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Hebrews 2:2-4 – Argument Against Paul Being the Author
Many suggest that Paul is simply identifying himself with the readers as the author of Hebrews often does (i.e., 6:1 – “let us press on to maturity”). While that is an excellent counter argument, I would only count it weighty if the author had only said, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? …without the following comment concerning the method these people learned the message.
However, two counter arguments dissuade me from accepting this explanation.
- The author does not only identify himself with the audience in being a recipient of the salvation given, but rather appears to place himself as an indirect or second generation hearer.
- I am unsure Paul would have assumed the identity of his audience in such a detail when elsewhere he was adamant that “I have neither receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Gal.1:12). Surely Paul would not have given fodder to his enemies concerning his apostleship.
A closer look at the text shows three distinct groupings:
- Message first spoken through the Lord…
- Confirmed to us…
- By those who heard.
- This last group heard the Lord directly.
- This might even argue against my hypothesis that Barnabas was the author.
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