The epistle to the Hebrews was almost certainly not written by Paul. But it almost certainly was authored by someone who was a very close associate of Paul, someone who knew his theology and thinking, his style and syntax. This author also speaks with a Jewish voice, one comfortably familiar with Jewish theology, tradition and soul. Some favorite candidates for authorship offered by scholars have included Barnabas, Silas, Luke and Apollos.

Among these four, Apollos appears to hold the best qualifications for the job. Apollos was himself a Jew, was known for his eloquence, and was deemed "well-versed" in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24). Furthermore, as an Alexandrian Jew, Apollos would be most familiar with the Septuagint, the translation which the epistle to the Hebrews quotes from consistentl…