LIBRARY OF NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES
366 formerly the J o m a l for the SNdy of the New Testament Supplement series
Editor Mark Goodacre
Editorial Board John M. G. Barclay, Craig Blomberg. Kathleen E. Corley, R Alan Culpepper, James D. G. Dunn, Craig A Evans, Stephen Fowl, Robert Fowler, Simon J. Gathercole, John S. Kloppenborg, Michael Labahn, Robert Wall, Steve Walton, Robert L. Webb, Catrin H. Williams
PURITY AND WORLDVIEW IN THE EPISTLE OF JAMES
DARIAN R LOCKETT
t8.t clark
Copyright O Darian R. Locketf 2008 published by T&T Clark A Continuum imprint The Tower Building, 11 York Road, London SEl 7NX 80 Maiden Lane, Ste 704, New York, NY 10038
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Darian R. Lockett has asserted his right under the Copyrighf Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identilied as the Author of this work British Library Cataloguing-in-publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available fiom the British Library
ISBN 10: 0567033112 ISBN 13: 9780567033116 (hardback) Typeset by Data Standards Limited, Emme, Somerset, UK. Printed on acid-ke paper in Great Britain by Biddles Ltd, King's Lynn, Norfolk
Preface
vii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUC~ON: F w m w JAMES 1. Purpose 2. Method 3. Purity in James a. Commentators' View of Punty Language b. Previous Accounts of Purity in James c. Conclusion 4. 'Perfect~on'and Purity ln James 5. Summary and Conclusion
1 1 4 6 6 13 20 21 25
CHAPTER 2 A REASSESSMENT AND TAXONOMY OF PURITYLANGUAGE 1. The Notion of Purity a. Analytical Approaches to Purity b. Conclusion 2. Taxonomy of Purity Language a. Categories of Impurity b. Conclus~on 3. Summary and Conclusion
26 29 29 39 40 40 64 65
CHAPTER 3 AN APPROACH TO THE TEXT 1. James as a Letter to the Diaspora a. Epistolary Character of James b. 'To the twelve tribes of the diaspora' c. Conclusion 2. James's Coherent Strategy of Argumentation a. Paraenesis and Genre in James b. Contrasts m James's Argumentative Structure c. Overarching Contrasts in the Main Body (Exposition)
66 66 66 70 75 76 76 79 82
d. e.
Contrasts in the Opening Chapter of James 87 Conclusion 92 3. Structuring Principle of James 1.2-27 93 a. The Prescript 93 b. The Exposihon: James 2-5 94 c. The Limit of the Prologue 95 d. The Function of James 1.2-27 98 e. The Interrelation of 'Perfection' and 'Punty' m James 1.2-27 102 4. Summary and Conclusion 105 CHAPTER 4 EXEGESISOF PURITY LANGUAGE INJAMES 1. Analysis of Purity Language in James a. Analysis of Texts b. The Coherence of Purity in James c. Conclusion 2. Purity as Integral to Perfection 3. Summary and Conclusion
107 108 108 137 140 141 144
CHAPTER 5 P u r u n AND THE CULTURAL STANCE OF JAMES 1. Assimilation, Acculturation, and Accommodation: A Method of Analysis a. Ethnic Identity b. An Analytical Method 2. An$ysis of the Cultural Stance of James a. Description of Groups b. Description of God c. Conclusion: Cultural Syntheses and Strategy 3. How Purity Functions within the Cultural Stance of James 4. Summary and Conclusion
147 147 149 151 152 174 180 181 183
CHAPTER 6 AND WORLDVIEW IN J4MES: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 1. Summary of Argument 2. Conclusion 3. Future Investigation
185 186 188 188
BIBLIOGRAPHY
191
INDEX OF ANCIENT TEXTS
209
INDEX OF AUTHORS
219
146
Texts shape the way we mew the world and thus become road maps for how we live. In no small way the sustained engagement with the Epistle of James this project represents has shaped my understanding of Christianity and how it may find practical application in the contemporary world. Only a few insights and conclusions are recorded here. Most of the effect this letter has had cannot be recorded in a slender monograph-James himself teaches how real wisdom is displayed: 'Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom' (Jas 3.13b). Considenng the function of purity language in James began as a discrete investigation of an interesting way of describmg wisdom ('wisdom from above is first pure' 3.17), but qwckly developed into a unique avenue into exploring how the letter creates a worldview for its audience. The majority of the research and writing was carried out in St Andrews, Scotland. I would like to acknowledge Professor Ron Piper, who sewed as my supervisor during my studies at St Andrews. Largely because of his critical eye and thoughtful interaction with the project at every phase, this book is much better than it would otherwise have been. I am also grateful to Professors Larry Hurtado and Richard J. Bauckham who both read an earlier version of this work ahd offered much in the way of helpful and constructive criticism. Furthermore I would like to express my appreciation to Dr Mark Goodacre, executive editor of the LNTS series, for agreeing to publish tlus study, and to Haaris Naqvi, senior editor, for h s helpfulness and patience throughout the editing prmss. Several others deserve acknowledgment and thanks for the part they played in bringing this work to completion. During our family's stay in St Andrews I had opportunity to learn not only from the divines of St Mary's college, hut also from the wlsdom and community of doctoral colleagues. Thanks are especially due to the Klinks, Masons, Penningtons, Wihtes, Guthries, Matt Jenson, the Gurtners, Cortezs, Crisps, the Gombis family, and others. This work would not have been completed without their faithful friendship and prayers. Many thanks are due to my extended family, Joyce Lockett, Dean and Jeannine Kunerer, Dan and Diane Coester, and Jim and Barb Pine, for their encouragement, support,
viii
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
and re-energizing visits. Most especially I would like to thank my precious family-Nicole, my wife, and our children, Madeleine, Evan, and Aidan-for their sacrifice, constant support, love, and patience. It is to you that I dedicate this the fruit of thought and sacrifice-I love you all. (And yes, Maddie, Daddy is hished writing!) Darian R. Lockett Talbot School of Theology, Biola University August 2007
Chapter 1
1. Purpose The function of purity language within the letter of James has not been explored in detail. This state of affairs might be justified because, in the assessment of Scot McKnight, purity is not a central or controlling theme of the letter.' In this case the relative silence on the part of scholars concerning purity language in James may be understandable; however, the way in which one understands the concept of purity and pollution will greatly influence one's judgment as to whether it plays a central or controlling role in a given piece of literature. Why, in McKnight's estimation, is purity not a major category in this text? The author describes religion (1.27), the world (1.27), improper use of the tongue (3.6), wisdom (3.17), and return to Godlresistance of the devil (4.7-8) in purity terns. These are essential concepts in the letter knowingly presented in terms of purity. If not a central category, it certainly serves a controlling role marking important concepts in the letter and thus constitutes a crucial means by which the author-and by implication a means by which the audience--conceives of reality. It will not do to claim that purity is not a major category in the letter of James because it does not appear to take up the concerns modem scholarship assumes such language is usually associated with. Rather, in order to understand the composition on its own terms, one must investigate the potential function of such language as a means to understand the perception of reality embedded in the text itself. The present lack of sophistication in analysis and general lack of awareness of the importance of purity language within the composition's social and ideological concerns must be remedied. 1 McKnight concludes 'I do not see "purity" as a cental [sic]t h w e of the letter. Though we might be able to extract features of his view of purity and do so in a xeahgly coherent manner, we should not at the same time think that purity was a central category of James' ('A Parting Wi'ithin the Way: Jesus and James on Israel and Purity', in James the J I I EMd ~ Chrirrian Origins ~ o v T S u p p98; Bruce Chilton and Craig A. Evans; Leiden: Brill, 19991, pp. 83-129 [I17 n. 841).
2
Purify and Worldview in the Epistle of James
Certainly the use of ritual language in the New Testament generally has been a thorny issue. Several diierent interpretative concepts have been offered in an attempt to understand its use (e.g., metaphor, 'spiritualization', 'moralition' among others), while purity language in particular presents its own interpretive challenges. For example, is purity language merely a 'spiritualiied' way of talkmg about morality or theology, or are there concrete individual purity practices (e.g., hand-washing) in view when the language is used? Interpretive issues pertinent to the use of purity language in the New Testament relate directly to the current discussion regarding purity and impurity in ancient Israel and the complex of ideas and understandings that are in a state of flu within this discipline. Part of this discussion has focused on how purity language was used 'metaphorically' within ancient Judaism. For example, the purity language used in Leviticus 18, in the realm of sexual transgression, has been understood as a 'metaphorical' use of 'ritual' purity language of Leviticus 15. J. Klawans argues: What I question ... is the suggestion that the differencebetween ritual and moral purity (or, you could say, between Leviticus 15 and Leviticus 18) can be explained by metaphor. If one defilement is metaphor, then what's the other onereal? Let me restate a few lines from Impurity and Sin. 'I see no reason why either type of impurity is any more, or less, real than the other. I certainly cannot understand why the (moral) deiilement of the laud by blood spilled upon it ought to be a metaphor (Num.35.334), while the (ritual) defilement of a person who merely enters a tent in which there lies a corpse is real (?-Jnm. 19.14).' Objectively there is no impurity of any sort; we are talking in all cases about intangible perceptions of contagion. Not real contagion, just perceptions of it. And so, I must qualify those paraphrases of my work to the effectthat moral impurity is just as real as ritual impurity; if the two ar; just as 'real', they are also just as 'fake'.2 Klawans is not happy with the traditional categorization of purity language in Leviticus 18 as 'metaphorical'; rather, he understands that the purity concerns articulated in Leviticus 15 ('ritual' purity) are of a different kind than that of Leviticus 18 (what he labels 'moral' purity). The important point to note here is that purity or impurity is a matter of perceptions of contagion withm a socially constructed, socio-religious value system. It is the perspective of the one perceiving the impurity which determines whether contamination has taken place, and, because there are many different constructs of value systems, this contamination may take many forms.
2 Jonathan Klawans, 'Response' (paper presented at the annual meeting of the
Association for Jewish Studies, Boston, 21 December 2003), p. 2.
Introduction: Purity in J m s
3
Whether or not one agrees with Klawans's thesis, for now, should not detain us. Here it is important only to illustrate from the current discussion regardmg purity in ancient Israel that (1) there are more categories of purity than merely 'ritual' and 'metaphorical', and (2) that these 'traditional' categories must be reassessed. In recent linguistic theories, metaphor has been recognized as a basic component of all meaningful language.3 Where metaphor and narrative forms as such have previously been marginalized, the cognitive significance of such literary devices is now no longer in question. Martha Nussbaum, for example, contends that '[lliterary form is not separable from philosophical content, but is, itself, a part of content-an integral part, then, of the search for and the statement of truth'.4 Thus, studies of purity in biblical texts which rely on the overly simplistic categories of either 'ritual' or 'metaphor' need to be rethought? So, here we wish to point out that it is insufficient to assume that purity language in James is 'merely metaphorical' without properly arguing for such a position. And even if it is metaphorical, such language should be understood as an integral part of the author's construction and perception of reality. Purity language had wide currency in the first century with many different and subtle uses, so limiting the possibilities of how this language is being used is not helpful in determining its function in our present text. Furthermore, viewed through the lens of anthropology, purity and pollution function as 'worldview shaping' language articulating a society's understanding of reality. Consistently categorizing references to purity as metaphors for morality betrays the underlying assumption that all purity language is limited to individual virtues, especially relating to sexual acts. This reflex leads one away from seeing the valuable information such language conveys regarding perceptions of reality or 'worldview'. In line with Mary Douglas, Amy Mullin concludes that 'Purity most basically is about order, both social and personal.' And that '[c]ommunal beliefs and practices associated with the language of purity and pollution are relevant to the philosophical treatment of purity because of the presence in both the practices and the philosophies of an interplay between social and
3 I have in mind here the theory of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson (Metaphors We Live By [Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980D that the metaphorical quality of language exists at such a deep level that even human conceptualization of categories (e.g., argument is Ure warfare) are based upon metaphors. 4 Martha Nussbaum, Love's Knowledge: Essays on Philosophy rmd Literature (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990), p. 3. 5 See Jacob Neusner's classic dichotomy in The Idea of Purity in Ancient JuoCnirm (SJLA; Leiden: Brill, 1973); idem,'The Idea of Purity in Ancient Judaism', JAAR 43 (1975), pp. 1526.
4
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
personal ~ r d e r ' . ~ As the reference to Nussbaum's comment above regarding the integral relationship between literary form and cognitive content begins to demonstrate, the sheer fact that James uses the categories of purity and pollution points toward a particular construction of reality incorporating both corporate and individual order which can profitably be analyzed through the author's use of purity language. Rather than dismissing such language because of the lack of evidence directly connecting its use to a particular historical observance of purity, the deployment of such language should be probed especially in light of the ideological perspective such language may indicate. The use of purity language is a fruitful avenue into worldview because purity language marks the ordering 'lines' upon the map of one's understanding of reality. To date there has been no systematic attempt to analyze and integrate the references to purity into the overarching theme, argument, or social realities of James. Largely commentators have been satisfied to point out that: (1) James does not make any reference to specificJewish practices of ritual purity, and therefore (2) purity language in James must metaphorically refer to moral behavior usually of the individual (the moral behavior of the community is not entirely but often overlooked). The purpose of this project is to analyze the purity language present in James in light of the various uses of the language in the first century especially in light of the language's ability to mark the contours of one's worldview. 2. Method
This study twill proceed with the assumption that there is a rhetorical purpose in James. The understanding of what primarily determines the character of a piece of rhetoric is not dependent upon the text bearing all the elements of a standard rhetorical speech. Rather the assessment of Ben Witherington seems apt: 'What does determine the character of a speech is whether its function is primarily to persuade the audience in regard to some future action, to defend some past course of action, or to offer praise or blame about something in the present.'7 Though James is not a speech, it does contain an ordered arrangement of material (ordered in the minima1 sense of purposeful selection and arrangement)for the purpose of persuading its addressees toward a certain set of actions and beliefs, and thus it can be said that it does contain a rhetorical purpose. Following from the rhetorical nature of our text, we will be less concerned with the earlier layers or later redactors. In the past both form 6 Amy Mullin, 'huity and Pollution: Resisting the Rehabilitation of a V W ' , JHI 57 (1996): p. 510. 7 8en Witherington, Conpier rmd Communizy in Corinth: A Soeio-Rhetorical Commentmy on I rmd 2 C o r b r t h (Grand Rapids: E e r h , 1995), p. 44.
Introduction: Purity in James
5
a n d source criticism dominated analysis of James (e.g., Dibelius), but here we will be more concerned with the function of the document as a whole in its received form. I n this regard, the present study adopts the premise 'that it is the voice of the composition rather than that of its putative author that we seek'.' Therefore the question of authorship9 will n o t be tackled directly; however, it is necessary to study the document within the broad parameters of the social a n d cnltural context of the ancient Mediterranean world, thus the geographic location of the addressees will be taken up a s it relates to the type of document James represents. While shifting attention away from form o r source-critical concerns t o the document's received form may lead t o literary critical analysis, this study pursues a more eclectic method. A s in recent studies rhetorical, social, and ideological (or worldview) analyses have been successfully integrated t o illuminate different texts.'' New Testament texts are n o t simply historical, theological or linguistic treatises. Rather, their written discourse is a highly interactive and complex environment. Interpreting a biblical text is an act of entering a world where body and mind, interacting with one another, create and evoke highly complex patterns and configurations of meanings in historical, social, cultural and ideological contexts of religious belief. Rhetorical argument, social act and religions belief intertwine in them like threads and yarn in a richly textured tapestry."
8 Luke Timothv Jahnson, Brother o f J e w , Pririendof God: Studk?~in the Letter of J m s (Grand Rapids: Crrdman,. 2 W ] , p 221 In rhts v c l thdugh ~ a hclpful prujwl, wc nil1 cut luux. the text df Jarnn from the v ~ n , , ~earl) , Chnatran. hagiugraphid trsdif~onsregarding the hrothsr of Jcsus; rcrngnizing that J a m s the hr~xhrro f J s u i ma) lndcrvl ha\v b'vo thv author of the :ompoiition hut that wc ;:innot l t n l the pdnrait of this J;mes to thc meaning of the letter (see the recent treatmnts of this suhiect:. Patrick J. Hartin, J m s o f Jell~~alem:
.
Heir to J e w of Nazareth [Collegeville, MN.: Lihlrgical Press, 20041; Bruce D. Chilton and Craig A. Evans, eds., James the Just wd Chrirtim Origins PJovTSupp 98; Leiden: Brill, 19991; and John Painter, J u t J m s : The Brother of Jesus h Hirtory rmd Tradition
~ m e a p o l i sFortress, : 19991). 9 Those who argue that the author is James of Jerusalem, 'the brother of the Lord', for example, Luke T. Johnson (The Letter of Jomes, AB, 3723 PJew York: Doubleday, 199% naturally place it in Palestine. Others who argue the letter is pseudonymous either place the letter's composition in Palestine (James Hardy Ropes, A Critical wdExegetico1 Commentary on the Enirtle o f s t . Jmnes..ICC . IEdinhureh: " T&T Clark. 19161. D. 149). .. or Rome, because of the similarities between James and 1 Peter, 1 Clement and the Shepherd of H m a s (Sophie y the Epirtle of J a m [BNTC; London: A&C Black, 19801, pp. 2f6). Laws, A C o m ~ n t a r on 10 Vernon K. Rohbins, The Tapestry of Early Chrbtim Discourse.. Rhetoric, Society and Ideoloav . . (London: Routledge, 1996); idem Ex~lorinp . - the Texture of Texts: A Guide to Sac& Rhetorical Znterpretatim (Valley Forge, Pa.: Trinity Press International, 1996); and spec5caUy applied to James in Wesley Hiram Wachoh, The Voice of Jesus ?kthe Social RhPtork? of James (SNTSMS 106; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000). 11 Rohbins, Tapestry, p. 14.
6
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
In our attempt to determine the function of purity language in James we must consider the rhetorical function of this language on the ears of the text's earliest audiences. The affective message of the text addresses not only beliefs or ideas which are either encouraged or discouraged, but they include social action or moral behavior as well-xtra-textual realities consisting in events, figures, and social structures. To set the context for our analysis, Chapter 2 takes up the theoretical foundations regarding the study of purity and pollution and offers a taxonomy of purity language. Where the taxonomy allows for greater sensitivity to the various usages of the language, the theoretical foundation of the present work will follow closely Douglas's interpretation of purity and pollution as a symbolic system replicated within the social body. From this base, Chapter 3 addresses different textual features of James, viz., the text's epistolary form, its argumentative strategy of contrasts leading readers to a decision, and the introductory function of James 1.2-27. As the rhetoric of the text bears upon social action, this study will explore how the author takes up purity language in order to create a particular worldview or ideology and how purity language is associated with other major concepts within the letter (Chapter 4). Here we will find that purity, understood as a call to separate from the 'world', and the notion of perfection, that is wholehearted devotion to God, are integrally related within the argumentation of the letter. The significant relationship between purity and perfection demands a degree of separation from the 'world' and Chapter 5 will consider how and to what degree the text calls forth this particular stance toward culture.
3 . Purity in James ty in James has not occupied the thoughts of many, when scholars do comment upon the language in the epistle usually it is forced into one of the two traditional categories, ritual or metaphorical. Because of current discussion regarding purity in ancient Israel this situation is no longer adequate.
a. Commentators' View of Purity Language Often when modem commentators on James consider purity language it is understood as a metaphor for individual morality and detached from purity in ancient 1srael.12 Sophie Laws serves as a particularly good 12 Most commentators understand purity in James as a metaphor to individual or corporate morality. See the following commentaries: Joseph 8. Mayor, The Epistle o f s t . Jmnes (3rd edn; London: MacMillan, 1913), p. 146; Jams H. Ropes, A Critic01 a d Exegetienl Cornmentory on the Epistle ofst. James (ICC; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1916), pp.
Introduction: Purify in James
7
example of this interpretation. She concludes her comments on 1.27 with the following: there is no specific reference in the epistle t o any Jewish rule of ritual purity .. James's first two adjectives, katharos and mnirmtos, pure and unstained, might well lend themselves t o use in connection with ritual cleanness, hut he uses them explicitly for the expression of religion in charitable action .. . The third, aspilos, undefiled, has no LXX background and does not therefore of itself naturally suggest an allusion to the laws of cleanness contained there. In other passages where James uses similar language, 3.6 and 4.8, it is clear that n o cultic associations are i n v o l ~ e d . ' ~
.
Laws concludes (with 0.J. F. Seitz14) that James's use o f purity language does not amount to an allusion to any specific Jewish cultic practice, nor does the epistle s h o w a n y great concern with cultic defilement or purification. Further, the use of purity terminology does not evidence an anti-Jewish polemic. She concludes, 'James's language is neither Jewish nor anti-Jewish; that is not the issue. His target is the would-be religious man w h o does not wutrol his speech or (by implication) put his religion into practice.'15 Laws, because she argues purity language 'is neither Jewish nor anti-Jewish', not only disconnects the issue o f purity from the traditions of Israel but she also implicitly assumes that the references to 170, 183,249; James B. Adamson, The Epistle of J m s (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976), pp: 85, 154, 174-5; Martin Dibelius, Jnmes: A Commentary on the Epistle of J-s (tram. M . A. Williams; Philadelphia: Fortress Press, rev. 11th edn, 1976); Bo Reicke, The Epistles of James, Peter, nnd Jude, AB, 37 (Garden City, NY.: Doubleday, 1978),p. 25; Laws James, pp. 81, 163, 1834, Douglas 1. Moo, The Letter of J-s (~epr.,Leicestn: Intervarsity Press, 1996), pp. 8 M , 135; Ralph P. Martin, James (WBC 48; Waco, Tx.: Word, 1988), pp. 52, 153; James B. Adamson, James: The Man and His Message (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, L989), pp. 73-5, 382, 442. The mono~aphson James that do mention purity all seem to echo this view as well: William R. Baker, P e r s o d Speech-Efhicr in the Epistle of James (WUNT 2/68; Tiibingen. J.C.B. Mobr Paul Siebeck], l995), pp. 97-9. Several works fail to mention purity language at all. Peter H. Davids, 'The Epistle ofJames in Modem Discussion', Aufstieg undNiedergmrg Der R6mischm Welt II 25.5 (L988), pp. 362145; Andrew Chetser and Ralph P. Martin, The Theology of the Letters of Jomes, Peter, nnd Jude (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994); and in a more recent summary of research on James, Todd Penner ('The Epistle of James in Current Research', CRBS 7 [1999], pp. 257-308) only mentions purity as it pertains to John H. Elliott's 1993 article an the subject @p. 294-5). 13 Laws J m s , DD. . . 91-2. 14 0. J I: Sc.1~- 'Jmo and the l a w . in Studu Evmz.alt
8
Purity mzd Worldview in the Epistle of James
purity refer to individual morality, the 'would-be religious man'. Though Laws asserts that cultic activities are not necasarily rejected, the focus of such language is obviously moral behavior.16 Yet this interpretation is unhelpful on two accounts: (1) Because James evidences no clear concern with Jewish purity practices Laws concludes that purity in James is not directly associated with Jewish tradition; however, there may he significant conceptual or ideological connections with Jewish background. (2) Her assumption that James's reference to purity must be with regard to individual morality is largely assumed. Laws does not elaborate on either of these points leaving her argument abridged and ultimately insufficient. Dibelius provides a second example. Objecting to the Jewish background of the letter in general, he argues that because observance of purity laws is an essential part of Jewish identity, if the author were a Jew" purity concerns would be much more specific. Furthennore, for a Jewish Christian, the question of purity would stand in the forefront of his concern; he would not be able to think of 'keeping oneself unstained from the world' without the complete seriousness of the problem of the Gentile coming to his mind-unless he had written before the beginning of any Gentile mission.18 Because neither 1.27nor any other passage in the whole of James spea3cs a word about this problem of dealing with Gentiles, Dibelius completely restricts the notion of keeping oneself 'unstained' to its ethical sense.I9Through hi argument that James's concern lies outside Jew-Gentile relationships, Dibelius unnecessarily restricts his interpretation of purity to the ethical realm. Regardless of the language's Jewish background, most identify the moral if not individual nature of purity language. J. H. Ropes comments, '[flrom thk ritual washing to make fit for religious duties, which was perfectly familiar in the N.T. times, sprang figurative use of language'.z0 Adamson.gives a similar assessment. Commenting upon James's description of 'true religion' as pure, undefiled, and unspotted he concludes, 'Such purity is ethical, never ascetic or ritual. Unspotted, for example, is a good illustration of the way in which the NT gives new religious and moral content to originally cultic c o n ~ e ~ t s . Though "~ more sensitive to the (which Laws has gotten largely correct) and in the larger thought-world out of which James argues. Dibelius understood the lack of cultic and ritual interest in James as a clear sign against Jewish Christian authorship (James, pp. 121-2). 16 The same point is made in Lk. 11.3841. Here Jesus is depicted & speaking to the Pharisees about charity truly malnng a p c m n clean (na8apk). 17 Something Dibelius rejects, see his Intrdudion 53. 18 Something Dibelius rejeds because of the 'anti-Pauliaism' @ 17), good Greek @. 17), and assumption of the legal piety of James the Just (pp. 17-18). 19 Dibelius, Jomes, p. 121. 20 Ropes, St. Jnmes, pp. 269-70. 21 Adamson, James, p. 87.
Introduction: Purity in James
9
integration of purity language in James with the traditions of Israel, Davids is another example of interpreting purity as a metaphor for individual morality. Davids comments on 1.27. 'It is certainly the ethical and not the cultic sense which is intended here, particularly when one considers the call for cleansing in 4.1-10 .. . The concept of keeping oneself unspotted has a cultic ring .. . but as with many cultic concepts this became moral in the NT usage.''' Furthermore, in his recent commentary William Brosend demonstrates the use of these typical categories of ritual and moral. 'Implicit in James's worldview and explicit in the teaching of the letter is that moral purity (as opposed to ritual purity, I think) and ethical practice must go together.'23 The metaphorical application of purity language is widely assumed but rarely do commentators give arguments for their position. And, among the commentaries, there is no effort to investigate how purity language relates to other themes of the letter. Heeding the proposal of Dibelius to take the larger wntext of the letter into account in analyzing purity language, L. T. Johnson attempts to set the ideas and language of James within a particular 'compositional world'. Commenting on 1.27 he states, 'The term katharos is associated in Judaism with cultic objects and persons in a condition fit to approach God but can also, as here, he taken in terms of sincere moral behaviour.' Similarly he comments that the term 'unstained' (6on1Aov), though repeatedly used in the LXX for rendering someone or something ritually pure, also figuratively refers to morality.24 Yet Johnson notes the importance of interpreting purity language within the larger context of the letter, and suggestively expands this position to include the letter's entire 'compositional' wntext. Commenting spedically upon the function of the greeting in 1.1, Johnson states, 'However ambiguously the Greeting works to locate the text in the real world, it works effectively to construct a compositional Here the 'compositional world' is a world or coherent structure of reality, which for Johnson, is found specifically within the symbolism of Torah. He goes on to state: The Greeting also deftly sketches the symbolic world shared by the implied readers and author. It is the world of Torah. Whether intended literally or figuratively, the 'twelve tribes of the dispersion' is a designation that makes sense only within the framework of one spedic set of texts and one shared story in the Mediterranean world. Readers who accept their status as recipients of this letter-in whatever age they 22 Peter H . Davids, The Epistle of James.. A Commentmy on the Greek Text (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), pp. 102-3. 23 William F Brosend, J m s rmd Jude (Cambridge Bible Commentary, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), pp. 54-5. 24 Johnson, Letter o j J m s , pp. 211-12. 25 Zbid., p. 171 (emphasis original).
10
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James are readers, it should be noted-accept also this designation and place within that symbolic world: they become, for the purposes of this composition, the hoped-for restored Israel among the nations. Whoever receives the author's 'greetings' welcomes as well a self-delinition as part of a spiritual Israel normed by the texts of Torah and living in service to God and the Lord Jesus ~ h r i s t . ~ ~
Though the above statement does not directly refer to purity language in James, it affects how one goes about setting the overarching context within which purity language functions in the composition. Johnson attempts just such a literary reconstruction by helpfully stressing the letter's overall connection to the history and theological traditions of Israel specifically found in the Torah. Thus, James's use of purity language must be considered against this larger conceptual constrnal of the world. As helpful as this insight is, Johnson himself does not pursue this broader context for the purity language in the letter nor does he hint at the social implications such language may convey. In addition to Johnson's remarks regarding the larger context of symbolized Torah within James, Robert Wall has noted the confluence of James's ethical teaching, the world of Torah, and social performance. Wall picks up on Johnson's notion of the symbolic world of Torah with respect to the characterization of true religion as pure and undefled in 1.27, specifically in the context of favoritism in 2.1,~' and in the exhortation to repent in 4.8." Also, it is withi the 'moral world of Torah' that Wall sees the ethical and community-driven exhortation unfold in the letter. However, where Wall identifies the social effect of purity language his reflex is to interpret the language as indicative of social seclusion hkin to sectarianism." Taking purity language in James in rather a different direction from Laws and other earlier commentators, Wall assumes maximal contextual knowledge regarding the social stance of the letter in interpreting purity as an indication of sectarianism in James. Whereas Wall does connect purity with broader ideological and corporate social concerns, he unnecessarily assumes a sectarian wmmunity behind such language. 26 IbS., pp. 171-2 (emphasis original). Johnson draws the connection between James and the symbolic world of Torah several times throughout his wmentary @p. 159, 169,' 27&2). 27 Wall, Community of the Wise,pp. 1 0 s . 28 Wall (Community of the Wue, pp. 208) wmments: 'Johnson hears echoes of the Exodus narrative of Israel's approach to God on Mount Sinai. These exhortations purify a people andmake them ready to enter into "the symbolic world of Torah", where a people are cleansed of immorality and apostasy.' 29 Specifically Wsll understands the social dynamics of the 'poor' as insiders of the community who maintain purity from the 'rich' outsiders (Community of the Wise, pp. 1415).
Introduction: Purity in James
11
Though modest discussion is given to the assertion, Richard Bauckham indicates that the language of purity in James is connected to the theme of perfection or wholeness. He argues that 'perfection' (understood as wholehearted devotion to God) is not just one among other themes but the overarching theme of the whole letter. The overarching theme of James is 'perfection' or 'wholeness' (1.4). Wholeness requires wholehearted and single-minded devotion to God, and its opposite is that half-heartedness in devotion to God and that divided loyalty, vacillating between God and the world, which James calls dc,uhle-mindcdness (1.8; 4.8). Alio part of this comple~of thought m J.~mesis thr rultic I;lng&igc of purity and detilcment (1.27: 4.8) The unblemished wholeness of the sacrifice suggests the image of the pure heart as the state of integrity before God or entire devotedness to God that is, again, the opposite of double-mi~dedness.~~ Bauckham goes on to articulate one specific aspect of wholeness, wholeness as exclusion, and links this notion to purity and its opposite, defilement. 'This cultic language is closely connected, from its Old Testament and Jewish background, with wholeness. Its use belongs to this aspect of wholeness as exclusion: purity must be preserved by removing and keeping untainted by anything that would defile.'31 Further, he suggests, 'This complex of uses of cultic language with reference to purity of heart and the ethical practice of life in relation to God is common to James and most early Christian literature . . . As the example of Qumran clearly shows, it by no means necessarily suggests that such usage substitutes for literal observance of the Mosaic laws of purity and This is a very important point that illustrates how dierent uses of purity language may work together within the same system. James shows no overt concern for purity rituals because there is no discussion of how Jews or Jewish Christians are to relate to Gentiles. However, Bauckham is correct to point out that this does not automatically mean that James does not write to groups that are observing Jewish purity law; it only means that the author did not find it necessary to address this issue in this particular event of communication. Furthermore, Bauckham helpfully observes the exclusive character of purity as it relates to James's concern for 'perfection' (or wholehearted devotion to God). Though he correctly relates purity as an issue of separation, he does not go on to explore how the letter construes this 'separation'. Like other students of James, Bauckham continues to speak of the purity concern in James in metaphorical terns. 'Just as James applies 30 Richard J. Bauckham, James: Wisdom of James, Disciple of Jesus the Sope (London:
Routledge, 1999), p.
165.
31 Bid.,p. 180. 32 Bid.,pp. 1 6 7 (emphasis added).
12
Purity mzd Worldview in the Epistle of James
language of cultic worship to ethical praxis (1.26-27), so he applies language of cultic purity to moral purity (1.27; 3.17; 4.8).'33 Cheung, a student of Bauckham's, has recently published a significant monograph taking up the importance of 'perfection' in James. Upon the backdrop of the concept in the Old Testament and the LXX, Cheung argues along with Bauckham that perfection in James should be understood as the appeal to wholehearted devotion to God. Tracing the 'call to perfection' through early Jewish and Christian tradition, he concludes that perfection in these sources includes the basic 'notion of faithfulness and undivided loyalty to God. Perfection also means a complete obedience to the Torah, sometimes in terms of loving God and humanity. Thus it has both a religious as well as moral dimension.'" More to the present point, Cheung notes through this background study that 'understandmg the concept of perfection should not be limited to the occurrence of TEA- root words. KuBap65, 6pEprr~05, 60rrthos, cido- and 61~~x1aU belong to the stock of vocabularies that relate to the concept of perfection.'35 Especially informed by Cheung's investigation of early Jewish and Christian texts, this is an important insight, but he does not explore how these concepts (purity and perfection) are related either in James or other sources and he does not directly address the function of purity language in James. In a recent monograph and commentary, Patrick Hartin identifies the importance of the relationship between perfection and purity in James as well as the general implications of purity for the entire letter. He argues 'Behind the thought of James lies the concept of purity and purity rules that d e h e the way the members of the community maintain their identity and distinguish themselves from outside the community. The whole letter is an a p p b to remain true to this exclusive vision: no compromise is possible. The choice lies between loyalty to God and allegiance to the world (1.27; 4.4).'36 He insists that '[tlhese purity rules provided a framework to structure life (whether personal or communal) in order to promote right relationships between the individual, the community, and ~ 0 8 . Hartin ~ ' goes on to refer to such purity rules as a way to identify those who have access to God and [tlhose who do not act in this way are the outsiders, who belong to the world of the profane. The purity laws function a s part of a socialization 33 Bid, p. 146. 34 Luke L. Cheung, The Genre, Composition and Hermmeuties of Junes (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2003), p. 177. 35 aid. 36 Patrick Hartin, A Spirituality of Perfection: Faith in Action in the Letter of Jmnes (CaUegeville,Mion.: Liturgical Press, 1999), p. 68; see also, idem, James ( C o l l e g d e , Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2003). 37 Hartin, James, p. 74.
