And nonbiblical sources give us no clarity. And she herself wouldn’t have shied away from her love and devotion to her husband and would have used the “We” pronoun as a further indication of their co-laboring together. As far back as the third century, Origen3 wrote: “In the epistle entitled To the Hebrews the diction does not exhibit the characteristic roughness of speech or phraseology admitted by the Apostle [Paul] himself, the construction of the sentences is closer to the Greek usage, as anyone capable of recognizing differences of style would agree . By sharing the gospel, clarifying the truth and giving of herself, I’m certain Prisca was an enormous help to the growth and support of the Church to come. Furthermore, the author of Hebrews sometimes uses the pronoun "I" and sometimes "we", which would make sense if Priscilla and Aquila both had a hand in organizing the material. More interestingly. Hebrews 11:32 says, “And what more shall I say? F.F. Priscilla, Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews? Eventually Paul returned to Ephesus and wrote 1 Corinthians and Priscilla and Aquila were there at that time too [1 Corinthians 16:19]. In 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Paul uses a total of 278 personal pronouns. Archaeological research suggests that someone named Priscilla held a position of tremendous honor in the early church. They had also seen the martyrdom of Paul and Peter [Hebrews 13:7 & 10:32] Priscilla would have bee­n very concerned for her old house church. Taylor. Neither Paul nor Luke hesitate to condemn misconduct among members of the church (Acts 5:1-11). But we just can’t know that. Christ spoke to men and women alike. It definitely does not. Heb. Apollos was a self-assured teacher driven by a spiritual quest. Priscilla, as a colleague of Paul, was a colleague of Timothy, with whom the author coordinates travel plans (Heb. Just so compelling to me. It’s rare to see someone consider another opinion or idea and watch them say… huh, you know what? Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Hoppin proposes the thesis that Priscilla was a student of St. Peter in Rome and wrote Hebrews under his tutelage. So much so that it made EVERYONE uncomfortable. According to Hamack, women teachers in the early church soon came under attack. 3.38.2). Your email address will not be published. Looking at Romans 16 we see that Priscilla was an Apostolic teacher that was known throughout Christendom. Priscilla: Christian, wife of a Jewish freedman, fellow worker with Paul, teacher of teachers, church planter — and author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, (a letter whose writer’s name is mysteriously absent)? The Greek scholar Zodhiates comments that some Greek experts attribute the writing of Hebrews to Priscilla. Apollos had been preaching the baptism of John with great success, yet his understanding of redemption was somehow incomplete. It has been suggested that Priscilla wrote the epistle to the Hebrews partly on this account. Believing the author to have been Priscilla, Ruth Hoppin posits that the name was omitted either to suppress its female authorship, or to protect the letter itself from suppression. More importantly, the author’s grasp of the Greek language is much better than Paul’s… the author of Hebrews is more eloquent and poetic in style. He picked the people that would have the most impact on the community. The brilliant theologian Dr. Harnack asserted that the author’s frequent use of the communicative “we” teaches, among other things, that there is possibly more than one author. Or even more likely, was it a sermon of Paul’s that was later written out long hand by another author – like Luke? Three times they are mentioned as “Priscilla and Aquila”. Russell, Through personal experience Priscilla would have understood the challenge presented by a strange land and the need for a strong faith during forced exile. Let's take a look at the context and some clues to determine who wrote the book fo Hebrews. Scripture indicates not that Pricilla and Aquila were Christians and hence Paul’s visit, but rather that Paul went to see them because they were tentmakers. Can you imagine having that opportunity? This suggestion came from Adolf von Harnack in 1900. (23) 6 (July/August 1980), p. 3-6. Next, on their information, a vast multitude were convicted, not so much on the charge of burning the city, as of hating the human race. Hrmmm. Really like what you said. But far from condemning Pricilla, both Luke and Paul promote Pricilla as one “who explained the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). To follow are her most salient arguments in favor of Priscilla’s authorship. In the end, all of these are little more than guesses. Again, your presentation is excellent. And would have wanted to encourage them in the faith. So with all that preliminary stuff out of the way… WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF HEBREWS? In the following excerpt adapted from Lexham Press’ new Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary volume: Hebrews by Thomas R. Schreiner, 1 we see whose names have been put forward—and why the author of Hebrews probably isn’t Paul.. Compare this to Hebrews 10:32-34, “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. [2 Timothy 4:19]. The participle in Seeing as though Hebrews