The Case for Apollos as the Author of Hebrews

 The authorship of the Book of Hebrews has been a subject of much debate and speculation throughout Christian history. Unlike other New Testament epistles, Hebrews does not begin with a greeting or a clear identification of its author, leaving scholars and theologians to consider various possibilities. Among the candidates proposed, Apollos emerges as the most compelling choice. His background, theological insight, and rhetorical skills align closely with the content and style of Hebrews. This essay will explore the reasons why Apollos is the most likely author, delving into his Alexandrian roots, his deep knowledge of Scripture, his eloquence, and his suitability when compared to other proposed authors such as Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Priscilla, and Clement of Rome.

1. Alexandrian Influence: The Theological and Philosophical Depth of Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews stands out in the New Testament for its profound theological and philosophical reflections. The letter intricately discusses the superiority of Christ over key figures and institutions in Judaism, such as angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood. It presents Jesus as the ultimate high priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, particularly in His once-for-all sacrifice. This depth of theological reasoning suggests that the author was someone well-versed in Jewish tradition and Hellenistic philosophy—traits characteristic of someone from Alexandria, Egypt.

Apollos and the Alexandrian School: Apollos, a native of Alexandria, is described in Acts 18:24 as "a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures." Alexandria was a melting pot of Jewish and Hellenistic thought, home to the famous Library of Alexandria, and a center of philosophical and theological education. The Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria, a contemporary of the early Christian period, is known for his allegorical interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures, blending Jewish theology with Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism. The letter to the Hebrews displays a similar intellectual synthesis, especially in its typological interpretation of the Old Testament, where elements of Jewish ritual are seen as foreshadowing Christ’s work.

Hebrews and Allegory: The author of Hebrews frequently employs allegory and typology, interpreting the Old Testament in ways that reveal deeper spiritual truths. For instance, the author sees the earthly sanctuary as a shadow of the heavenly reality (Hebrews 8:5), and Melchizedek as a type of Christ (Hebrews 7). This approach is characteristic of the Alexandrian school, where allegorical interpretation was highly developed. Apollos, having been educated in Alexandria, would have been well-equipped to utilize this method of interpretation, making him a strong candidate for the authorship of Hebrews.

2. Expertise in Scripture: Apollos’s Profound Knowledge of the Old Testament

The Book of Hebrews is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, drawing on a wide range of scriptures to build its arguments. The author demonstrates an exceptional understanding of Jewish rituals, laws, and prophetic writings, reinterpreting them in light of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The depth of scriptural knowledge and the ability to weave these texts into a cohesive theological narrative suggest that the author was an expert in Jewish tradition.

Apollos’s Scriptural Knowledge: Apollos’s profound knowledge of the Scriptures is highlighted in Acts 18:24-28, where he is described as "mighty in the Scriptures" and capable of "vigorously refuting the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah." This description aligns with the author of Hebrews, who similarly uses the Old Testament to demonstrate the superiority of Christ’s new covenant over the old. Apollos, with his strong foundation in Jewish theology and his Christian convictions, would have had the expertise necessary to craft the complex scriptural arguments that characterize Hebrews.

The Use of Old Testament in Hebrews: The author of Hebrews skillfully employs Old Testament quotations and allusions, drawing from the Psalms, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and other books to make theological points. For example, the author uses Psalm 110 to argue that Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7), and Jeremiah 31 to emphasize the new covenant (Hebrews 8). This depth of engagement with the Old Testament requires an author who not only knew the Scriptures intimately but could also interpret them in a way that highlighted their fulfillment in Christ. Apollos, known for his scriptural prowess, fits this profile perfectly.

3. Rhetorical Skill: The Eloquence of Hebrews

Hebrews is distinguished by its sophisticated Greek style and rhetorical mastery. The letter is written in polished Greek, utilizing advanced rhetorical techniques to persuade its audience. The author employs exhortations, warnings, and theological arguments to encourage the recipients to remain faithful to Christ despite persecution and the temptation to revert to Judaism. The level of rhetorical skill evident in Hebrews suggests that the author was not only knowledgeable but also an accomplished speaker and writer.

Apollos’s Eloquence: The New Testament describes Apollos as an "eloquent man" (Acts 18:24), and his ability to speak and teach with great fervor made him a respected figure in the early church. His eloquence is consistent with the sophisticated rhetorical style of Hebrews, which suggests that the author was highly skilled in Greek rhetoric. The structure of Hebrews, with its well-organized arguments and persuasive appeals, reflects a level of rhetorical training that would have been characteristic of someone like Apollos, who was known for his powerful public speaking.

Rhetorical Features in Hebrews: Hebrews is not only a theological treatise but also a carefully constructed exhortation. The author uses rhetorical devices such as inclusio (a literary technique where a passage is framed by similar statements), anaphora (repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses), and vivid imagery to drive home the message. For example, Hebrews 12:1-2 uses the imagery of a race to encourage perseverance in the faith. The use of these rhetorical techniques indicates an author who was not only theologically adept but also skilled in persuasive communication. Apollos, known for his eloquence and fervent preaching, would have been capable of composing such a letter.

4. Comparison with Other Candidates

While Apollos is a strong candidate for the authorship of Hebrews, other figures such as Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Priscilla, and Clement of Rome have also been proposed. A closer examination of these candidates reveals that Apollos remains the most plausible author.

