Hebrews 13:23

An Exegetical Analysis of the Authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews

This exegetical study of Did Paul Author Hebrews? is based on a b-greek discussion from September 8, 1998. The initial query, posed by a participant, sought an assessment of the grammatical and syntactical arguments for and against the Pauline authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews, along with recommendations for scholarly resources on the topic.

The central exegetical issue under consideration is the long-standing debate concerning the authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews, specifically examining the historical and internal textual evidence for and against its attribution to the Apostle Paul. While some traditional views have associated Paul with the letter, contemporary biblical scholarship, as reflected in the discussion, largely questions and often rejects this attribution. This rejection is primarily based on discernible internal textual evidence related to the epistle’s distinctive Greek style, sophisticated vocabulary, unique theological nuances, and the author’s specific mode of self-presentation, which collectively diverge markedly from Paul’s known writings.

Greek text (Nestle 1904):
Γινώσκετε τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν Τιμόθεον ἀπολελυμένον, μεθ᾽ οὗ ἐὰν τάχιον ἔρχηται ὄψομαι ὑμᾶς.

• Key differences with SBLGNT (2010): No significant textual variants are present in Hebrews 13:23 between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBLGNT (2010). Both editions read identically for this verse.

Textual criticism (NA28), lexical notes (KITTEL, BDAG). While Hebrews 13:23 itself presents no major textual variants in critical editions like NA28, the broader discussion of Hebrews’ authorship frequently involves textual-critical considerations related to the epistle’s overall linguistic profile. The elevated, classical Greek style, often described as more refined than Paul’s typical Koine, is a primary argument against Pauline authorship. Lexical studies, utilizing resources such as KITTEL’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament and BDAG’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, reveal a vocabulary in Hebrews that includes numerous hapax legomena and a distinct preference for certain terms and rhetorical devices not commonly found in Paul’s undisputed letters. For instance, while words like ἀδελφὸν (“brother”) and Τιμόθεον (“Timothy”) are common across the New Testament, their specific deployment within the sophisticated rhetorical framework of Hebrews contributes to its unique linguistic signature. The mention of Timothy in 13:23 connects the author to Paul’s circle, yet this single point of association is often outweighed by the pervasive stylistic divergences.

Translation Variants

The discussion surrounding Hebrews’ authorship often implicitly considers the grammatical and rhetorical characteristics that distinguish it from Pauline epistles. In Hebrews 13:23, the sentence structure is straightforward, yet its placement within the epistle highlights the author’s cultivated literary skill. The phrase Γινώσκετε τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν Τιμόθεον ἀπολελυμένον (“Know that our brother Timothy has been released”) employs a standard accusative-infinitive construction. The use of Γινώσκετε as an imperative implies a direct, authoritative, yet personal address, reinforcing the author’s known relationship with the recipients. The subsequent conditional clause, μεθ᾽ οὗ ἐὰν τάχιον ἔρχηται ὄψομαι ὑμᾶς (“with whom, if he comes quickly, I will see you”), further exemplifies the elegant flow and grammatical precision characteristic of Hebrews. This rhetorical elegance, combined with the epistle’s sustained argument and intricate use of Septuagintal quotations, leads scholars to posit an author with formal training in Hellenistic rhetoric, possibly akin to figures like Apollos, who was known for his eloquence, rather than Paul, whose style, while powerful, is generally considered less ornate. Translation variants of this verse typically focus on nuances of “know” (e.g. “understand,” “be informed”) and “released” (e.g. “set free,” “discharged”), but these do not alter the underlying grammatical structure or the rhetorical purpose of the author’s personal update.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The overwhelming scholarly consensus, as articulated in the discussion, is that Pauline authorship of Hebrews is largely untenable. While elements such as the triad of faith, hope, and love (Hebrews 10:10-25) and the mention of Timothy (13:23) might initially suggest Pauline connections, these are often explained by the broader theological currents and personal networks within the early Christian movement. The distinctive Greek style, extensive vocabulary, sophisticated rhetorical patterns, and a different theological approach to the Old Testament, often described as Alexandrian and Philoesque, strongly argue against Paul. Instead, candidates such as Apollos, Barnabas, Priscilla, or Silas are frequently proposed, with Apollos often favored due to his known eloquence and Alexandrian background. The epistle remains a masterwork of early Christian theology and rhetoric, irrespective of its exact authorship.

Here are three suggested translations for Hebrews 13:23, reflecting different emphases:

1. You should know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he arrives soon, I will come to see you with him.
   This translation prioritizes clarity and a direct, informative tone, reflecting the author’s desire to convey important news and a future plan.
2. Be informed that our brother Timothy has been released, and with him, should he come quickly, I anticipate visiting you.
   This version employs slightly more formal language, aiming to capture the elevated diction often characteristic of Hebrews while maintaining readability.
3. I want you to understand that our brother Timothy is now at liberty. If he makes haste to come, I expect to see you in his company.
   This rendering emphasizes the personal relationship and the hopeful anticipation of a reunion, bringing out the subtle rhetorical warmth despite the epistle’s generally formal tone.