is my favorite book of the entire Bible (yes, I’m that weird – I’m sure yours is Romans, or Corinthians or any one of a number of ‘better’ books. My response to Bart was mainly around women in leadership – which is an entirely different topic. was likely intended as the phrase “Time will fail me in telling” can refer By the spring of 52 A.D. Paul, Pricilla and Aquila set sail for Ephesus where Pricilla distinguished herself as a gifted teacher. Again, it’s not a huge deal either way. Its a forgone conclusion to me. Seriously, thanks for taking the time to read the ramblings of a random person. A survey of Priscilla’s ministry in Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus reveals a woman whose abilities and life’s circumstances beg the question: Was it Priscilla who wrote Hebrews? I’ve thought casually about expanding the argument into a book that is buttressed on the importance of women throughout the New Testament, heck, the entirety of the Bible. The authorship of Hebrews is a fascinating issue that continues to … All six references of Prisca by Paul mentioned her husband as well. By Thomas Schreiner. But did she? It is good for your hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them” (Hebrews 13:9). Which jives with Priscilla and Aquila meeting Paul somewhere around 53 AD quoted earlier. Ruth. And in 67 AD Nero had Paul tortured and killed. Her name was found inscribed on Roman monuments, churches, and on an ancient Roman burial site called the Coemeterium Priscillae. The fact that Jesus didn’t pick a woman as a disciple doesn’t bother me one bit. I’m happy to hear why you believe me to be wrong. From Rome, she wrote Hebrews, pleading with her people in Ephesus to keep the faith. No. I shall most certainly quote from it in future discussion and sermons. Harnack claimed that the Epistle was "written to Rome—not to the church, but to the inner circle"; that the earliest tradition 'blotted out' the name of the author; that "we must look for a person who was intimately associated with Paul and Timothy, as the author" and that Priscilla matched this description. Since a woman’s word wasn’t worth much, and she was not encouraged to speak out, a woman disciple would probably have brought a lot of suspicion and scorn to Jesus’ work. James Hope Moulton, New Testament scholar and Greek lexicographer, writing in 1909, referred to the "man-or woman" who wrote Hebrews. And, I really like the idea. Were Pricilla and Aquila returning to a church they had planted and continued to function in as patrons? But I am ok with being wrong on that topic too! The author of Hebrews also quotes widely from the Septuegent (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) where as Paul always quoted directly from the Hebrew. That would account for the similarity of the theology between Paul and this other author. Does this topic matter? You may find it convincing – at least that is my goal. Scholars have suggested several names as possibilities for the author of this book, including Apollos, Barnabas, Luke, Priscilla, Silas, and, of course, Paul. But I don’t know if Prscilla being the HIDDEN author of Hebrews is a great argument for women in the pulpit. I am sure that people knew who it was in the beginning, but it had to be hidden when Greek/Roman concepts of women became too popular for the truth. An important detail in ascertaining the authorship of any letter is the audience. There were only a few pronouns at all in the book of Hebrews and almost half of them is the pronoun “we”. First, the strongest reason to reject the Priscilla view is the use of a first person masculine participle in the book of Hebrews. Eusebius, the great historian of the church, recognizes that the letter Clement wrote from Rome to the Corinthian church in the late first century contained many allusions to and quotations from Hebrews and notes that on that basis some believed that Clement himself was the translator or author of Hebrews (Hist. It has always been sin that oppressed women, not God. I appreciate this great discussion of the authorship of Hebrews. Priscilla's authorship of Hebrews, clearly validated by Hoppin's exquisite scholarship, and made accessible as a result of her cogent writing, provides a clear rebuttal to those traditionalists who assert that women were, from the Church's inception, relegated to subordinate positions. No. I of all people agree with you Ann. haha. Very good, convincing read! I note also that Paul refers to Prisca as a co-worker with him in Christ Jesus, which suggests a working relationship of equal stature. We can see that the Roman church operated out of their Roman house in Romans 16:5 – “Greet the church that meets at their (Priscilla and Aquila) house.” It was written to them because during this time they had under gone lots of chaos and expulsions under Claudius and then took a turn for the worst under Nero in 64 AD. I believed that Paul wrote Hebrews before reading that passage again with new eyes, but this verse kinda settles the matter. So we can surmise that Priscilla had the schooling, the knowledge and early church pedigree to write something like the book of Hebrews. Its a fascinating area of scholarship. The debate has been going on for a long time. I first came to the same conclusion while a Seminary student in the late 1970’s. T he epistle of Hebrews was written to demonstrate to Jews that as great as the Mosaic Law was, as great as the Temple was, as great as the Levitical sacrifices were, Christ was superior (Hebrews 1.1-3, 4-2.18, 3.1-4.13, 4.14-10.18, 10.19-12.29). Harnack’s hypothesis that Priscilla wrote the epistle to the Hebrews. Finally, Harnack argued that because of the lower status given to most women in ancient times, Priscilla would have had a greater incentive to have written anonymously than any of the other possible authors. Apollos doesn’t seem like the type to not sign his letter and send specific greetings that would identify him. If neither Luke or Paul were unwilling to silence the work of a woman such as Prisca, dare we? Let us commence. I’m in. In truth, the book of Hebrews does not indicate who wrote it. I buy it. