Texts in Conversation
The epistle of 1 Clement quotes the Wisdom of Solomon, showing how this Jewish text was used authoritatively in early Christian tradition. The quoted text discusses Wisdom’s concern with divine justice and how people shouldn't challenge that.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Wisdom of Solomon 12:12
Deuterocanon
11 For they were a cursed seed from the beginning. It wasn’t through fear of any that you left them unpunished for their sins. 12 For who will say, “What have you done?” Or “Who will withstand your judgment?” Who will accuse you for the perishing of nations which you made? Or who will come and stand before you as an avenger for unrighteous men? 13 For there isn’t any God beside you that cares for all, that you might show that you didn’t judge unrighteously. 14 No king or prince will be able to confront you about those whom you have punished.
Date: 50 BCE – 50 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 27:5
First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
Early Christian
3 Therefore let our faith in Him be kindled within us, and let us understand that all things are near to Him. 4 By a word of His majesty He formed the universe; and by a word He can destroy it. 5 Who shall say to Him, “What have You done?” or who shall resist the might of His strength? When He wills, and as He wills, He will do all things; and none of the things He has decreed shall pass away. 6 All things are in His sight, and nothing escapes His counsel. 7 since “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day utters word to day, and night proclaims knowledge to night; and there are no words or speeches whose voices are not heard.”
Date: 90–100 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The Apostolic Fathers (ca. 90-150 CE), those writings closest in chronology to the New Testament writings, have a number of even more striking parallels. quotations, and allusions to noncanonical literature. Notice, for example, that Clement of Rome (ca. 90-95 CE) cited Sirach 2:11 in 1 Clement 60.1, Wisdom of Solomon 12:10 in 1 Clement 7.5, and Wisdom of Solomon 12:12 in 1 Clement 27.5 (perhaps also alluded to in 3.4 and 7.5). In 1 Clement 55.4-6 both Judith (8ff.) and Esther (7 and 4:16) are cited authoritatively or scripturally. The author of 2 Clement (ca. 150 CE) has a number of quotations, allusions, and references from unknown and nonbiblical sources (see 11.2-4,7, and 13.2) as well as a quote from Tobit 16:4. Barnabas (ca. 90-130) employs quotations from Wisdom of Solomon (20.2), 1 Enoch (16.5), 4 Ezra (12.1), and from unknown 'scripture' as in 7.3, 8, and 10.7. The Didache (ca. 70-90 CE) makes use of Wisdom of Solomon in 5.2 and 10.3 as well as an unknown quote in 1.6. Polycarp cites Tobit 4:10 (see also 12:9) in Martyrdom 10.2 ..."
Lee Martin McDonald, Forgotten Scriptures: The Selection and Rejection of Early Religious Writings (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009), 136.
* 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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