An Early Reader of James? Ethical Parallels between the Epistle and 2 Enoch

Bibliographic Data

ID21447231
AuthorsTimothy A Gabrielson (0000-0002-8006-5677, Sterling College - Theology and Ministry, USA, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume43
Issue2
Pages226-247
Publication date2020-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Study of the New Testament (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0142-064X • E-ISSN: 1745-5294
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0142064x20961280
OpenAlexW3092796698
LanguageEN
References cited14

The letter of James remains an enigma in many ways, including its immediate reception. Another enigmatic work, 2 Enoch, though vastly different in temperament and form, contains numerous ethical parallels with the epistle. Most prominent among the ten detailed here are the use of the imago Dei to prohibit slander, an absolute ban on taking oaths and a warning to wealthy landowners not to exploit day laborers. Utilizing criteria developed by Luke Timothy Johnson, a strong case can be made that 2 Enoch is to be numbered among the earliest readers of James. If so, there are implications for the date, geography and social context of both works. This proposal also sheds light on the relationship between the oath-formulas in Jas 5.12 and Mt. 5.33-37

Archaeology · Art · Context (archaeology) · Imago · Literature · Oath · Parallels · Sociology · Theology · American Constitutional Law and Politics · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Classics · History · Philosophy