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.”. Image source. Why would a New Testament author have done such a thing? God’s best to you…. Having lived and worked among these churches as a leader and patron, Priscilla had a burden for their safety and success. Why aren’t you bringing the discussion? Definitely worth taking a closer look at anyway. In August of 64 AD Nero blamed the burning of Rome on the Christians and here is what follows: “First those were seized who confessed that they were Christians. Hebrews 11 recounts the exile of Sarah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and the children of Israel who wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Its just not worth it. I am going to refer to your scholarship in my sunday sermon just before Christmas. Both had just arrived from Rome, from which city the Emperor Claudius had recently expelled the Jewish community. The author of Hebrews had been closely associated with Timothy (Hebrews 13:23). Moreover, neither Luke nor Paul criticize Pricilla for having taught a man. Priscilla and Aquila had risked their lives for Paul and were a central backbone to not only their church but all the “gentile churches” as well [Romans 16:4]. I want to state up front – this is one of these issues. In November 1997, two events occurred. It is assumed that the readers “must have known at once who was meant.”9 “Without emphasizing the change, the writer glides from “we” to “I.”10At times the author uses a cordial “we,” and moves effortlessly to an authoritative “I,” indicating the author’s position as leader. They ran businesses together, the taught together, spoke together, trained leaders together. However, it … My thoughts parallel yours and I have argued If one removes gender, the obvious choice is Priscilla. Apollos and Priscilla. Greg is also right that Aquila would by the same logic be a viable candidate and perhaps a more viable candidate than Priscilla, though she could have been a "co-author". D), and discovered that Priscilla’s prominent position had been suppressed by a later interpolator. Priscilla: Christian, wife of a Jewish freedman, fellow worker with Paul, teacher of teachers, church planter — and author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, (a letter whose writer’s name is mysteriously absent)? on Priscilla’s authorship of Hebrews. Mary Magdalen also was the first to witness the resurrection and so arguably the founder of the whole Jesus movement and hence the Christian Church. Further support for a non-Jewish, non-male author arises from the curious fact that the author never mentioned the temple in Jerusalem, but rather refers only to the tabernacle. But it is an interesting side note to think about. If Pricilla had violated Paul’s Alleged prohibition against the teaching ministry of women it seems likely that either Luke or Paul would have criticized her for having taught a man. The short answer: only God knows. Thanks again for commenting. The Epistle itself provides some information about the author. This book indicates extensive and up-to-date acquaintance with the literature and commentaries, and presents a convincing argument for Priscilla’s authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews. And I am probably wrong. Would I consider this canon? And you know what? (Acts 18:2,18,26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19). Barnabas was a Levite, and scholars believe that there are characteristics in the book of Hebrews that indicate that the writer was a Levite. She backs this up with literary criticism, circumstantial evidence and archeological finds. Adolf von Harnac (1851-1930) suggested that Priscilla may have been the author but Robertson (1932) highlights that Hebrews 11:32 mentions a masculine participle that dismisses this theory. The field of possible authors is narrowed to leaders at Ephesus with a ministry to Hebrew Christians. Well done. I really am not pro or con women in the pulpit. Yes, laws were neanderthal in nature, and still the Church valued the women. It is MAN that has the issue with place, and roles, and rules. She was a co-laborer with Paul and devout follower of Christ and those were the only bona fides she needed to write the book. I think I will take on board what you said. I believe that Hebrews was written to the Jewish church in Rome. This article is awesome and thought provoking. (As Paul was want to say.) Wow. Anyway… maybe some day. All Hamack had the opportunity to examine two early manuscripts (Greek capital letter text, and a Syro-Latin Recension and Cod. They are