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2 Clement

About this book
Chapter 16

1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have found no small chance for repentance, seeing that we still have time, let us turn again to God who called us, while we still have One who will receive us. 2 For if we let go of these pleasures and subdue our soul by refusing to follow its evil desires, we shall share in the mercy of Jesus. 3 But you know that the day of judgment comes even now like a burning oven, and the powers of the heavens shall melt, and all the earth like lead melting in the fire, and then shall appear the hidden and the open works of humanity.⁠ 4 Giving to the poor, therefore, is good, just like repentance from sin. Fasting is better than prayer, but giving to the poor is better than both. And love covers a multitude of sins,⁠ while prayer from a good conscience delivers from death. Blessed is everyone found full of these virtues. For giving to the poor lifts the burden of sin.⁠

Texts in conversation

Compare Tobit 12:8 and 2 Clement 16:4

Deuterocanon · Early Christian

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Summary

In 2 Clement, generosity to the poor is said to be as effective as repentance and delivering from death, language that is based on Tobit, demonstrating how early Christian tradition used Jewish texts like Tobit for teaching and theology.

Passages

Tobit 12:8

Deuterocanon
6 Then he called them both privately, and said to them, Bless God, and give him thanks in the sight of all that live, for the good things which he has done to you, to bless and praise his name. The words of God show forth to all men with honour and do not be slack to give him thanks. 7 It is good to keep close the secret of a king, but to confess and reveal the works of God. And confess them with honour. Do the good, and evil shall not find you. 8 Better is prayer with truth, and alms with righteousness than riches with unrighteousness; it is better to give alms than to lay up gold: 9 almsgiving does deliver from death, and it purges away all sin. They that do alms shall be fed with life; 10 they that commit sin and unrighteousness are enemies to their own life.
225–175 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Tobit

2 Clement 16:4

Early Christian
1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have found no small chance for repentance, seeing that we still have time, let us turn again to God who called us, while we still have One who will receive us. 2 For if we let go of these pleasures and subdue our soul by refusing to follow its evil desires, we shall share in the mercy of Jesus. 3 But you know that the day of judgment comes even now like a burning oven, and the powers of the heavens shall melt, and all the earth like lead melting in the fire, and then shall appear the hidden and the open works of humanity. 4 Giving to the poor, therefore, is good, just like repentance from sin. Fasting is better than prayer, but giving to the poor is better than both. And love covers a multitude of sins, while prayer from a good conscience delivers from death. Blessed is everyone found full of these virtues. For giving to the poor lifts the burden of sin.
130–160 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 2 Clement

References

"... The Apostolic Fathers (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 (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 both Judith (8) and Esther (7 and 4:16) are cited authoritatively or scripturally. The author of 2 Clement (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 (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 (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.
"... 2 Clement 16.4 contains the citation of 1 Peter 4:8 (along with Tobit 12:8-9): “Fasting is better than prayer, but merciful practice is better than both, and love covers a multitude of sins; prayer from a good conscience delivers from death.” Drawing on Tobit 12:8 (G1: “Prayer with fasting and merciful action and righteousness is good”), the author of 2 Clement asserts the superiority of merciful practice over prayer, but he goes beyond Tobit by declaring that ἐλεημοσύνη is better than both fasting and prayer ..."
David J. Downs, Alms: Charity, Reward, and Atonement in Early Christianity (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2016), 189–190.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Tobit 12:8 and 2 Clement 16:4

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