Introduction; Purity in J a m s
13
process, defining the boundaries within which those who belong to the people of Israel live. These purity laws become social markas defining the identity of all who belong to the same wmmunity?*
Though Hartin attempts an interpretation of the purity language in James within a large system reflecting boundaries between the readers and broader culture it is by no means comprehensive. Furthermore, he slips into 'outsider' language where purity is a way of defining 'insiders' over against impure 'outsiders'. Appealing to 'insiderloutsider' language without proper argument is potentially misleading and most likely not the most helpful set of concerns within which to place James's use of purity language. In a recent article Jackson-McCabe has hinted at the importance of purity language within the coherent literary thought-world of James. Jackson-McCabe identifies the 'mythical framework' of James as one crucial context out of which to interpret James's understanding of the Christ figure. He reconstructs an entire literary or 'compositional' world (Jackson-McCabe prefers 'mythic system') which James both shares with his readers and from which he constructs his argument. As he builds up a background for his discussion of the Christ figure in James, he comments, 'The remarkable two-pronged dehition of true religion found in Jas 1.27 is integral to this worldview. "Pure and undefiled religion" is simply active concern for those most vulnerable under the current socioeconomic conditionswidows and orphans-while keeping one's own self untainted by the k o ~ r n o s . ' Here ~ ~ Jackson-McCabe offers a helpful interpretation of the iirst half of verse 27 with clear social application; however, he does not do the same for the second half. He does not comment on how keeping one's own self untainted by the kosmos impinges upon the stance of James's audience toward the surrounding culture. Though most of the above studies have commented on purity in James, none have taken up the subject directly. There have been two scholarly contributions, both essays, which have explicitly taken up the issue of purity in James, to which we now turn. b. Previous Accounts of Purity in James In arguably the only in-depth treatment of purity in James, J. H. Elliott argues for the rhetorical and social confluence of holiis-wholeness concepts within James's address against social fragmentation and
38 Ibid. 39 Matt Jdwn-McCabe, 'The Messiah Jesus in the Mvthic World of James', JBL 122 (2003), pp. 701-30 (707).
14
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
Elliott seeks to analyze the letter's 'multi-dimensional view of incompleteness and integration, and the relation established between holiness and wholeness'. He continues, 'My aim is to show how James, in addressing the issues of fragmentahon and wholeness on correlated personal, social, and cosmic levels of existence, invokes traditional distinctions of purity and pollution to press for a restoration of holiness and wholeness of the Christian community and a reinforcement of its distinctive ethos.'41 Along with Bauckham, Cheung and Hartin, Elliott recognizes the important relationship between 'perfection' (Elliott prefers the language of 'wholeness') and purity. Elliott's contribution breaks new ground both in his applicahon of Douglas's framework of purity and pollution in James and his idea of viewing the function of wholeness/ purity on the personal, social, and cosmic levels. Elliott goes on to contend that rhetorical and social-scientific analysis demonstrates a complex and coherent argument in James (in which purity and pollution concerns figure prominently). More than any other scholar Elliott further delines the relationship between 'perfection' (wholeness) and He argues that James employs distinctions of purity and pollution to call for holiness and wholeness, as opposed to fragmentation and dividedness, on correlated personal, social, and cosmic levels of existence with the consequent enforcement of social boundaries. Elliott identifies the major theme of the letter as the completeness and wholeness of the readers and their And a key structural feature of the letter that supports this theme is its rhetorical use of contrasts that James uses to wmmuontrast between wholeness and incompleteness. Suggestively, 40 Joho H. Elliutl, 'The Epistle of James ~n Rhelond and Socoal Scirntific Punprtne. I l u l t n c w - ~ u l e n e s ~ a nPanrrnsof d Keplication', Rl'B23 (IYY3). pp. 71 -81. I t mutt he notrd that there is vlnually no hfhlk,graphy on Jmrt and purity. 'l'hr. ody sr~iuustrzstments to Jaw are survryal here hy Elliolt, 'Holiness-Wholencrs', and McKnieht, 'A Paning Wllhln the Way'. 41 ibid., p. 71. 42 Here Hartin's more r-t camments merely follow Elliott's original argument. 43 Elliott cites a number of studies that identify the central theme of James as that concerning wholeness and division: 0. J. F. Seitz, 'Antecedents and Sigdicance of the Term Dipsyehos', JBL 66 (1947), pp. 211-19; idem, 'Afterthoughts on the Term Dipsychos', NTS 4 (1958), pp. 327-43; idem, 'Two Spirits in Man: An Essay in Biblical Exegesis', NTS 6 (1959). pp. 82-95; Gottfried Schille, 'Wider die Gespaltenheit des GlaubensBeobachtungen am JakobusbrieP, Theologische Versuche 9 (1977), pp. 7149. Others who have idenaed wholmess/pedection/integrityas the major theme in James are Josef Zmijewski, 'Christliche "Vollkammenbeit" Erwigungen zur Theologie des Jakobusbriefes', SNTU 5 (1980), pp. 5(t 78; Wiiard Popkes, A&essaten, Siruation d Form des Jokobusbriefes (SB 1251126; Shlttgart: Katholisches Bibelwerk, 1986). pp. 4 5 4 , Elsa Tamez, The S c d o l l r Message of J m s : Faith Wi~houtWorks Is D e o d ( t c a . John Eaglaon; New York: Crossroads, 1992), pp. 5 6 69.
Introduction: Purity in James
15
Elliott argues that the series of contrasts utilizing at times the language of purity and pollution 'is replicafed by a further antithesis which gives this entire set of contrasts a spatial orientation: namely, the contrast between an "earthly wisdom" and the "wisdom from above"' (3.13-18).~~ Thus, the polarities found throughout the letter and articulated often in the language of purity and pollution are replicated, or at least reflected, in the spatial duality of 'wisdom from above' and wisdom from below. Out of this purposeful structure Elliott sees the terms of purity and pollution strategically positioned in an overarching argument for personal, social, and cosmic wholeness. He points out that this contrast between wisdom from above and wisdom that is earthly and demonic is significant both conceptually and socially. 'Conceptually, this distinction between above and below demarcates m d contrasts two distinct and opposing realms of the cosmos in terms of a spatial perspective.'45 For James, the spatial element rather than the temporal stands as the representative perspective for understanding the issues of allegiance, good and evil, purity and impurity. This in turn leads to a focus upon actions and attitudes of the present moment that must be preformed in light of 'global terms, in terms of society, nature, and contending powers of the unive~se'.~~ Socially, Elliott sees the broad distinction of opposing realms polarize two separate social entities as 'inspired by two opposed sources and forms of wisdom: an antagonistic and divided society animated by the devilish wisdom from below and a peaceful and integral society animated by the divine wisdom from above'?' This devilish wisdom from below, for Elliott, 'characterizes the non-believing society in which the believers live and from which they are urged to remain unstained' (1.27).48 Thus, for James, purity and pollution terminology replicate the wholeness/dividedness in the community. And these replicated concepts (purity = wholeness; pollution=dividedness) are used to address issues of Christian identity, cohesion, and social boundaries that must be drawn and maintained between the Christian community and the pollution-filled, contaminating ~ o r l d ?Remaining ~ unstained, at a practical level, is lived out by the individuals of the community separating at a fundamental level from broader society. 'As a remedy for this situation, James urges his readers to sever their ties with secular pollution ... to purify their hands and hearts by breaking clean from society's pollution.'50 More than anyone else Elliott has brought a new dimension into the study of purity in James; 44 Elliott, 'Holioes-Whollenes', p. 77 (emphasis added). 45 ibid. (emphasis original).
46 Ibid. 47 m. 48 aid 49 ibtd.,p. 74. 50 aid.,p. 78.
16
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
however, both his characterization of purity language replicating perfection and the degree of the community's separation from broader culture may be challenged. As will be considered in Chapter 4, the relationship between purity and perfection is not characterized as replication but the two are integrally related. They are complementary yet distinct. Moreover, Elliott's model of separation, namely sectarian separation from 'the world', may be challenged as well. Furthermore, one might challenge Elliott on his notion of a single 'community' behind the text of Integral to his social rewnstruo tion of the wmmunity lying behind the text is the assumption that the letter itself bears real information regarding the social conditions and events playing out in a particular community. As has been argued el~ewhere,~'episodes that refer to social interaction between rich and poor, social elite and the socially marginalized could indeed be hypothetical and highly stylized references composed for the purpose of giving in~truction.~~ Here it is enough to note that though purity language does call forth a degree of separation this separation need not necessarily be sectarian separation. Yet, as Elliott skillfully points out, the function of purity language in James must be considered both in the conceptual and social realms. Others have found elements of Elliott's work unsatisfactory. McKnight 51 There are two major ways to understand what kind of community this text is intended to a sin& to address: (1) viewing 1.1 as a metauhorical auulication .. - wmmunitv, as in EUiott. and (2) undmhndbnp thc'nvclvr t n h r irl the dlaspdra' in I 1 35 J str~l&tfonv.+rdadd=* 111 Jewish Chriat~an,lrvlng uutsdc ihc land 111Pnlmllne, thus vleulne 3 hroadrr aswn>blazeof groups. : 52 This thesis has been largely argued in connection with James as Wisdom literature. Bauckham comments: 'after 1.1. James makes no fadual statements about his addressees at all. Everything'is hypothetical ... In 2.2-3 he sketches a hypothetical scene, one which might well occur in a Jewish Christian meeting' (Jmnes, p. 27). Regarding chapter 2 he states: 'What is usually negleded in discussion of this chapter is that, formally, every step in the argument the situation to which the whole chauter is from v. 2 onwards is based on hypothesis: .. rcsponsc is hyputhetlcal ( 2 4 ) and ihz surxredlng argument is advarlLed by irnagmsop hyiwthct~raloh~cct:ons( 8 , 14, l b j , mch in turn rufutd' (p. 59). F~nallyhe rhlzr, rrrardine . . James's denunciation of merchants and landowners, '[James] simply envisages the two categories afwealthy people to be found everywhere.. . and castigates the sins far which each class was notorious. ALI is d e s t l y typical or hypothetical. If James is an encyclical addressing any Jewish Christian community anywhere in the Diaspora in appropriately general terms, it is unlikely to have been occasioned bv. any. s. d c exigencies' (-D. 271. . '&ugh the hypothetical character of these examples serves to caution the interpreter from creating an entire social rew11skxtion from what could be theoretical referents in the text, for themessage of James to have had any intluence upon its k t readers thew 'hypothetical' episodes must have in f a d been typical and thus would have spoken to real instances. Thus, though we must be careful in speaking about the community, which is at issue in James, there must be some community of which some or all of the events in the text are characteristic. 53 On this point see Bauckham, Jmnes, pp. 5 W .
Introduction: Purity in James
17
especially objects to the prominent placement of purity in James. He contends that Elliott's work is lacking in four major areas: '(1) he opts for questionable exegeses of too many major sections in the letter (e.g. in 2.1426 or 5.12), (2) his study assumes a singular community when it is not at all clear that a single wmmunity is in mind at 1.1, (3) his work lacks a sense of historical context for purity and the issues of Jewish Christianity, and (4) be gives too much weight heuristically to 1.2-4 and its vocabulary'." Furthermore, McKnight is not convinced that 'purity' is a central theme running through the letter, and though we may Jind allusions to clean and unclean, 'we should not at the same One think that purity was a central category for ~ames'.~'Where we tentatively agree with McKnight on points (2) and (3), with Elliott, it certainly seems that 'purity' was an important category for James. Regarding point (4), the opening section of 1.2-4 does in fact introduce the overarching theme of 'perfection' in the letter, as it is part of the introductory prologue which provides an overarching interpretive framework for the entire letter (see Chapter 3). McKnight's essay contrasting Jesus' and James's view of purity constitutes the only other attempt to consider purity in James. He has attempted to see purity in James in light of the discussion of Jesus and the restoration of 1srae1.~~ After outlining the function of purity in Jesus's vision for Israel, McKnight attempts to relate the different pieces of information regarding James's notion of purity (taken from Acts and James) to his discussion of Jesus and purity. Summarizing the visions of purity rooted in the priestly legislation of ancient Israel, McKnight asserts that the idea of purity is in various degrees connected 'with those original concerns of people, practices, space, time, things, and behavior. The fundamental idea of purity, whether mundane or eschatological, seems to be orderliness, both in approach to God and in a moral, and apparently a real, sense in relations to others ... One is pure then when one is fit to approach God, to live in the Land, to participate in the sanctuary, and to relate to other^.'^' However, the reader is cautioned that merely understanding Israel's ancient purity system is not sufficient with regard to identifying purity in either Jesus or James, a point which is crucial to the present study. McKnight rightly insists that one must not only correctly render the traditions of purity originating from ancient Israel, but also understand the views of purity within the systematic reflection of James and Jesus. Here he argues a fundamental distinction between Jesus' and James's understanding of purity, noting that where, 'Jesus used 54 McKnighf 'A Parting Within the Way', p. 117 n. 84. 55 aid. 56 Bid. 57 pp. 8&9, (emphasis original)
aid.,
18
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
"moral purity" for his larger systemic point of entry into the world of punty, James was much more traditional in using ritual purity as fundamental in his systematic ordering of purity concerns'.58In defending this assertion, McKnight uses material that does not duectly concern the present investigation, viz., evidence from Acts and the Pauline tradition. However we now turn to the evidence presented from the epistle itself. Situating James's perspective on purity, McKnight contends that the epistle was written with Israel in view as the new community connected with Jesus: the eschatologically restored ~ s r a e lFirst . ~ ~ he contends that purity for James is wnnected to adherence to the Torah. In other words, the life acceptable before God is one characterized by obedience to or ah.^' Considering the definition of 'religion' (8pqmia) m James 1.2627, McKnight provides evidence for this 6rst point. 'James here uses the language of purity to highlight the centrality of a life that is acceptable to God and these items are to he seen as the "lie of Torah: at la pa (Gen. 7.3; 8.20; Lev. 4.12; 7.19; 11.32; 15.13) ~ a Ai p i a v ~ o s(Lev. 5.3; 11.24; 18.24; Deut. 21.23).'61 Pure and undefiled religion is the l i e that embodies the royal law of loving one's neighbor by means of looking after orphans and widows!' Another aspect of purity articulated in 1.27, which also supports the connection between purity and Torah observance, relates to the fact that true religion is described as maintaining a 'spotless' lie. Following Torah and not the world which is opposed to God illummates the 'theme of avoiding sin as an act of purity in relation to Torah obser~ance'!~ This 'purity by avoiding sin' is clearly illustrated in 3.6: 'And the tongue is a fie. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains (orrtAoGoa) the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.' The tongue is able to defile the whole body through its immoral boasting; the tongue indeed is the hardest member of the body to control (3.2). Thus in 1.27 and 3.6, McKnight sees the connection between sin and impurity in James, yet fads to connect impurity specifically and consistently with the world." Second, McKnight maintains that the Israel James has in view is marked by wise purity which becomes a 'contagion of purity for 1sraeP.6~ Here Israel is seen as embodying purity and thus also the ability to spread 58 Ibid., p. 89. 59 Thus. issues of Gentile inclusion into the ~ h a t o l "o e i dm o l e of God are not in view. 60 McKnighf 'A Parting Within the Way', p. 117. 61 aid,p. 118. 62 Bid. McKnight suggests care of orphans and widows may be seen as a sign of the eschatological fulfillment of Israel's vocation since oppression of orphans and widows characterizes the 'tribulation'; see Isa. 1.10-17; 58.6-7; Zech 7.10. 63 Bid. 64 McKnight identi6es this theme elsewhere in the letter: 1.12-l4,21; 3.2. 65 aid.,p. 123 (emphasis origjnal).
. .
Introduction: Purity in James
19
purity. Evidence for such a stance is given from James's mention of anointing with oil in 5.13-16 and restoring a wayward brother in 5.19-20. Reading the first passage in the context of Mark 6.13, McKnight insists that the anointing with oil is a form of purification in which the twelve apostles function in a priestly manner. McKnight understands the elders of 5.13-16 functioning in the same way. In this passage, one finds the context of sin, confession, anointing, and healing where the elders are seen as 'conveying the embodied purity of the community of the Twelve ~ r i b e s ' McKnight's .~~ concept of Israel as a 'contagion of purity' is also seen in 5.19-20 where recovering the sinner's soul from death is akin to their cleansing. Third, the purity concern in James is expressed with reference to the demonic world (2.19; 3.6, 15; 4.7: where in traditional Jewish thought purification and unclean spirits would be connected); the avoidance of oaths (5.12); and purity of heart/hands (4.8). Finally, McKnight points out that the letter of James is not concerned with Gentiles because there is no evidence of how Gentiles relate to Torah or the restored people of God, viz., the Twelve ~ r i b e s .This ~ ~ final observation is very important in its relation to understanding the use of purity language in James as indicative of group boundary making. The commands to purity and to purify remain in the realm of Torah observance, which in McKnight's construal, only directly relates to the renewed Israel. Thus, for McKnight, any boundary markers would necessarily be drawn between 'true'and 'false' Israel. However, as we shall see, James's concern is the impurity transmitted ultimately by the world, and thus we will argue that the boundary line is not primarily between 'true' and 'false' Israel but between James's audience and broader culture. McKnight's conclusions that (1) James's idea of purity is defined by Torah, (2) that James largely addresses the restored Israel, and that (3) restored Israel, like Jesus, is a contagion of purity are helpful in identifying the function of purity language in James. He identifies Torah purity as filtered through the teaching of Jesus to love one's neighbor as oneself along with the corresponding emphasis upon purity as that of the heart. McKnight also introduces a particular understanding of how purity issues firmly planted in Israel's cult could be taken up and applied with a great deal of referentiality within a new context. Though he provides excellent insights into the function of purity in James, curiously McKnight decides not to incorporate some of Elliott's insights because he does not view purity as a major category in James. Perhaps McKnight is not as clear as he should be on this point.
20
Purity a d Worldview in the Epistle of James
c. Conclusion The traditional assessment of purity language in James has understood the appearance of such language as a metaphor for individual morality (Laws). Whether this language is directly l i e d to Israel (most commentators) or not (Dibelius, and in a nuanced way, Laws), one must determine whether labeling the purity language in James a metaphor for morality has been argued persuasively or at all. Furthermore, in light of recent research in ancient purity and based upon Douglas's theoretical framework for the symbolic system of purity and pollution, this study seeks to explore the deeper function of purity language in James. Fist, current studies neither d e h e metaphor nor do they consider the complex relationship between the metaphorical designation of language and the referent to which it points. Second, the vast majority of interpreters do not explore how the metaphor, if the language is in fact used metaphorically, functions within the overall thematic and argumentative context of James. And where some scholars articulate a concern for understanding purity within the broader context of the letter (Davids, Johnson, Wall, Bauckham, and to a degree, Jackson-McCabe) none offers a detailed study of this relationship. Third, with the exception of Bauckham, Cheung, and Hartin, there has been little effort among commentators to relate the use of purity language to any of the major themes of the letter. Finally, where scholars have considered the social ramifications of purity language they often make the unwarranted claim that it is an indication of sectarian separation (Elliott and Wall). In light of Elliott and McKnight, one may observe that the concept and language ofzpurityin James are important categories (contra McKnight) and bear upon both social and ideological issues apparent within the text. Yet neither of these studies offers a sufficient account of the function of purity language in James. McKnight helpfully draws our attention to the broader historical context of Israel from which the terms and the concept of purity originate, yet he fails to link the operative category of purity in James with any overarching theme or social manifestation. And Elliott's work demonstrates one way in which purity language is functioning in the thematic and argumentative structure of the letter, but mistakenly conflates perfection (wholeness) and purity, and is also too quick to assume a sectarian separation inherent in the purity/pollution distinction. These two studies, despite the disclaimer by McKnight, do suggest that purity is of fundamental importance in the rhetorical, sociological, and ideological aims of this text. If purity is a vital component of the letter's communicative intent then it will be important to identify the relationship between purity and other major themes in the letter. And it is to such a consideration we now turn.
Introduction: Purity in James
21
4 . 'Perfection' and Purity in James As suggested above, it is important to understand whether purity is related to other themes in James. Sigd?cantly, scholars such as Elliott, Bauckham, Hartin, and Cheung have observed the important connection between perfection and purity. Because this relationship will be explored in more detail in Chapter 4, we provide only a preliminary discussion of this relationship here. The importance of such a discussion is twofold: first, because it will become apparent that one cannot understand the 'call to perfection', as Cheung has called it, without proper understanding of James's concern for purity, and second, the relationship between perfection and purity connects to a larger discussion of coherence in James generally. Where many earlier studies disparaged James for lack of thematic and theological coherence and unity, the discussion of the relationship between perfection and purity further confirms the recent trend to find greater cohesion and unity in the letter?' Rudolf Hoppe initially forwarded the strategy of identifying the major unifying themes threaded through James. He identi6ed the themes of faith and wisdom as the controlling principles that give the epistle s t ~ c t u r e ? ~ Since Hoppe, there have been several unifying themes and motifs put forward for the Epistle of James, some of which are the testing tradition," the role of faith:' the thematic contrast between 'friendship with God' and 'friendship with the the function of wi~dom,'~ the interrelationship between ethical instruction and eschatological motiva t i ~ n ?and ~ the anti-Pauline polemic.75 Still others have identified the 68 On this latter point see the surveys of scholarship by Todd Penner ('James in Current Research', pp. 25b309) and Mark Taylor ('Recent Scholarship on the Structure of James', CBR 3 [2004], pp. W120). 69 Rudolf Hoppe, Der Theologische Hintergmd des Jakobusbriefes WzB, 28; W~M~burg: Echter, 1977). 70 Dands, James, pp. 34-8, Manabu Tsuji, Gl& z w i r c h Vollkommmheit md Verweltlichtmg:Eine Untersuch~mgm literorisch Gestalt und nrr inhaltlichen KO&des Jakobusbriefes (WUNT 2/93; Tiibingen: J.C.B. Mohr [Siebeck], 1997). 71 Markus Lautenschlager, 'Der Gegenstand des Glaubens im Jakobusbrief, ZTK 87 (1990), pp. 16384. 72 Johnson, 'Friendship with the World/Friendship with God'; idem, The Letter of Jnmer. 73 Ulrich Luck 'Die Theologie des Jakobusbriefes', ZTK 81 (1984), pp. 1-30; Walter Bindemann, 'Weisheit versus Weisheit: Der Jakobusbrief als innerkirchlicher Dishrs', ZNW 86 (1995), pp. 189-217; Patrick J. Hartin, James nnd the Q Sayings of Jesus (JSNT 47; Shefield: JSOT Press, 1990). 74 Franz Mussner, 'Die e w h e Motivation im Jakobusbrief, in N e m Testament und Ethik (ed. H. Merklein; Freiburg: Herder, 1989), pp. 416-23. 75 Popkes, Adressaten, Situation und Form der Jnkoburbriefes, Marfin Hengel, 'Der Jakobusbrief als antipaulinische Polemik', in Trodition md Interpretation (ed. G. F. Hawthorne and 0. Betz; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983, pp. 24&78.
22
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
theme of perfection/wholeness as the overarchiig concern of James. Where this concern for perfection has been recognized as an overarching theme in the communicative intent of the Epistle of ~ & e s ,the ~ ~concept of purity has received very little attention either in relationship with any of these major themes or as a stand alone topic itself. The interconnection between perfection and purity has been under-explored with the consequent neglect of the important role purity lanapage plays in the text of James. In what follows we will make the initial argument that perfection and purity are significantlyrelated in James. There are several terms that denote the idea of perfection/wholeness in the Epistle of James. Most important of these is the nA- word group. The foremost term denoting perfection or wholeness that appears in the epistle is the adjective Tih&lOS('complete', or 'perfect') which appears five times in the text (1.4a, b; 1.17; 1.25; 3 . ~ ) It. ~is ~suggestive that in the short 108 verses of James this adjective occurs five times out of the total nineteen in the rest of the New Testament. The term is used three times in both Matthew and 1 Corinthians, books more than twice the size of James, which again illustrates the significance of the frequent use of the tern in such a relatively short work. Strategically, TQAEIOS appears with other key terms in James: $you (1.4; 2.22), rrim~s(2.22), and vbpq (1.25; 2.8; cf. 2.10 &IOU T ~ Uk p o ~ ) In . ~addition ~ to the adjective T ~ A E I ~the , text contains two TEA-relatedverbs: T E A ~ W ('complete', or 'fulfill'; 2.8) and TEAEI& ('accomplish', or 'cam out'; 2.22), both of which are common verbs appearing several times in the New Testament. The concentration of TEA-relatedwords in James is suggestive of the concept's importance to the theme of the letter. In addition to the concentration of the TEA-basedword group, James contains other terms that denote the idea of completeness or wholeness. In the important opening passage of 1.2-4, the author of James not only uses T~AEIOS twice but he also uses the synonym bAbdqpos ('whole', or 'intact') which conveys the idea of being complete or meeting every expectation. This term is paired with the participial phrase 'lacking
76 Most recently and comprehensively Cheung (Hmmeneuticr of J m s ) identifies 'perfection' as the major theme of James. See also, Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of J m s (PNTC;Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000), p. 46; Hartin, James rmd the Q Sayings, pp. 1 W 217; idem, A Spirituality of Perfection; Bauckham, J m s @p. 17745); Martin, Jomes @p. Lu*--1; Zmijewsld, 'Christliche "Vollkomenheit"'; Uliott, 'Holiness-Wholeness'; Laws, James, pp. 28-32. 77 The term appears a total of nineteen times in the New Testament: five times in James (see above), five times in the undisputed Pauline epistles (Ram. 12.2; 1 Car. 2.6, 13.10, 14.20; %1.3.15),andinMt.5.48(k), 19.21;Eph.4.13;Col. 1.28,4.12;Heb.5.14,9.11; 1 Jn4.18. 78 See also the connection of .&hslos with o 4 i a in the section 1.2-5, 17.
Introduction: Purity in Jmnes
23
nothing' (6v ~ 6 ~~ v ~ l ir r b p ~ v oand l ) ,both ~ ~ concepts relating wholeness or completeness in every respect are applied directly to the individual (as Tihelor in 3.2). The entire group of terms conveying wholeness or perfection stand in opposition to terms relating imperfection or lack of wholeness. The epistle expresses this antithesis with the adjectives Gi+wxos ('double-minded'; 1.8; 4.8) and & ~ a ~ a o ~('unstable', a ~ o s or 'restless'; 1.8; 3.8; cf. 3.16 where the substantive & ~ a ~ a o ~ aisoused). i a Other concepts relate the negative side of this antithesis: the one who is a 'hearer' only (1.22-25), the one lacking wisdom (1.5-8), and the individual who cannot control his tongue (3.2, W 2 ; 4.11; 5.12). In these contexts the author warns against double-mindedness and division as the opposite of wholenes~/~erfection.~~ Having established the presence of the language of 'perfection', it remains to consider the relationship between 'perfection' and 'purity'. The concept of 'perfection' or 'wholeness' expressed by the term TBAEIOS bears a certain semantic and conceptual overlap with purity. As mentioned above, Bauckham has suggested that the language of perfection is connected to the cultic language of purity and pollution. He comments that James applies the cultic language of purity to both ethical practice and moral purity (1.27; 3.17; 4.8). And it is within James's use of the cultic language of purity as applied to ethical praxis that he suggests the connection between purity and perfection. We should also note that James' overarching paraenetic aim of 'perfection' (1.4) also has cultic resonances, since the Hebrew O'tm, to which James' use of the d k l o s word-group (perfection, wholeness) corresponds, can mean both moral integrity and the unblemished wholeness of a sacrifice offered in the ~emple.8' Here Bauckham suggests a clear lexical connection between 'perfection' But this connection is not merely lexical: (TQAEIOS) and 79 Zmijewski ('Christliche Wollkommenheit', p. 52) adds 6Aw to the list of key words denoting perfection/wholeness. 80 On the strudure of wntrasts within James's argument see Elliott, 'WholenessHoliness'; Timothy B. Cargal, Restoring the Dbporn: Discursive StrucfuremulPurpose in the Epistle of James (SBLDS 144; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1993), pp. 22S32; Johnson (Letter of James, p. 83) states: 'Even a anory survey of this wmposition shows that James characteristically establishes polar contrasts.' Tollefson, 'me Epistle of lames as Dialectical Discourse'. 81 Bauckham, J m s , p. 148. 82 The LXX translates O'Dn ('unblemished', or in an ethical sense 'blameless') with ~ A E I D in S Gen. 6.9; Enod. 12.5;Deut. 18.13;2Kgs22.26 (LXX). Inits oripinal wntextD'M most often desoibes an animal or crop intended for s d c i a l offering as 'unblemished', or 'whole'. And the term often appears in caltic contexts with specific reference to the wmposition of the sacrifice offered in Israel's worship (Lev. 1.3, 10; 3.1, 6; 4.3; and throughout). In these texts D'Dn is rendered by &pwpw('blameless') in the LXX.Yet, in the
24
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James The overarching theme of James is 'perfection' or 'wholeness' (1.4). Also part of this complex of thought iu James is the cultic language of purity and defilement (1.27; 4.8). The unblemished wholeness of the sacrifice suggests the image of the pure heart as the state of integrity before God or entire devotedness to God that is, again, the opposite of double-mindedness (4.~):~
If we align these symbols in dualistic categories we might observe wholeness, perfection, single-mindedness, and purity over against division, imperfection, double-mindedness, and pollution. Others have observed elements of this matrix. Elliott argues that within the lirst section of the epistle (1.13-27) a significant link is made between wholeness and holiness and that this link is marked with the language of purity, again identifying the overlapping concepts and terminology. The section is drawn to a close with a final contrast between 'pure and undefiled' religion and keeping oneself 'unstained' from the world. Here Elliott observes that 'division and wholeness are .. . discussed in terms of pollution and Purity and pollution, Elliott asserts, are used here to describe the major theme of James, viz., 'the completeness and wholeness of the readers, of their community, and of their relation to ~ 0 8 . Thus, 8 ~ Elliott helpfully demonstrates how purity is an integral way of articulating the theme of wholeness in James. Because of the high degree of overlap between these concepts and because perfection/wholeness is recently identified as the central theme of James, further inquiry must be made as to the exact relationship between the individual components of perfection and purity within the matrix in which James places them. It will be significantto identify whether perfection and purity are in a hierarchical, synergistic, or integral relationship. Here we have surveyed previous works that note the important
instances where GAEIOS translates the Hebrew D'Dn, the
cl>mplex of terms refers to wholeness of heart and is applied to human action or conduct where it conveys the notion of walking blamelessly before the Lord @cut. 18.13; Gen. 17.1; of Abraham, Gen. 6.9; of Noah). In this sense 6htc-5on also render the Hebrew term UL?D('complete', or 'perfect'; see 1Kgs 8.61; 11.4). Thus, what is 'pure' (that is unblemished, and thus worthy ofsacrifice in a cultic sense) is whole, wmplete, or 'perfect. It is in this sense, 'purity' as 'wholeness' or 'perfection' before God, I h t James links these two concepts. 83 Bauckham, J m s , p. 165. Patrick 1. Hartin, A Spirituality of Pmfecfion, pp. 224,38, 73, and Cheung ( H e m t i c s of Jmnes, p. 177) also note the lexical connection between 'perfection' and purity. 84 Ulion, 'Holiness-Wholeness', pp. 72-3. Elliott goes on to wmment, 'Though the wncept of pollution and purity has its roots in the cultic life of Israel, it appears to k used here, as elsewhere in Judaism and early Christianity, to define the char* and responsibility of the people of God as a holy community distisct from an unholy sm.ety. Thus, for James, the wholeness of the community and its members seems to be a function of its holiness and u n v d a t i n g commitment to its holy God' @. 73). 85 Ibid., p. 72.
Introduction: Purity in James
25
connection between perfection and purity. Not only are purity and perfection lexically connected (Cheung and Hartin) but they significantly overlap conceptually as well (Bauckham and Elliott). This is significant because whereas perfection has been identified as the major theme in the epistle, the purity language with which perfection is regularly articulated has not received the attention it deserves. Where Elliott has specifically argued for the replication of 'perfection' language in purity/pollution, it will be argued that this codation does not accurately describe the integral relationship between these two concepts. Furthermore, one cannot properly understand James's wncern for perfection without first understanding James's concern for purity from the world.
5 . Summary and Conclusion In light of the current discussion of ancient Jewish purity, the l i t e d categories of ritual and metaphorical purity are inadequate for a proper understandmg of how purity language functions in first century texts. Because most commentators have understood the purity language in James as a metaphor for individual morality or for corporate sectarianism, a new assessment of the language is needed. Furthermore, in this introductory chapter we have shown how those who have taken up the issue of purity in James, while providing helpful starting points, have failed to link purity to the major theme of the letter (McKnight) and place the concern for separation in the right context (Elliott). Our study will attempt to determine the function of purity language in James as it affects the thematic cohesion and social exhortation of the letter.