really impressive – and honestly, outside of Christ, these two are the people I’d like to meet most from the Bible. The author of Hebrews also did something that has confounded many scholars. Scholars rarely attribute Hebrews to Paul primarily because the letter lacks both the traditional Pauline pre and post scripts, as well as the usual Pauline method of exhortation and argument. The prominence given to Priscilla must not be considered inconsequential, and is further evidence of the respect Paul had for his co-worker. And we see that she is admonishing them onwards towards the more lasting possession. Help CBE spread the message that #Godvalueswomen. As our Lord rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, and the crowds praised God joyfully, the Pharisees insisted Jesus silence them. I really enjoyed this, Taylor. Could be. 16:19, Rom. Now how do I figure out how to do that?! Any evidence that Apollos wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews is absent, never having been mentioned as the author in antiquity. hahah. She was intimately familiar with her audience and longed for them to continue the race with excellence. It can be argued that Hebrews 13:9 served not only as a warning against a particular form of apostasy, but also reflects the mind of a Roman who would have found the preparation of Kosher food not only culturally strange, but arduous as well. Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones will cry out.” In some small way the stones have cried out on behalf of Priscilla. pretty cool. He proposes that Priscilla is the author of Hebrews for a number of reasons: 1) the author was highly educated and seems to have held a prominent teaching position. Interview with The Devil All the Time Scribe Paulo Campos!! But instead you minimize the position as a minority view, as if you mean to say it is unreliable. Now I don’t know about you, but mentioning the wife first – AT ALL – in that day and age was unheard of. We do know for sure that they were tentmakers like Paul [Acts 18:3]. Hoppin, as well as others, also believes that Priscilla was the author of Hebrews. Love that this post is still getting readers. Ten of the twenty-nine names mentioned are women, and Priscilla is the only one mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Hey Michael… It is unlikely that a woman wrote Hebrews. Sign up for our newsletter to receive our most up-to-date news, articles, and information. While Paul was in Corinth for a year and a half he lived with Priscilla and Aquila. Just questioning the logic. Does it belittle the message because it might have been written by a woman? Ann & Ruth, I think Apollos is still a viable candidate. I’m sure the early church knew who wrote it as you state… but I’m sure she didn’t care what others thought, or didn’t seek any sort of recognition. And the clincher for me is that it was Paul’s style to continually refer to himself with the use of personal pronouns like “I”, “me”, “my”, and “mine”. Some believe Paul to be the author, who wrote at least thirteen books in the New Testament and others attribute the book to Priscilla, a friend of Paul’s who accompanied him during part of his ministry. Further evidence against Paul involves the statement “this salvation ... was confirmed to us by those who heard him” (Hebrews 2:3-4). Not sure why this would be conclusive. Oh, was over. Instead of constantly using the pronoun “I”, she regularly used the pronoun “We”. If this is the case then it dates the authorship of Hebrews somewhere around 70 AD. I am surprised that no one would disagree with this highly minority explanation. 16:3-5), referring affectionately to Prisca with the diminutive Priscilla. Please read my article “Priscilla and Plausibility” for details. But they moved frequently amongst Ephesus, Rome & Corinth. Inside Llewyn Davis Is Impossible To Comprehend, Wander Darkly Movie Recommendation and Explanation, Interview with Active Shooter Screenplay Author Toby Osborne, The Machinist: Plot Analysis And Ending Explained. And yet, it speaks to the importance of women in the early church. Well, it was because the author of Hebrews was never separated from her husband and spoke together with him in all things. aquilaauthorshipbiblehebrewspriscillawho wrote hebrews, Dear Taylor, All letter authors know their audience and the same is true here. Fascinating argument for women in the pulpit. I always leaned toward Paul’s authorship for lack of any other better explanation, your argument seems to make perfect sense! Generally the debate centers around Paul: Did he or did he not write the book? The first being that the author is the reference to Timothy in Hebrews 13:23. Take care. But if you are one of those Pauline folks – I’d love to hear your logic!! Does it matter in the scale of things in the world of Christendom? It is Paul’s theology… and continues his logic. Aquila and Priscilla befriended him and explained the Gospel to him more fully. Did the author know the person that it was addressed to? Seems plausible anyway. The evidence leans away from Apollos not only because the Epistle does not bear his signature, but because his conversion is unlikely to be that described in Hebrews 2:3. Your comments about her name being veiled is right to the heart of where I went with the blog posting.

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