I know that Paul did not write Hebrews. But, the author was in Italy, and with Timothy; and, Paul did write a letter to Peter's church. Who do you think wrote it? Just curious.
Even though the writer of Hebrews was in Italy like Paul was, and was in prison like Paul was [Hebrews 13:23-24], I do not believe that our Gentile Apostle Paul wrote it for the following reasons:
1. His name is not on it, and every epistle (Romans through Philemon) that Paul writes has his name on it. This is the token, or identifying mark of a true letter from Paul!
2 Thessalonians 3:17
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
2. Paul's Calling: Paul ministry was to minister the Gospel of the GRACE of God…
Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
…and not the Gospel of the kingdom like the writer of Hebrews.
Hebrews 2:1-4; 4:2
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him [in His earthly ministry to Israel]; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
He defines his preaching as a Mystery and not Prophecy...
Romans 15:15-16; 6:25
Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Colossians 1:25-29
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
3. The writer of Hebrews includes himself in this earthly kingdom calling.
Hebrews 4:3, 11, 16; 12:28
For we which have believed do enter into rest [‘rest’ throughout scripture is a reference to Christ’s future earthly kingdom], as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
...and Paul was not a part of this earthly kingdom, and never could be.
Matthew 12:32
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who [Paul] was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
4. The writer of Hebrews includes himself in the doctrine taught in the book; such as, no eternal security, etc., and Paul never taught this doctrine.
Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:14; 10:22, 26, 39; 11:40
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
5. Paul was in prison many times [2 Corinthians 11:23], and during his imprisonments he had others in there with him [Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:23]. And just as of those often times that Paul was in prison, the bible only records a few in the record (in Acts), there is a possibility that there were others who were in prison but were not recorded for us! And no doubt some of these other fellow prisoners were Jewish believers from the Messianic church.
6. If God wanted us to know who wrote it, He would have told us! He put His own name on it, and that is good enough.
Hebrews 1:1
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
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So, who do I think wrote Hebrews? We'll my educated guess says that is was most likely Barnabas. Barnabas was a Jewish believer in that Messianic church, who God used to labour with Paul, so he knew both Messages.
Acts 9:27; 11:22, 25
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
And he was not just a Jewish believer, but he was a Levite...of the priestly tribe.
Acts 4:36
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
It was the job of the priest to teach Israel about what God is doing.
Malachi 2:7
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
God then separated him from Paul (for a time), so that Paul could magnify his gentile office and so that Barnabas could go back home.
Acts 15:39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
But just like with Mark, Barnabas' separation from Paul was not permanent.
2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
Philemon 1:24
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
1 Corinthians 9:6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
Paul did not even make it to Corinth until later in Acts 18.
So we see that Barnabas spent much time with Paul, and even after initially separating himself from him for a short time, he began again to labour with him, and he both knew Paul's other companions like Timothy (Acts 16), and could have surely been imprisoned (yet not recorded) like Paul.
So my best guess of the human author of Hebrews, and the person that the evidence points to the most for me, is Barnabas.
Hopefully this
helps...Maranatha!
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