Internal Evidence of the Probability That St. Paul Wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews

I. Similarity of style with his other epistles.

1. The order of: first doctrine (chap. 1. to xi.), then practice (chaps, xii., xiii. ).

2. His continuous argument, yet parenthetical idiosyncrasy; e. g., chap. iii. 7-1 1, iv. 7-10.

3. His manner of Old Testament quotations, resembling especially in this the Epistle to the Romans.

4. His way of drawing inferences from single words (as in Gal. iii. 16); e. g., “under” (Heb. ii. 8), “new” (viii. 13), “yet once more” (xii. 27).

5. His use of a postscript. Adaptation to those to whom he wrote. We could have been sure this epistle was meant for the Hebrews, just as we see the adaptation of the Romans.

II. Similarity as to favorite words; e. g. (1) “therefore” and “wherefore,” his constant link between doctrine and practice. (2) His courteous “I beseech.” (3) Christ as the “Son.” (4) “Remember.” (5) “Promise,” etc., etc.

III. Similarity (“in diversity”) of topic: (r)

Faith; (2) Submission to authority, doing good to others, and other practical points. IV. Miscellaneous evidence.

1. Negative.

(a) It was not by one of the twelve, and probably not by one who had personally “heard Him” while on earth. See Heb. ii. 3.

(6) It was apparently not by one who himself held definite rule or office in any church (chap, xiii. 7, 17).

(c) It was not by an obscure individual who required introduction, or apology, or credentials.

2. Positive.

(a) It was written by one who had been in bonds (Heb. x. 34); (6) and who had been helped by those to whom he wrote (Phil. iv. 14); (c) who had apparently had experience of reproach (chap. xiii. 13), and of “wanderings” (chap. xiii. 14); (d) who was intimately acquainted with Jewish laws and customs; (e) who had written longer epistles than this (chap. xiii. 22); (/) who was in Italy but only as sojourner (chap xiii. 19, “restored to you”); (g) who was intimate with Timothy, using the term “brother,” St. Paul’s usual epithet in speaking o/hlm (n. b. he speaks to him as “son”); (h) who rejoiced to acknowledge good in others (chap. vi. 9), yet was faithful in reproof (chap. v. 12); (i) who seemed to feel and bear “the care of all the churches” (2 Cor. xi. 28); (/) who acknowledges God’s grace in himself (Acts xxiii. 1, and Heb. xiii. 18).

V. Coincidences between the 13 th chapter and the other Pauline epistles (not already mentioned).

Heb. xiii. 1 I Thess. iv. 9.

2 Rom. xii. 13.

Philem. 1; Eph. iii. 1; Col.

3 - 1V# u — 2nd clause. I Tim. vi. 6-8; Phil. iv. II

—3rd clause. Rom. viii. 35, 38, 39.
* 6 2 Tim. iv. 17, 18.

—2nd clause. 1 Cor. xi. 1.
8 1 Cor. ii. 2.

9.. .-.. 2 Tim. iv. 3; I Tim. iv. 16.

—2nd clause. 2 Thess. ii. 17.

—3rd clause. Rom. xiv.

12 I Cor. i. 30.

13 2 Cor. vi. 17.

14 2 Cor. v. 1; Phil. hi. 20.

—2nd cl. margin Rom. x. 9, 10.

16 Rom. xii. -13; Gal. vi. IO.

Heb. xiii. 16 2nd clause
17 ....

—2nd clause

—last clause
18....

—2nd clause

3rd clause
Phil. to. 18.
1 Thess. v. 12.
I Cor. xvi. 16.

1 Thess. ii. 19, 20.

2 Cor. i. II.

2 Cor. i. 12; 2 Tim. i. 3.
2 Thess. iii. 8, 9; Rom. xii.

Rom. i. 10; and xv. 30-32.
Philem. 22.
j 1 Thess. v. 23; 2 Thess. ii.
16.
Rom. xv. 33, xvi. 20; Phil,
iv. 9.
. Rom. viii. 1 1; 1 Cor. vi. 14.

j Col. i. 10; Phil. ii. 13.
‘I Eph. ii. 10, i. 19, iii. 13.

22 Philem. 9.

—2nd clause. Gal. vi. 11.
23 2 Tim. iv. 21.

VI. Coincidences between this Epistle and St. Paul’s speeches in Acts. It seems remarkable that these occur most in the later speeches, those which are nearest to the date of the Epistle.

P. S. — I have only glanced at the “Acts” coincidences, and have not yet worked them out.

20, 21..

20, 1st clause — 2nd clause
21 ....