". With this introduction, let us begin this study of the book of Hebrews.
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