Texts in Conversation
In Sirach, a reader is told to question a friend before believing an accusation, since the report is often slander. The Greek philosopher Plutarch puts that same step first in a family quarrel, where a brother is defended before he is rebuked.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Sirach 19:15
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
Deuterocanon
13 Question a friend; perhaps he did not do it; or if he did, so that he may not do it again. 14 Question a neighbor; perhaps he did not say it; or if he said it, so that he may not repeat it. 15 Question a friend, for often it is slander; so do not believe everything you hear. 16 A person may make a slip without intending it. Who has not sinned with his tongue? 17 Question your neighbor before you threaten him; and let the law of the Most High take its course.
Plutarch Moralia 483
Classical
Only after the erring brother has been defended in this manner should the other turn to him and rebuke him somewhat sharply, pointing out with all frankness his errors of commission and of omission. For one should neither give free rein to brothers, nor, again, should one trample on them when they are at fault (for the latter is the act of one who gloats over the sinner, the former that of one who aids and abets him), but should apply his admonition as one who cares for his brother and grieves with him. Otherwise he who has been the most zealous advocate before his parents becomes before the brother himself the most vehement of accusers. But if a brother is guiltless when he is accused, though it is right to be subservient to parents in everything else and to endure all their wrath and displeasure, yet pleas and justifications offered to parents on behalf of a brother who is being undeservedly criticized or punished are honourable and not reprehensible; nor must one be afraid that the words of Sophocles will be addressed to him:
Date: 75-100 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
“... Forgiveness, reconciliation, patience. Finally, ancient moralists stress the importance of practicing forgiveness within the kinship group, of bearing patiently with one another and seeking reconciliation wherever a breach occurs. Plutarch advises that a brother ought to rebuke a brother with all frankness when he errs, “but should apply his admonition as one who cares for his brother and grieves with him” (“On Fraternal Affection” 10 [Mor. 483B], LCL). Gentleness and forbearance are to characterize a sibling’s approach to the fault or injury caused by another. [...] See also Wisdom of Ben Sira 19:13-15 on the possibility that the friend or family member has been slandered and is not truly guilty of the offense of which one suspects him or her ...”
DeSilva, David A.
Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture
(pp. 172-174) InterVarsity Press, 2000
* 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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