So far we have had the right certain main books of the New Testament. But these four following ones have had a different reputation before. And first of all, that this epistle to the Hebrews was not written by St. Paul, nor by any apostle, is proven by the fact that in the second chapter, v. 3, it says: "This teaching came to us and remained through those who heard it from the Lord himself. This makes it clear that he is speaking of the apostles as a disciple to whom such teaching came from the apostles, perhaps lukewarm afterwards. For St. Paul Gal. 1, 1. powerfully testifies that he did not receive his gospel from any man, nor through any man, but from God Himself.
(2) Over this it has a hard knot, that in the sixth and tenth chapters it flatly denies and denies repentance to sinners after baptism, and Cap. 12:17 says, Esau sought repentance, and yet found it not. This, as it reads, seems to be contrary to all the Gospels and Epistles of St. Paul. And although one may make a gloss on it, the words are so clear that I do not know whether it is enough. It seems to me that it is an epistle composed of many pieces, and does not deal with one thing properly.
3) As with all of these, it is a fine, concise epistle, which speaks of the priesthood of Christ masterfully and thoroughly from the Scriptures, and also interprets the Old Testament finely and abundantly.
*) This preface is found in the Leipzig edition, vol. XII, p. 68 and in the Erlanger, vol. 63, p. 153. **) This preface is found in the Leipzig edition, vol. XII, p. 69 and in the Erlanger, vol. 63, p. 154.
128 Eri. 83, 155-157. prefaces to the German Bible translation. W. xiv, nr-its. 129
It is obvious that it is the work of an excellent, learned man who was a disciple of the apostles, learned much from them, and is almost experienced in the faith and practiced in the Scriptures. And even though he does not lay the foundation of faith, as he himself testifies, Cap. 6, 1, which is the apostles' office, he nevertheless builds on it gold, silver and precious stones, as St. Paul says in 1 Cor. 3, 12. Therefore, we should not be hindered by the fact that wood, straw or hay may have been mixed in.
but to receive such fine doctrine with all honors, without being anything like the apostolic epistles.
4 But he who has written them is unconscious and will remain unconscious for a while; there is nothing in it. Today we are interested in the doctrine that he so steadfastly founds in and from the Scriptures, and that he shows a right, fine grasp and measure in reading and acting upon the Scriptures.