Chapter 2
A
&ASSESSMENT AND TAXONOMY OF PURITY LANGUAGE
As shown in Chapter 1, the majority of scholars who discuss purity in James turn to two unnecessarily reductionistic categories in which to place this language: either ritual or metaphorical. Yet how can we conceive of purity language so as not to mistakenly dismiss its significance (as McKnight) or overly restrict its meaning (most commentaries)? In order to adequately approach the question of how purity language functions in James we must fist consider the current discussion of purity (particularly purity in Ancient Israel) as well as evaluate and conclude upon a theoretical understanding of purity. Second, both to avoid the aforementioned inadequate categories and to provide a precise set of purity types, this chapter will develop a taxonomy of purity language. In turn the taxonomy will be used heuristically to understand the function of purity language in the Epistle of James. In general, the concept of purity is woven into the fabric of the religious consciousness of several cultures, and consequently ideas of purity receive a number &f historical, religious, and socio-anthropological explanations. From a history-of-religions perspective one could compare the purity systems of ancient Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Grew-Roman religions and so forth. Yet, as helpful as such an examination would be, one must consider the degree of influence a particular construal of purity would have exerted upon the text we are considering. Though a first century document, deriving from the general Mediterranean social, cultural, and religious milieu, James's conception of purity traces its roots primarily to the Jewish purity system encoded in the priestly writings of the Hebrew Bible. Within the Jewish tradition one may observe various diachronic developments of purity systems or concerns. The priestly material in the Hebrew Bible contains the foundation for all such Jewish systems. Though more a locus of concern than a distinct system, at Qumran the priestly material was interpreted in a certain way. In the post30 a era we see the highly structured rabbinic formulation of the purity system. Furthemore, there were speci6c Grew-Roman notions of purity, though ancient Greek religion lacked a centralized cult and a central text that contained and preserved purity regulations both of which, in contrast,
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
27
ancient Israel maintained.' Because of this fact, though comparison between Jewish and Hellenistic notions of puity will be made, a detailed attempt to outline a uniform Greco-Roman concept of purity that could be compared to a Jewish system of purity lies outside the scope of the present project. Furthermore, though certain rabbinic sources will be helpfnl in building a iirst century map of purity, a complete account of the rabbinic views of purity will not be attempted. In order to fill out the taxonomy below we will selectively cite from some of these major sources of purity law to illustrate the flexibility and range of the language, yet the primary texts for consideration will be the Priestly material. The concepts of purehmpure or clean/unclean are largely unfamiliar to modem Western readers of the Bible. At times there is a temptation to imbue these terms with a markedly diierent array of meanings from what they possessed in the biblical culture. These terms are cultural and theological, serving to constrain actions and behaviors through definite boundaries, and thus, in their ancient manifestation, have nothing to do with modem notions of hygiene.' Interpretations of the purity system based upon hygiene belong almost exclusively to the modem era,3 and before this time the purity regulations were often explained by means of allegory.4 Yet it will not be our objective here to search for a rationale behind the notion of purity, namely the particular reasons why specific animals, bodily fluids, or activities are considered defiling in one culture or 1 ~ecauseIsmel's rules of purity have been more comprehensively preserved than any other society they should be viewed as a 'coherent entity in themselves' (Gordon Wenham_ 'Purity', The Biblid World led. John Barton, 2 vols., London: Routledxe, ZM)21, 2.379). Z I ~ u L ~ ron~r. I I have attcmptzd to relatz the rule* of purity to slmplz phyrlwl
28
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
another. To answer such a question depends greatly upon how it is asked.5 Brevard Childs' observation regarding Jewish purity laws is instructive. 'One of the strikmg features of the ritual and purity laws . .. is that the underlying motivation for a particular law is seldom offered. Rather, the emphasis falls heavily upon the purpose toward which the law points.'6 Many times the texts simply present certain rules of purity as either culturally agreed upon or as divine imperative. Thus, the present study will avoid the temptation to chase down the questions of why particular impurities are deemed deliling; rather our concern is to consider the theoretical methodology of those who have studied puritylimpurity and to develop a taxonomy of the various ways purity language was used in the 6rst century. Finally, this survey will avoid a detailed account of the diverse redactional layers behind the Pentateuchal texts that serve as the primary source material for the Jewish understanding of purity. It is assumed that the author of James either read Israel's scriptures, s ~ c a l l the y Torah, or received traditions regarding the teachings of these scriptures in such a way that the final form of the text was considered a~thoritative.~ Though one might work to understand the relationship between the 'P' and 'H' sources, this will lend little aid in uncovering the particular use of purity language in the Epistle of .lames.'
5 One could examine, for example, the synchronic or diachronicissues; latent or manifst meaning; and sociolo~cal, anthropological, political, psychological and theological a ~ ~ r o a c h eahd s models. David P. Wright, Swctrum of Priestly Impurity', in . ('The . l k t h o o d nnd Cult in Ancient Israel [&. Gary A. ~ n d e r s o nand Saul M. 0 l y k ; JSOTSS 125, Sheffield: JSOT Press, 19911, - m. .~15C-81) asserts that 'In seeking an explanation for the impurity laws we should not be looking for the rationale, but the many rationales that exist wmplementarily' @. 151 n. 1). 6 B. Childs, Old T e s t ~ l e n tTheology in a Cmonical Context @hiladelphia: Fortress Press, 1985), p. 87. 7 Offering some preliminary explanations to his study, E. P. Sanders, Jnvkh Law from Jesus to the M k l d (London: SCM Press, 1990), pp. 132-3, states, 'In discussing biblical law, I shall try to read it as it was read in the first century ... all of a piece, almost all ta be observed ... For the most part &st century Jews took the entire Bible to be applicable to their own existence and the Pharisees are noteworthy in this respect.' 8 See Jacob Milgrom, Levitim 1-16 (AB; New York: Doubleday, 1991); especially pp. 1-13. Philip P. Jenson (Graded Holhess) argues for a theolo&d treatment of the Priestly writina as a whole lindudine H),. .which starts with a final form of the text. Far a view that sees the Holiness Code wming aRer the Priestly writings and the consequent diswntinuities in ~ u r i t vlaw see Israel Knahl. The Snnetumv of S i h c e : The Priestly Torah nnd the Holiness School (Minneapolis: ort tress Press, 1995).
-
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
29
1. The Notion of Purity The terms pure/mpure and clean/unclean mark the positive and negative aspects of persons, objects, places, and times. Most texts focus upon the negative consequences associated with the loss of purity. Though in many studies impurity and sin are used interchangeably, it is important to note that, while overlapping, they are not synonymous. In general, sin relates to behavior, while impurity is associated with the result of behavior or some specific physical state (e.g., contact with a corpse). Often sinful behavior causes impurity yet it does not always do so, and conversely contracting impurity does not necessarily mean that an individual has been sinful. In our literature both conditions are set in contrast to what is h o l y 4 o d or what belongs to God. Sinful behavior offends and angers God. Impurity generally threatens what is holy or sacred-particularly the sanctuary, sacrifices, and priests. Because of its threat to holiness, the rules of purity set limiting constraints on human action through erecting boundaries between permissible and impermissible behavior. Withii various societies purity boundaries incorporate both pollution-based (a system of dirt and defilement) and sin-based (a system of moral defilement) perspectives. Not only do they outline religious practice, but generally they also provide the basis of human experience and perceptions of reality. a. Analytical Approaches to Purity Within the scholarly discussion of purity roughly from Douglas's Purity and Danger in 1966, there have been two different but compatible trajectories. Jerome Neyrey helpfully classifies these trajectories: one as historical and descriptive and the other as anthropologica1 and ~ o c i a l . ~ 1. An Historical/Descriptzve Approach The hlstorical/descriptive approach is generally characterized by the collection of textual data regarding the attitudes and practices of purity reflective of different groups. Though detailed accounts of biblical and ancient Jewish purity law were available prior to Neusner's 1973 work, they were compiled before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the innovative work of anthropologist Mary Douglas. In The Idea of ~ u r i t ~ " Neusner offers a description of the system of impurity through the various strands of the Hebrew Bible. Methodologically he progresses diachronically analyzing specific passages in various biblical, Second Temple, and 9 Jerome Neyrey, 'Clean/UncIean, Pure/PoUuted', and Haly/Profane: The Idea and the System of Purity, in The Soeinl Scielzces md New Testmnenc Interpretntiorr (ed. Richard Rohrbaugh; Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1996), pp. 8M04. 10 Jacob Neusner, The Idea of Purity in Ancient Judaism;, pp. 1S26.
30
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
Talmudic texts. In Neusner's view, the biblical material regarding purity and impurity is shown to relate mainly to priestly texts and matters of the temple. The Second Temple literature relates purity and impurity to idolatry, which Neusner considers a form of moral defilement, and sexual misconduct. FmaUy in the Talmudic materials, though the concern with purity and impurity is still linked to the temple, the rabbis were more interested in the moral or allegorical meaning of these concepts. Neusner's conclusion in The Idea of Purity is that two ideas regarding purity and impurity come down from ancient Israel: ' k t , purity and impurity are cultic matters; second, they may serve as metaphors for moral and religious behavior, primarily in regard to matters of sex, idolatxy, and unethical action'." Furthermore, he states that purity relates closely to holmess because, 'The land is holy, therefore [sic] must be kept clean. It may be profaned by becoming unclean.'12 Though his historical work concludes with a thematic essay taking up a number of issues raised by Douglas's Purity and Danger, in which he acknowledges attitudes toward purity tended to differentiate one group from another, he does not take up her fundamental insight regarding the model of the body as a symbol of the social body and thus his early work on purity remained largely in the historical/descriptive vein.I3 In Douglas's response, published as an appendix to Neusner's The Idea of Purity, she criticizes his dichotomy between cultic and metaphor for morality: Since it is clear that the temple rules and sex rules and food rules are a single system of analogies, they do not converge on any one point but sustain the whole moral and physical universe simultaneously in their systematic interrelatedness.14 Douglas' comment here reinforces the difference between the historicall descriptive and the anthropological/social views of purity; one stresses the description 'of individual instances of impurity with less regard for their interrelatedness, and the other stresses viewing the disparate regulations regarding purity and impurity as a systematic whole which both maintains and creates religious and social order. In his monumental work on Leviticus, Milgrom suggests the primary key to understand the diverse purity rules is the basic need to avoid death. He points out that corpse contamination is the most severe source of impurity requiring an elaborate purification ritual spanning seven days and thus is identified in later rabbinic texts as a 'father of impurity'.
11 12 13 14
Ibid, p. 108. Zbid., pp. 16-17. Bid, p. 28. IbLi., p. 140 'Critique and Commentary', appendix to Neusner.
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
31
Associating with a corpse, therefore, is indicative of one coming into contact with death-something that must be avoided. Further evidence supports Migrom's claim. Though blood itself does not render items impure, Milgrom associates the loss of blood with death because blood represents lie. He argues that both menstruation (because it is associated with loss of blood or life) and a corpse (a body without its blood) are indicative of death and must be avoided. Further, Milgrom associates impurities resulting from bodily emissions with the concept of death. He posits that because sperm is associated with potential lie, when this agent of life is lost during intercourse, nocturnal emissions, or chronic genital discharges, life itself is lost. Even skin disease is explicitly associated with death for when Miriam contracted leprosy (scale disease) Aaron prays for her saying, 'Do not let her be as one dead (nM)' (Nnm. 12.12).15 Thus, for Milgrom, because God is life and all of Israel is to imitate him, the system of impurity hinges upon the notion of avoiding death.16 The purpose of the system, as Miigrom states elsewhere, is to drive a wedge between the forces of death, which are impure, and the forces of life, which like God, are holy.17 But this characterization is not without difficulties. If death is the key to the impurity system, what is the relationship between death-avoidance and impurities associated with procreation and sex? Though Miigrom attempts to preempt this question in his study, death-avoidance cannot account for all the issues bound up in the impurities associated with procreation and sex.'' Simply put, a single material element or key is not in total control of the impurity system. Because the death-avoidance theory is not able to account for the total system of impurity other scholars have investigated additional organizational factors. David P. Wright has registered his doubts that the deathavoidance theory really explains the particular concern with sexual/genital discharges. He contends that both death and sex figure within the ritual purity system of ancient Israel. Wright's work consists in two articles; 'Clean and Unclean' in The Anchor Bible Dictionary and 'The Spectrum of IS Milgrom, Leviticus 1-16, pp. 7 6 H , 1000-4. 16 For a critical discussion of the impurity as death theory, see Howard EilbergSchwartz, The Savage h Judaism: An Anthropology of Israelite Religion md Ancienf Judaism ( l n ~ p o l i s Indiana : University Press, 1990), pp. 1824. For a recent survey of scholarly app~oachesto ritual impurity, see Jenson, GradedHoliness,pp. 75-83. 17 Milgrom, Leviticus 1-16, pp. 732-3. 18 Eilberg-Schwartz spedficany challenges m o r n by observing that, 'There are instancesin biblical law that explicitly mix the categories of life and death. In order to purify oneself f m corpse unclemess, for example, a person must be sprinkled with a solution made from the ashes of a red heifer and "living" water (Nm.19). Here, a substance that is symbolic of life ("living" water) is mixed with a substance that is associated with death (ashes of a heifer? (Smoge in Judainn, pp. 248 n. 19, 186).
32
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
Priestly After classifying the relevant terminology for 'clean' and 'unclean' in the Hebrew Bible, in the first article Wright makes the distinction between two categories of impurity: 'permitted' and 'prohibited'." Permitted impurities arise out of natural and, at times, necessary occurrences (e.g., procreation or producing the ashes of the red heifer). Prohibited impurities, on the other hand, are controllable and unnecessary (e.g., idolatry, sexual misconduct, and murder). Wright insists that the permitted impurities 'arise from distinctly human conditions which parallel the traits acquired by the man and woman [in Genesis I]: death, disease, and sexual processes'?1 With regard to finding a key to the impurity system, Wright's distinction between permitted and prohibited highlights the differences between the human and divine spheres. Because God is eternal, viz., he does not die or have sexual relations, 'the mortal condition is incompatible with God's holiness'.22 Here Wright notes an important function of purity, namely separating the human sphere from the divine, yet there is a fatal flaw in his terminology. Initially Wright spots the problem and opts for different t e r m s h e acknowledgesthat some of the impurities that he labeled 'permitted' in the &st article were in fact not merely permitted in the biblical material, but rather were obligatory (e.g., procreation and bunial)?3 Yet the fuodamental problem remains with calling these impurities 'tolerated'. Klawans observes: 'what is commanded is not merely "tolerated"; it is, rather, "right and proper" ... In the end, all that has been said argues against using the categories of permission and prohibition alone as the major conceptual basis when schematizing biblical impurity law.'24 Wright is M y set within the descriptive/historical trajectory and, as Klawans has concluded, even this scheme does not successfully explain the meaning of impurity. In another historical/descriptive account of impurity in ancient Israel, Hyam Maccoby argues that the ritual impurity regulations in Leviticus 11-17 are but a way of marking Israel out as a partidar nation that is to be holy (morally pure) unto God. He argues that the holiness based upon the ritual aspects of the law is to mark Israel as a nation 'dedicated to God'.
19 Damd P. Wright, 'Unclean and Clean (OT)', ABD 6: pp. 72W1; and idem, 'The Specrmm of Priestly Impurity', pp. 15041. 20 21 22 Place
'Unclean and Clean', pp. 729-30. Bid., p. 739. Bid. See also Hyam Maccoby, R i r d nnd Morality: The R i t d Purity System rmd its in Judaism (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999). pp. 30-1,49-50. 23 Wright 'The Spectrum', p. 158. 24 Jonathan Klawans, Impurity a d Sin in Ancient Judaism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000), p. 17.
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
33
The ritual marks out the Israelites as a holy people. But this holiness would he of Little use if it did not rest in a higher moral standard .. . 'All these ritual ohsemances mark you out as a special, chosen, dedicated group. But what is the point of this dedication? So that you can be motivated by esprit de corps and sense of speciahess to show the world what is meant by love of neighhour, love ofjustice, and abandonment of violence.'25 Here Maccoby posits the key to the biblical impurity system is its function to call Israel out as a special group. Though based in a historical/ descriptive approach, Maccoby has identified the social function of the impurity system-the identity of the group. Here Maccoby reveals that he is not just interested in purely descriptive concerns, but implicitly he is arguing that the ritual purity laws mark Israel's social identity out from all other nations. This is indicated in Maccoby's 'higher' standard to which Israel is held. Here we can see Maccoby's assumption that ritual purity and moral purity rest on two different levels. Though he attempts to resist a strictly metaphorical relationship between ritual and moral purity, he asserts that ritual purity is only a sign to distinguish Israel's special, dedicated status before God. Based upon this relationship, Maccoby insists that the ritual code must be examined for 'an intention of dedication and sense of h~liness'.'~ However, it is not entirely clear how this is different from the view that the ritual aspects of purity only exist to serve as a metaphor for moral purity. More to the point, Maccoby asserts that any key organizing principle gathering together the symbolic nature of the impurity system must be broad enough to account for all the evidence. He understands 'the sources of impurity in Judaism are too various to be subsumed under one concept, even death'." The 'theme', Maccoby posits contra Miigrom, is 'that of the cycle of birth and death. Everything that is a feature of the cycle of birth and death must be banished from the Temple of the God who does not die and was not born.'28 Maccoby concurs with Wright that the symbolism of the purity system must include both death-avoidance and sex-avoidance; however, Maccoby would widen these categories to include the entire hirth-death cycle. Though he sets his conclusions against the particular claims of Milgrom and others, Maccoby articulates the basic symbolic weight of the impurity system is squarely 6 x 4 upon demonstrating the holiness of God, the separating from anything that makes one less l i e God. But as we have noted above, though Maccoby on the face of it is offering a m e r e n t organizing key to the impurity system 25 26 27 28
Maceoby, Rifual and Morality, p. 205 (emphasis onwal). Bid. Bid., p. 32. Bid.,p. 2M.
34
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
than other historians have done, he implicitly indicates the primary social function of impurity is to set Israel apart from others. Here we can see how one who begins with historical concerns in the end implicitly takes up an unarticulated social model in order to get at the meaning and function of the impurity system. Though such historical and descriptive studies are invaluable in the data they provide, they do not consider the basic question of what pure and impure means in Judaism. The historical view of purity helps us to understand why particular groups were concerned with purity, yet it cannot address the creative or 'worldview' forming function of purity language, which may only be seen by taking up a different approach.29 2. An Anthropological/Social Approach The anthropological/social approach to the study of purity and pollution in biblical texts was pioneered by Mary Douglas in 1966. Her work, Purity und Dmger, has largely become the theoretical foundation for all subsequent work on ritual impurity in the Hebrew ~ i b l e ~and, ' though some of her initial ideas have come under critique3' (and she herself has amended some of her initial ideas32),four of her conclusions have stood the test of time. First, Douglas's work fundamentally challenged the notion that pollution-based systems along with notions of defilement or pollution are 'primitive', and thereby separating purity and impurity from supposedly 'higher' religions which rely upon moral notions such as sin.33 Second is the recognition that any given culture's conception of defilement or impurity is systemic in nature. For Douglas, '[wlhere there is d i i there is a system', and consequently, '[tlhis idea of dirt takes us straight into the field of symbolism and promises a link-up with more
29 See Colleen M. Conway. 'Toward a Wen-formed Suhiect: The Function of Punty Language in tbc %rek ha-Yahad', JSP 21 (?WO), pp. 103-20, lor s sivnllar J~stnnctts,n. ('uncprs ull'olluriun muJ l Tduo 30 Mary Douplac l'unrr udDonpcr Ann Awlysi, . vlrhc . ~
(repr., c on don: ~outledge,~l991). 31 Klawans (Impwitty d Sin,p. 165 n. 24) notes: 'One error made in Pm'ty &Danger is the assumption that Israelites considered an that a& from the body to be ritually defiling (seep. 121). In reality.. .the biblical purity system problematizesonly certain bodily substances.' Mil5om (Leviticm 1-16, pp. 72S1) lists seven errors in Douglas's early work. For other critiques of Douglas's interpretations of s+c passages, see Eilberg-Schwartz, The Savage bz Judaism, pp. 177-9, 18990, and 21&19; and Milgrom, Levitim 1-16, pp. 7. 0 e-2 ~
32 See especially Mary Douglas, In the W&femess: The Doctrine of Defilement in the Book of Numbers (JSOTSup, 158; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1993). 33 See Klawans, Impurity andsin, p. 8. This is one of the primary concerns of EilhergSchwartz's The Savage bz Judzism.
A Reassessmenf and Taxonomy of Purity Language
35
obviously symbolic systems of purity'.34 'Dirtr,Douglas famously asserts, is 'matter out of place'.35 The idea of dirt implies a structure of idea. For us dirt is a kind of compendium category for all events which blur, smudge, contradict, or otherwise wnfuse accepted classi6cations. The underlying feeling is that a system of values which is habitually expressed in a given arrangement of things has been ~iolated?~ The key insight here is that when a text uses purity terminology this is evidence of an underlying system of classification at work to order the author's perception of reality. Thus impurity is a structure, 'whose individual components are not to be analyzed as if they were freestanding'." Third, once establishing the systemic nature of impurity, Douglas posits such impurity systems should be understood symbolically. The reason why particular animals, ritual practices, or acts are impure can only be understood when seen as functioning within a system of symbols. 'The body is a model which can stand for any bounded system. Its boundaries can represent any boundaries which are threatened or precarious'.38 This theory holds that purity boundaries of the individual body correspond to boundaries within and between societies. Douglas identifies four kinds of precarious boundaries that threaten a society's ordered system and which evoke purity rhetoric as a response: (1) danger pressing on the external boundaries; (2) danger from transgressing the internal lines of the system; (3) danger in the margins of the lines; and (4) danger from internal c~ntradiction?~ Whereas both (1) and (2) will be helpful in understanding the function of purity language in James, the danger pressing on external boundaries (number 1) will be of primary importance. Finally, Douglas wnnects the symbolic interpretation of the impurity system to social function. That is to say, purity beliefs affect or shape human behavior and social mteraction. Crucially there are two levels at 34 Douglas, Purify and Dmger, p. 36 (emphasis added). 35 aid., pp. 29-40, especially 35. But not all have been convinced of this definition of 'dirt'. Milgrom (Leviticus 1-16, p. 729) argues that ancient Israelites did not view all misplaced objeds as sources of impurity. However, Klawans (Zmpurty andSm, p. 165 n. 30) helpfully insists that Douglas's notion has been pushed too far by the opposition. 'Her definition, I believe, was never meant to be reversible, not all matter out of place is to be understood as defiling! Douglas's point ... is simply that impure things fall outside the category patterns of the system in question.' 36 ibid, p. 51. 37 Klawans, Impuriy and Sin,p. 8. 38 Douglas, Purify andDonger, p. 115. 39 Bid., p. 122.This move, however, has proven troublesome for Douglas. Her symbolic interpretation of the dietary laws in Leviticus 11 in light of the catego& of weation in Genesis 1 have been unconvindng to many.
36
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
which the symbolic system of ritual purity may work for Douglasinstrumental and expressive. At the instrumental level the system of impurity maintains a unified experience within society. Specitically, normed moral values and defined social roles are upheld along with the broader structures of society. Conway helpfully observes that this is the level at which the historian views the function of ancient impurity systems." The historical/descriptive approach detects different attitudes towards purity between Jewish sectarian groups which are understood as important means of competing for power in relation to the temple. However, what Neyrey has labeled the anthropological/socialapproach to purity aligns with Douglas's 'expressive' level of functionality of an impurity system. At the expressive level the impurity system canies a 'symbolic load' serving as analogies for expressing a particular view of social order or a 'worldview'. She states: For I believe that ideas about separating, purifying, demarcating and punishing transgressions have as their main function to impose system on an inherently untidy experience. It is only by exaggerating the difference between within and without, above and below, male and female, with and against, that a semblance of order is created."' Thus purity language functions not only to maintain order withim a group but it also creates order in a previously undefined situation. Douglas's project has been criticized as giving 'idealist' explanations." In focusing on how the impurity system demonstrates the human ability to classify and structure the world, and to integrate cultural, social, and theological meanings, the body symbolism has been criticized as being overly systematic and abstract.43 Opponents charge that Douglas's approach represents systems of meaning as more coherent and more systematic than evidence suggests. Though one ought to be cautious with her earlier work, Douglas's approach is helpful on two accounts: Jirst, it consciously takes an emic perspective, attempting to construct a coherent view of the impurity system from the inside, and second, her approach provides a way of speakimg about the symbolic application of impurity systems and thus uncovering the function and meaning of the system. Eilberg-Schwartz attempts to combime the anthropological approach of body symbolism with the historical/descriptive search for an underlying key to the biblical impurity system. After outlining the priestly rules governing bodily emissions, which he understands constitute a system of 'prohibitions that express a distinction between life and death', Eilberg40 41 42 43
Conway, 'Toward a Well-formed Subject', p. 107. Donaas, Purity and Drmger, p. 4. Jenm, Graded Holiness, p. 81. ihtz., p. 88.
A Reassessment mzd Taxonomy of Purity Language
37
Schwartz highlights several anomalies that do not fit the death-avoidance explanation for the biblical impurity system others have constructed." He notes the difficulty of harmonizing the concern to avoid death and the sacrificial slaughter of animals. 'Why should the killing of an animal be involved in the symbolic passage of a person from the death of impurity to lifeY4' Instead of rejecting the death-avoidance theory completely, EilbergSchwartz contends that these anomalies show that a single element cannot explain the entire system adequately. Therefore he introduces the criterion of controllability into the d i s c ~ s s i o nHe . ~ ~argues that the less a process or event can he controlled the more likely it is to defile. Thus, for EilbergSchwartz, the criterion of uncontrollability accounts for the anomalies that resist systematization under other organizing factors such as deathor sex-avoidance. He argues, '[tlhe practical association between impurity, death, and lack of control embodied the abstract and familiar idea in Israelite religion that a person must exercise self-control in order to fulfill his or her covenantal obligations and thus be closer to ~ 0 8Yet, . this ~ ~ criterion may be pushed too far. Many kinds of uncontrollable behavior (e.g., vomiting, and seizures) are not considered deliling, and some fluids, which are not considered deiihmg in the ritual sense, are uncontrollable at times (mucous)." Furthermore, there are several actions that are certainly controllable, yet if committed render the individual impure (particularly moral acts like sexual misdeeds or idolatry). Therefore Eilberg-Schwartz's criterion of controllability does not provide an adequate account of the impurity system. Though controUability is not helpful, Eilberg-Schwartz does demonstrate how an anthropological/social approach may take up historical/ descriptive issues in a profitable way. He does not reduce the system of impurity to the basic components of sex- or death-avoidance, but strives to understand the interrelation of the entire system of impurity while at the same time engaging more historically inclined scholars on specific issues of exegetical detail. In setting Douglas's work in context he asserts that her 'understanding does not exhaust the body's cultural function. In addihon to reflecting the powers and dangers of the social structure, the body serves as a space for a whole range of social representahons. In this sense, the body is a prime locus for the articulation of larger complexes of meaning which constitute a cultural system.'" 44 45 46 47 48
Eilberg-Schwartz, The Savage in Judoinn, p. 185.
lbid Bid, pp. 1 8 M . aid, p. 191. See Jonathan Klawans, 'Pure Violence: Sacd?ce and Defilement in Ancient Israel',
HTR (ZOOI), pp. 133-5. 49 Eilberg-Schwartz, llre Savage m Judairm p. 178.
38
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
Brnce Malina, in his standard work The New Testament World, suggests a basic model for interpreting the rules of impurity. After introducing the controlling analogy of clean and unclean as the dividing lines on a map, Malina concludes, '[tlhe purity rules of the society were intended to foster prosperity by maintaining fitting, harmonious relationships. Thus perfection-the wholeness marked off by purity rules--characterizes God, the Relying heavily on Douglas's people in general, and the individ~al.'~~ work, Malina maintains that Israel's ideological matrix (or map) of purity wnsisted in the category sets of the sacred (exclusive) and profane (nonexclusive) and the pure/clean (in proper place) and impure/unclean (out of place), which organize the social dimensions of self, others, animate and inanimate creatures, time and space. In regard to individuals, purity rules delineated the social status in a community based upon physical or ritual birth. And with this understanding of genealogical purity, Malina understands the defensive marriage strategy practiced in Israel as related to purity concerns. Furthermore, based upon the parallels of first born, observance of Sabbath, and intemarriage/aoss-breeding,he understands that genealogical purity is replicated in the classiiication of clean and unclean animals in Leviticus 11. Finally, Malina postulates that while this system of purity was in practice during the lifetime of Jesus, followers of Jesus rejected these purity rules. Jerome Neyrey largely follows this line of analysis. In several works he gwes greater shape to the concept of purity offered by Malina. Following Douglas, Neyrey views purity as the boundaries that classify or demarcate diierent areas within a symbolic system. Neyrey asserts that such systems are iduenced by core values: These values are structured in the cultural Me of group [sic] .. . The core value influences how things are classified and where thev are located. It is the overarching rationale for behavior, the principal justification for the shape of the system. The wre values, moreover, are replicated throughout the system, giving it direction, clarity, and consistency. Abstractly, what accords with this value and its structural expressions is 'pure'; what contravenes it in any way is 'polluted'. 51
-
Here purity (the lines) work within a symbolic system (the map) to delineate the core values of the culture. While providmg helpful developments of Douglas's basic theory, both Neyrey and Malina are gullty of a few mistakes in their understanding of the impurity system. First, both scholars wrongly wnflate purity and 50 Bruce I. Malina, The New Testmnent World. Insightsfrom Cultwal Anthropology (3rd , edn; Louisville, Ky.: Westminster, 2M)1), p. 170. 51 Jerome H. Neyrey, The Symbolic Universe of Luke-Acts: "They turned the World
Upside Down"', in The Social World of Luke-Acts: Mod& for Inferpretation (ed. I. H . Neyrey; Peabody, Mass.: Hendricksoq 1991), p. 275.
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
39
status to the point that individuals are socially ranked based upon their Here is where the historical/descriptive 'God-appointed purity'." approach offers a helpful corrective to the anthropological/s~~ial approach because this wnflation leads wrongly to classifying outsiders, women, or members of lower classes as impure.53 Ritual impurity is impermanent and at times necessary (e.g., procreation), yet status, in general, is permanent. Even one of high social standing, for example the High Priest, becomes ritually impure when burying a deceased relative or while performing a sacrificial procedure (like that outlined in Numbers 19). Thus, the biblical data shows that impurity and status should not be c~nfused.'~ Second, there is a passing assumption that to be impure is to be sinful. Klawans notes two wrong assumptions here. The first error is the assumption that sinners were ritually impure. The second is that it is prohibited for Israelites to contract ritual impurity.. . Israelites are almost always permitted to become ritually impure, and it is often obligatory to do so. Thus, even if sinners were considered to be a source of ritual defilement,contact between the righteous and sinners would not necessarily violate norms of ritual p~rity.5~ b. Conclusion The two approaches outlined above are not mutually exclusive. As the work of Eilberg-Schwartz, Maccoby, and even Klawans shows, the anthropological approach must be informed by good historical data; and yet, at the same time, an historical description must be supplemented by the anthropological/social approach when the questions of function and meaning of the impurity system arise. The purpose of this snrvey has been to outline the analytical approaches to purity and to demonstrate the value of Douglas's approach to systems of purity. Specifically that the body symbolism, which in Douglas's scheme may stand for any bounded system, allows for viewing the impurity system as marking off boundaries in and between societies--both maintaining and creating perceptions of reality.
52 Malina, The New T e s t m t World, p. 174. 53 See Malina, The New Testament World, pp. 17S7; Neyrey, 'The Idea of Purity in Mark's Gospel', pp. 91-128 (especially 9 S 7 ) ; idem, 'The SymbolicUniverseof Lnk~Acts',p. 282. 54 See Jonathan Klawans, 'Notions of Gentile Impurity in Ancient Judaism', AJSR 20 (1995),pp. 28S312; idem Impurity and Sin,pp. 12, 136-8. 55 Klawans,Impurity ond Sin,p. 137.
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
40
2. Taxonomy of Purity Language To date no detailed discussion of the various categories of purity language exists. Typically scholars operate with two, often undefined, categories of purity: 'ritual' purity and the 'metaphorical' or 'spiritualized' use of 'ritual'. Recent discussion has pressed for the third category of 'moral' purity and in light of this discussion it seems necessary to formulate a fuller taxonomy of purity language. Though the following discussion will criticize various perspectives of contemporary biblical scholarship, the goal of the taxonomy is to provide a conceptual framework that will enable a more precise approach to the function of purity language. Because of the limitation of space, we cannot consider every instance of purity language in the Hebrew Bible, let alone in any other tradition. Neither can we offer an exhaustive account of every facet of the diierent types of purity suggested below. The goal is not to re-evaluate biblical purity law but rather to expand the categories of purity language. a. Categories of Impurity 1. Natural Impurity Often purity language is used to describe the state of an object without reference to ritual, moral, or social status. In this respect any object, animal, or person may be described as pure, meaning complete, or intact and in some instances unmixed with any other substance. This idea of natural purity overlaps at certain points with the notion of ritual (the purity or completeness of the sacri6cial animal or offering), moral (undivided heart, of one mind), and social purity (unmixed in marriage with a foreigner), but often this use of purity language is merely used to refer to an object's completeness or wholeness without reference to ritual, moral, or social status. 'Natural purity' is a comment upon the consistency of the object's make-up. For example, one may describe the makeup of a gold ring as 12 karat or 24 karat gold, where the latter is said to be 'pure gold', as such it is gold that is unmixed with any other substance. The ring is complete or whole; its material consistency is pure because it is not diluted with impurities of another, less valuable, substance. Though Neusner does not offer it as a separate category, he notes that 'entirely neutral things, for instance, in reference to gold or silver, could be called pure or impure'.56 The adjective WE3 is used to describe the furnishings of the tabernacle referring to the ark (Exod. 25.1 I), the mercy seat (Exod. 25.17), the table (Exod. 25.24), various vessels (Exod. 25.29), the lamp stand (Exod. 25.31); the plate (Exod. 28,36), and the incense
.
56 Neusner, The Idea of Purity, p. 12.
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
41
altar (Exod. 30.3) as consisting of pure gold. Garments for Aaron were made with cords as of pure gold (Exod. 39.15). Also made of pure gold were the appliances of the temple (1 Chron. 28.17), its inner decorations (2 Chron. 3.4), and Solomon's throne (2 Chron. 9.17). Here the gold used to construct the furnishings of the sanctuary is 'pure' in its constitution as a specific kind of metal?' In these examples pure merely refers to a natural quality or constitution of the material without reference to a ritual, moral, or social condition. For something to be impure in this sense would result from its diminished integrity or by mixing the pure object with a foreign substance. So to be pure in a natural sense is to be unalloyed, without mixture. The language of natural purity may be taken up metaphorically or figuratively to describe other states of affairs as we shall see below. 2. Ritual Impurity The foundational concept of ritual impurity denotes that which threatens the sacred-that which belongs to God. The primary characteristic of ritual impurity in the present taxonomy has to do with the cult of Israel, specifically with regard to the Temple and priesthood. Here the ritual or cultic status of the individual is in view, with ritual impurity resulting in exclusion from what is holy--especially exclusion from the Temple. At this point it will be helpful to consider the term ritual and its place in describing impurity.s8To be sure, the term ritual is Sanders comments that, 'the adjectives are unnecessary, and they do not appear in the ancient languages',60 and thus, he chooses to drop descriptive terms for impurity all together. However, despite the concerns of some scholars regarding the potential for misunderstanding, for reasons of conceptual clarity one must call this type of impurity something. Klawans has argued that it is not helpful to drop all adjectives for impurity. Attempting to maintain a clear distinction between different types of impurity, he insists that it is justifiable to deploy descriptive terminology in distinguishing different kinds of impurity even though such adjectives are not in the 57 Furthermore, Job 28-19 refers to pure gold; T. Levi, 7.4 to pure water. 58 Moreover, it should be noted that the categories in the taxonomy along with their modifying terms represent an artificial g i d upon which to plot impurity. Though our taxonomy finds no terminological basis from within the biblical text, it seems necessary to provide a way of registeringdifferences in using purity language, providing that one does not mistake the categories for purity language itself. The terms demarcatiog types of pudty are useful in providing conceptual cladty. 59 Neusner (The Idea of Purify, pp. 1-2) identih two problems with using 'ritual' to describe purity and impurity. 'It first requires the definition of "ritual" and implies a distinction between "ritual" and something-other-than-rituaF'~~bstantive" "real", or "moral", for example ... Second, for the present-day ear, "ritual" provokes as its antonym "moral".' 60 Sanders, Jewish Law, p. 137.
