← §3 Read continuously From the Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews · §4 · Origen of Alexandria
The tradition that reached us about the epistle's writer
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Origen is closing his discussion of Hebrews' authorship by reporting the two traditions that have reached him about who wrote it.
The tradition that has come down to us says that some claim Clement of Rome, who became bishop of the Romans, wrote the Epistle, while others claim it was Luke, the one who wrote the Gospel and Acts.
Greek Ἡ δὲ εἰς ἡμᾶς φθάσασα ἱστορία, ὑπό τινων μὲν λεγόντων, ὅτι
Κλήμης ὁ γενόμενος ἐπίσκοπος Ῥωμαίων ἔγραψε Ἐπιστολήν· ὑπό τινων δὲ, ὅτι
Λουκᾶς ὁ γράψας τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον, καὶ τὰς Πράξεις.
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About this text Origen judges that Hebrews holds Paul's thoughts in another's polished wording, notes claims for Clement and Luke, and says only God knows who wrote it.
Origen of Alexandria (c. 185–c. 254) wrote this homily as part of a series commenting on the Epistle to the Hebrews. He addresses the question of the epistle's authorship, since it was traditionally attributed to Paul but differs from his usual manner of writing.
Origen observes that the Greek style of the Epistle to the Hebrews is more polished than Paul's admitted plainness of speech, though its thoughts are worthy of an apostle. He therefore suggests that the ideas are Paul's, but the wording and composition belong to someone who recorded the apostle's teaching and as it were made notes on what was said by the teacher.
Origen reports that some tradition says Clement of Rome wrote it, while others say Luke, the author of the Gospel and Acts. The epistle is referred to as Hebrews, and the Gospel and Acts are those of Luke.
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