Texts in Conversation
Sirach closes a hymn on creation with the claim that God is everything, the power behind all that exists. Paul uses similar language in 1 Corinthians when he looks ahead to a time when God will be all in all, with every power under one divine rule.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Sirach 43:27
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
Deuterocanon
24 Those who sail on the sea tell of its dangers. We marvel when we hear it with our ears. 25 There are also those strange and wondrous works in it— variety of all that has life and the huge creatures of the sea. 26 Because of him, his messengers succeed. By his word, all things hold together. 27 We may say many things, but couldn’t say enough. The summary of our words is, “He is everything!” 28 How could we have strength to glorify him? For he is himself the greater than all his works. 29 The Lord is awesome and exceedingly great! His power is marvelous!
Date: 195–180 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
1 Corinthians 15:28
New Testament
26 The last enemy to be eliminated is death. 27 For he has put everything in subjection under his feet. But when it says “everything” has been put in subjection, it is clear that this does not include the one who put everything in subjection to him. 28 And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they baptized for them? 30 Why too are we in danger every hour?
Date: 55–57 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The writings that make up the Old Testament Apocrypha contribute much to New Testament background. There are several political and theological themes that may be reviewed briefly. Second Maccabees 7:28 may be the first to teach that God created the universe out of nothing. In Sirach 43:27 God is called 'the All.' God is called 'Father' (Tobit 13:4), 'Judge' (Sirach 17:15-24), and 'King' (Judith 9:12; 2 Maccabees 7:9). Wisdom of Solomon 11:22-12:2 teaches that God's love is universal. God is all-knowing and all-powerful (Sirach 42:15-25) ..."
Craig A. Evans, Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies: A Guide to the Background Literature (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005), 22.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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