42
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
ancient texts themselves?' Klawans recognizes that ritual and, as we shall see, moral are imperfect designations for these types of impurity. He points out that they are contemporary terms that refer to imported categories, and could be misused in an anti-ritualist way. Nonetheless, he argues that they are convenient for emphasizing the existence of two types of defilement in the Hebrew Bible, 'one of which is more associated with sin than the other'? Recently Thomas Kazen has argued for the idea of a 'moral trajectory' in ancient Israel's ritual purity system in order to trace the interaction between the concepts of impurity and sin?3 Acknowledging that Klawans has successfully made the point that immoral actions were considered defiling, Kazen rejects the terminological distinction between ritual and moral impurity. Rather, adopting anthropology as the 'more suitable point of departure', he opts for the terms 'inner' and ' ~ u t e r ' Kazen .~ puts forward 'inner' and 'outer' as better terms because they are used in Israel's scriptures as well as in the Gospels; however, they do not point out the difference between the two notions of impurity. As Klawans has argued, 'by using "ritual" and "moral" we are able to employ terminology that is both parallel and pliable. By isolating two adjectives to modify the noun "impurity", we h d ourselves with two categories that at the same time express the difference and interrelatedness of the two types of defilement^.'^^ Though the terms are not perfect, it seems that Klawans's argument to retain them in order to maintain conceptual clarity is plausible and will be followed here. However, it must be noted that in using ritual to define this type of impurity we are not suggesting thereby that ritual impurity is not real or meaningful either socially or ethically. Ritual impurity had practical and concrete effects upon everyday affairs and furthermore required the material act of purification for its removal. Leviticus 11-15 and Numbers 19 are two major texts that outline ritual impurity. This impurity results primarily from direct or indirect contact with any one of a number of natural processes, including: c h i l d b ' i (Lev. 12.1-8), scale disease (Lev. 13.1-14.32), genital discharges (Lev. 15.1-33), the carcasses of certain animals (Lev. 11.1-47), and corpses of humans (Num. 19.1-22)?~Both the duration and requisite purification processes
61 Klawans, Impurity and Sin,pp. 22-3. p. 22. 62 Bid., 63 lhomas h n , Jesur and Purity Hnldkhah: W a Jesus Indiffermt to Impurity? (CBNTS,38; Stockholm. Almqvist & WikseU, 2002), ch. 5. 64 Bid,pp. 21%22. 65 Klayans, Impurity and Sin,p. 23. 66 Bid., p. 2.
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Lrmguage
43
of each of these specific ritual impurities differ, yet the intricacies of these proscriptions are not our primary concern.67 Klawans suggests three distinct characteristics of ritual impurity: '(1) [tlhe sources of ritual impurity are generally natural and more or less unavoidable. (2) It is not sinlid to contract these impurities. And (3) these impurities convey an impermanent contagion.'68 With respect to (I), Frymer-Kensky notes: 'many of the acts which result in the polluted state are natural functions which cannot be avoided. Without childbirth (a major pollutant) and sexual intercourse (a minor pollutant) society would cease to exist.'69 Though sexual discharge, corpses and carcasses, and disease are sources of impurity, in the normal course of life they are unavoidable, even obligatory.70 Therefore, the second of Klawan's characteristics naturally follows: while not encouraged, it is not necessarily sinful to be impure. Frymer-Kensky observes '[tlhere is no onus attached to these pollutions, no idea that they result from forbidden or improper actions, no "guilt" attributed to the impure'. Again, she concludes regarding accidental contact with a corpse: 'There is, however, no question of moral culpability for such inadvertent contact with death.'71 Thus there is nothing inherently sinful about being ritually impure. Further, ritual impurity conveyed an impermanent contagion.72 Klawans elaborates on this point saying, 'All of the impurities described in Lev. 11-15 and Num. 19 dissipate after k e d periods of time. Some of the defiling conditions . . . could last quite a while in theory, but the fact that purification rituals are provided for these conditions suggests . . . that these conditions were not believed to be permanent.'73 Prescribed rites of 67 For particulars regarding biblical purity legislation, see T i h Fymer-Kensky, 'Pollution, Purification, and Purgation in Biblical Israel', in The Word of the Lord Shall Go Forth: Essuys in Honor of DavidNoel Free& in Celebration of Xis Sixtieth Birthday (eds Carol L. Meyers and M. O'Connor; ASORSV 1; Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 1983); Wright 'The Spec-, and Sanders, Jewish Low, pp. 134-51. 68 Klawms, Impurity and Sin, p. 23 It is interesting that the ancient Greek notion of impurity, whether ritual or moral, is always contagious (see Robert Parker, Miasmot Pollution ond Purfimtion in Early Greek Religion [Oxford:Clarendon Press, 19831, pp. 10. 257). 69 Frymer-Kensky, 'Pollution', p. 403. See also Wright, The Spectrum', p. 157. 70 Procreation is commanded (Gen. 1.28; 9.3,menstruation is a natural process, priests are allowed to contract corpse impurity if the deceased was a close relative (Lev.21.1-3). and are obligated to participate in cultic practices, which render them impure as a result (see Lev. 16; Num. 19). 71 Frymer-Kensky, 'Pollution', p. 403. 72 For a detailed discussion regarding the duration of 'ritual' impurity see FrymerKensky, 'Pollution', pp. 404-5; Sanders, Jewish Lnw, pp. 134-51. 73 Jonathan Klawans, 'The Impurity of Immorality in Andent Judaism', JJS 48 (1997), pp. 1-16 (2 n. 11).
44
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
pudication evidence a specific element of ritual impurity's impermanence. Whether through duration of time, bathing, or sacrificial rite, ritual impurity always is accompanied by an act of purification. It is important to note that those who became ritually impure were never classified as transgressors nor were they punished74 because the act of removal or puritication ended the state of uncleanness. Another characteristic of ritual impurity, unlike other forms of impurity, is that it is highly stratified. Jewish interpreters, especially the Mishnah, identify three basic degrees of impurity: (1) major impurity (;iM Dm7 3 4 'father of impurity'), (2) minor impurity (;IMDlD, 'impurit ), and (3) one who is rendered impure by a major impurity (;iMDIE3 'T I, 'offspring of Similarly, Wright argues roughly along the same lines, asserting two categories of impurity labeled tolerated (outlined mainly in Lev. 11-16 and Num. 19) and prohibited (Lev. 4 and 16, though conveyed in a less systematic fashion) impurity. For Wright, these two categories of ritual are systematically interconnected in a spectrum of graded impurity ranging from least to most severe. Similarly, the rectilication of impurity corresponds to this progression in that different impurities result in different sacrifices. The gradation ranges
S
74 Sanders, Jewish Low, pp. 14&2; Wright, 'The Spectrum', p. 157; and more recently, E. P. Sanders, Juda*m; Practice &Belief 6 3 ~ c ~ 6(London: 6 c ~ SCM Press, 1992), p. 71; and N.T.Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God (Landon: SPCK, 1996), pp. 40&9. There are two exceptions to this rule: it is considered a transgression when one refuses to purify oneself or when coming into contact with the sacred while in a state of ritual impurity (see Lev. 7.2021; 15.31; 22.3-7; and Num. 19.20). Wright lists (1) intentional delay of puri6cation, (2) s a d c e to Molech, (3) intentionally polluting sacred items, and (4) sexual sins (Wright, 'The Sped-', pp. 161-3). According to the present taxonomy, Wright's examples (1) and (3) will be classified as ritunl impurities which result in moral rrmgresion while examples (2) and (4) constitute moral impurities Klawms (Impurity nnd Sin,p. 25) notes this area of overlap and we will cbnsider this blurring of our two major categories of impurity below. In his discussion of early Christian ethia deriving from Jewish halakhic legislation, Markus Boclanuehl (Jewish Low in Grmtile Churches: HalnRhnh nnd the Beginning of Chrirtim Pu6lic Ethic winburgh: T&T Clark, 20001, p. 9) notes the importance of moral intentionality with respect to purity laws (citing the example of Isa. 29.13 cited in Mk 7.8, and from Mosaic legislation in B o d . 20.17; Dent. 5.21) as well as in later Tannaitic traditions. 75 Though these degrees of impurity derive from a later period (and are perhaps more systematic than the biblical material) they are useful heuristically in understanding ritual impurit). Sm Jsnvrn. ( ; r d . d H o l w . ~ rpp. , 45, 2 2 1 6. brym
llultun',pp. 399 t 0 3 Cornpln cbbblnlc nrlet for J~~unguashing J c p ~ of u impunty are summarvcd h) El~yah of ~ h a ; ' ~ hRules e of Unclemess' @he ~ i ~ h n [trans. n h Herb& Dmby; London: Oxford University Press, 19331, pp. 8 W ) . Corpse impurity may be added to this list as the fist or n13R 3, 'father of father of impurity'), however, for most =vex of all impurities (71iWlD our purposes we will include this as a major impurity. 76 Wright ('The Spectrum', p. 170) does not spedically label these as rihlal impurity; however, he does make distinction between 'lesser impurities' and 'larger moral concerns', and concludes that 'the whole purity system including tolerated impurities has a moral basis and rationale. 'lksystem supports and sustains the moral order of society.'
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
45
from impurity that requires no sacrifice to defilement that is expiated only after the Day of Atonement Sacrifice. The gradation of impurity is also demonstrated in the severity of restriction or exclusion. Wright observes the progressive nature of exclusion seeing 'a gradation in the restriction or exclusion of the impurity: exclusion only from the sacred, then exclusion from the sacred and profane habitation, then penalties that permanently "exclude" one from earthly society'.77Thus, the range of exclusion begins with social restriction from sacred space to being cut off from the people of Israel. Philip Jenson has constructed a social, cultural, and theological model that accounts for the priestly concept of holiness and purity. His main conceptual category for understanding the priestly concept of both holiness and purity is that of gradation. Initially bringing the concepts of holiness and purity into relationship, Jenson outlines the lexical aspects of what he calls the Holiness Spectrum. Leviticus 10.10 summarizes the priest's function. 'You are to distinguish between the holy and the common (profane), and between the unclean and the clean.' This is a key text in understanding how holiness and purity may be related to one another in the graded spectrum of purity. Here Jenson finds a chiastic rather than a parallel structure and asserts 'holy and clean, profane and unclean are aligned, though not ident~ed'.~'This alignment obtains between what is holy and profane and between what is clean and unclean. Thus, Jenson sees a gradation between the holy and profane realms as well as a gradation between what is clean and unclean. He applies his observation of gradation to ritual impurity in a similar way to Wright. 'Mmor impurity is non-communicable ... and a person is easily purified from it. Major impurity is more serious, usually communicates minor impurity, and requires stronger measures for its purification.'79 Jenson takes a further step in positing that the language of purity and impurity does not necessarily overlap with the language of holy and profane. He suggests that 'holiness (and its opposite, the profane) represents the divine relation to the ordered world, and the clean (with its opposite, the unclean) embraces the normal state of human existence in the earthly realm. The holy-profane pair represents (positively and negatively) the divine sphere, and this may be distinguished from the human sphere (which is marked by the opposition between clean and unclean).'80 The theological payoff of his argument is to demonstrate how graded concepts of purity correspond with graded concepts of God's holiness. Furthermore, this theological insight is accompanied by a socio77 78 79 80
Wright, 'The Spectrum', p. 164 Jenson, Groded Holiness, p. 44. Ibid, p. 46. Ibid., p. 47.
46
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of J m s
cultural observation that the gradation between holy and profane (pure and impure) may be demonstrated in four key dimensions of Israel's life: (1) the spatial dimension, embodied in the architecture of Israel's Temple and camp (Exod. 25-31; 35-40);" (2) the personal dimension, represented in the priestly hierarchy outlined in Leviticus and that of all Israel in ~ e u t e r o n o m(3) ~ ;the ~ ~ritual dimension, reflected mainly in the sacrificial system (Lev. 1-7), and (4) the temporal dimension, marked by festivals, and most importantly the weebly Sabbath. It is important to see how the concept of graded purity cuts across several aspects of social and religious life. Each of these dimensions reflects a graded scale of impurity on a continuum of inclusion to exclusion in which the severity of the particular impurity corresponds to the severity of exclusion. The scaled nature of exclusion is integrated with those of p d c a t i o n to constitute the basic matrix of the impurity system. Jenson's detailed historical description of the impurity system l i e d with Douglas's symbolic system approach will prove helpful in understanding how purity language functions as boundary markers (lines of inclusion and exclusion) both religiously and socially. The primary consequence for contracting ritual impurity is the exclusion and restriction of the impnre from the sacred, namely the cult of Israel and ultimately God himself. In order to maintain pnrity/holiness the one who is polluted by his ritual impurity is restricted from sacred places, sanctilied objects, and certain people.83 There are three areas from which the impure are restricted: the Temple (sacred place), the pure food (sanctified object), and the camp (sacred society).84The unclean are not permitted in the courtyard of the sanctuary (Lev. 12.4; 2 Chron. 23.19; 26.21; cf. Lev 15.31; Num. 19.13, ZO).'~The one sullering from a major 81 The sp&al gadation of purity is especially reflected later in rabbinic writing (m. Relim 1.6-9). 82 Again, later rabbinic writing systematizes the dimension of personal holiness in t. Meg. 2.7. Here individuals are ranked according to their proximity to the Temple beginning with those who have been castrated to the priests thwselves. 83 The consot of exclusion is not onlv a characteristic of ritual i m ~ u i t valone. One who is morally impure is restricted from the land tbrough n U ('cutting-off). Ritual restriction is temvorarv. associated with the cult (even the restriction from the camp is set within the larger wntext of the Temple and cult), i d regulated whereas rmtridion resulting from rno-il impurity is usually permanent and is not associated with the cult (a morally impure person, for example, may enter the Temple and participate in cultic events). 84 Only after purilication can one with skin disease or corpse impurity return (see Lev. 14.8; 16.26,28; N m . 19.7; 31.24). In Lev. 14.3 the assumption is that the skin disease person is already outside the camp because the priest must go outside the camp to examine him (cf. Miriam is sent outside the camp when she becomes leprous, Num. 12.10-16). In Num. 5.2 the unclean are to be put outside the camp or they will d d e it. 85 Restriction from sacred locafions based upon pollution and impurity taboos is present in Greco-Roman wn,texts as wen. Entrance to sacred buildings required that the visitor
. .
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
47
ritual impurity conveys impermanent impurity to other individuals upon contact. Because of this potential contamination the impure person is restricted from areas of social contact; the unclean are excluded from the camp in order to prevent further defilement (Num. 5.1-3; also Deut. 23.914). Here it is important to note that the separation or restriction of a ritually impure individual is not only to protect the purity/holiness of places (the Temple), objects (the pure food), and people (the camp), but also to give the individual the opportunity to seek purification. Thus the major reasons for social restriction of the unclean individual are usually quarantine and rehabilitation, not punishment. It is interesting that the two impurities resulting in temple restriction most referred to in ancient Greek sources are those of birth and death?6 In Hippolytus, the Greek god Artemis avoids corpse pollution by abandoning her dying companion. 'Farewell. Sacred law forbids me to look upon the dead, or stain my eye with the exhalation of death', and Euripides' heroin Iphigeneia concludes: 'I criticize Artemis' clever logic. If a mortal is involved in bloodshed, or touches a new mother or a corpse, she shuts him out from her altar as polluted; but she herself takes pleasure in human sacrilice'?' Though not morally defiling, contact with birth and death disqualified individuals of the wholeness required to enter sacred spaces in Greek religion, and of these pollutions Parker concludes, '[tlhe only attested consequence of being polluted is that of exclusion from the temples . .. [and] the property of passing pollution on to others, and thus rendering them unfit for access to shrines'?' So ritual impurity is generally natural and unavoidable (at times required); it is not sinful, but results in impermanent contagion which is expiated by a rite of purification, and is highly graded. Furthermore, the primary consequence of ritual impurity is some degree of restriction from the holy/pure. There are two different subcategories of ritual impurity
observe certain purhication rites, which varied from shrine to shine because of the
~~cult. An inscription at the temple of Athena at P e r g m m illustrates this fad.
'Whoever wishes to visit the temple of the goddess, whether a resident of the city or anyone else, must refrain from intercourse with his wife (or husband) that day, from intercourse with another than his wife (or husband) for the preceding two days, and must complete the required lustrations. The same prohibitions applies to contact with the dead and with the delivery of a woman in childbirth' (quoted in Everett Fergusan, Backgrormdr of Emly Christianity [Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 19931, p. 175). The Greek concept of restriction due to impurity is also illustrated in Sophocles' Oedip" at Colonm where Oedipus, who is impure with murder-pollution, desecrates a sacred sove (Col 3 U ) . which then must be purified (Col. 4 6 9 0 ) . 86 See Parker. 87 Euripides, Iphigneio at Taris 380-4. 88 Parker, Miarmn, p. 53.
48
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
(major and minor84 that are in keeping with the graded quality of ritual impurity. Major Impurity: The length of defilement serves as the key characteristic of major or severe ritual impurity. Corpse impurity is highly contagious and may be transmitted through wntact, proximity @sing in the same tent with a corpse; Num. 19.14), or by merely touching the bone or grave of a human @um. 19.16). The individual who has contracted corpse impurity is able to contaminate other objects and individuals thus becoming a 'father of impurity' because he is able to father, or reproduce, impurity in others. Major impurities are distinguished primarily by the duration of time required for purification (seven days rather than one9?, the means of purification (sacrifice rather than washing with waterg1),and whether the impurity is contagious or not?' The legislation of Leviticus does not indicate whether an individual with a minor impurity may communicate impurity during his day of uncleanness though later rabbinic legislation fills this l a c ~ n a ?We ~ will follow Frymer-Kensky's assumption that as such, an individual with a minor impurity is not contagious for the day?4 Other major ritual impurities include 'leprosy' (Lev. 13.45-46), giving birth (Lev. 12), menstruation (Lev. 15.19), and various bodily discharges (for men and women, Lev. 15.24; for men, Lev. 15.13-15; and for women, Lev. 15.28-30). Such major impurities, which are communicable, are distinct from minor impurities. Minor Impurity: Minor impurities last only until sundown and are not contagious. Frymer-Kensky describes minor impurity as 'pollutions [which] are generally contracted from external causes: contact with impure things, such as the carcasses of unclean animals, or contact with something that has become unclean through contact with someone under a major pollution, or contact with someone who is polluted with a major Individuals may contract minor impurity from touching unclean carcasses (whether by touching, Lev. 11.24,27; or carrying, Lev. 11.25,28) or clean carcasses (touching, carrying or eating; Lev. 11.39,40a, 89 Jenson, Graded HO/~MSS, pp. 44-6,22M;Frymex-Kensky, 'Pollution', pp. 399-404. 90 Except in the case of bearing a female child, which results in a fourteen-day period of purification (lev. 12). 91 Note though that normal menstruation (Lev. 15.19) and discharge from men and women (lev. 15.24) do not reauire s a d i c e . 92 l k m , ~ r o d e d ~ o l i n epp. i , 2254. Erymer-Kensky adds that the 'prime characteristic of the maior pollutions is their contagion. People who have a maior pollution can defile others, m a h i them impure for the d m & of the day' ('~ollution': p i . 339401). 93 Note the later rabbinic class5cation of those suffering 'fathers of impurity' which can wnvey uncleanness to other i n d i v i d d and objects and an 'offspring of impuriq' which can only wnvey uncleanness to foodstuffs and liquids. See also, Elijah of Wilna; 'The Rules of Uncleanness'. 94 Frymer-Kensky, 'Pollution', p. 403. 95 Bid.
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
49
40b respectively), from touching one defiled with corpse impurity (both a laymen, Num. 19.22; and a priest, Lev. 22.4, 6), a diseased person or house (Lev. 13.45-46; 14.46-47), from touching discharge from either a male or female (Lev. 15.5-11, 26-27), or a menstruant (either her or her items, Lev. 15.19-23). The duration of minor impurity is only a day (31Y7-'TY, 'until evening', Lev. 11.24, 25, 27, 28, 39, 40, etc.), and is purified by either bathing one's body or washing one's clothing. Thus, minor ritual impurities restrict the individual for a shorter time (one day instead of seven), involve a more readily accessible purification rite (washing or bathing rather than sacrifice), and are not contagious. 3. Moral Impurity There is a growing discussion among scholars of ancient Judaism regarding the relationship between impurity and sin. The conversation has been ignited by the publication of Klawans's doctoral thesis Impurity and Sin in 2000. His thesis is that there are two distinct notions of impurity or defilement that are equally concrete: ritual and moral. He systematically tracks these two types of impurity through Jewish and early Christian literature.96 Specifically, Klawans argues that the Hebrew Bible presents ambiguities as to the precise classification of ritual and moral impurity by juxtaposing Leviticus 15.19-24 with 18.24-30. Whereas Leviticus 15 is concerned with menstrual blood that conveys uncleanness, Leviticus 18 comes at the end of a long list of sexual sins that Israel is warned not to commit. Both passages concern defilement; however, Klawans argues that they are not the same kind of defileme~t?~ Recognizing the general assumption that the impurity language in Leviticus 18 is metaphorical, Klawans insists that the "'metaphorical-literal" dichotomy is insufficient to account for the differences between Leviticus 15 and IF?' He asserts, though the adjectives are not used in the sources, the distinction between moral and
96 Klawm follows others who have noted these two characteristic types of impurity: B. Levine, Numberr 1-20 (AB 4; New York: Doubleday, 1993), p. 192. Others taking up Klawans's line of argument include C. Hayes (Gentile Impurities and Jewish Identities: Intermarriage and Conversionfrom theBihle to the Tolmud[London:Oxford University Press, 20021) and Saul M. Olyan, ('Puity Ideology in Em-Nehemiah as a Tool ta Reconstitute the Comunity', JSJ 35 [2004], pp. 1-16 [4 n. a]), who also cautiously follows Klawans's dichotomy. 97 This is the major thesis of Klawans's work (Impurity mul Sin, p. vi). On this account Hama H a w o n (The Impurity System of Qwnran Md the Rabbis [SBLDS, 143; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 19931, p. 26), criticizes others for not being sensitive to the different impurities present in Leviticus. Frymer-Kensky, ('Pollution', p. 403) contrasts ritual impurities with danger-beliefs. 98 Klawans, Impuriy nnd Sin, p. Vii.
50
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
ritual impurity is a distinction found within both the Old Testament and Second Temple Jewish l i t e r a t u ~ e . ~ ~ Klawans outlines five major differences between moral and ritual impurity. (1) Moral impurity is the direct consequence of grave sin while ritual impurity is generally not sinful. (2) Moral impurity cannot be conveyed through contact and thus carries no laws of contagion where as ritual impurity often results from contact with an object or thing that has become ritually defiled. (3) Moral impurity 'leads to a long-lasting, if not permanent, degradation of the sinner and, eventually, of the land of ~ s r a e l ' . ' Ritual ~ impurity, however, is temporary defilement that necessarily can and must be removed. (4) Moral impurity has no rite of removal. Unlike ritual impurity which can be washed away by the conect ritual purification, removal of moral impurity is effected by punishment, atonement, or refrain'mg from committing the act in the first place. (5) Klawans observes, 'In addition to these phenomenological differences, there are also terminological distinctions drawn in the texts themselves. Although the term impure @DD) is used in both contexts, the t e r n "abomination" (7I1Yln) and "pollute" are used with regard to the sources of moral impurity, but not with regard to the sources of ritual impurity.'lO' These moral impurities, according to Klawans, fall into three broad categories: idolatry (Lev. 19.31; 20.1-3; Jer. 2.23, Ezek. 20.30-31; 36.18, 25; Ps.106.36-39), sexual immorality in its varying forms (Lev. 18.20,2430), and murder (Num. 35.33-34; Lam. 4.14-15).'" Committing an 'abomination' or 'polluting' sin brings about an impurity that morally defiles the sinner (Lev. 18.24), the land of Israel (Lev. 18.25; Ezek. 36.17), and the sanctuary of God (Lev. 20.3; Ezeh. 5.11).lo3 This defilement in turn leads to the expulsion of the people from the land of Israel (Lev. 18.28; Jer. 217; 3.1; Num.35.33-34; Ezek. 36.18-19; 22.1-4; Ps. 106.34-40). Klawans concludes, 'Because moral impurity has no wntact-contagion or ritual lustrations, and it does involve serious prohibitions, it is imperative to distinguish between moral and ritual impurity.'lw Though Klawans asserts ritual and moral impurity are different in kind, he nevertheless presses the point that both types of impurity are real (that
wn)
99 Klawans, 'Notions of Gentile Impuriw, idem, Impurity ond Sin.Klawans is not alone in asserting the defiling force of sin. He effectively shows how Adolph Biichler (Sitdies in Sin mui Atonement in the Rabbinic Literature of ihe First Century London: Oxford University Press, 19281, p. 214), distinguished between 'levitical' and 'spirituai' (or 'religious') impurities. 100 Klawans, Impurity rmd Sin,p. 26. 101 IbS. 102 Tnis list widens in later tradition (see below on moral defilement of bribery at Qumran; llQT LI.11-IS) and in James. 103 Klawans, Impurity ond Sin,p. 26. 104 Ibid., p. 172 n. 6.
A Reassessment d Taxonomy of Purity Language
51
is, they originate from physical acts and result in perceived effects) and result in their own particular kind of defilement. Moral defilement, which results from transgression, is completely different from the defilement resulting from ritual impurity. Moral impurity results from committing acts so appalling that they are considered defiling. Moral defilement is most apparent in Leviticus 18.24-29:
w91)
Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for by all these practices the nations I am casting out before you have defled themselves. Thus the land became defiled; and I punished it for its iniquity, and the land vomited out its iahabitants. But you shall keep my statutes and my ordinances and commit none of these atiominations (?l391n),either the citizen or the alien who resides among you (for the inhabitants of the Ian4 who were before you, committed all of these abominations, and the land became defiled); otherwise the land will vomit you out for deliling it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. For whoever commits any of these abominations (illlDln) shall be cut off from their people. Here Israel is commanded not to commit these sexual abominations because they lead to the degradation of both the individual and the land. Klawans concludes: 'sexual sins defile the sinners and the land upon which their sins have been committed, leading to exile'.lo5 In Leviticus 20.1-3 the force of idolatry, speciiically in offering children to Molech, is an act that defiles the sanctuary and profanes the name of God. 'Holmess Code traditions are the tip of the iceberg', Klawans asserts, and 'it appears that all acts of idolatry were viewed as morally deJiling in ancient Israel. But again, there is no indication in these or any other passages that idolatryor even idols--defile ritually."06 Furthermore, he asserts that the term 'pollute' q3n) is a technical term which conveys the notion of the defling force of sin, and that it is never used in contexts speakmg of ritual imPurity.'O7 Klawans marshals finther evidence of the deamg force of murder and idolatry in Psalm 106.34-41: They did not destroy the peoples, as the LORD commanded them, but they mingled with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served 105 Klawans, 'Impurity of Immorality', p. 4. 106 Klawans,Zmpmpurity rmd Sln, p. 28 (emphasis original). 107 Klawans relies upon BficHer's argument here. See Biichler, Studies ln Sin, pp. 21819. Plato ( k w s 4.716C-E)links the morally impure person with pollutioe 'God, it must be ganted is the measure of all things, and certainly, as everyone would &inn, in a sense far higher than is true of any human being. Whoever, then, would be the friend of such a Being must certainly strive in every way to be like him.. .The bad person is impure (aratlap~os)in his very being, whereas the good person is pure (ratlapos); and it is not right for either God or a good person to receive &ts from one who is polluted (~lacpau).'
52
Purity rmd Worldvzew in the Epistle of James their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out ionocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacdiced to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted fllnnl) with blood. Thus they became unclean (or 'defiled', 1RDD'l) by their acts, and prostituted themselves in their doings. Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage; he gave them into the hand of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them.
The judgment pronounced upon Israel was a direct result of their idolatry that polluted the land.'08 This perceived pollution brought about the anger of God and consequent judgment. Furthermore, Klawans gives evidence from narrative texts which show the defiling force of moral impurity, because these texts use the term 'impure' to describe women who have been abused sexually (Dinah in Gen. 34.5; Num. 5.13; and Deut. 24.4).'09 'In these situations, the woman does not defile ritually, but she is still defiled in that she suffers a permanent degradation.'"' This example of a woman defiled sexually is important, because though her defilement does not exclude her from the Temple (and thus she is not ritually impure), she nonetheless experiences concrete effects of her moral defilement due to sexual abuse.'" Wright asserts regarding these defilements, 'the denomination of the people as impure in these verses is a moral reproach rather than a technical description of their ritual condition'."' And this moral impurity has concrete repercussions-she would be deprived from marrying a priest (Lev. 21.7, 13-14) and perhaps could suffer capital punishment."3 Rather than suffer exclusion from the Temple, the sexually defiled woman is in fact brought into the sanctuary itselfin orddr to determine her status (Num. 5.11-31).114 In addition to Klawans's list of characteristics of moral impurity two more are apparent. First, tbese misdeeds are such on one account because they are acts that require intenti~nality."~Unlike ritual impurity, one 108 Like idolatry, sexual misdeed results in the defilement of the Temple and expulsion from the land. This thought was taken up in the Testaments of the Twel~ePatriarch (see Klawans, Impurity ond Sin, pp. 59-60). 109 See the r e t e h g s of this episode, Jude 9; T.Levi M;Jub. 30; Josephus, Ant. 8.7-8; 1.21.1-21337-421; Jos. Asen. 23.24. 110 Klawans, 'Impurity of Immorality', p. 4. 111 Another example is Ezek. 24.11 where Ezebiel refm to internurse with one's daughter-in-law as unclean lewdness (see Tab. 3.15; T Levi 14.6-7). 112 Wr&, 'The Spectrum', p. 162. I13 IYawans (Impurity m d Sin, pp. 27-9) also provides examples of the degrading force of the sins of idolatry and bloodshed. Furthemore, in Deut. 24.4 the divorcee may not remami her h t husband, havine been defiled by her semnd. 114 Tnc wnctuary is own 1,) thr murdcncr 6 well a,< 3 phce of rclu~r( b o d 21.14). l l j K l a ~ a o s~ n d i r s l l )acknuulnlze\ this ~ L docs I not imrr it CYDIILXIYilmpurrry md
A Reassessment and Taxonomy of Purity Language
53
does not become morally impure by accidental contact with an object or an unclean person. Moral impurity is contracted by willful and conscious action. Frymer-Kensky implicitly notes the criterion of intentionality. 'There is a clear implication of wrong-doing, for the individual hasplaced himselfin danger by doing something that he and the people have been expressly forbidden to do; the danger is seen as a divine sanction of the deed.'l16 Second, where ritual impurity is characterized by various grades of purity, moral impurity is not. There is no indication that there are different levels of moral impurity. An individual is either morally pure or impure with no gradation in between. The only way to become morally impure is to commit a prohibited act. This fact is reinforced by the absence of any scaled purification rite. The cleansing of moral impurity 'is achieved by punishment, atonement, or by refraining from committing morally impure acts in the first place'.117 Though the argument thus far supports a category of real moral impurity, is this not merely a metaphorical use of purity ~anguage?"~ First, one must be clear on what is meant by describing purity language in any given context as An example of what some consider metaphorical impurity may be found in Leviticus 18. Here sexual sin not only defiles the one participat~ngin the restricted action but the land itself is metaphorically defiled. 'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for by all these practices the nations I am castmg out beforc you have defiled themselves. Thus the land became defiled, and I punished it for its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants' (Lev. 18.24-25). Maccoby, among others,Iw considers this a metaphorical image describing moral misdeed. Maccoby posits that a metaphor contains two parts: one term which supports the symbol literally while the other term merely represents what is symbolized in likeness only. Following this definition of metaphor, he claims that to say moral actions are defiling is merely to say they are disgusting, itself a metaphor 'taken from the realm of mouldy food, or filthy surroundmgs, which may affect a person physically by taking away his appetite or producing a reaction of retching'.''' Furthermore, he adds, impurities which are characterized as 'abomin116 Erymer-Kensky, 'Pollution', p. 404 (emphasis added). 117 Klawans, 'Impurity of Immorality', p. 3; see also Frymer-Kensky, 'Pollution', pp. 4067. 118 Several biblical scholars have concluded that references to impurity in a moral context use the cultic terms of purity metaphorically. Milgrorn, Levitim 1-16, p. 37; Neusner, The Idea, p. 12; Wright, 'The Spectrum', pp. 162-3. 119 We do not intend to offer a comprehensive discussion of the ongoing philosophical debate an metaphor, hut only to attempt to assert that the labeling of the uses of purity language in these contexts as metaphor is not fully convincing. 120 Wright, 'The Spedrum', p. 163; Milgrom, Leviticus 1-16, p. 37. 121 Maccoby, Ritual and Morality, p. 200.
54
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
ations' or 'detestable things' are further metaphorical descriptions of physical repugnance. In conclusion Maccoby insists, '[tlo literalize the metaphor is to reduce the moral disgust'.lu Though the metaphorical quality of moral impurity holds popular ascendancy, Klawans insists that the dichotomy between literal and metaphorical language as applied to Leviticus 18 is not helpful."' Attempting to clarify the term 'metaphorical', he notes that in common usage 'metaphorical language is a secondary, non-literal (or nontechnical) usage that is informed by the prior literal usage of the language in question'.124 Therefore, when scholars classify impurity language as metaphorical the underlying implication is that they do not detect any real defilement or consequent removal rite. Rejecting this perspective, Klawans posits that understanding defilement of the land in Leviticus 18 as metaphorical requires two large assumptions: (1) the language in Leviticus 18 is not literal; that is, the land is not actually deliled by sexual misdeed, and (2) that the purity language used in this passage must necessarily be secondary. Klawans argues against both of these assumptions insisting that biblical traditions imply that the land of Israel is holy; that God in a special way possesses this land and that the boundaries of the land are consistent with the habitation of ~ 0 d . l 'Defilement ~ of the land and defilement of the sinner resulting from sexual misdeed is likewise as real or concrete as the perceived ritual defilement of the corpse impure. Klawans asserts, 'People who commit sexual sins defile their persons, so that they suffer a degradation of their status, the primary legal ramification of this degradation being a decrease in marriageability.'126 However, Kazen, while acknowledging that Maccoby's criticism is somewhat dverstated, charges Klawans of falling into the trap of confusing literal with real. Kazen contends that the 'categories of "literal" and "metaphorical" are not ontological, however; they say nothing about the reality of the referent, but they are linguistic classifiers, i.e. tools for distinguishing different types of language'.'" It seems, however, that Kazen mistakes 'real' for 'historical'. Klawans's point is only that moral impurity, which is usually dismissed as 'metaphorical' and therefore a later manipulation of the idea, is not a secondary idea and that it is concrete (i.e., implying perceived effects). Furthermore, Klawans dismisses the notion that purity language in Leviticus 18 is secondary by arguing that non-metaphorical use of 122 123 124 125 126 127
m., p. 201. Klawans, Impurity ond Sin,pp. 32-6. Bid., p. 33. aid. aid,p. 34. Katzen, Jesur ond Purity Xda!&Qh, p. 205.
