Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
In each of known Paul's epistles, it begins with Paul announcing himself before proceeding with his epistle. Hebrews doesn't begin this way.
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In the eyes of the Hellenistic Jews, Paul was damaged goods, his reputation was destroyed by the throngs of Judaizers emanating from Jerusalem. Hence he wrote anonymously, as it truly was, inspired by the Spirit of God. To reach the widest possible audience, Paul wanted polished Greek, that which only Luke, his longtime faithful companion, could provide. Paul and Luke most probably wrote this lengthy discourse while he was under house arrest in Caesarea under the safety of Felix the governor.
Since Paul learned first-hand that the church in Jerusalem had completely returned to Moses, and soon would face destruction by Titus, Paul knew it was futile to write to them in Hebrew. The book of Hebrews was intended for the Diaspora. It was a writing on par with the best of Romans, not dictated freehand according to inspiration, but carefully collaborated and prepared over time. I believe during this same time, Luke also researched and wrote his Gospel and Acts.