The Epistle was attributed to Barnabas, the companion of Paul the Apostle, by Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 – c. 215) and Origen (c. 184 – c. 253). Clement quotes it with phrases such as "the Apostle Barnabas says". Origen speaks of it as the "General Epistle of Barnabas". Its inclusion in close proximity to the New Testament in the "Codex Sinaiticus" and the "Codex Hierosolymitanus" witnesses to the near-canonical authority it held for some Christians, but is evidence of its popularity and usefulness, not necessarily of canonicity.