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impurity language denoting moral impurity is used in prophetic'28 and deuteronomic texts, which by most accounts predate priestly material. He concludes that we 'simply cannot know which usage came first. Thus we cannot assume that traditions like Leviticus 18 involve a secondary, metaphorical usage of ritual impurity terminology."" For Klawam, all of this is not to deny that purity language is used metaphorically. He labors to demonstrate that labeling moral impurity as 'metaphor' runs the risk of marginalizing this notion of impurity. He insists that the perceived effects of ritual impurity are just as real or felt as the effects of moral impurity. Klawans further supports the idea of moral impurity in Second Temple literature. For example, the rejection of non-Israelite wives in Ezra and Nehemiah are examples of moral, not ritual, impurity.130 Though the concern for ritual purity is present (Jub. 3.8-14 echoes portions of the childbirth purity laws of Lev. 12.2-5; and Jub. 32.13 addresses the purity of the sewnd tithe), Klawans argues that the majority of the purity concern in Jubliees is moral."' Interestingly Klawans shows how the Temple Scroll (IIQT) largely upholds the idea of moral impurity and, through exegetical linking of deceit (Dent. 25.15-6) with bribery, adds a new source of moral defilement, namely, bribery (1 IQT LI.ll-15). Furthermore, there are some points of contact with Greek notions of pollutions. Though touching a corpse or a woman who has just given birth (ritual impurity) disqualifies an individual from approaching a temple, for the Greeks murder-pollution (moral impurity) entails different and more severe social and legal ramifications. Though not contagious in Jewish tradition, the Greeks thought a murderer could transmit his pollution and thereby convey special divine anger upon other individuals or, indeed, entire communities. It seems quite common in Greek culture to view the murderer as a source of contagious pollution for those around hi.This attitude is recorded in Antiphon. It would be agaimt our interest to prosecute an innocent man and let the guilty escape. The whole city is polluted by the guilty man until he is prosecuted, and if we connive at this by charging the innocent, the guilt for this pollution of the city becomes ours, and the punishment for the
mistake you would make falls upon us. Thus the whole pollution falls upon us if we act unju~tly."~ 128 Hos. 5.3; 6.10; Jer. (chs 2 and 3); Deut. 21.23; 2 4 - 1 4 1 Kgs 14.24; 2 Kgs 16.3; and possibly Amos 7-17. I29 Klawans, Impwity ond Sin, p. 35. 130 aid., p. 44. 131 Ibid., p. 47. 132 Antiphon, Tetralogies [1].3, quoted in Robert Parker, Miasma, pp. 104-5. See also Sophocles, Oedipurand Oedipus at Cob- for examples of murder-pollutione n d a n m g an entire wmmunity and the attempt to purify the city of such pollution.
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Poignantly murder-pollution is connected to divine anger and punishment. 'The victim of murder leaves behind him the anger of the avenging spirits, which acts as an agent of god's vengeance on behalf of one robbed of the divine &t of life. Those who judge unjustly bring this anger, a pollution that does not belong to them, into their own houses."33 Where usually the 'pollution' resulting from murder in the Greek wntext is that of the blood of the murder's victim clinging to his hands,IM in the above wntext the pollution is not the victim's blood but the anger of the gods against the man who has robbed him of the fife that was his right. The role of intentionality is also highlighted in the Greek conception of murderpollution. Plato's Laos Book 9 offers a nuanced approach to identifying the culpability of the murderer stating that 'the killer would rightly be pure' in the following circumstances: killing of a night thief in self-defense; killing of a person sexually violating a relative of the killer; or killing in defense of a relation. Parker sees that Plato has limited the category of justified killing to acts that positively serve social or family solidarity. Those unintentional killings 'have been transferred to the lowest level of his class of "involuntary acts of violence"; they carry no penalty, but require puification. Thus Platonic pollution can distinguish between deliberate, justifiable homicide, wholly pure, and non-culpable, accidental homicide, which by robbing the state of a useful life causes a mild pollution."35
4. Figurative Use of Impurity It has been widely acknowledged that the language of impurity is often used in a non-literal or 'metaphorical' way to express moral, religious, or social behavior or ideas deemed unacceptable. Neusner understands the twofold usage of purity language as (a) pertaining to the cult (ritual) and (b) the language 'may serve as metaphors for moral and religious behavior, primarily in regard to matters of sex, idolatry, and unethical a~tion'."~In Kazen's study he argues that the 'moral trajectory' already evident in ancient Jewish purity becomes 'spiritualized': This process has often been seen as a 'spiritualization' which involved not only purity or Sabbath-keeping, but the cultic paradigm in its totality. Spiritualization, however, does not necessarily lead to the abolition of cultic practim, but only to the understanding of their h e r meaning, which is evident from Philo or the author of the letter to Aristeas. When we try to describe this process in the early church it Antiphon, Termlogies [3].3, quoted in Robert Parker, Miasma, p. 106. 134 See Aeschylus, Elan. 41, and the common expression oL ra8apbS T&S p i p a s . 133
135 Robert Parker,M f m m , p. 112. 136 Neusler, The Idea of Purity, p. 108. S p d c a l l y he notes: 'Treatment of purity as symbol, metaphor, or allegory involves the assimment to purity a value extrinsic to the mlt' @. 25).
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would perhaps be better to speak with Dunn about the cultic categories being 'transposed', i.e. they are applied to, or their function is taken over by, other 'items'."' The term 'spiritualization' implies too great a disconnect from Israel's historical system of purity, but Kazen does express the foundational issue that Israel's notion of purity is taken up in different, non-literal, or analogous ways. What Dunn has described as cultic categories being 'transposed','38 the present taxonomy will label 'figurative' rather than 'metaphorical'. At this point we are not in agreement with the assumption that in all moral contexts where purity language is deployed there is necessarily a 'metaphorical' usage at work. Rather, there are instances of moral impurity and instances of 'figurative' impurity depending upon the context and intent of the author. In such cases each context may use purity language to connect the idea of purity or impurity with something else in an evocative way.139Thus,each context must be assigned to its own particular subcategory of the 'figurative' use of purity language. Much confusion over the distinction or lack of distinction between moral and ritual impurity may originate here in the figurative use of purity language. Often when purity or pollution is called upon as a figure to describe something else, the specific type of purity is not clarified. It is simply assumed that the readerbearer will understand the aptness of using purity language to elucidate the writer/speaker's present subject. The underlying analogy originates from a ritual contexf yet this ritual form of impurity may be figuratively applied to any one of a number of different contexts. For example, terms associated with ritual purity may be used figuratively to describe a negative moral condition, at other times these terms might be called upon to illuminate some form of forgiveness or moral cleansing/purification,further still, these terms might be applied figuratively in a more concrete fashion as in the context of healing disease. Furthermore, purity language may be used with varying degrees of reference to moral status, as in the case where purity/pollution language is used as social classification of adherents or deviants. Following are several subcategories of the figurative use of impurity language. Figurative label for the transgressor: It is clear that impurity is used figuratively for transgression or moral wrongdoing. For example, the technical term for 'menstrual impurity' (771) is used figuratively to 137 Kazen, Jesus nnd Purity Hahkhdt, p. 348. 138 James D. G. Dunn, The Part* of the Woys: Bemeen Christianity nnd J&m nnd their Signz#icance for the Chnracter of Chrirtirmity (London: SCM, 1991), pp. 75-97. 139 Sirach 34.25 wntaim an interesting - exmule of this: 'He who washes aRer wntact wilh a dcld hodg dnJ touchr> 11 apatn what ha, h< gained hy ht., hathlng"S0 a msn fzxt~ng ior hts sins and doing rhr. ramc-who will lisren ro his . ~ r .a y e r ~ ~what b d h d h h~.~-aincd by his humiliati&
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illustrate the moral wrongdoing of corporate Israel: 'Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her; the LORD has commanded against Jacob that his neighbors should become his foes; Jerusalem has become a filthy thing (773)among them' (Lam. 1.17; cf. Ezek. 7.19-20). In Ezekiel 36.17, the term is used more as a simile. 'Mortal, when the house of Israel lived on their own soil, they defiled (lRnD'1) it with their ways and their deeds; their conduct in my sight was like the uncleanness of a woman in her menstrual period p737).' This text illustrates the complex usage of both ritual and moral impurity concepts. In some regard the deHing deeds that Israel committed fall under the category of real, moral impurity (physical actions which produce perceived effects, viz., defilement of the land), yet they are compared to the status of a ritually impure woman. This does not necessarily mean that the prophet has codated the concepts of ritual and moral impurity, rather, only that one (moral impurity) may be profitably illustrated by another (ritual impurity). In both texts a particular aspect of ritual impurity, that of a woman during her menstrual cycle, is applied to Israel's corporate sin. The ritual impurity of an individual Israelite woman is figuratively applied to all Israel on account of their 'ways and deeds'. Another example is found in Isaiah. 'You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean @tm3),and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth' (64.5-6). Here the language used to describe one ritually unclean figuratively refers to the transgressor. Thus the language of impurity is figuratively employed to describe the status of the sinner. The figurative labelmg of the sinner with purity language has currency in Greco-Roman contexts. The language of pollution is employed to deter people from vice; Epictetus exhorts his students not to defile the indwelling deity 'with unclean thoughts and filthy actions'.'" Plato claims that the wicked have no right to approach the gods, because 'the bad man is impure in soul . .. and neither a good man nor a god may rightly receive gifts from the polluted'.141 Thus the figurative use of purity language to label the transgressor is common in both Jewish and GrecoRoman contexts. Figurative label for the righteous: On the other hand, purity language can be a figure for the morally upright or the righteous. The psalmist declares only 'Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false and do not swear deceitfully are able to ascend the hill of the Lord' (24.4). The psalmist figuratively labels the actions and inner thoughts of the one qualified to approach the divine 140 Diotr., 2.8.12. 141 Lows 716 D-E
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with purity language. The qualities of honesty ('do not lift up their souls to what is false') and integrity in speech ('do not swear deceitfully') are the figurative purity enabling the individual to stand before the holiness of the Lord. Likewise the proverb asks, 'Who can say, "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"? (Prov. 20.9). The one who is figuratively clean or pure is associated with being free from transgression; he or she is upright and thus figuratively pure or able to approach the divine. Figurative label for cleanring: The language of impurity is also used to illustrate atonement and repentance. Specifically the purification from impurity is a figure of God's forgiveness: the Lord says, 'your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil' (Isa. 1.15b-16; see Jer. 3.2; 13.27). Neither the rihlal defilement of Israel nor the ritual purilication of her moral deflement is in view here. Rather, the language of ritual purification figuratively articulates and illustrates the concept of atonement. The notion of atonement underlies the purity language found in Ezekiel 36.25-26. 'I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.' Here Israel's 'uncleanness' is her acts of moral impurity that have 'profaned' the Lord's name among the nations (36.22). This moral impurity is figuratively removed by the washing and sprinkling of clean water. Further examples of purity language figuratively expressing spiritual cleansing and atonement from the prospective of the individual sinner include Psalm 51. In its canonical context the psalm shows David repenting from his sin using purity as a figure of spiritual cleansing. 'Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin'; 'Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow' (Ps. 51.2, 7).'" The figure of purification from impurity is not evoked in reference to the defiling force of moral impurity, but rather again figuratively to refer to personal atonement. Figurative label for eschatological purity: Purity language describes the eschatological wholeness of God's people. Often the imagery and language of the 'refiner's fire' or the purifyimg of silver is figuratively used to tell how God will restore his people to wholeness and integrity at the end of the age. As the book of Daniel tells of conflict between the nations and the heavenly powers, a sober note of hope is sounded. 'Some of the wise shall fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed, until the time of the end, for there is still an interval until the time appointed' (1 1.35). The imagery of the refiner's fire is a common figure for 142 See Gen. 35.2; Jer. 33.8; Prov. m.9; Job 4-17.
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eschatological purification. 'But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify (l7O)the descendants of Len and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness' (Mal. 3.2-3). Here the fire of God's judgment provides the heat to melt away the impurities of his people. Like the lead ore that is burned off leaving the pure silver, so God's judgment will purify Israel from her transgressions to the point that they will once again give offerings to the Lord. There is a clear figurative association between the purifying effects of the refiner's fire and natural purification of material elements. Thus, what ritual purification rites accomplished in expiating ritual impurities and allowing the individual access to the divine, the refiner's fire accomplishes in eschatologicalpurity which allows h a 1 access to God.143 Figurative label for social/ideological location: The terms pure or clean are often used to label individuals, groups, and entire ideologies as compliant or non-compliant to a given social standard. Labeling actions or attitudes pure or impure helps locate individuals with respect to their surrounding social structure. Thus, the figurative label of purity marks and strives to maintain specific cultural values, social structure, and ideological order. David deSilva comments that, 'Purity issues undergird morality and the ethos of a group, identify the boundaries of the group, protect the social group from erosion from without the group, and create internal lines within the group, giving structure and hierarchy to the group."" Here purity language becomes a powerful label that can include or exclude.,The figure displays a degree of portability for it can be used in many cultures generically for labelmg persons or objects unclean or t a b 0 0 . l ~In~ Greco-Roman literature we find examples of such labeling: an open and straightfornard man was considered to have 'a clean mind',146 and it was 'standard colloquial Greek to dub a villain miaros, "dirty"'.'47 Transgressing or maintaining the boundary between the pure and the impure becomes a label for orthodox or deviant behavior. If an individual maintains the religious/social/cultural order accepted by a given group they may be designated clean or pure in their behavior or their doctrine. However, if an individual or group fails to live according to the standard of the dominant group, they may be labeled unclean or polluted. The individual guilty of transgressing the boundary between the pure (correct 143 See Ju6. 1.23-5. 144 David A. deSilva, Honor. Pnrromge. Kinship rmd Purity: Unlocking New Testnment Cultwe (Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Ress, 2000), p. 249. 145 Far examples of Greek labeling along thelines of purity/ponutiansee Robert Parker, MwSma, pp. 35745. 146 See Parker, Miasma, p. 323. 147 Bid.
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ordering of reality) and the impure (any departure from the group's understanding of reality) is labeled unclean or impure, and thus is marked as a deviant. It is crucial at this point to indicate that what is being described here as a deviant is not a natural or objective criterion. Instead of an objective criterion, the term deviant is a label derived from a particular judgment originating from a particular group. J. M. G. Barclay summarizes this important point by insisting that "'deviance" is not a quality inherent in certain acts or persons or indeed an objectively definable entity: rather, the identification of "deviance" is radically dependent on societal reaction'.14' An example of the figurative designation of the deviant using impurity language may be found in Isaiah. 'A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people' (35.8; cf. Isa. 52.1). The 'unclean' are restricted from the way of the righteous because of their deviant ways, that is, they do not conform to Israel's idea of social order. In the New Testament we may observe these sociological/cultural/theological distinctions breaking down. In Acts 10.28, Peter exclaims to those present in Cornelius's house: 'You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.' Where previously Peter would use the terminology of purity figuratively to label Gentiles as unclean, now, as a result of a vision from God, Peter rejects this theological/sociological distinction. Furthermore, Peter reiterates this point later at the council of Jerusalem: 'And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? (Acts 15.8-10). Figurative labelfor healing/exorcism: The term to cleanse (~a8api<w) is used in contexts of miraculous healing where it takes on the sense of curing a person of a disease that makes one ritually impure. This is explicit in several texts where Jesus cleanses or removes the ritually unclean state of leprosy: 'there was a leper who came to h i and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean." He stretched out his hand and touched him saying, "I choose. Be made clean!" Immediately his leprosy was cleansed' (Mt. 8.2, see also 10.8; Mk 1.40; Lk. 5.12; cf. Lev. 14.7). Here Jesus, who becomes the new cultic center with the abiity to make pronouncements on matters of purity, receives a leper's petition and heals h i , thus making him whole ritually, physically, 148 John M. G. Bmlay, Jews h the Meditemean Diosporn: From Alexnndm to Trnjan (323 BCG117CE) (Pdinburgh:T&T Clark, 1996), p. 180.
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and socially. The leper is now able to return to the Temple (ritual restoration), his body is free from illness (physical restoration), and he no longer must be restricted from Jerusalem or other walled cities (social restoration).14' The point being that purity language may be used figuratively for physical healing. Furthermore, purity language is used in contexts of exorcism. Often a spirit or demon is described as 'unclean' (Mt. 10.1; 12.43; Mk 1.12,26,27; 3.1 1,30; 5.2; Lk. 4.33; 8.29; 9.42), and though one is never 'cleansed' from a demon there is the implicit notion that the exorcism is in a way purifying the individual from the impurity of the demonic possession. All such exorcisms by Jesus could be understood within the framework of a struggle between demonic impurity and divine holiness;'50 thus the language of 'unclean' spirit or demon functions within this framework as a figure for healing. Figure of 'mixed kinds': The biblical prohibition of 'mixed kinds' is another type of figurative use of purity language. Though impurity terms are not explicitly present, rules regarding mixed kinds employ the concept of natural purity. Here intermingling different kinds of materials, plants, or animals results in impurity or corruption. One should not sow a field with two different k i d s of seeds, or plow a field yoking two different kmds of animals, or wear clothing that is composed of different kinds of material (Lev. 19.19; Deut. 22.9-1 1). The prohibitions against mixed kinds express a conceptual category of purity by stressing the wholeness of independent materials. Thus hybrids are impure; what is not whole is impure. DeSiva understands 'the prohibition against various mixtures' as symbolizing 'the integrity of holiness'.1s1 Further, this standard of wholeness may explain why blemished animals were not considered fit for sacrifice in the Temple and priests with physical defects should not serve in the Temple (Lev. 21.16-23; 22.17-25). Similarly, the concept of plants reproducing after their own kind is called upon in contexts where failure to act in keeping with one's nature is understood as unnatural. For example, Jesus teaches his followers to discern false prophets according to their fruits: 'Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? (Mt. 7.16). Again, though purity terms are not explicit, the concept of wholeness and purity of kind (or category) is expressed in the failure to produce according to kind. This figure is current in the wider Greco-Roman context. Arguing that an individual should remain content with one's naturally suited role in life, Plutarch states, 'We 149 For the social stigma associated with leprosy see Num. 5.2; 2 Kgs 7.3-10; 15.5; 2 Cbron. 26.16-21; 11QTa 45.17-18; 46.16-18; 49.4; lQSa 2.3-4; Josephus, Am. 3.261, 264. 150 Others have suggested this framework: see Bmce Chiton, Pure Kmgdom: Jesus' Virion of God(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996) and Kazen, JesusnndPurity Halakhah, ch. 7. 151 David A. deSilva, 'Holy and Holiness, Clean and Unclean', DOTP, p. 429.
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do not expect the vine to bear figs, nor the olive grapes.'1" And again, Epictetus exclaims, 'For how can a vine be moved to act, not like a vine, but liie an olive, or again, an ohve to act, not like an olive, but liie a vine? It is impossible, in~onceivable."~~ Fially, Seneca states this same principle: 'Do you thii a sane person would marvel because apples do not hang from the brambles of the woodland? Would he marvel because thorns and briars are not covered with some useful fruit?"" It is understood that a plant's failure to produce after its own kind is an unnatural ('unclean') condition. In a slightly different way the figure of mixed kinds overlaps with social considerationsin that a social body may be either mixed or unmixed. With regard to Israelite marriage strategies, Hayes suggests the category of 'genealogical purity'.155 Here the nation is to maintain a pure or exclusively Israelite bloodline. This marital impurity is neither ritual nor moral but a figurative application of mixed kinds. The only way to contract genealogical impurity is to marry outside of Israel and, like ritual impurity, it may be passed onto others (e.g., one's children). However, as we have dehed them, ritual impurities are communicated through contact or proximity, and in their communicated form, they are not longlasting, in contrast to pollution of the lineage, which is permanent. Hayes follows Klawans's notion that ritual impurities, even in their noncommunicated form, are short-lived or at least impermanent, in contrast to moral impurities that are long-lasting and possibly permanent.1s6 The models for the idea that intermarriages defile the priestly lineage are not entirely clear due to a lack of direct textual allusions in Nehemiah 13.2830. Thus the communicability of genealogical pollution through reproduction stands in sharp contrast to traditional moral impurity, which, as Klawans and Hayes have emphasized, is non-communicable. The notion that intermarriage with alien women pollutes the priestly lineage further remforces this prohibition. 5. Ritual Impurity Resulting in Moral Transgression Although ritual impurity is not of itself sinful, it can at times become the occasion for sin. It was possible for ritual impurity to become a moral transgression, for example intentionally eating the peace offering in a state of uncleanness. However, it is not the uncleanness that is sinful in this case, but rather the presumption (or perhaps carelessness) of coming to the peace offering in such a state. A key factor that distinguishes ritual 152 153 154 155 156
Mor. 472B-473B. 'On Tranquility of Soul'13. Dintr. 2.20.18. On Anger 2.10.6. Hayes, Gentile Impurilies and Jewish Identities, pp. 5, 32 Klawans, Impurity and Sin,pp. 2 3 , 2 S , 172 n. 23.
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impurity from ritual impurity resulting in moral transgression is intentionality. Others have noted this distinction as well. Hanna H a r ~ g t o n ,in her study of the impurity system at Qumran, states, 'Indeed, it is not a sin to become ritually impure. Most of the impurities requiring ablutions are inevitable in the normal course of life. However, failure to perform the necessary purifications is considered sin and will contaminate the ~anctuary."~' When one refused to abide by the imperatives outlining ritual purity it resulted in moral transgression, punishable by m3 (being 'cut off from Israel), and the defilement of the Temple. Wright identifies the crucial role of intentionality as it relates to increased severity of pollution and punishment asserting that, 'Iplremeditated delay of puritication pollutes the sanctuary and brings the penalty of karet "cutting-off', i.e. early death of the wrong-doer or extinction of his progeny'.158 Individuals in a state of uncleanness who purposefully come into contact with holy foods are cut off from the presence of the Lord (Lev. 7.20-21; 15.31; 22.3-7). And, if one contracts corpse impurity and willfully delays purification, the result is morally punishable. 'All who touch a corpse, the body of a human being who has died, and do not purify themselves, defile the tabernacle of the LORD; such persons shall be cut off from Israel. Since water for cleansing was not dashed on them, they remain unclean; their uncleanness is still on them' (Num. 19.13). The consequence of intentionally delaying purification of corpse contamination is increased severity of the impurity (rather than a seven-day period of uncleanness, one is cut off from the people) and its expanded effect from the individual to the Temple. Therefore, intentionally delaying purification from ritual uncleanness crosses the boundary between ritual and moral impurity resulting in an independent category. b. Conclusion The discussion above has demonstrated at least five distinct ways purity language may be used: natural, ritual, moral, figurative, and ritual resulting in transgression. Two of these categories contain further subcategories: ritual and figurative impurity. The length of defilement further divides ritual impurity into the subcategories of major and minor impurity. Figurative impurity contains at least seven distinct subcategories where the language labels: the transgressor, the righteous, cleansing, eschatological purity, social/ideological location, healing/exorcism, and 'mixed kinds'. Though not exhaustive, this taxonomy demonstrates the inadequacy of relying upon the limited categories of ritual and Hal&, 157 Harringtoq Impurity Systems, p. 32. See also, Kazen, Jesus andPunUnzy 73; Milgrom, Lwitinrs 1-16, p. 310. I58 Wright, 'The Spectrum', p. 161.
p
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metaphorical purity, and thus adds greater precision in considering the use and function of purity language.
3. Summary and Conclusion This chapter has provided a discussion regarding the theoretical foundations to the study of purity and pollution as well as a taxonomy considering the various ways purity language may be used. With respect to the theoretical foundations of the study of purity, the categories of historical/descnptive and anthropological/social suggested by Neyrey have been followed in order to show the different ways scholars have understood the notion of purity. Though mindful to heed the insights of the historian, the present study will take up the anthropological/social approach to form the basis for understanding of how purity language functions within texts. In this case the basic insights of Douglas's approach will give support to the analysis of purity language in James. Two of Douglas's four kinds of precarious boundaries which threaten society will help illuminate how this language is functioning: (1) danger from transgressing the internal lines of the system; but especially (2) danger pressing on the external boundaries. Thus, purity language will be a clue to how the author of James seeks not only to maintain, but to create order in a previously undefined situation. The taxonomy of purity language demonstrates a variety of ways purity language may be used and thus calls into question the appeal to the overly reductionistic categories of ritual and metaphorical purity. Furthermore, the foregoing taxonomy has provided a general conceptual background against which to compare and contrast James's specific use of purity/ pollution concepts and terms, and will enable us to determine--as far as possible-how the language is functioning within his composition. This study now turns to p a ~ c u l a rtextual issues of James which will help situate a proper understanding of this language.
Chapter 3
AN APPROACH TO THE TEXT
In order to account accurately for the function of purity language in James, the parfcullar shape of the text must be understood. The letter bears three characteristics that affect the function of purity language: an epistolary structure; a rhetorical argument based on polar oppositions;' and the special function of James 1.2-27 as an introduction both to the themes and associations maintained throughout the letter.
1. James as a Letter to the Diaspora a. Epistolary Character of J m s The question of whether or not James is a real letter is a recent one, for, up to the modem era, James was read as a letter penned by the Lord's brother. Some have argued that James is not a real letter because apart from the prescript (1.1) the text either suppresses or lacks the criteria common to the epistolary tradition. Due to its traditional subject matter loosely arranged in what seemed to be a collection of sayings and essays, Dibelius argued James is a piece of Christian paraenesis lacking coherence of thought. And because of this lack of coherence he failed to discover any epistolary situation, and thus concluded, 'it is impossible to consider Jas [sic] an actual letter'.' More recently Llewelyn has argued along these same lines3 Instead of attempting to fit the letter p r e k into the rest of the composition, Llewelyn fmds it easier to believe that 1.1 was added later to 1 Cf. Elliott, 'Wholeness-Holiness'; Tollefson, 'The Epistle of James as Dialectical Dim-'; Johnson, Lerter of Jnmes, p. 83; Martin Klein, 'Ein volkommmes Werk': VoIIkommenheit, Gesea d Goicht nls theologirche Themen des Jokobusbriefes @WANT, 19; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1995); Ernst Baasland, 'Literarische Form, Thematik und geschichtliche Eiordnung des Jakosbusbriefes', in Aufsttieg rmd Niedergmg der r6mischm Welt (Vol. 212515, ed. W. Haase, 1988), pp. 3-5; Frankem6Ue. 'Das semantische Netz', pp. 171-2, 1804; Huub Welzen, The Way of Perfection: Spirituality in The Epistle of James', S r d i m in Spiritwrlity 13 (2W3), pp. 81-98 (86), all recognize the thematic wntrasts which h e l ~structure James's ar-ent. 2 Dibelius, ~ n m e sp. , 2. 3 S. R. Llewelyn, 'The Prescript of James', NovT 39 (1999, pp. 38S93.
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67
a pre-existing collection of paraenetic materials. From t h s conclusion, he asserts that once the prescript is removed, James begins to look very much like the Gospel Sayings Source Q. This conclusion, however, seems more indebted to Dibelius's opinion regarding the nature of paraenesis in James. The secondary nature of 1.1 has no support in the textual tradition and nothmg from the text itself supports this thew either. The fact that the prescript bears the only clear epistolary marker need not be evidence that it was aftixed at a later date. But is James really a letter as it purports to be? Even those who doubt James's epistolary character recognize that the text does open with a stereotypical form of epistolary greeting: 'James . .. to the twelve tribes .. . Greetings' (1.1). This prescript includes the 'parties formula' ('A to B') and a salutation ('Greetings') typical of all Greek letter^.^ The crucial question is whether this epistolary introduction is enough for James to qualify as a 'letter'. Bauckham helpfully marks two different issues that are often conllated and confused in this discussion: '(I) Does James have the form and content of a real letter? (2) Did it function as a real letter, i.e. was it really sent, by the band of a messenger or messengers, from an author resident in one place to recipients living elsewhereT5 These questions must be taken in turn. Considering the former, scholars have disagreed over which epistolary features are actually present in James. In an older study, F. 0.Francis takes the structure of James as his point of inquiry.6 He detects the presence of a greeting (1.1), a double opening statement of the theme of the text (1.2-1 1; 12-27), the development of the opening theme in the main body of the text (e.g., 1.9-11 further developed in 2.1-26; and 5.1-6), a blessing/thanksgiving section (1.12-29, a concluding repetition of the letter's major theme (5.9; with the reference to persecution and 5.1011; referring to endurance), references to prayer (5.13-20), a health wish (5.1416) and an oath formula (or the prohibition of oath taking; 5.12). From these features he concludes that James must be a 'literary' letter because it lacks 'situational immediacy'.' Davids, following Francis, concludes that as a 'literary' letter James was a 'tract intended for publication, not an 4 Bauckham, James, p. 11; idem,'Pseudo-Apostolic Letten', JBL 107 (1988), pp. 469-94 (473); Stanley K. Stowers, Letter Writing in Greco-Rommr Antipity (LEC, 5; Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986), p. 21. 5 Bauckham, J-s, p. 12. 6 F. 0.Francis, 'The Farm and Function of the Opening and Closing Paragraphs of James and 1 Jobn', ZNW 61 (1970), pp. 110-26. 7 a i d , p. 111. Early proponents of James as a 'literary' letter see, A. Deismann, Bihle St& (trans. A. Grieve; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1901), p. 4; and Ropes,St. James, pp. 6 18. More recent scholarship has taken a similar conclusion as well; see Laws, Jones, p. 6; Davids, 'The Epistle of James in Modem Discussion', p. 3627; Ernst Baasland, 'Literarische Form', pp. 364S55.
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Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
actual letter, e.g. the epistles of Paul to specific churches2.*L. T. Johnson lists the aspects of exhortatory rhetoric, direct address and vivid dialogical style, all of which lead him to view James as a paraenetic or protreptic discourse given the loose form of a letter.' Penner has argued for the presence of an epistolary opening and closing which frame the eschatological content of ~ames." And W. H. Wachob, analyzing the social rhetoric of James, concludes that the category of 'literary' letter is sufficiently broad enough to include ~ames." Finally, Bauckham wncludes, though James has no formal letter closing, 'James has the only formal feature of the ancient letter form which was essential: the letter-~~enin~'.'~ While these comments have addressed the formal epistolary aspects of James, whether the content of James may be understood as that of a letter is quite another matter. Letters in antiquity were both the most popular genre and, due to the elasticity of the genre, they were used in a great variety of ways.13 Thus practically any genre could be addressed, sent, and even function as a letter.14 Bauckham forwards this idea specifically for James: 'Material of any form or content could be made into a letter by pre6xing to it the formal letter-opening which specified that it was being sent ... This means that the content of a letter could belong to another literary genre."5 He wncludes that James is 'an official letter or encyclical [which] ... addresses . .. the Jewish ~ i a s ~ o r a 'Though .'~ the content of James does not represent a type of personal letter between family or 8 Davids, Jmnes, p. 24. Several scholars have idenfified James as a 'literary' letter. However, the dichotomy between literaq and non-literary letters has been challenged as an artificial distinction of the modern era. David E. Aune (The New Tatomen1 in its Litmary Envirament, LEC, 8 Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982, p. 16% defines the 'literary' letter as: 'those'that were preserved and transmitted through literary channels and were valued either as'kpistolarymodels, as examples of literary artistly, or as vignettes into earlier lives and manners'. Furthermore, Stowers (Letter Writing, pp. 18-19) demonstrates s i m c a n t limitations to Deissman's approach of labeling letters as either 'real' or 'nonreal' and concludes the distinction is 'a misguided contrastt; see Wachob, The Voice of J e w , p. 5; and Todd C. Penner, The Epistle of James nnd Eschatology: Re-readkg rm Ancient Chrirfim Letfer (JSNTSup, 121; Shefield: SheffieldA&c Press, 1996), p. 13, n. 1. 9 Johnson, Letter of James, p. 24. Yet, Johnson in the end views the epistolary form of James as fictional. 10 Penner, J m s and Ochatology, pp. 121-21 I. 11 Wachob, T?ze Voice of J m , p. 2 4 . 12 Bauckham, Jmnes, p. 12. 13 Stowem, Letter Writing, pp. 1 M 7 . 14 Aune, The New Tesfmnentin its Literary Enviromnent, pp. 1 5 W . 15 Bauckham, Jnmes, p. 12. He offers the book of Revelation as an example of a text which is generically an apocalypse, yet is fashioned in the form of a letter which was sent as a circular letter to the churches of Asia. 16 Ibid., p. 13. Several scholars have idenaed the similaritiesbetween James and Jewish encyclicals: Ropes, St. Jmnes, pp. 1274; Baasland 'Litmakche Form'; Karl-Wilhelm
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69
friends, it still may be considered a letter in its own right. Thus, James should not be disqualified as a letter on the basis of its content (different from other NT letters as it may be), for it bears the one formal criterion to be a letter, viz., the letter-opening.'' Though it seems reasonable that James should formally be considered a letter and, conversely, should not be disqualified on account of its content, Bauckham's second concern still remains. Was James actually sent by the hand of messengers to a group of recipients? Bauckham asserts that though James lacks 'situational immediacy . .. an official letter or encyclical is no less a "real" letter, i.e. a document which could have been actually sent . . . An appropriate term for the k i d of letter James is might be "paraenetic encyclical" '.18 Whereas Bauckham notes that in the Greco-Roman context this type of paraenetic epistolary communication was most often sent to individuals, both he and Stowers argue that Jews and Christians wrote paraenetic instruction in letter form to either communities or groups of comm~nities.'~ In the New Testament one finds examples of paraenesis addressed to such groups (e.g., Rom. 12-15; Gal. M), and Bauckham thinks that this is the kind of composition James represents. He concludes, 'In form and content it is a "real" letter of this kind, but whether it functioned as a real letter is another issue. Its form and content cannot tell us whether it was actually sent from its purported author to its purported recipients."' Thus, it is very difficult from the text alone to determine whether the letter of James was actually sent or not. It may well be impossible conclusively to prove this matter either way, but we can conclude that the evidence given in the text itself along with what we know of epistolary theory from the first century is that James should be considered a piece of intentional written communication by an author addressed to a group (or more likely groups) of recipients. Whatever the genre of the text, James is set within an epistolary framework and must be read and interpreted as a letter. Yet one must not codate the issue of Niebuhr, 'Der Jakobusbrief im Licht fdjiidischer Diasporabriefe', NTS 44 (1998), pp. 4% 43; W~chob, The Voice of Jem, pp. M; Donald Verseput, 'Genre and Story: The Community Setting of the Epistle of Jams', CBQ 62 (WOO), pp. 96110 (99). 17 Lauri ThuGn comments on the 'clear convention (of the) opening pbrase (1.1), which better than any other New Testament letter conforms to ancient epistolaq custom' ('Risky Rhetoric in James?', NovT 37 [1995], pp. 2 6 2 4 4 [26&9]). 18 Bauckham, James, p. 13. 19 Ibid Stowers (Letter Writing,p. 97) categorizing paraenetic letters under the heading Letters of Exhortotio~nnd Advice, also remarks that non-Christian parametic letters were usually addressed to individuals, yet 'In the New Testament exhortation, the individual is not an object of guidance and character-building apart fmm the community. Parmetic conventions, therefore, are adapted to collununity exhortation and plural address by the New Testament writers.' 20 Bauckham, James, p. 13.
