Texts in Conversation
2 Maccabees uses “Judaism” to describe loyalty to the traditions defended in the Maccabean revolt, highlighting one of the earliest uses of the word. In Galatians, Paul also speaks of advancing in “Judaism.” Both show how it developed into an identity.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
2 Maccabees 2:21
Deuterocanon
19 Now the things concerning Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, the purification of the greatest temple, the dedication of the altar, 20 and further the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and Eupator his son, 21 and the manifestations that came from heaven to those who fought with one another in brave deeds for the religion of the Jews; so that, being but a few, they seized the whole country, chased the barbarous multitudes, 22 recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, freed the city, and restored the laws which were about to be overthrown, seeing the Lord became gracious to them with all kindness. 23 These things which have been declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will attempt to abridge in one book.
Date: 160–63 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Galatians 1:14
New Testament
12 For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source; instead I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being,
Date: 54–55 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Prior to the Maccabean period Ioudaios (Jew) had been a name used by foreigners for persons belonging to Judea. From the 2nd century BC, the name was accepted and used by the Jews themselves as a self-designation in place of the older “Israelite” and “Hebrew.” So used, it functioned to distinguish Jew from non-Jew (compare Romans 1:16; 2:9-10; 3:9, 29; 9:24; 10:12; Galatians 2:14-15; 3:28). The national religion was correspondingly called Ioudaismos (Judaism) (2 Maccabees 2:21; 8:1; 14:38). Hence, by Paul’s time, “Jew” would have been a label accepted with pride by his contemporaries (compare 4 Ezra 6:55-59). In Romans 2:17 Paul used Jew in this sense. Later, in writings such as the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of John, “Jew” came to mean, for the most part, establishment synagogue Judaism ..."
Charles H. Talbert, The Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary: Romans (Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2002), 87.
* 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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