Paul: Paul has traditionally been considered a possible author of Hebrews, especially in the early church. However, there are significant differences between Hebrews and Paul’s undisputed letters. The style of Hebrews is more polished and rhetorical, whereas Paul’s letters often have a more spontaneous and personal tone. Moreover, the theological emphasis in Hebrews, particularly on Christ’s high priesthood, is not a central theme in Paul’s other writings. While Paul certainly had the theological knowledge and scriptural expertise to write Hebrews, the stylistic and thematic differences make him a less likely candidate. Additionally, early Christian writers like Origen recognized these differences, leading them to conclude that "God only knows" who wrote Hebrews, implying doubt about Pauline authorship.

Barnabas: Barnabas, a Levite and close companion of Paul, has been suggested as a possible author due to his Levitical background, which might explain the emphasis on the priesthood in Hebrews. Tertullian, an early Christian writer, even attributed Hebrews to Barnabas. However, there is little concrete evidence to support this view. While Barnabas’s background could align with some of the themes in Hebrews, there is no direct historical or textual evidence linking him to the letter. Moreover, Barnabas’s known writings, such as the Epistle of Barnabas, do not exhibit the same level of rhetorical sophistication or theological depth as Hebrews.

Luke: Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, has also been proposed as the author of Hebrews, primarily due to his association with Paul and his literary skill. Luke’s Greek is indeed polished, and his ability to write in a sophisticated style is evident in his works. However, the focus of Luke’s writings is more historical and narrative, rather than the theological and exhortative tone of Hebrews. Additionally, the theological themes in Luke’s Gospel and Acts do not align as closely with those in Hebrews, particularly the emphasis on Christ’s priesthood. While Luke was undoubtedly a skilled writer, the differences in focus and style make him a less likely candidate for Hebrews.

Priscilla: The suggestion that Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, authored Hebrews is a more modern theory, popularized by Adolf von Harnack. This theory is intriguing because it could explain the anonymity of the letter, as a female author might have chosen not to include her name. Priscilla was a prominent teacher in the early church, known for instructing Apollos himself in the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). However, the lack of historical support and the fact that the early church did not attribute the letter to her make this theory speculative. Additionally, while Priscilla was a capable teacher, there is no evidence that she had the level of rhetorical training evident in Hebrews.

Clement of Rome: Clement of Rome, an early bishop of Rome and the author of 1 Clement, has also been suggested as a possible author. Clement’s letter to the Corinthians shares some thematic similarities with Hebrews, such as the emphasis on faith and endurance. However, Clement’s writing style in 1 Clement is more pastoral and less rhetorically polished than Hebrews. Additionally, the historical context suggests that Clement’s influence in the early church came after the likely time of the writing of Hebrews, which is generally dated before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. While Clement was a respected leader, the differences in style and the timing make him a less probable candidate.

5. Apollos: The Strongest Candidate

Having considered the strengths and weaknesses of the other proposed authors, Apollos remains the most plausible candidate for the authorship of Hebrews. Several key factors support this conclusion:

1. Theological Alignment and Background:

   • Apollos's Alexandrian background provided him with a unique blend of Jewish scriptural knowledge and Hellenistic philosophical training. This combination is reflected in Hebrews, where the author demonstrates a deep understanding of Jewish rituals and law, while also engaging in sophisticated theological arguments that resonate with the philosophical traditions of Alexandria. The use of typology and allegory in Hebrews aligns with the interpretative methods popular in Alexandria, making Apollos a fitting candidate.

2. Scriptural Expertise:

   • Hebrews exhibits an exceptional command of the Old Testament, reinterpreting key passages to present Christ as the fulfillment of the Jewish covenant. Apollos, known for his "mighty" knowledge of the Scriptures, was uniquely qualified to handle these texts with the depth and precision displayed in Hebrews. His ability to debate and teach from the Scriptures, as noted in Acts, supports the idea that he could craft the complex theological arguments found in this letter.

3. Rhetorical Skill and Eloquence:

   • The polished Greek and rhetorical sophistication of Hebrews suggest that the author was highly skilled in the art of persuasion and public speaking. Apollos, described as an eloquent man and a powerful preacher, fits this description well. The rhetorical techniques used in Hebrews, such as the construction of elaborate theological arguments, the use of exhortation, and the vivid imagery employed to encourage perseverance, point to an author who was both a skilled orator and a trained rhetorician—traits that align with what we know of Apollos.

4. Historical Plausibility:

   • While early Christian writers debated the authorship of Hebrews, no single figure emerged as the definitive author. The early church did not conclusively attribute the letter to Paul, Barnabas, or any other figure, leaving room for speculation. Apollos, though not directly mentioned as a candidate by early church fathers, fits the profile of the author in ways that others do not. His absence from the debate may simply be due to the lack of a strong tradition linking him to the letter, rather than a disqualification of his candidacy.

Conclusion

The authorship of the Book of Hebrews remains one of the great mysteries of the New Testament, but a careful examination of the evidence points strongly towards Apollos as the most likely author. His background in Alexandria provided him with the intellectual tools necessary to engage in the sophisticated theological discourse that characterizes Hebrews. His profound knowledge of the Scriptures, combined with his rhetorical skill and eloquence, makes him a fitting candidate for the composition of this unique and influential letter.

While other candidates such as Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Priscilla, and Clement of Rome have been proposed, each falls short in some way when compared to Apollos. The stylistic and thematic differences with Paul, the lack of direct evidence for Barnabas and Luke, the speculative nature of Priscilla’s authorship, and the pastoral rather than theological focus of Clement all suggest that these figures are less likely to have authored Hebrews.

Apollos, on the other hand, stands out as a figure who embodies the qualities necessary to write such a letter: deep theological insight, scriptural expertise, and rhetorical prowess. Though the early church did not definitively attribute Hebrews to Apollos, the evidence points in his direction, making him the most plausible candidate for the authorship of this profound and enigmatic work.