Luther and Hebrews
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Martin Luther in 1529, painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder
Luther and Hebrews concerns Martin Luther's skepticism toward the Epistle to the Hebrews, primarily because he correctly concluded that Paul didn't write it but incorrectly questioned its authenticity on that basis. Luther also doubted the harshness in the Epistle towards apostasy, a teaching that may have caused personal discomfort to Luther himself.
Despite his doubts, Luther did include this Epistle in his translation of the New Testament, but with this Preface (in German):
| “ | Up to this point we have had to do with the true and certain chief books of the New Testament. The four which follow have from ancient times had a different reputation.[1] | ” |
| “ | Of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Luther felt that "it cannot in all respects be compared to the Apostolic Epistles," and he famously suggested Apollos rather than Paul as the author. He was also worried that the epistle seemed to grant no forgiveness for a second apostasy, placing limits on God's grace.[2] | ” |