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Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
genre with the text's epistolary struct~re.~' It is not enough to state that James bears a legitimate epistolary structure and thus lay all issues of genre in James to rest. Almost any form of literature could be sent as a letter in the first century; thus, claiming the epistolary structure for James does not completely answer the question of genre for James. Here we conclude that one should not disqualify James as a letter but rather, in light of first century letter writing, it should be interpreted as an intentional piece of writing addressed to a definable audience. b. 'To the twelve tribes of the diaspora' If James may be treated as a letter, the ascription of sender and audence in 1.1 must be taken as a significant clue for determining the world of concerns and view of reality into which this text spoke. Studies which view the epistolary character of James with great skepticism naturally have mterpreted the language of 1.1 metaph~ncall~."According to this view, the phrase 'twelve tribes in the diaspora' ( ~ W ~ E+uha?s K U ~ a i si v 61uorrop@),constitutes a symbolic reference to Christians void of any ethnic or geographic specificity. Christians are the 'true Israel' exiled from heaven as thelr proper home, dispersed m the foreign country of the earth.z3 However it is diicult to sustain the argument for understanding the reference to the 'twelve tribes in the diaspora' as exclusively 'metaphorical'. First, as with any metaphorical use of language, one would assume a degree of development of the metaphor for the author to exploit the implications of the symbolic reference. In this case, one would expect the reference to either the 'twelve tribes' or the 'diaspora' to be taken up again at some poht in the letter in order to expand or elaborate with the purpose of fleshing out how the audience is like Israel or in what way they
~
21 Verseput's generic label of James as a 'Jewish-Christian letter to the Diaspora' is inadequate ('Genre and Story', p. 99). So also Karl-Wilhelm ('Diasporabriefe') and Tsujii Gl& zwischm Volkommenheit d Verweltlichtmg,pp. 2G7. 22 Dibelius, James, pp. 66-7, argued: 'the entire expression must be construed in a completely metaphorical sense', as 'the true Israel, for whom heaven is home and earth is only a foreign country, i.e., a Diaspora'. Cf. K. L. Schmidt, '6taorrop0r' (TDNT, 2.9M04) also, R o w , St. James, pp. 124-6; Laws, J m , pp. 47-8; Wall, Community of the Wire,pp. 11-13,42-3. 23 A rather distinctive and unsuccessful expression of this view is offered by Cargal (Restoring the Diaspora, pp. 454). He suggests that 'Diaspora' in 1.1 refers to wandering from the truth in 5.19-20 thus forming an interpretive frame for the entire letter. Yet as Bauckham (Jnmes, p. 212 n. 2) and others (Verseput, 'Genre and Story', pp. S 1 0 0 ) have pointed out, Cargal's thesis 'flounders on the fact that the term Dinspora was not understood as Israel's voluntary "wandering" into exile but as God's scattering of Israel among the nations as judgment for Israel's sins'.
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71
are 'in the diaspora'. Clearly there is no further explanation of either tern in the letter. Second, with only one apparent exception, considered below, neither label ('twelve tribes' or 'diaspora') was ever used metaphorically to refer to the universal Christian movement. Though Paul referred to Christians as the 'Israel of God' (Gal. 6.16), the constitution of the people of God as a twelvetribe entity is neither taken up in the NT nor in the documents of the early church. Therefore, in Bauckham's estimation, the phrase twelve tribes 'seems inherently unsuitable for transference to the church'." In addition, if the phrase referred to the universal Christian movement, one might expect James to take up issues related to Gentile observance of the law and purity issues related to Jewish contact with Gentiles. Yet, these issues are never broa~hed.'~ Within the biblical narrative 'twelve tribes' usually refers to the constitution of the Israelite people who descended from 'Jacob and the twelve patriarchs'26 and the nation of Israel as a wholez7especially with respect to their covenantal relationship to God.'* Set in the context of the historical experiences of destruction and exile, this designation frequently refers to the hope for restoration of the twelve tribes of Israel both in the prophets29and in post-biblical J u d a i ~ m . ~ Within Jewish tradition there existed the related yet separable notions of what E. P. Sanders explains is the 'expectation of the restoration of all Israel and the survival of a remnant; the degree to which there was a definite expectation of the reassembly of "the twelve tribes", as distinct from more general hopes for the freedom of Jews from foreign dominion (whether in the diaspora or in the land)'.31 There are examples of both the
24 Bauckham, James, p. 14. 25 See Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr, 'A Letter from Jemalem: James in the Mind of the Recipients of His Epistle' (paper presented at the annual meeting of the SBL, Philadelphia, 19 November UX)5), pp. 2-3. 26 Acts 7.8; see B o d . 24.4; 28.21; 36.21; Josh. 4.5; Sir. 44.23; Ezek. 47.13. 27 Pss. Sol. 17.26-28; Sib. Or. 3349; 2 Bnr. 77.2; 78.4; and Josephus, Ant. 1.12.4 §22l. 28 Though Wall (Community ofthe Wise, p. 12) wntends '[iln fact, a metaphorical reading of "the twelve tribes" certainly agrees with its use by other biblical writen', he is not able to provide any evidence for this claim. 29 Isa. 49.6; Ezek. 47.13-14,21-23; 45.8; and chapter 48. 30 Sir. 36.13; 48.10; 2 Macc. 1-22 2.18; Ps. Sol. 11; 17.28-31, 50; 1QS 8.1; 1QM 2.2, 7; 3.13; 5.1; Rev. 7.5-8. See also, Mt. 19.28 and Lk. 22.29-30 with reference to the role of the disciples judging the restored 'twelve tribes of Israel'. 31 E. P. Sanders, Jesus mui Judnism (Philadelphia:Fortress, 1985), p. 95. It is this point that David Hutchillson Edgar fails to appreciate in his discussion of the figurative interpretation of this phase in 1.1 (Har God Not Chosen the Poor? The Social Setting ofthe Epistk of Jomes [JSNTSS, 206; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, ZWl], pp. 97-101).
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specific hope of Israel's reconstitution as the twelve tribes3' and a more general expectation regarding a future remnant. Sanders draws the conclusion that 'it is nevertheless true that the expectation of the reassembly of Israel was so widespread, and the memory of the twelve tribes remained so acute, that "twelve" would necessarily memz "restortio on'".^^ Several scholars have observed points of correspondence between this Jewish hope for restoration (especially for God's retribution for the remnant) and ~ a m e s In . ~ light ~ of the fact that the traditional Jewish hope for restoration of a remnant people is articulated consistently in terms of 'poor' and ' l ~ w lJames ~ ' ~ may ~ be read within this tradition, both in light of a concrete reading of 'to the twelve tribes' and the concern for the 'poor' and 'lowly'. The accompanying term 'diaspora' has also been understood as a metaphorical referen~e.9~ Yet diaspora uniformly conveys the idea of God's exile and punishment of Israel for neglecting her covenant relationship with God. The terms 'exile' and 'diaspora' are used synonymously, occurring in the covenantal context of sin-punishmentAs the reference 'twelve tribes' referred to the ethnic makeup of Israel, the notion of diaspora was consistently linked to the issue of punishment by expulsion from the land. Thus it would be ironic if the author of James used the term 'diaspora' to refer to individuals residing within Palestine. Furthermore, the early church did not use the term diaspora as a metaphor for the universal church, but continued to apply it as a term of disqualification and to Israel's displacement from the Land (Justin, Dial. 117). Though 1 Peter 1.1 does explicitly use diaspora to refer 32 Bar. 4.37, Israel will be gathered 'fromeast and west'; Sir. 36-13;48-10; Josephus, Ant. 11.133; Sib. Or. 171, speaking of a time of 'the gathering' (6 ouvaipllo~r)when 'a people of ten trih-zs will dome from the east to seek the people, which the shoot of Assyrh destroyed, of their fellow Hebrews' (trans. J. J. Collins, 'The Sibyline Oracles', in OTP 1.349). 33 Sanders, Jesur mul Judairm, p. 98 (emphasis oripinal). 34 Matt Jacksan-McCabe, 'A Letter to the Twelve Tribes in the Diaspora: Wisdom and "Apocalyptic" Eschatology in the Letter of James', in SBL Seminar Papers, 1996 (SBLSP, 35; Atlanta: ScholarsPress, 1996),pp. 504-17; Verseput, 'Genre and Story', pp. S 1 0 4 , and, especially in light of James's eschatological expectation, Penner, J m s mul Esehntology, pp. 1x1-7 .---.
35 Cf. Sanders, Jesus d J u d o i m t , p. 96. For the poor see James 1.9-11,27; 2.2-4,15-17; 5.1-6; and lowly 1.9-10; 4.6, 10. 36 Cf Pedrito U. Maynard-Reid, Poverry rmd Wealth in J-8 (Maryknoll, New York: Orb!,, 1987). pp. S I I , l o l l ~ w db) Wlll, iuporo Jew r omldsr 6rerk.i and R,wlums [Cmtbndgr, h(a
An Approach to the Text
73
metaphorically to the church, this may be regarded as an exception to the rule. Bauckham rightly notes: [tlbe difference between the usage in James and 1 Peter can be seen from the fact that, whereas in James the word is used to identify the addressees hut then plays scarcely any further part in the argument of the letter, in 1 Peter the Diaspora belongs to a potent theological metaphorical complex which is developed through the letter as a way of interpreting Christian existence in a pagan society." If the term was intended metaphorically one would expect some kind of elaboration or development of the image, something we do not find in James. Significantly this Jewish diaspora identity was, rather than being an appellation of pride, continued as a reminder of God's displeasure: 'the very existence of the Jewish Diaspora was widely perceived as evidence of divine displeasure from which only national repentance and divine mercy could bring relief .39 The notion that dispersion could only be remedied by repentance, a common theme within Second Temple Judaism, 'became the occasion for a peculiar subgenre of Jewish epistolary literature' namely, 'covenantal letter[s] to the D i a ~ ~ o r a ' . ~ ' This brings us to a third element that renders a metaphorical understanding of James 1.1 d i l t . Concluding that James can plausibly be read as a letter and that it is purported to be addressed to the 'twelve tribes in the diaspora', it is profitable to compare James to other epistles addressed to the d i a ~ ~ o r aThere . ~ ' was a tradition of official letters sent from Jerusalem to diaspora communities in Babylon (Jer. 29.1-28; Ep. Jer.), to Egypt (2 Macc. 1.1-9), to Aristobulus and the Jews in Egypt (2 Macc. 1.1&2.18), and from Baruch 'to the nine and a half tribes which were across the river' (2 Bar. 78-86; 4 Bar. 6.19-23). Furthermore, there are references to messengers going out from the temple authorities to Syria regarding the correct dates for the festivals (Roi H a i 1.3-4; compare Acts 15.24-29; 28.21) and ancient Jewish encyclicals, such as the Aramaic letters dispatched by members of the Gamaliel family.42The h s t three letters are directed to exiled communities and several specifically use the motivation of future hope of restoration to remain faithful in their diaspora context. As with these diaspora letters, James too is a work addressed
38 Bauckham, Jmnes, p. 212 n. 2. 39 nz. 40 Verseput, 'Genre and Story', pp. 9S100. 41 Niebuhr, 'Diasporabriefe'; Verseput, 'Genre and Story', p p 99-102; Bauckham, Jmnes, pp. 15L21. 42 For the texts and translatiom of these letten, see Dennis Pardee, H d o o k of Ancient Hebrew Lezrers (SBLSBS, 15; Chicago: Scholars P r w , 1982), pp. 18696.
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Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of J m s
from a leader in ~ e m s a l e mto~ ~those living outside Palestine with the intent of bringing exhortation and encouragement to persevere in the face of trial. Tsuji calls attention to the fact that such circular letters were written from a central religious authority to geographically removed communities usually with the intent of encouraging them not to assimilate to the world that surrounds them culturally.M In light of the above discussion it is plausible to read James as a letter and specifically to understand the phrase 'twelve tribes in the diaspora' as a reference to Jews living outside of ~ a i e s t i n eBased . ~ ~ upon the content of the letter, these Jews were believers in Messiah ~ e s u sIn . ~this regard it may be read as a type of paraenetic encyclical.47Thus the address is broad enough that the text could likely have been intended for several audiences that shared the same religious convictions and cultural context. While there is strong evidence to show that this text could have been intended for distribution among 'any and every Jewish Christian community', this does not preclude that the author wrote to several audiences who understood themselves as a distinct religious and social entity. The primary evidence for this is the language of the letter itself. The author consistently refers to his audience as 'brothers', using the plural vocative &&A+oi 15 times." Rather than the hierarchical relationship implied by the traditional Jewish exhortation 'son' (J3,13, or u i k ; Prov. 1.8, 10; Sir. 7.3; or 'child' [T~KVOV] in Sir.2.l), 'brothers' conveys a degree 43 This is assuming that the author is meant to be identilied with James, the brother of Jems. 44 Tsuji, G h b e zwischen Yollkommenheit md Yeweltlichung, pp. 18-36. Cf Peter H. Davids ('Palestinian Traditions in the Epistle of James', in B. Chilton and C. Evans, eds, James the Just nnd Chrirtirm On'& (NovTSup, 98; Leiden: Brill, 1999), p. 41, for further implications of understanding James as a diaspora letter. 45 For shidies arguing for this reading of 1.1 see Mayor, St. Jnmes, pp. 2930; Davids, James, p. 64; Franz Musser, Der Jakobubrief (5th edn; HKNT, 13; Freiburg: Herder, 1987). pp. 61-2; Martin, James, pp. &lo; Moo, Letter of James, pp. 22449-50. Those who argue for James as a 'Letter to the Diaspora' see Bauckham, James, pp. 19-21; Niebuhr, 'Diasporabriefe'; Donald 1. Verseput, 'Wisdom, 44185, and the Epistle of James', JBL 117 (1998), pp. 691-707; idem,'Genre and Story', pp. 99-104. 46 See Dale C. AUison ('The Fiction of lames and Its Sitr im Leben', RB 108 [ZWI], pp. 529-70), who also argues for a 'literal' reading of 1.1, but maintains that the audience is Jewish and that James largely maintains a missionay focus. His d n g necessarily insists that 2.1 is a later Christian interpolation (541-5). 47 Bauckhn, J m , pp. 25-8, s@cally argues for a wider distribution of the letter among .'any. and everv Jewish Christian wmmunitv in the Jewish Diaslwra' thus labeling . J l m n an encydwl to ll>rdia
An Approach to the Text
75
of solidarity and equality4' that denotes group cohesion. In two passages ('your meeting place' [auvaywfiv l j ~ & v ] 2.2; , ~ ~ 'let him call for the elders of the church [ T O ~ rrp~o@&pous S fis 6~~Aqoias]',5.14) the author indicates that the group or groups are meeting together and that their times of gathering ought not to be the occasion for discrimination (2.2-6) but rather a time of ministry (5.13-18). The 'elders' ( r r p ~ o p r j ~ ~of p othe ~) group(s) are involved in these times of ministry (5.14). Further, out of the 79 second person plural verbs, 34 are clearly imperati~e,~' giving the letter a distinct exhortationat character. And finally, the concludimg refrain signals the concern for the community's responsibility in the restoration of those who wander; here the addressees are called to actively participate in the maintenance of the community on the path of truth (5.19-20). c. Conclusion The textual evidence demonstratesthe plausibility of understanding James as an adaptation of a Jewish diaspora letter, namely, a letter circulated among Jewish Christians in the diaspora. Therefore, the text, and its consequent language, must be interpreted within the broad social and religious situation of Jewish Christians living in the diaspora-a world where the audience abides in a hostile situation where each member must decide whether they will choose 'friendshlp with the world' or, along with Abraham, to be a 'friend of God'. Jackson-McCabe suggests that 'James's address to the "twelve tribes in the diaspora" ... connotes the view that God's promise to Israel is at present ~nfuliilled'.~~ Evoking both the history and ideology of Israel and Torah, the labels 'twelve tribes' and 'diaspora' confirm the social, cultural, and theological difficulty in which the audience existed. This context, informed significantly by an interpretation of the narrative of Israel's scripture as history, can be inferred not only from the epistolary prescript but also from the several allusions to individuals and events in this narrati~e.'~The most important insight is to understand James as 49 See Johnson, Letter o f J m s . p. 176; Edgar,Har GodNot Chosen the Poor? pp. 1012; speci6dy on James's egalitarian use of address see Johnson,B r o t h of Jesus, Frimd of God, pp. 233-4. 50 Note that o u v n y o ~ uhere appears without the article (the established text follows the first hand of Codex Sinaiticus) thus 'synagogue' may refer 'to more than one. This is the preferred reading and it coheres better with the sentiment of James as an encyclical' (Wzhob, Voice ofJesw, p. 71). 51 We understandims in 1.19 as impemtival while bps= in 2.24 should be read as a present active indicative. 52 Jackson-McCabe, 'A Letter to the Twelve Tribes', p. 515. 53 In other words Abraham's s a d c e of Isaac (2.21, referencing Gen. 22) and faith in God (2.22, referencing Gen. 15); Rahab and the Israelite spies (2.25); EKjah and the drought (5.17); creation of humanity in God's image (3.9); the 'suffering and patience' of the prophets
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addressing several audiences existing in a similar social and religious setting of the Jewish diaspora. The difficult social and religious context which was the Jewish diaspora called forth the need for encouragement of social and religious solidarity. This diaspora context aligns with Douglas's notion of the 'undefined context' where internal and external boundary lines are either ill-defined or precariously weak.
2. Jmnes's Coherent Strategy of Argumentation Workimg from the conclusion that James is a letter, we must consider a second textual characteristic of the composition. This section argues that as wisdom paraenesis, the composition communicates its main concerns through a series of contrasts. a. Paraenesis and Genre in James Within the history of research, Dibelius's conclusions have dominated discussion of the genre of James. In his influential commentary on James he concluded that the text was made up of sayings material. He categorized this material within two broad divisions: short aphorisms (1.2, 4, 5, 17, 22, 23; 2.5; 3.12; 4.4, 11-12; 5.2, 10, 19), and longer discourses ('treatises' 2.1-1 3, 2.14-26, and 3.1-12; 'series of sayings' 1.2-18, 1.19-27, and 5.7-10). From these literary observations Dibelius concluded 'the entire document lacks continuity in thought. There is not only a lack of continuity in thought between individual sayings and other smaller units, but also between larger treatises.'" And in addition to James's lack of coherent thought, Dibelius was unable to discern adequate epistolary characteristic^^^ and thus classifiedthe text as belongkg to the tradition of paraeneticliterature. It has been Dibelius's understanding of the genre of paraenesis and how it functioned that has led to the modem conclusion that James lacks any real unifying structure or coherence. Dibelius argued that by its very nature paraenesis was a literary genre that lacked any situational context. He viewed paraenesis as a line of sayings like pearls strung together by the ribbon of catchword associations; commenting that in James we have 'a stringing together of admonitions of general ethical
(5.10); and the 'endurance' of Job (5.11). While these individuals and events are derived from the broad narrative details of Genesis though Kings, many individual features of their intnpreiation have been d u e n c e d by other Jewish traditions (cf. Peter H. Davids, 'Tradifion and Citation in the Epistle of James', in Srripme, Trru6'ttion.rmd Interpretation [eds W. Ward Gasque and William S. LaSor; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 19781, pp. 113-26). 54 Dibelius, J m , p. 2 (emphasis original). 55 Bid.
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content'.56 He insisted that the most characteristic features of paraenesis evinced in James are pervasive eclecticism, lack of continuity,57external connection of unrelated sayings through catchword association, the repetition of identical themes in different places throughout the text, and finally, the lack of a single situation in which all the admonitions logically fit5' With this understanding of paraenesis, Dibelius concludes that one cannot unite the various isolated texts that are assembled in James 'for the purpose of constructing a theology'. Dibelius emphatically states that James 'has not "theology'"?9 Yet not only has this view of James come under closer scrutiny, but thin characterization of paraenesis also has been challenged. Recently scholars have assessed paraenesis in a more positive light where its communicative intent and elements of social setting receive significant attention?' Todd Penner notes that there has been a general 'shift away from dehing paraenesis in terms of the negative aspects--lacks coherence, has no thematic or situational context-toward assessing the positive nature of the genre. It has specific rhetorical aims and has, however vague, elements of social situation that comes to expression in the aim of prollloting the strengthening or adopting of a particular set of values.'61 Significantly in the work of Leo Perdue, paraenesis has been identified for its function of socialization, legitimization and c o n v e r ~ i o n .Ultimately, ~~ in Perdue's analysis, the paraenesis of James emphasizes the establishment of order, especially as it pertains to a subversive value system as articulated in the midst of. a dominant c~lture.6~ This is an important argument against Dibelius's Kontextverbot approach to the paraenesis of James. Rather Dibelius, J m s , p. 3. lbid.,p. 5 (emphasis original). Bid., pp. 5 4 , 11. lbid., p. 21 (emphasis original). M) See Leo G. Perdue, 'Parmesis and the Epistle of James', pp. 241-56. Perdue suggests that paraensis contains traditional and unoriginal material which is general in application, addressed to readers who have heard the material before. And that is rhetorical communication with a view to strengthen social identity (see also idem, 'The Social Character of Paraenesis and Parmetic Literature', Semein 50 [1990], pp. f-39). 61 Penner, 'James in Current Research', p. 270. 62 Perdue, 'Paraeuesis and the Epistle of James', pp. 2514. 63 In a recent article, Verseput ('Genre and Story', pp. 974) argues that Dibelius's disallowance of wherence of James bas been dealt a severe blow by Perdue, 'who, while approving Dibelius's generic label, nonetheless correctly obsewed that the principle of the general applicability of paraenesis pertained solely to thecharader of the individual precepts, not the entire text. It would be rather odd, Perdue wryly remarked, to suggest that an author com~ilinea ~araenetictext would not deliberately choose from the wide assortment of traditional rnarzl izarthnglhar maansl which muct poinrcdlv .~ddmeskdtbc real l&su~%on the lire of the intended .~u&~.nce lhus the cntenon of elmtlon itscll both dirwrs one to \~r.\\ greater whemce and stmctue in paraenetic material and suggests a specific situation.' 56 57 58 59
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than focusing on what paraenesis consists of or how it reveals early Christian ethical concerns in general, Perdue is interested here in learning more about the function of the paraenetic text itself. Thus, with this shift in understanding how paraenesis functions, we now can approach the text of James in terms of what the author wanted to accomplish in the text and understand that the function of the text itself may indeed provide the unifying element to the text as a whole.@ But what might this discussion have to do with James's coherent strategy of argumentation? Many scholars have attempted to organize James by outlining a definite structure to the letter. These attempts have varied in their success.65 Discussing the different strategies employed to discern the structure in James (and even the similar strategies resulting in different results), Bauckham comments, 'After so much discussion, there seems to be not even the beginnings of a consensus. One suspects that something must be wrong with the goal that is being attempted.'66 Rejecting Dibelius's conclusions regardmg the random nature of paraenetic literature in general and of James in particular, Bauckham asserts, 'It seems not to have been sufficiently recognized that carefully composed structure and coherence of thought are in principle distin~t.'~' He concludes that a mistaken assumption made on the part of several scholars is to identify a rigorous and intentional structure corresponding to the overall continuity of thought running through the letter. 'The attempts to retrieve James from the incoherence to which Dibelius assigned it', Bauckham continues, 'looks too much like attempts to approximate James as far as possible to a Padme letter.'68 Beginning with the two key positions, (1) that Dibelius was wrong about his assertion that James lacked coherence of thought hut correct that the text does not contain the kind of coherence provided by a sequential argument and (2) guided by the commitment to discover the kind of literary structure which aids the reader in reading and comprehendmg, Bauckham opts for a structure implicit withm the discrete sections of the text itself. Seldom, however, have scholars been content with the observation that James's only structure is that implied by its discrete and at times very short sections. Furthermore, that material has been selected, shaped, and 64 See the helpful analysis by Penner, 'James in Current Research', p. 271. For an excellent analysis of the function of paraenesis see the recent study of J. de Waal Dryden, Theology and Ethics in 1 Peter: Paraenetic Strategies for Christian Character Formation (WUNT 21209; Tibingen: J.C.B. Mohr [Paul Siebeck], 2006). 65 See the recent survey by Mark E. Taylor, 'Stmdure of James', pp. 90-120; and idem, A Text-&&tic Invesfigafion brto the Discourse Structure of James (LNTS,311; London: T&T Clark, 2006). 66 Bauckham, J m s , p. 61. 67 Ibid., p. 62. 68 lbid.
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fitted together in a particular order leads one to believe that the author of the composition had an overall persuasive goal in mind. This last point is demonstrated by considering how the prologue was designed to function as an introductory statement setting the overarching framework for the entire composition in a paraenetic document generally, and in the letter of James spedically. Thus the perspective adopted here will attempt to discern how the discrete sections of James's wisdom paraenesis are structured and linked to forward his central argumentative aims. We will return to the issue of how the prologue functions in a paraenetic document below, but first we must consider further how James's argumentative logic unfolds through key thematic contrasts. b. Contrasts in James's Argumentative Structure Johnson has noted the underlying principle of James's strncture and argument. The 'important organizing (and selecting) principle in James is a central set of convictions concerning the absolute incompatibility of two construals of reality and two modes of behavior following from such diverse understandings. This "deep structure" of polar opposition . .. undergirds the inclusion and shaping of James's material.'69 Thus Johnson argues, 'Even a cursory survey of this composition shows that James characteristically establishes polar contrasts.' He posits that the contrast between 'friendship with God' and 'friendship with the world' in 4.4 not only offers the best 'thematic center for [James'] ethical and religious dualism'70 but also 'encapsulates the organizing logic of James's symbolism'?' Johnson correctly observes James's use of polar oppositions; however, his abbreviated attempt at organizing them is inadequate. He lays out some of the wntrasts at the social level and then highlights moral, philosophical, and religious wntrasts, but fails to define each Not only does Johnson fail to offer a delinition of each level and why these areas are considered important, but he also does not put fornard an overall relationship between the different levels of contrasts. Kenneth Tollefson also notes James's use of wntrasts. Arguing that James is a form of dialectical discourse, he suggests that the 'rigorous use of b i n q opposition in James seems to be more than a coincidence, since it permeates the epistle'?3 Tollefson describes dialectical discourse as an 'oral/written form of communication that uses binary opposition to instruct or persuade the readerpistener in some new element of truth that 69 Johnson, Letter of Jmnes, p. 14. See also, Cargal, Restoring the Diarpora, who moves in the same d i d o n and obsnves most of the important oppositions @p. 22932). 70 Ibid., p. 84. 71 Zbid. 72 Bid., pp. 84-5. 73 ToUefson, 'The Epistle of James a s Dialectical Discourse', p. 62
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would otherwise be difficult to obtain'. This form of communication offers rhetorical examples at the extreme ends of a spectrum creating clear and simple reference points within the argument. In 'reducing the flow of the texts to polar opposites, dialectical discourse not only clarifies the issues; it also serves as an aid to memory'?4 With the analytic construct of dialectical discourse Tollefson is able to clarify and criticize other attempts to organize the oppositions in James. A helpful example is his critique of Cargal's analysis of the oppositions in James. Where Cargal offers a reading of the contrasts in James within a structured and organized framework, Tollefson correctly points out his failure to set these oppositions within any relationship or sequence.75It is not enough to observe that James has ordered his composition around different contrasts; these oppositions must be aligned or viewed in such a way that one might understand to what purpose they were used. Tollefson understands James's oppositions within a dialectic process, viz., a thesis; antithesis/synthesis sequence. Specifically within this dialectical discourse two clear and simplified options are presented so that the audience is challenged to choose between them. Tollefson argues that each new synthesis 'becomes an opportunity to make the correct choice for growth in righteousness, while each sequential wrong choice contributes to growth in unrighteou~ness'?~ Yet in the studies of Tollefson and Johnson their suggested contrasts widely diverge from one another and often there is no careful designation of which contrasts are explicit within the text and those that are not. It is common to see both scholars supply one side of a contrast or polarity without ju~tilication.~~ J. H. Elliott has offered another framework for understanding the contrasts in james. Following Wuellner's rhetorical structuring of James, which includes significant emphasis upon the ~ontrasts,~' Elliott identifies the polarity &tween wholeness and incompleteness as the organizing logic behind James's oppositions. He argues that the contrast between wholeness and incompleteness introduced in 1.2-4is replicated throughout 74 75 76 77
Bid., p. 63. Ibid., p. 62. B i d , p . M. Bid, p. 66. Tollefson's analysis begins with 1.1 where he 6nds the oppositions (a) eternal creatarimoaal creatures.. &I , , Christ as Lordflames as servant. and (cI .. twelve tribes united by faithjscattered by opposition. Where contrasts (a) and @) may well be antithetical elements within a Jewish worldview it does not seem that James wishes to emloit them for his rhetorical purposes. That is they do not @re into the composition as a means to bring the audience to a decision. With the third contrast Tollefson seems to lack the historial background understanding of the phrase which we have attempted to consider above. They are not ' s c a m # because of lack of uniting faith hut traditionally because of God's punishment. 78 Wilhelm Wuellner, 'Der Jakabusbrief im Licht der Rhetorik und Textpragmatik', LB 43 (1978), pp. M 6 .
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the rest of the text79 and is finally rendered in the traditional terms of purity and pollution. He observes what is noteworthy from a rhetorical point of view is how the structural medium of the letter, an extended series of contrasts, dramatically underscores the perceived sitnation of tension and c o d i c t within and beyond the commnnity. This pattern of contrasts likewise serves as the rhetorical mechanism for combining a description and diagnosis of the negative situation with positive teaching concerning its reversal.s0 Furthermore, Elliott is keen to point to how the contrasts are functioning within the composition. He considers the negative aspect of each wntrast as the 'diagnosis' of a deficient condition while the positive aspect of each contrast stands as the author's 'remedy' for that negative condition. The central issue of 'incompleteness/completenessin its personal, social, and cosmological manifestations or dimensions' is the organizing principle behind the contrast^.^' Elliott's analysis helpfully clarifies the contours of the contrasts in identifying the negative aspect of each opposition as a 'diagnosis' and the positive aspect as the author's 'remedy'. His medical analogy offers a convincing answer to why the author employed such a rhetorical strategy. There is a clear lme drawn between conect and incorrect attitudes, behavior, relationship, and so on. Elliott's notion of how the contrasts draw attention to internal tension and external contlict also establishes a link between the composition's argumentative strategy and the particular situation of James's audience. However, Elliott's shortcorning is that by outlining the contrasts within the spheres of personal, social, and cosmic dimensions, both the flow of contrasts within the actual sequence of the text and the priority of some contrasts over others is obscured. Though helpfully indicating the connection between issues of wholeness (perfection) and purity/pollution, Elliott mistakenly conflates the two concepts by insisting that purity/pollution language replicates the wholeness/divided distinction. This understanding of the 79 Elliott, 'Holiness-Wholeness', p. 72. 80 Bid., p. 75. Some of the Idnds of wntrasts which show the difference between wholrness and incompletenessare doubt/vacillationvs. tmst/faifh; separation vs. integration of hearing and doinglfaith and action; partiality vs. impartiality; duplicity vs. sincerity; uncontrolled vs. wntrolled speech; war/discord 7s. hamony/peace; friendship with the world/devil vs. friendship with God; boasting vs. h u d t y ; instability vs. steadfastness; uollution vs. uuit,. . . The c o n m t of wmuleteness is introduced in 1.2-4 then further rrpandd upan in vv 5 8 'me theme of t i d s lcadtn$ to mrnplctcn~ssis rcslatrd in v. 12. thcrcu~ont'llton tdent~ti~rveral opw>\ttlons throughout themiin b,dy ortext (1.13 5 I?) -. 1.13-27(negative: 13-16; positive: 17-27); 2.1-13 (negative: 1-7; positive: 2.8-13); 2.14-26 (negative: 14-17; positive: 1&26);3.1-18 (negative: 1-12; positive: 15-18); 4.1-12 (negative: 1-4; positive: f-12); 4.15-5.11 (negative: 4.13-5.6; positive: 5.7-11); 5.12 (negative: 12a; positive: 12b). 81 Bid.
