← §1 Read continuously §3 → From the Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews · §2 · Origen of Alexandria
Paul's thoughts, another's wording
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Origen is giving his own opinion about who composed the Epistle to the Hebrews, after noting that its style is more polished than Paul's.
After other remarks he adds this: I, speaking my opinion, would say that the thoughts are the Apostle's, but the wording and the composition belong to someone who recorded the apostolic teaching and, as it were, wrote notes on what was said by the teacher."
Greek Τούτοις μεθ' ἕτερα ἐπιφέρει λέγων· Ἐγὼ δὲ
ἀποφαινόμενος εἴποιμ' ἂν, ὅτι τὰ μὲν νοήματα τοῦ Ἀποστόλου ἐστὶν, ἡ δὲ φράσις,
καὶ ἡ σύνθεσις, ἀπομνημονεύσαντός τινος τὰ ἀποστολικὰ, καὶ ὡσπερεὶ
σχολιογραφήσαντος τὰ εἰρημένα ὑπὸ τοῦ διδασκάλου.
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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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