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relationship between perfection and purity will be shown inadequate in Chapter 4." c. Overarching Contrasts in the Main Body (Exposition) The composition is arranged around a series of contrasts, but as discussed above, there has not been a satisfactory account of either the particular contrasts or of their arrangement. In the analysis below we will outlime the explicit oppositions, giving attention to their sequence and relationship in the text. As will be argued more fully below, there are three major divisions of the text over which there is little controversy: prescript (1.1); introductory prologue (1.2-27)83; and exposition of themes (2.1-5.20). These sections have been evident to most commentators due to the particular formal characteristics of each major unit. For our purposes Bauckham's work provides the most logical delimeation of sub-units in the main body (2.1-5.20). He suggests the following twelve sections: (1) 2.1-13 (partiality and the law of love), (2) 2.14-26 (faith and works), (3) 3.1-12 (the tongue), (4) 3.13-18 (true and false wisdom), (5) 4.1-10 (a call to the double-minded to repent), (6) 4.11-12 (against judging one another), (7) 4.13-17 (denunciation of merchants), (8) 5.1-6 (denunciation of landowners), (9) 5.7-11 (holding out till the parousin), (10) 5.12 (speaking the whole truth), (1 1) 5.13-18 (prayer), and (12) 5.19-20 (reclaiming those who err).84
82 Other atkmpts to understand the wntrasts in James along the lines of the good and evil yaserim (good and evil inclination), while helpful in meeting James with its Jewish background, fall short because this approach fails to integrate the single contrast (between different kinds bf inclinations)with the enfire mmpasition (see Davids, Jmnes, pp. 3S8,834; Joel Marcus, 'The Evil Inclination in the Epistle of James', CBQ 44 [1982], pp. 60621; Cheung, Hermemutier of J m s , pp. 206-21). 83 Bauckham, James, pp. 6%73; Johnson, Letter of J m r , pp. 37,17G6; Davids, Jmnes, p. 25; Hartin, Jmnes and the Q Sayizgs, pp. 263-34;Francis, 'Form and Fundon', pp. 11G20; and Cheung, Hermeneutics of Jmnes, pp. 61-7 identify the particularity of 1.2-27, though more thematic outlines tend to fracture the first chapter. See Wall (Commtmity of the Wise, pp. 34-8) who places 1.22-27 along with 2.1-26 in an 'essay on the wisdom of the "quick to hear"'. D i b e h , Baasland, T h u h , Edger, and Moo view 1.2-18 as the major unit of prologue. Wuellner, Elliott FrankemBIIe, Pemer (James and Eschatology, pp. 14&9), Hermon von Lips (Weisheitliehe Troditionor im NT e r t m t [WMANT 64; NeukirchenVlnyn: Newkirchener Verlag, 19901, p. 413), and Matthias Konradt (Chrisfliehe Existenz nach dem Jokobubief: Eine Studie nr seiner soferiolo@chen a d et&chen h % ~ e p f i o n [SUNT22; Gbttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 199833, limit the unit to 1-2-12. Other examples of this type of thematic division within 1.2-27 may be seen in Martin (Jmnes, pp. diCciv) who follows a similar division in Franwis Vouga, L' Epitre de Snhr J q u e s (CNT XIIIa; Gensva: Labor et Fides, 1984), p. 20) and Ropes (St. J m s , pp. 4-5). 84 Bauckham, Jhmes, pp. 63-4.
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1. James 2.1-13 ('Partiality' [rpmwroAqplJl;u~s] vs. keeping the love commm~d)~~ Often James 2.1-13 is treated as a textual unit.86 The first verse provides the thesis statement of the passage. 'My brothers, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? (RSV). Several subordimate contrasts work to support this primary thesis. First, the evil of partiality is illustrated by the incongruous treatment of the rich, who are preferred, and the poor (2.2-4). The contrast here between the status of the rich and the poor-along with what is redly at stake, viz., the different ways the community treats them-works to support the major wntrast between showing partiality and love of neighbor. Second, from this illustration James poses several rhetorical questions supporting this basic contrast. God's choice of the poor by the world's standard, who by faith are heirs (2.5), is directly opposed to the community's rejection of the poor. 'But you dishonor the poor' (2.6). Third, James offers the contrast in sharp relief, forcing a choice between 'on the one hand' ( ~ ~i ~ V T O I ) fulfilling the royal law (which is to love the neighbor) and thus to 'do well' (2.8), or 'on the other hand' ( ~ 8;) i show partiality (which is working sin) and ends in being 'convicted under the law as a transgressor' (2.9). Finally, the divergent choices with regard to 'keeping' and 'stumbling' over the law are again stated in 2.10-1 1 and the section is rounded off with an aphorism contrasting judgment (partiality) with mercy (love of neighbor) in 2.13. 2. Jmnes 2.14-26 (F&h with works vs. faith without works) A rhetorical question with the vocative address clearly marks the beginning of this section: 'What is the use, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? (2.14). The underlying assumption of this opening question is at once supported by a negative example which shows that 'faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead' (2.17) and a diatribal argument ending with the assertion that 'faith without works is useless' (2.20). In contrast to this image of 'faith' (which is really 85 See WueIlne~,'Rhetorik und Textpragnatik', for a similar argument for the negative and positive contrasts in this section. 86 A l m s t all contemporary scholars at least acknowledge that the first three textual units of the exposition contain a progression of thought (2.1-13; 2-14-26; and 3.1-12). These three divisionshave been identified as such by several commentators. Dibelius, J-S, p p I2; Reicke, Jnmps, Peter mrd Jude, p. 8; MuDner, JokobubrieL pp. 114, 1274, 1576, J. Cantinat, I m Epitres de Snint Jneq~~es el de Saint Jude (Park Gabalda, 1973), pp. 119, 1389, 161-2; Johnson, Letter of J m s , pp. 217,253; Martin, Jmnes, p. civ;Bauckham, J m e s , pp. 6 3 8 ; Moo, The Letter of James, pp. 98, 118, and 146. Ropes (St J m s , pp. 4-5, 185) slightly diverges from these three major divisionsin dividing chapter 2 as 2.1-7,s-13, and 1426, and is followed, for different reasons, by Cheung (Hmmennrtics of J m s , pp. 72-4,82); similarly Laws ( J m , pp. 93, 11&11, 118-19) divides chapter 2 as 2.1-9,lO-13, and 14-26.
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not faith at all) stand the positive examples of father Abraham (2.21,23) and Rahab (2.25) that demonstrate that faith is completed by works (2.22) and the argument that a person 'is justified by works and not by faith alone' (2.24). This series of contrasting examples and assertions regarding faith is, like the previous section, rounded off by a concluding aphorism which implicitly contrasts faith that is 'alive' (with works) with faith that is 'dead' (without works): 'For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead' (2.26). 3. James 3.1-12 (Not stwnblmg vs. stumblzng in one's use of the tongue) In t h passage the one who 'does not stumble tn what he says' (3.2) 1s opposed to the one who stumbles in the use of the tongue (3.6). This point 1s dlustrated m 3.3-5 with the contrast between small h n g s exercising control over large things (e.g., bits in a horse's mouth, ship's rudder, and a spark igniting a large forest). The conclusion to these illustrations is that the tongue, as a small part of the body, exercises disproportionate power and is able to defiie 'the whole body' (3.6). The repetition of the phrase 'the whole body' in 3.2 and 3.6 allows for an implicit contrast between correct and incorrect use of the tongue. This gives way to the supporting contrast between tamed animals and the untamed tongue (3.7-8), then to the antithesis of the blessing (correct) and cursing (incorrect) tongue (3.910). Finally the contrast between the correct and incorrect use of the tongue is illustrated by the geological and botanical antithesis of 3.1 1-12. 4. James 3.13-18 ([Pure] wisdom from above vs. earthly, soulish, demonic [polluted] wisdom) The opposition here sets 'wisdom from above' over against 'earthly, soulish, demonic wisdom'. The consequent attitudes and actions derived from these two opposing kinds of wisdom further illustrate the social results of this contrast. Those who are 'wise and understanding' demonstrate such by their 'good life'; yet, 'earthly' wisdom is revealed by 'bitter envy and selfish ambition' (3.13-14). This passage underlies the incongruity between the produce of the different kinds of wisdom. Thus 'every vile practice' is set in opposition to the list of virtues in 3.17, both of which flow from two opposing types of wisdom. 5. James 4.1-10 (Humble drawing near to God vs. proud frienbhip with the world) The contrast drawn here is significantly related to the two kinds of wisdom in the previous section. The text progresses along the lines of indictment ( 1 4 ) and command to return to humble loyalty (7-10). This
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contrast is forcefully articulated in verse 4. 'Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.' A friend of the world is the underlying cause of community strife brought about by inappropriate desire (1-3), thus his allegiance to the world makes him an enemy to God. This basic dualism is reinforced by a quotation from Israel's wisdom tradition: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble' (4.6, from Prov. 3.34 LXX). The rest of the passage uses a series of imperatives to urge repentance from such alignment with the world. 6. James 4.11-12 (Do not slander vs. slandering a brother) Here the major thrust is the admonition against slanderous speech against a community member. Implicitly there are two behaviors opposed to one anther, viz., one who slanders his brother and one who does not because he knows that to do so is to judge the law itself. The admonition, and the related contrast, is supported by means of the further opposition between doing and judging the law.
7 . J a m s 4.13-17 ('Doing' in submission vs. prideful boasting) Prideful ambition is incongruous with the humble submission of one who says, 'If the Lord wills'. Such assuming self-confidenceis condemned; 'you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil'. As in other sections, the aphorism regarding the one 'knowing to do good and not doing it' (4.17) summarizes the contrast between arrogant boasting and humble submission. 8. James 5.1-11 (Wicked rich vs. patient brothers) Though 5.1-6 and 5.7-1 1 may be independent units, here it is instructive to note how the two sections together convey the contrast between the wicked rich and the patient brothers echoing a contrast set forth in 1.9-11. With prophetic overtones the author announces coming judgment on the rich (1-3) and accuses them of wrong priorities (4-6).*' The oppressive actions of the rich are denounced in Deuteronomic style calling attention to the wickedness of withholding one's wages (Lev. 19.14; Deut. 24.14-15; Mal. 3.5). In contrast (signaled in part by the o%vplus second plural imperative) the 'brethren' (dt6~A4oi)are encouraged to be patient (7-8, 10) and strengthen their hearts (8) in light of the coming of the Lord. These textual clues suggest that readers were to understand a contrast between these passages.
87 The call for the rich to 'weep' (Khhan) and 'wail' (bAoA;5ovns) resembles such prophetic passages in Isaiah (13.6; 14.31; 23.1, 6, 14; 32.9-14) and Jeremiah (49.3).
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9. James 5.12 (Oath making vs. truthful speech) The use of 'above all' (rrpb rr&v~ov)may indicate that the following verses constitute the h a 1 greeting of the letter.88 Here the author commands 'do not swear' but 'let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no' (NRSV).This short aphorism, echoing Jesus's teaching,89 draws the implicit contrast between invoking God's name as guarantee of one's truthfulness over against simple, truthful speech. 10. James 5.13-18 (Effective vs. ineffective prayer) This section is marked by rhetorical questions in 5.13-14: 'Are any among you suffering?, 'Are any cheerful?, 'Are any among you sick? After each question the author supplies a call to action: 'pray', 'sing praise', and 'call the elders .. . and pray'. These imperatives suggest that the section is concerned with the proper context (13-14a), procedure (14b), effectiveness of 'the prayer of faith' (15-16). This climax (15-16) suggests the implicit contrast between asking God for wisdom 'in faith' (6v r r i m ~ ~ without ) 'doubt' (or 'second-guessing'; vq8bv ~ I ~ K ~ I V ~in~ 1.6 E Uand O S'asking ) wickedly' in 4.3. 11. James 5.19-20 (Bringing back the sinner from death vs. straying from the truth) The last paragraph of the text offers a key contrast. The context is an exhortation to bring back any person who might 'wander' (rrhavqq) from the 'truth' (Tijs &hqO~ias),with the further promise that whoever 'brings back' (b irrlmpiws) a sinner from the 'error of his way' (rrhauqs b606) will save his soul 'from death' ( 6 ~8ava~ou).In the textual tradition of 5.19, some manuscripts read &rrb Tijs b s 6 ixAq8sias or GS b s 6 &hr)8~las?0 This indicates some early readers understood 'the truth' as a 'way' one follows. Jackson-McCabe asserts in this regard, even if the work of later editors, 'these readings only make explicit what is clearly implicit in any case. the author envisions two opposing "ways" which humans can travel, one characterized by "truth (&hrj8~1a)and the other by "deception" (rrhauq)'?' In this passage there is an incomplete contrast between 'the truth', conceived as a 'way' of life, and a 'way' of error that 88 Francis ('Form and Function', p. 125). Davids (Jomes, p. 189), Laws (James, p. 220), and Martin ( J m s , p. 203) all understand 5.12 as looking f o m d signaling the end of the letter, where Ropes (St. J m s , p. 3W),Reicke ( J m s , Peter md Jude, p. 56), Adamson ( J m s , p. 194), and Pemer ( J m e s and Erchatology, p. 157) all uoderstand the verse to refer back. 89 See Mt. 5.34-37. 90 p" and R, 33,81,623, 1846,2426 respectively. Lmv of Nature, the 91 Matt Jackon-McCabe, Logos m d b in the Letter of J m s : l a w of Moses, rmd the Low of Freedom (NovTSup 100; Leiden: Brill, 2001), pp. 208 n.68 (cf. Klein, 'Ein vo&ommenes W e r e p. 85).
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ultimately ends in death. And the thrust of the passage is that 'the sinner' is 'saved' from t h ~ 'death' s by the one doing the 'bringing back'. The terms of 'wandering', 'bring back', and 'error of his way' indicate the concern not for conversion but, because of the imperative verbal form in 5.20 ('you should know' [ y ~ v w m ~ ~ w the ] ) aphorism , conveys an admonition to the community to reclaim the wayward?* From these observations it is clear not only that the contrasts are pervasive and central to the argumentation of the letter, but also that several units of text can be organized under the rubric of a controlling contrast. In summary fashion the following units may be fled under the corresponding contrast: 2.1-13, partiality versus keeping the love command; 2.14-26, faith with and without works; 3.1-12, one who 'does not stumble in what he says' is opposed to the one who stumbles in the use of the tongue; 3.13-18, 'wisdom from above' opposed to 'earthly, soulish, demonic' wisdom; 4.1-10, humble drawing near to God versus proud friendship with the world; 4.1 1-12, one who slanders his brother, and one who does not because he knows that to do so is to judge the law itself; 4.13-17, boastful selfish ambition set against the humble submission of one who says 'If the Lord wills'; 5.1-11 judgment of the rich versus encouragement for the brethren to endure; 5.12, oath taking versus truthful speech; 5.13-18, examples of effective prayer versus ineffective prayer; and 5.19-20, the 'way' of truth and the 'way' of error. d. Contrasts in the Opening Chapter of James Another characteristic of the oppositions m James is that 1.2-27 introduces many of the overarching contrasts contained in the main body. Though the contrasts in 1.2-27 do anticipate subsequent contrasts in the main body, there is neither a clear nor systematic connection between every contrast in 1.2-27 and those that follow. Here the contrasts occurring in the prologue will be identified and then related to the contrasts of the main body. We will consider how the contrasts in 1.2-27 effectively introduce the organizational contrasts appearing in the exposition. 1. James 1.2-8 The opening aphorism contains a wntrast between the one who is 'perfect' (4) and the one who is 'double-minded' (8). Through endurance the one in verse 4 is 'perfect, mature, lacking in nothing' as opposed to the one who is 'double-minded, unstable in all his ways' (1.8). Folded withim this opposition are the supporting contrasts between 'lacking in nothing' (iv MQ~EV\I ~ E I ~ T ~ versus ~ E V lacking O I ) 'wisdom' f i ~ i r n r aoc+ias) ~ in 1.4-5; 92 Dibelius, J m s , p. 257; Martin, Jmnes, p. 219.
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'it shall be given' versus 'don't think you will receive anything' (5, 7); and asking 'in faith' (Bv i'rion~)versus 'doubting' (6ra~prv6p~vos)~~ (6). These subordinate contrasts all help support the major opposition between 'perfection' and 'double-mindedness'. One who is 'perfect' also 'lacks nothing'. However the 'double-minded' lacks wisdom and must ask of God. But his asking must be 'in faith' not 'doubting' because 'the doubter' should not expect to receive anything from God. The one failing to ask in faith is second-guessing, that is, vacillating irresolutely between two choices. Tbe result of double-mindedness is instability ( h ~ a ~ a o ~ a ~ o s ) . The term i x ~ a ~ a m a ~ conveys o s the sense of 'unsettled' or 'unstable' implying that this individual is not following established 0rder.9~Here the perfect one who endures is opposed to the divided doubter. This basic contrast between perfection through endurance and dividedness via doublemindedness is further explored throughout the letter. One of the strongest links is between 1.2-4 and 5.7-11.9~Both passages highlight the theme of patient endurance of suffering, a theme linked by lexical ties between these secti0ns.9~Furthermore, the term 'wisdom' only occurs at 1.5 and 3.13, 15, 17, and thus this lexical connection draws together 1.5-8 and 3.13-18.9' Fmally, 1.5-8 serves as the thematic introduction to 5.13-18 which highlights the theme of effectiveness of prayer. Thus 1.2-8 introduces 3.13-18; 5.7-11; and 13-18.
93 The terp 6laupim is consistently translated 'doubting' (twice in the middle in 1.6, KJV, N W , NASB, NRSV) and 'make distinctions' (passive, 2.4), but the normal sense of the word in the middle voice is 'to get [a dispute] settle8 (s.v. 61arpivo, LSJ). See also s.v. BADG, 'to be uncertain,be at oddF with oneself. Moo (Letter of Jmnes, D. 60) comments: 'Jamcc is probahlg thinking of a srrolng kind ofd
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2. James 1.9-11 James 1.9-11 is a reversal statement where the 'lowly brother' (b &6EA$bs b ~ a r r ~ l v bis s ) set against 'the rich' (0 rrho601os) with regard to ,their status. The 'lowly' is to boast in 'his high position' (6v TG U+EI a u ~ o 6 ) while the 'rich' is to boast in 'his humble state' (6v fi T ~ ~ ~ E I ~ Wa6~06) O E I because ultimately 'the rich' will 'waste away in the midst of his way of life' (6v ~ a ? rropsia~s s air~ou^vapavthjo~~a~). The status reversal between the 'lowly brother' and the 'rich' in 1.9-11 finds extension in the discussion regarding the preferential treatment of the rich within the gathering in 2.1-7 and in the judgment of the wealthy in 5.1-6.There is a strong connection between the 'lowly brother' of 1.9 and the 'poor person in diiy clothes' of 2.2, both of which are ironically the ones who are lifted up (m ' his bemg raised up', or 'chosen' by God (2.5). In 2.2-7, the attitude of partiality is confronted with the underlying values of this 'reversal of status' introduced in 1.9-1 1.9' The remainder of the nnit 2.1-13 further extends this admonition into a discussion of the 'royal law' with reference to Leviticus 19.18b and the LXX of Deuteronomy 5.17. Thus preferential treatment of the rich, who are to lose their status as such in light of 1.9-11, is associated with transgressing the law of loving one's neighbor. Furthermore, this theme is expanded in the contrast between the judgment of the 'rich' and the patient waiting of the 'brothers' in 5.1-11. In both of these sections of exposition, the key contrast in chapter one not only highlights the social context of the contrast, that is the status of the 'lowly brother' and the 'rich', but also sets the composition off with a challenge to the established norm, namely a critique of the dominant cultural value system. This key contrast is echoed again in the 'organizing contrast' of 4.1-10 where God gives grace to the 'lowly' (~arr~lvois) yet he resists the 'proud' (hmpq$uvo~s).The overarching value communicated in this unit is the contrast between humble drawing near to God versus proud friendship with the world. Where the current social value system considers the 'rich' as valuable and important and the 'poor' or 'lowly' as expendable, the system of valuation consistently articulated throughout the text challenges this assumption. This reversal of status and social worth introduced in 1.9-11 is echoed in key points throughout the text: 2.1-13; 4.1-10; and 4.155.11. 98 See Elliott, 'Holiness-Wholeness', p. 72. Erankem6lle sees the lack of correct estimation between the poor and rich in 1.9-11 corresponding with the discourse against partiality (2.1-13) and the warning of judgment upon the rich (5.1-6) ('Das swantische Netz', p. 193), a connection Hartin (Jomes rmd the Q Sayings, p. 30) follows. In Bauckham's discussion of literary forms he considers 1.9-10a under the heading of 'antithetical and paradoxical aphorisms', which in f o m as well as content points ta the ironic reversal of status between the poor and the rich in the community (Jomes, p. 40).
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3. James 1.12-18 Whereas the one who endures hial will be blessed and receive 'the crown of life' ( T ~mi4avov V q s 50jls) in verse 12, the one led away by his 'own desire' (i6ias Brrtb~ias)will suffer 'death' (8&va~ov,1.15). The concatenation of desire-sin-death stands in opposition to endurance-crown of life in verse 12. The implicit contrast behveen what leads to 'life' and what leads to 'death' (1.12-18) is echoed in the distinction between bringing back the sinner from 'death' versus straying from the truth in 5.19-20. In 1.17, God is the giver of good things and not the source of evil temptation. In keeping with his desire, God 'gave us birth ( & T I E K ~ ~byOthe E Vword ) of truth (Abyw ciAq8~ias)'which is in opposition to 'one's own desire' (i6ias 8rr16upias)which gives birth to 'sin' (&pap~iav) and when fully-grown sin 'gives birth to death' (hrroidrt B u v a ~ o v )The . ~ ~ultimate end of 'one's own desire' is 'death', yet God's desire or will is to give birth or life through the 'word of truth'. This contrast illuminates the h a l verses of the composition where there is an implicit contrast between the sinner's 'death' as the ultimate end of 'straying from the truth' and life as the ultimate end of 'covering a multitude of sin'.'" Though the notion of life is not explicit in 5.20, read through the concerns of chapter one especially with reference to the contrast between 'life' and 'death' as ultimate ends in 1.12-18, the underlying concern for life and death comes into focus. The provocative link made behveen these two passages is that the act of w m n n i t y restoration in view with 5.19-20 is given greater context by reading through the lens of 1.12-18. Though the stakes are already high, as indicated by the phrase 'you shall save his soul from death' in 5-20,the ultimate bl&ing with l i e (1.12) and will of God to give life by the word of truth (1.18) and the concatenation of 'desire-sin-death' expand the sigmiicance.of tuming a 'sinner from the error of his way'. The greater sigmiicance is that there are opposing systems of value or worldviews at work underneath the two different ways. 4. J a m s 1.19-21 One cannot accomplish God's righteousness by means of human anger because they are opposed to one another. God's righteousness is incongruent with human anger. This basic wntrast is first supported by another contrast in James's exhortation to be quick to hear, yet slow to speak and slow to anger. The concepts aligned with the quick and slow 99 Johnson points out this mmlation yet mdastands the analogy wrongly as sexual (Letter of James, p. 197; d. Cheung, Hermemties of Jomes, p. 86 n. 1). 100 Robert B. Crotty, 'The Literary Struehlre of the Letter of James', ABR 40 (1992), pp. 4 5 4 7 (46-8). See also, FranlanBlle, 'Das semantische Netz', p. 181; Jackson-McCabe, Lagos and Low, pp. 208-10.
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image are connected to God's righteousness or man's anger: hearing/ righteousness and speakinglanger. That human anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God (1.20) is directly associated to the theme of correct use of the tongue in 1.19. The theme of control of the tongue is expounded in 3.1-12, where controlling and being stained by the tongue are set in sharp contrast. Adamson notes this parallel afkning that the first section of chapter three is the application of the principle 'slow to speak' in 1.19.'~' In 4.11-12, the concern for correct speech is apparent by the admonition: 'Do not speak against one another, brethren.' In this section, the issue of wrong speech, specifically slander (b Ka~ahah&v),is further associated with becoming a judge over one's neighbor. And finally, the theme of improper speech is extended in 5.12 to include consistency of one's words. Thus the contrast of human anger expressed in a quick tongue in 1.19-21 anticipates 3.1-12; 4.11-12; and 5.12. 5. James 1.22-25 The wntrast between doing and merely hearing is taken up in 1.22-25. The section opens with the exhortation 'be doers of the word ( T T O I ~ T & hbyou), and not hearers only ( ~ i.lbvov 6 h ~ p o a ~ a ;deceiving ), yourselves'; a notion which is inverted in chiastic fashion in the succeeding verse: 'For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer.. .' In the following short narrative unpacking the contrast, the 'doer' and 'hearer' both 'look' yet with the result that the 'hearer' forgets what he has seen but the 'doer' does not become a 'forgetful hearer' (h~poa+ 6rnAqupoviis) but rather an 'effectual doer' (or 'doer of works'; r r o l q ~ Zpyov) s who is 'blessed'; (1.12 the one enduring being approved is blessed, also connecting blessing and endurance is 5.11). The wntrast between doing and hearing set out in 1.22-25 serves as another lens through which various sections of the exposition must be viewed. In 1.22-25 those 'hearing alone' (p6vov h ~ p o a ~ aare i ) set in opposition to being an 'effectual doer', or 'doer of works' ( r r o u q ~ s 'kpyou). This contrast sets up the key antithesis between 'faith alone' (T~OTEWS i.lbvov) and faith with 'works' (fpya) in 2.14-26. Note the common expression 'hearing alone' and 'faith alone' and 'doer of works' and the emphasis on works throughout 2.14-26. The contrast between mere hearing and doing is again taken up in the contrast of 4.1 1-12. Here the antithesis set between the injunction against slandering and being a slanderer of a brother is supported by the like contrast between being a 'doer of the law' and a 'judge of the law'. The implicit contrast in this section is between the one who merely hears the law, yet fails to demonstrate its impact by continuing to slander his brother thus 101 Adamson, J m s : The M a and His Message, pp. 9 H .
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becoming a 'judge' of the law, and the one who is a 'doer of the law' ( r r o l r l ~v6vou). s It is instructive to note that in the manuscript tradition of James 1.22 others have read rrolq~ai for r r o ~ r ~Abyou ~ a i most likely in light of the phrase in 4.11 .Io3 6. James 1.26-27 The overachmg contrast posed in the last two verses of 1.2-27 is that between true and false 'religion' (8pllo~&). The individual who thinks he is religious, yet fails to control his tongue, is not religious at all. James says this individual suffers under self-deception and his religion is 'worthless' ( p u ~ a ~ o sOn ) . the other hand, religion that is 'pure and undefiled before God the Father' takes up the care of orphans and widows as well as keeping oneself 'unstained from the world'. Thus true religion includes social action and separation from the polluting influence of the world. This opposition articulates the major contrast of the composition, namely, the contrast between the right and wrong way to view reality. The following section will consider the importance of 1.26-27 for the composition as a whole. e. Conclusion Despite older assessments of James as lacking coherence and logic, the present discussion has offered a bnef account of James as wsdom paraenesis, and, more importantly, demonstrated that the composition's strategy in communication is based upon the interrelationships of polar oppositions leading readers to a point of decision. Specifically in this regard we have observed how several sectlons of the main body can be organized under a distinct, overarching contrast which summarizes the thrust of that particular section. Furthermore, though not systemat~cally, James 1.2-27 introduces many of the thematic and overarching contrasts that are developed in the main body. The funct~onof the contrasts is to compel readers to make a choice between two antithetical worldviews. In Johnson's words, the 'absolute inwmpatibiity of two wnstruals of reality and two modes of behavior followmg from such diverse understand~n~s'.'~~ James's strategy of argumentation leads readers in discrimmating between the author's particular construal of the world and that of the readers' ambient culture.
102 C: 88,621, 1067, 1852. 103 Johnson, Jmnes,p. 206. See also the similar phrase in Rom. 2.13. 104 Johnson, Letter of James, p. 14. See also, Cargal, Restoring the Dimpora, who moves in the same direction and observes most of the important oppositions @p. 229-32).
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3. Structuring Principle of James 1.2-27 As noted in chapter 1, McKnight criticized Elliott's use of James 1.2-4 as determinative of the letter's major thematic thrust. He argues that Elliott 'gives too much weight heuristically to 1.2-4 and its vocabulary'.'05 Though not in agreement with all of his conclusions, Elliott is justiJied in identifying the important role of 1.2-4 in determining the theme of the letter, because the text itself indicates that James 1.2-27 should be read as an introduction to the rest of the composition. As noted above, there are three major divisions of the text: prescript (1.1); introductory prologue (1.2-27); and exposition of themes (2.1-5.20). The prescript consists of the customary designation of sender and addressee while the next two major divisions of the letter are also discernible via their formal differences. The prologue (1.2-27) consists largely of short aphorisms expanded or linked by catchword connection, while the second unit (2.1-5.20) consists of larger 'essays', each developing a more focused, self-contained, yet linked idea. a. The Prescript The prescript stands alone as the single, unambiguous epistolary feature of the text. It is set apart from the rest of the text by its designation of a sender, audience, and greeting, none of which are mentioned again. The customary formulation of address ('sender' to 'recipient' followed by xaiptv) is found in embedded letters in Acts (15.23; 23.26)'" and is more consistent with Greco-Roman epistolary custom than the elaborate openings of Pauline letters. The letter has the likeness of a 'diaspora letter' sent from a leading figure in Jerusalem to the faithful living outside the land. It speaks to various groups who identified themselves as believers in Jesus; a group that stands as a cultural and religious minority among the Hellenistic majority. The prescript has been purposefully connected to the prologue by means of catchword association; the term of greeting &aip~tv) in 1.1 forms a catchword connection with 'joy' hapav). Thus the prescript signals that the author intends for his text to be read within the epistolary framework of instructions to Jewish Christ-followers living in diaspora.
105 McKnight, 'A Parting Within the Way', p. 117 n. 84. 106 This formula appears in other Jewish letters written in Greek: 1 Esd. 6.7-8; 1 Macc. 10.18, 25; 13.36; 14.20; 2 M a s . 1.1; 11.16, 34; Let. Alirt. 35, 41; Josephus, Life,217; 229; 365-6.
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b. The Exposition: James 2-5 The next major unit of James consists of the exposition (2.1-5.20). Dibelius noted that James 2.1-3.12 forms the core of the writing that may he divided into three expositions or treatises marked by characteristics of Greek diatribe. In his view, these units of argument stand unrelated to one another. As for the remainder of the last major unit (3.1>5.6), Dibelius understood it to he 'groups of saying', small, self-contained units, followed by a final section (5.7-20) resembling 1.2-27."' Yet a major trajectory in James scholarship has thoroughly reassessed Dibelius's conclusions and has observed greater coherence in James 2.1-5.20. Almost all contemporary scholars acknowledge that 2.1-13; 2.14-26; and 3.1-12 are discrete units embodying a progression of thought,lo8 and to these main sections have been added several other configurations of material.lm As noted above, Bauckham's analysis provides the most logical delineation of sub-units in the main body of James: (1) 2.1-13 (partiality and the law of love), (2) 2.14-26 (faith and works), (3) 3.1-12 (the tongue), (4) 3.13-18 (true and false wisdom), (5) 4.1-10 (a call to the double-minded to repent), (6) 4.11-12 (against judging one another), (7) 4.13-17 (denunciation of merchants), (8) 5.1-6 (denunciation of landowners), (9) 5.7-11 (holding out till theparousia), (10) 5.12 (speaking the whole truth), (1 1) 5.13-18 (prayer), and (12) 5.19-20 (reclaiming those who err)."' The strength of these particular divisions rests upon the evidence of carefully crafted introductions and conclusions for each discrete unit. Several 'opening markers' are used individually or in conjunction with one another."' These opening markers consist of direct addresses in the vocative case (m ' y brothers' [&GeA@oipou], 2.1, 14; 3.1; 5.12, 19; or 'brothers' [&6~h@i], 4.11; 5.7), rhetorical questions (2.2-4, 14-16; 3.13; 4.1; 5.13-14), the phrase 'anyone among you' (in combination with either a 107 Dibelius, James, pp. 1-2. 108 These three divisionshave been identified as such by several commentators.Dibelius, James, pp. 1-2; Reicke, James, Peter and Jude, p. 8; MuBner, Jakobusbrief, pp. 114, 127-8, 157-8, Cantinat, J q u e s et Jude, pp. 119, 1389, 161-2; Johnson, Letter of James, p. 217 (taking 2.1-26 as an entire unit); Martin, J m s , p. civ; Bauckham, J m s , pp. 63-8; Moo, The Letter of Jmnes, pp. 98, 118, 146. Ropes (St James, pp. 4-5, 185) slightly diverges from these three major divisions in dividing ch. 2 as 2.1-7, 8-13, and 14-26, and is followed, for different reasons, by Cheung ( H e m t i e s of James, pp. 7 2 4 . 8 2 ) ; similarly Laws (James, pp. 93, I l ( t l l , 118-19) divides ch. 2 as 2.1-9, 10-13, and 14-26. 109 Luke T.Johnson, 'James 3.134.10 and the Topos mp; @%vmf, NovT25 (1983), pp. 32747. Johnson has argued for the d e d section consisring of 3.13410 developed around a top03 of envy. A. SchLikel, 'James 5.2 [sic] and 4.6'. Bib 54 (1972), pp. 7 M , has argued for the inclupio found between 4.6 and 5.6 as framing the h a 1 section. I10 Bauckham, J m s , pp. 6 W . 1 1 1 The negative prohibition plus the vocative construction as a marker for the opening of a unit has been ident&ed by Davids (James, p. 168), Johnson (Letter ofJ-8, p. 292), and Bauckham ( J m s , pp. 6361,
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rhetorical question, 3.13; 5.13, 14; or with an address, 5.19), 'come now' (?!YE wv di, 4.13; 5.1), and the phrase 'above all' (rrpo rrav~wvSf, 5.12). Thus, each of the twelve sections contains a clear textual 'opening marker'. Furthermore, at least eight of the discrete sections are summed up in the apt use and placement of an aphorism (2.13,26; 3.12b, 18; 4.10, 17; 5.12,20). Bauckham concludes that it is 'therefore clear that the twelve sections are carefully crafted a s self-contained entities with strong indications to readers that they are to be read as s u ~ h ' . " ~ Each of these sections have been crafted in such a way that readers would read them as distinct sections of thought that are loosely anticipated in the introductory prologue. c. The Limit of the Prologue Though there is little consensus regarding the structure of James 1.2-27, almost every major interpreter of James identifies part or all of chapter one as an introduction to the rest of the text. There are three major options for the limit of the prologue: (1) 1.2-27F3 (2) l.Z-12,"4 and (3) 1.2-18.115 Delimiting the prologue to 1.2-18 or 1.2-12 does not account for the place and particular form of 1.19-27.'16 That is to say, 1.19-27 bears a stronger formal resemblance to 1.2-18 than to what follows in 2.1-13. Coupled with this fact, there is a clear marker of the beginning of a section at 2.1 (vocabve of address with a negative imperative), which is followed by a sustained argument at least extending to 2.13 (on the topic of partiality and the love command). Therefore, because of the formal similarity between 1.2-18 and 1.19-27 and the distinct following section (2.1-13), 1.2-27 should be viewed as the introductory prologue. Unlike the rest of the exposition (2-5), James 1.2-27 consists of a rapid 112 Bauckham, Jams, p. 66. 113 Bauckham, J m s , pp. 6%7% Johnson, Later of James, pp. 37, 174-6, Davids, Jomes, p. 25; Hartin, Jhmes rmd the Q Sayings, pp. 26-34; and Cheung, Herme-tics of James, pp. 61-7. 114 Elliott, Wholeness-Holiness', p. 71. Following Wuellner ('Rhetorik und Testpragmatik', p. 42) and Penner ( J m s ond E~chotology,pp. 1 W 9 ) who fallows von Lips (Trnditiom, p. 412) limits the unit to 1.2-12. 115 Dibelius, James, pp. 6S71; Ropes, St James, pp. 4, 128-9; Reicke, J m s , Peter rmd Jude, pp. ISIS; MuBner, Jakobub*, pp. 62-3; Baasland, 'Literanshe Form', pp. 3655-9, Frankwi,lle, 'Semantische Netz', pp. 175-84; Thurh, 'Risky Rhetolic', pp. 2%73, 282; Edgar,Has God Chosen the Poor?, pp. 138-9; and M o o (The Lellrr of Jomes, p. 56) view 1.218 as the major unit of prologue. There are ather examples of more thematic outlines for chapter one. See Wall (Commtmity of the Wise,pp. 3&3) who places 1.22-27 along with 2.126 in an 'essay on the wisdom of the "quick to h e ' . Other examples of this type of thematic division within 1.2-27 may be seen in Martin (Jmnes, pp. & 4 v ) who follows a similar division in Vouga. pp. 174-5; Bauckham, Jmnes, pp. 61-73. 116 Johnson, Letter of J-s,
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succession of aphorisms loosely connected; most have been adapted or expanded from their original contexts. Adjacent aphorisms are joined via link words: 1.2-411.5-8 by helrr6p~vol/A~irn~al; 1.1211.13-18 by n~l~au~dv/rr~tpa<6~~vo5/rr~lpa
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Perhaps it is better to speak of 1.26-27 as James's attempt to distill the thrust of his argument into a short, memorable saying. In this way he is not summarizing the entire content of 1.2-27 (or the rest of the letter), but encapsulating the basic wisdom of his letter in a few short limes. Key in this epitome is the term 'religion' (Opqo~~ia). Verseput helpfully refers to two senses of the term: (a) 'the practice of obligations connected with the veneration of a supernatural being, whether of individual religious rites or of the entire religious system by which the deity was honoured' or @) 'of a personal proclivity for the diligent practice of acts of worship'.'20 The former sense of the term fits our present context. The notion of 'religion' being worked out here is that of obsewable, outward religious activity such as worship, prayer, and good deeds, yet also includes the total religious system to which each individual must give assent. In keeping with the focus upon action and obedience in this section, James challenges his readers to live out 'pure and undefiled religion' specifically by visiting the socially and economically vulnerable and maintaining some kind of separation from the world. That is, to live consistently withim the total religious system includmg perceptions or a particular view of reality and social allegiance and a~tions.'~'These issues will be investigated in more detail in the following chapters. Here it is enough to conclude, based upon these formal characteristics along with the lack of necessary grounds to fracture the text of chapter one at any other point, the entire section consisting of 1.2-27 should be read as a self-contained section.
before God. Rather the revenal of status between the 'lowly' and the 'rich' signals the subversive (or at least w n t r w ) value system in light of the eschatological reality of who will be counted whole/perfect/pure before God. Therefore based upon this reversal of status, one Door (or should care for the . . lowlv', . . cf. 2.5: 5.6) and the a c t e d (1.27; . . 2.14-16). Also labeline1.2-4, 12-15 as establishing the theme of resisting temptation is inadequate. As we shall see below, the climax of the a~hhorismin 1.2-4 is the end result of the process of testing, namely. .~ wholeness or perfection. And the point of the "step-saying in 1 3 1 5 is to set the contrast of the 'desire-sin-death' complex up against the 'will of God-by the word of hmth-life' complex in 18. 1W Verseput, 'Reworking the Puzzle', p. 101; see also his examples in Sewnd Temple literature. 121 Calvin's comments (Commentary on the Catholic Epistles, trans. and ed. by John here. 'lJamesl Owen lEdinburph: - Calvin Tramlation Society. 18551,. D.. 299) are avurouriate .. . d m not define pencrally what rclt@on is. but reminds us that mllglon w!lhuut th: rhings he rnentlons la nulhing.' S~mtlarly,Moo (J.mur. p. 96) mrnrncnts. J ~ n ~ isc inot p>Irrntirzlng against religious rihlalper se but against a ritual that goes no further than outward show and mere words.' Verseput ('Reworking the Puale', pp. 1 0 1 4 n. 12) makes the interesting observation that the theme of need for purity of life to accompany the offering of external cultic sxvice is current in bath Greco-Roman and Jewish traditions and may be represented by the theme of 'spiritual s a d c e ' .
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d. The Function of Jmnes 1.2-27 Johnson considers 1.2-27 'The most daunting challenge to the position that James has an overall structure ... It is above all the disjointed appearance of 1.1-27, together with the isolated verses such as 4.11-12, 5.12, 5.19-20, that most confound efforts to locate in James a single coherent literary s t ~ c t u r e . " Bauckham ~~ adds: 'This is the section of James which most nearly approximates to Dibelius' understanding of paraenesis as a collection of individual sayings strung together more by artificial means such as catchwords than by topic, and certainly not embodying a linear sequence of thought.'lZ3 He wntinues to assert that though many of the short aphoristic units in chapter one may have existed independently from their present context they have been, in minor ways, modiied by expansion and adaptation to be linked together in their (new) context. Yet, the fact that the author selected and arranged these aphoristic units in their current location would lead us to h d some kind of thematic development or sequencing of ideas, no matter how general. As demonstrated above, several oppositions are introduced in James 1.227 and significantly influence the reading of the exposition. Therefore this material bears the mark of intentional crafting for the purpose of introducing the major themes of the letter.'24 Some have noted the introductory function of James 1.2-27. Johnson argues that it functions like the epitome of the Sentences of Syriac Menander, introducing key subjects within the exposition to Bauckham denies the appropriateness of labeling the prologue an epitome, firstly because of the fact that epitomes characteristically introduce all of the subjects later expounded in systematic fashion largely reproducingtthose themes verbatim and, secondly because the epitome usually circulated independently from the main work, both of which are not true of . ' ~ a m e s . Likewise '~~ both Cheung and Taylor have recently 122 lohnson, Letter of J m s , p. 13. 123 Bauckham, Jmnes, p. 70. I24 However one understands the particular function of chapter one, a consensus is forming around the conviction that chapter one holds the key to the letter's struchring. 'The contributions of Francis, Davids, Vouga, Martin, lobnsan, Penner, F W o m 6 l l e [sic], W u e h ~Bauckham, , Taylor, Gut& and others point in this direction. AU agree thatch. 1 functions to introduce major themes that are subsequently expanded in the letter body' (Taylor, 'Shucture of James', p. 117). Cheung (Hermeneutics of J m s , pp. M) could be added to this list as well. 125 Johnson, states, 'The sentenas [of Syriac Menander] themselves are proceeded by an Epitome that anticipates later themes; in broad terns, the arrangement is analogous to the relationship I have suggested between the aphorisms in James 1.2-27 and the essays in 2.15.20' (Letter of Jnmes, pp. 14-15; see also Johnson, 'Friendship with the World/Friendship with God', pp. 1 7 W n. 12). 126 Cf. Bauckham,J m s , pp. 72-3; A. J. Malherbe, MorolExhortation, A G r e c o - R a m Sowcebook (Philadelphia: Westminster Ress, 1996), p. 85.
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argued for James 1.2-27 as an introd~ction.'~'Though perhaps not technically an epitome, there are two elements which argue for the introductory function of James 1.2-27. (1) the general introductory function of any epistolary prologue, and (2) the interpretative framework provided by the prologue of a paraenetic text. In light of the argument for James's epistolary frame, it is plausible to compare the function of the prologue of James with that of other epistolary literature. Francis in fact initiated this comparison in his seminal article, 'The Form and Function of the Opening and Closing Paragraphs of James and I John'. In the letter from King Demetruis to the Jewish nation embedded in the narrative of 1 Maccabees 10.25-45, Francis highlighted the convention of double headings in the opening statement ('we rejoice' [<&prl~av]10.26; and a blessing in 10.27-28) which in turn introduces and structures themes in the main body (rewards of loyalty).'28 He also offers Josephus, Antiquities 8.50-54 and several Pauline epistles as further examples of such structuring. Speci6cally in 1 and 2 Thessalonians the traditional Pauline 'thanksgiving' (~6xaplarG)introduces and gives supporting structure to the rest of the text.'' A similar form is discernible in the 'thanksgiving' (~irxaplmG,4) and 'rejoicing' kapav, 7) pattern in Philemon. More generally, Romans 1.13; Galatians 1.6-14; Philippians 1.12-18; and 1 Corinthians 1.10-16 all introduce and clarify themes in the main body of each letter by placing them in a specific framework provided by the prologue. From this evidence, Francis argued that the opening section of James (1.2-25) has a twofold literary structure which in turn introduces the main argument of the letter in carefully balanced thematic statements (1.2-11 and 1.12-25). As in 1 Maccabees 10.25-45 and Philemon 4-7, these two paragraphs in James chapter one are headed by technical liturgical terms for 'joy' (xapav, 1.2) and 'blessedness' (pa~aplos,1.12). Moreover, both sections develop along similar lines. The same three elements are introduced in identical order with complementary effect: testing leads to steadfastness (1.2-4 and 1.12-18), wisdomwords-reproaching (1.5-8 and 1.19-21), and rich-poor-doers of the word (1.9-11 and 1.22-25). Further, 1.26-27 serves as a 'literary hinge' that recapitulates the preceding introduction and turns the reader to the initial argumentative section of the body of the epistle. The body consists of two
127 Cheung, Hermeneutics of James, pp. 6G1; Taylor, 'Stmcture of James'. 128 Francis, The Form and Function', pp. 11G26. 129 Cf ~kapimo in 1 Thess. 1.2; 2.13; 3.9; and 2 Thess. 1.3; 2.13. Cf. Peter T O'Brien, Introductory Thnnksgivingsht k Letters of P a l (NovTSup 49; Leiden: Brill, 1977); John Lee White, 'Introductory Formulae in the Body of the Pauline Letter', JBL 90 (1971), pp. 91-7; idem,Form rmdFmction of the Body of the Greek Letter (SBLDS 2; Missonla: Scholars Press, 1982); Stowers, Letter Writing; Jack T . Sanden, 'Tne Transition from Opening Epistolary Thanksgiving to Body in the Letters of the Pauiine Corpus', JBL 81 (1962), pp. 34&52.
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main sections (2.1-26 and 3.1-5.6), both of which are developed in light of the 'testing' theme of the intr~duction.'~~ However, Francis's case for a double introduction along the pattern of abc/abc founders because while 1.2-4 and 1.12-18 bear some correspondence in the theme of patient endurance and trial, the 'b'(1.5-8 and 1.19-21) and 'c' (1.9-1 1 and 1.22-25) elements have very tenuous c o ~ e c t i o n s . ' ~This ~ strncturing aside, Francis's argument for the intentional construction of the prologue to introduce and frame the content of the main body of James has merit. Though his postulation of a double-headed thanksgiving and blessing formula may be overstated, Francis's conclusion that James 1.2-27 functions as an epistolary introduction coheres with the present argument that the contrasts and associations generated in 1.2-27 significantly inform the reading of the rest of the letter. Furthermore, the general examples of Greco-Roman epistolograpy demonstrate that one of the original functions of the opening portion of an ancient letter was to set the tone and place the main body of the letter in context. While James diiers from the typical Pauline epistolary opening and does not contain a double introduction as Francis argues, 1.2-27, rather than incidental to the composition, does function similarly to the traditional epistolary introduction anticipating themes in the rest of the letter."' Secondly, it has been observed that a general characteristic of paraenetic literature is the important interpretive framework provided by the opening section of the document. Regarding the opening of paraenetic texts, H. von Lips observes: The beginning of paraenetic collections is clearly and intentionally fashioned. Foundational admonitions are found at the beginning yet without there necessarily being a connection in content to subsequent exhortations ... But it is also to be observed that thematic fundamentals are stated in the beginning to which further explicit or implicit reference is made.'33 In a recent discussion of the paraenetic shape of James, Cheung shows how the opening sections of Proverbs, Sirach, Pseudo-Phocylides, 44184,
130 Francis 'Fom and Function', p. 118. 131 See the critique of Francis in Cheun&Hennmeztics of J m s , pp. S l ; and P e m , J m rmd Eschtology, pp. 1434. 132 The argument here largely agrees with that of Penner (James md fiehatology, pp. 1384). and the major thesis of Francis ('Form and Function', p p 118-19), thaf however structured,James chapter one carefully introduces the themes taken up in the main body of the letter. 133 Yon Lips, Weiheitliche Traditionen, p. 413.
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4Q185, and 4QInstruction all introduce and set the contextual framework for the main body of each text.134 The examples of Sirach and Pseudo-Phocylides prove particularly interesting comparisons with James. Sirach 1.1-10 consists of a poem functioning as an introduction to the themes of Sirach, of which verse 1 is considered the 'topic sentence of the whole book'.135In Sirach 1.1 the sage says: 'All wisdom is from the Lord, and with him it remains forever', a sentiment restated at the beginning of the second half of the book, where personified Wisdom says: 'From the mouth of the Most High I came forth' (24.3). Accompanying the introduction (1.1-10) is an acrostic (1.1130) forming an inclusio with a similar acrostic poem in 51.13-30. The purpose of the opening acrostic poem is to 'provide the identification of "'wisdom", as Ben Sira understands the concept, with "the fear of the Lord". The two concepts are interwoven throughout the poem . . . Thus the poem is programmatic for an understanding of The Wisdom of Ben SU~.'"~ For Sirach, the double introduction (poem, 1-10; and acrostic, 11-30) anticipates the major theme and sets an interpretive framework for the rest of the text. Likewise, the loosely joined aphorisms of Pseudo-Phocylides are drawn together through an inclusio structure between the TUGTU Giiqcni[vqs] in line one of the prologue (1-2) and the TU!?TU G I K U I ~ J U in ~ Sline 229 of the epilogue (228-30). Here the epilogue effectively 'summarizes the content of the whole poem'.137 Following the prologue, lines 3-8 give a summary of the Decalogue that John J. Collins labels 'The Introductory Summary'.138 This summary functions to set forth the principles and presuppositions of the work as a whole and in turn anticipates the expansion of these themes in the rest of the The opening section of James is intentionally structured and significantly connected to what follows at times through what E. Baasland calls 'flashbacks', where key words or phrases are again taken up in expanded
134 Cheung, Hermeneutics of Jmnes, pp. 3 4 6 (Bauckham, Jmnes, p. 73; see also Bauckham's interesting example of how Leviticus 19, as a traditional epitome of the Law, wmspands to the function of James 1.2-27, pp. 14211). 135 Patrick W. Skehan and Alexander A. Di Lella, The Widlorn of Ben Siro: A New Trmlation with Notes (AB, 39; New York: Doubleday, 1987), pp. 137-8. 136 lbid., p. 143. 137 P. W. van der Horst, The Senfrmees of Pseudo-Phocylides (SVTP 4; Leiden: Brill, 1978), p. 26C. 138 John J. Collins, Jewish Wisdom hrhe HeNenistic Age @inburgh: TET Clark, 1997), p. 161. 139 lbid., pp. 161-2; von Lips, Weisheitliehe Tradtionm, p. 414; Cheung, H e m t i c s of J m , p. 35. Cheung wncludm: 'it is a general feature of wisdom paraenesis that the opening often outlines the basic elwents found in the rest of the work' @. 36).
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form.'* Von Lips suggests, specilically for James, two functions of its opening chapter. 'Exposition' denotes the section [i.e., the opening of the main body] in that the essential concerns of the author are addressed immediately at the outset. This same section must be labeled ' s w u g ' in so far as what is to unfold is earlier laid out in general, but not in the sense of a structuring or precise table of content^.'^' Thus, James 1.2-27 can be read as the author's basic concerns presented at the outset to be unpacked later. Surveying this evidence Penner concludes that the 'attempt to utilize the opening of the main body to help interpret the purpose and thrust of the letter of James is not a futile exercise, but indeed is necessitated by the structure of paraenetic documents'.'" Thus, contrary to McKnight, it is appropriate to understand the function of 1.227 as an introductory prologue, and further, that the major issue of perfection introduced in 1.2-4 does constitute a major thrust of the 1ette1.l~~ e. The Interrelation of 'Perfection' and 'Purity' in James 1.2-27 Where Elliott has argued for the importance of 'perfection' in 1.2-4 it is noteworthy that the introductory prologue is book-ended with the associated concern for 'purity' in 1.26-27. Because James 1.2-27 serves as an introductory prologue to the text, it is crucial to see that this prologue pairs the ideas of 'perfection' and 'purity' at the beginning and ending of the passage. Where most NT letters offer some kind of thanksgiving after the prescript, .lades launches into his first exhortation. The second person imperative jyrjoau8e calls the readers to attention, challenging their perception of the value of trials in the life of the believer. As argued above, this section is intentionally crafted to direct the readers to the ultimate goal of 'perfection' in 1.4. The initial exhortation to perfection is mirrored by the distillation of the author's introductory concerns for 'pure and 140 Baasland ('Literarische Farm', p. 3658) refers to this as the 'Fhhback-Effekkr. Frankemdle ('Das semantische Netz, p. 184) uses the term Stiehwortlieferant to d&be this function. 141 von Lips, Weisheitliehe Troditionen, p. 424. 142 Epktle of James nndEschatology, p. 141. 143 Several scholars have argued for this understanding of chapter one (Francis, 'Form and Fundion', p. 111; Adamson, Jmnes: Thp Man nnd His Message, pp. 92-3; Davids, Jmes, p. 25; Hartin, J m s and the Q Sayings, p. 30; FrankemBlle 'Das semantische Nee d a Jakohusbriefes', pp. 161-97; Johnson, Letter of J m s , pp. 15,37,17&5; Bauckham, Jomes, pp. 6S73; Moo, The Letter of J m , p. 44. Cheung (Hermmafics of J m s , pp. 34-6) argues that the introductory function of the initial section is common in paraenetic literature and asserts this particular fundion is true of the introdudon of James @p. 68-9, 117).
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undefled religion'. Thus the introductory prologue begins with the major concern of perfection in 1.2-4 which is then distilled in and integrally connected to the issue of purity in 1.26-27. It is crucial to note that perfection and purity, though sigdicantly connected here in James 1.2-27, are separate notions and they ought not be conflated. This relationship between perfedion and purity in James 1.2-27 may be supported further by the natural use of the initial introduction and the conclusion to clearly state one's central point. The opening section of a rhetorical discourse functions to set off the author's primary interests. Generally, issues that are broached first are understood loscally to hold particular import in one's communication. This is clearly the case in James where rather than an extended epistolary thanksgiving section the author launches into his primary point in 1.24. In conjunction with this function of the opening section of a rhetorical discourse the two prinapal functions of a rhetorical conclusion are to give a reiteration of the material (not necessarily an all inclusive summary) and to arouse the audience's emotion for the speaker's position and against any opposition.144We have noted the special function of the h a 1 aphorism in 1.2-27, specifically that this passage should be viewed as a concise distillation of James's introductory concerns. Here the author reiterates the overall importance of one's complete life of devotion to God whlch, if it is to be wholehearted, must necessarily be pure from the staining influence of 'the world'. Rhetorically not only does 1.26-27 function as a distillation of James's introductory concerns, it also acts as a concentrated, memorable statement addressing the primary source of opposition to one's wholehearted @erfect) devotion to God, namely the d u e n c e of 'the world'. In the history of scholarship on James, the thematic importance of 'perfection' has been largely articulated in the German-speaking world,14' and only recently has received detailed exposition in English. Many of these scholars have indicated the importance of the letter's opening 144 Duane Watson, 'The Rhetoric of James 3.1-12 and a Classical Pattern of Argumentation', NovT 35 (1993), pp. 4 W . 145 The theme of perfection in James has been emphasized in German-language des Jokobusbriefes; Zmijewsb scholarship (Hoppe, Der theologirche Hinterg& 'Christliche', pp. 5CL78; Frankem6lle, 'Das semantische Netz des Jakobusbriefes', pp. 16197; Popkes, Adressatm, SituotiDn und Form des Jakobusbriefes; F m MuBner, Der Jakobusbrief [3rd edn; HTKNT 1311; Freiurg: Herder, 1973, pp. 5 8 9 , 422-3; Klein 'Ein v o k o m m e ~ sW e r e Tsuji, GIauhe mirchen VoNkomnheit wrd Veweltlichung, pp. 53-4, 100-4). Though only a few recognized 'perfection' as an important theme in James (Laws, James, pp. 2832; idem, 'The Doctrinal Basis for the Ethics of lames', S E 7 [1982], pp. 29% 305; Martin, James, pp. luin-kmii; Hartin, J m s and the Q Sqings, pp. 199-217; Tame& The Scmulnlour Message of J m s , pp. 5 M 8 ; Elliott, 'Wholeness-Holiness'; Bauckham, James, pp. 1656, 17744), now Hartin (A Spifimlity of Perfection), M o o (Letter of Jnmes, pp. 4%. SO), and Cheung ( H e ~ z i c ofs J m s , especially ch. 4) have provided extended shldies of perfection in James, with Hartin devoting an entire text to the topic.
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statement on trials and endurance leading to the goal of 'perfection'.146 Elliott asserts that the opening of the letter introduces 'its major theme, the completeness and wholeness of the readers, of their community, and of their relation to God (w. 2-4) . .. This contrast between wholeness and incompleteness, further expanded upon in vv. 5-8, introduces a series of such contrasts spanning the letter from start to close .. .'I4' This coheres with the argument ahove that the contrasts in James 1.2-27 signal the themes taken up later in the discourse. Yet here we note how the topic of 'perfection' taken up first in the text has been understood as the controlling idea of the text.14' After listing several characteristics of 'perfection' gleaned from the Jewish tradition, Cheung concludes that 'Fundamental to the concept of perfection is the notion of faithfulness and undivided loyalty to God."" Regarding James's use of the theme he concludes that human perfection is directly linked to God's completeness and giving of wisdom (1.5, 17), yet is accomplished by means of obeying the word/Torah (1.20-22; 2.9) which will he manifest in living by true wisdom (1.5; 3.17) demonstrated in good works (2.14-26; 3.17-18). Thus perfection for James is to display total and unvarying commitment to God and to do good works and develop the character prescribed by the 'law of liberty' and the wisdom from above.15' Wholehearted devotion to God is contrasted with the condition of 'double-mindedness' set out in 1.5-8: Gi+uxcs is described as 'one who doubts' in 1.6 and 'unstable in all his ways' in 1.8. As we have considered above, the entire passage of 1.2-8 contrasts those who are &A~totK U ~ bAbKhqpot over against the instability and vacillation of the & ~ p Gi+uxcs. The subordinate opposition between 'asking in faith' and 'not doubting' or 'not vacillating between two options' supports this major contrast. Porter points out that elsewhere in the NT the terms rrio~tsand 6 1 a ~ p i v are o used to illustrate 'the opposition between having faith as being single-minded and being of divided purpose'.'51 In this latter passage (1.8), James most likely coins the new word 6 i + u x o ~to ' ~convey ~ the opposite of wholehearted devotion to God that he describes in 1.4. 146 Sflcally, Elliot\ 'Wholeness-Holiness', p. 72; Klein, 'Ein vollkomenes W o k : p. 65; Bauckham, J m e s , pp. 146, 165; Mao, Letter of Jmnes, pp. 4%, 56. 147 Elliott, 'Wholeness-Holiness', p. 72. 148 Klien, ' E h vvolhmmenes Werk', ch. 3. Klien also argues that 'perfection' is the central issue at stake in James, yet his assertion that 'perfection' must be understood in to a relation to the Hellenistic-Jewish thought of Philo is to be rejected for a closer &ty Jewish background (see Cheung, Hermeneutier of Jmnes, pp. 16W4). 149 Cheung, Hermeneutics of Jnmes, p. 177. This is largely based upon the semantic connection between &~EIOS and n3an. 150 Bid,pp. 193-4. 151 ~ o r t e P , ~dipmchos ls (James 1.8; 4.8) a "Christian" Word?, p. 47. 152 Bid,p. 474.
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The introductory prologue ends with the apt description of 'true religion' which summarizes much of James's thought. As considered above, the term 8 p l l o ~ ~ indicates ia the fulfillment of acts of worship, which are fitting within the author's view of reality. But the question is what kind of obligations are in view. Ethical care for the vulnerable ('widows and orphans') and concern for keeping 'oneself unstained from the world' are two issues which may be directly connected to the notion of 'perfection' outlined above. The e k c a l notion of perfection as doing good works (1.22-25; 2.14-26), especially toward the disadvantaged (2.2-5, 1417; 5.1-6), finds particular application in caring for widows and orphans in Jewish t r a d i t i ~ n . Thus ' ~ ~ 'pure and undefiled religion', namely caring for the vulnerable, is a specific component of being 'perfect and complete'. Further, maintaining a degree of separation from the 'world' in the logic of James is to live within the correct religious system or 'worldview' ordered by God. This may be further supported by the antithesis set between friendship with God and friendship with the world (4.4). As we shall argue, to 'keep oneself unstained from the world' is to resist theological and sociological acculturation and the dividedness that attends those who attempt to live both for God and for 'the world'. If 'perfection' for James means to maintain wholehearted devotion to God (the opposite of 'double-mindedness') and if 'pure and undefiled religion' is to maintain separation from the dominant cultural value system ('the world'), then, withim the logic of James 1.2-27, these two ideas are cast in an integral relationship. The reader's wavering or unwavering relationship to God will be directly affected by their degree of cultural separation from the surrounding dominant value system. One's 'purity' theologically and socially is directly affected by proximity to 'the world'. The fact that 'perfection' and 'purity' as used in James 1.2-27 may be viewed as two aspects of the same concern (devotion to God) makes the pairing of 1.2-4 (introduction) with 1.26-27 ('conclusion') plausible. We will further consider how these issues are related in the following chapter, but it is enough to say for now that one cannot understand the notion of perfection in James without reference to the use of purity language in the letter.
4 . Summary and Conclusion In this chapter we have argued that James, in light of our understanding of first century letter writing, should be read as a letter and therefore the 153 Deut. 10.18; 14.28; 16.11, 14; 24.17-21; 26.12, 13; 27.19; Isa 1.17; Jer. 5.28; Ezek. 22.7; Zech. 7.10; Pss. 10.14, 18; 68.5; 94.6; 146.9;Prov. 23.10; Sir. 4.10(see also, Philo, Spec. Leg. 1.308, 310; 4.176).
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ascription of sender and audience in 1.1 must be taken as a s i m c a n t clue for determining the setting of the text. Further, the address 'the twelve tribes in the diaspora' should be read as a reference to Jewish Christians living outside of the land of Israel and thus the audience(s) exist in a precarious context where both internal and external boundaries are threatened and in need either of maintenance or construction (this, in Douglas's terms, is an 'undehed' context). With respect to James's epistolary situation we have shown above that the text employs polar oppositions as a rhetorical strategy to present two sharply contrasting choices before readers who are living as religious and social minorities. One choice is obviously negative and the other positive. As these contrasts are presented in the text, the readers are led to a point of decision. There are several overarchmg contrasts which are introduced first in the prologue and constitute the major concerns of the work as a whole. Furthermore, the introductory prologue not only establishes the major contrasts of the letter but it also signals the key association between perfection (wholehearted devotion to God) and purity (separation from 'the world'). It is within the framework of the contrasts and associations introduced in the prologue that the body of the text must be read. The three major observations of this chapter, the precarious diaspora context, the emphasis upon polar contrasts, and the connection of perfection (1.2-4) and purity (1.26-27) within the introductory function of the prologue, provide key textual indicators within which we must analyze James's use of purity language. In what ways would purity be a concern for those abiding in a diaspora context, especially with regard to the function of the language as a marker for both internal and external boundaries? It will be necessary to ask whether purity language functions similarly to other polar oppositions, namely to lead readers to make decisions between various beliefs and behaviors. Finally, because perfection and purity are linked in James 1.2-27 one cannot understand the notion of perfection without recourse to purity, but particularly how do these themes interrelate in the text? We need then to turn our attention to analyzing the purity terminology in the text within these key textual features.
Chapter 4
Fundamentally the language of purity and pollution separates one sphere from another. It is boundary language distinguishing differences and encircling similarities. Purity language, in this way, functions l i e the l i e s of a map upon which the core values of an ancient society are charted. It is a way to order or 'label' objects, places, actions, individuals, and ideologies. The language of purity bounds a particular 'world' in a text. Readers of such texts are encouraged to equate the textually constructed 'world' with objective reality.' The 'world' as used here is similar to C. Geertz's description of 'world view': the picture.. . of the way things in sheer actuality are, [a culture's] most comprehensive ideas of order. In religious belief and practice a group's ethos is rendered intellectually reasonable by being shown to represent a way of life ideally adapted to the actual state of affairs the world view describes, while the world view is rendered emotionally convincing by being presented as an image of an actual state of affairspediarly wellarranged to accommodate such a way of life.' In this way purity language marks the boundary between areas of socioreligious 'danger' and 'safety'. And these 'lines' appear upon a map that is thought to be an accurate rendering of reality-a worldview. Thus purity and pollution must be understood as significant labels functioning as building blocks of a textually created world vie^.^ As boundary language, purity may reference several different types of line drawing. It may be used to draw lines between what is sacred or 1 Peter L. Berger, The Sncred Cmtopyr Elemmts of a Sociological Theory of Religion (New York: Anchor Books, 19W; 1967), p. 9. This 'world' or nornos is made real through objedivation and 'stands outside the subjectivity of the individual as, indeed, a world. In other words, the humanly produced world attains the character of objective reality.' 2 Clifford Gee&, The I~terprefntion of Culftaes (New York: Basic Books, 1973),pp. 8% 90. 3 Conway ('Toward a Well-Formed Subject', pp. 10320) spedfically d i s c u s s how purity and pollution function in creating a 'worldview' the readen of the Community Rule should accept.
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profane (i.e., what is wholly devoted to God and what is not), or it may perhaps draw lines between social groups, or ideologies, drawing a line between a group and its surrounding culture. The task at hand is to categorize the specific purity 'lines' in James and to consider how these lines reveal the contours of James's particular worldview. The thesis thus far is that purity language, rather than merely a metaphor for morality or a reference to 'ritual' purity, both constitutes a major category for James and also maintains and creates an ordered view of reality for author and audience. The goal of the present analysis is to identify the uses of purity language in the composition and ask whether there is a consistent concern articulated by such language. It may be that purity and pollution mark off 'the world', as James puts it, from friendship with God, thus calling the audience to construct or maintain a boundary between themselves and Grew-Roman culture and continuity within the groups addressed in the letter. These concerns correspond to two of Douglas's four kinds of precarious boundary marked by purity language, namely the danger resulting from internal contradiction and pressure exerted upon an external boundary. Finally, because one cannot understand the text's concern for 'perfection' without an adequate understanding of purity, the final section of this chapter offers an account of how perfection and purity are related.
1. Analysis of Purity Language in James a. Analysis of Texts 1. James 1.19-21 In James 1.21 we discover the first allusion to purity. 'Therefore put away (ixrro88p~vo1)all filthiness (burrapiav) and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls' (RSV). The concern of the paragraph consisting of 1.19-21 is announced in the three-lined aphorism of 19b that exhorts the readers not to engage in hasty angry speech because human anger cannot accomplish the righteousness of God. The remedy for this anger manifest in indiscrete speech is offered in verse 21, signaled by the strong connective 'therefore' (61b). Because human anger does not accomplish the 'righteousness of God', the inferential command is to 'put away' something and 'receive' something else. The participle &rro88p~vo1 ('put away') should be rendered as an independent imperatival verb and here it is used figuratively of the rejection of vices? In other Christian uses of 4 Moo comments 'Greek participles in these situations often become virtually equivalent to the imperative verbs they depend on. So the independent command that we 6nd in most English translations is jusaed here' (~ecterof Jmnes, p. 86).
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this term5 the idea of putting away or stripping off corresponds to a total conversion from a previous way of l i e or complete change of lifestyle and some have argued for a similar use here.=Yet, for the exhortation to gain a hearing among those readmg this text, it seems that both author and audience must accept the same system which valued 'putting off filth' and 'receiving with meekness the implanted word'. And because the letter is already addressed to those who are a part of the believing community (1.1), this phrase must be directed toward believers. Consequently the notion of 'putting off should not be viewed as 'conversion' language but as 'repentance' language.7 And as repentance language it is directly connected to an understanding of the community's identity. The community is to be pure (not 'filthy') by means of receiving the implanted word. The readers are to 'put away all filthiness (rrgoav burrapiav)' and 'rank growth of wickedness' ( r r ~ p ~ o o ~ i~a va ~ i a s )The . term 'filthiness' (burrap&), a New Testament hapax legomenon, may literally denote something dirty, or soiled, for example filthy clothes (F'lutarch, Phoc. 750 [18.4]; Sib. Or. 5, 188; Josephus, Ant. 7.11.3 $267) or ear wax ( b h o s , Artiiedoms, 1.24). James uses burrpbs with this sense to describe the clothing of the poor man entering the assembly in 2.2. Yet in Zechariah's vision of Satan accusing the high priest, Joshua is dressed in 'filthy clothes' ( i p & ~ iburrapa, a Zech. 3.4 LXX). And as the angel defends Joshua from his accuser he commands those with Joshua the high priest to strip off his filthy clothes, after which the angel says. 'See, I have taken your guilt (&voMias) away from you, and I will clothe you with festal apparel' (Zech. 3.4). Here the filth associated with Joshua's clothing is a reference to his guilt or moral defilement that made him vulnerable to Satan's accusation.* In this sense burrapiav denotes the state of moral uncleanness or 5 Cf 1 Pet. 2.1; Eph. 4.25; 1 Clem. 13.1. As a metaphor from taking off clothing as in Heb. 12.1 (stripping for the race); Rom. 13.12 where 'put away the works of darkness' is set in contrast to 'put on the amor of light' (dEph. 4.22). 6 Davids, .I-s, p. 94; Verseput, 'Faith and Deeds', pp. 100-1. 7 Jackson-McCabe asserts that the 'author aims to induce in his intended audience rornerhtnp mom appiopn~wlycharactcrvd as "repcnr;incc." than ;l\ "wnvc.nion'" ILogor dml L w , p. 188). ' 7 u r 11 ruppurtd by rhe argument of 5 19-2U that any who havc'wndr.rzrl from the -truth'be 'hlmedh'back'and from the call to repentance from friendship with the world in 4.7-10. He continues by saying, 'In this respect, Johon's use of the term "conversion" in connection with the aim of the letter as a whole ... is not ~articularlv . hel~ful . . . it LS clc.ar frdm the 1r.ttr.r as a whole rhar rheauthor pmupp,res thst his intended aud~ence a l r d v h&s mmc mannsr of "Faith Icf. IUcln, Lin ~~ollkomntrm~r Werk, . D 471. . T u thi, cxtcnt, "conve~sion"seems an inappropriate paradigm for characterizing the rhetorical aim of the p. 188 n. 197). letter' (Logosand*, 8 The New Testament takes up this imagery equating one's clothing with moral behavior or character: Mt. 22.11 (the wedding garment); Rev. 3.4.8; 7.14; 19.18 (white -ents as the symbol of purity).
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defilement (F'lutarch, Mor. 60D; Test. Sol. 10.12). The notion of 'filth' as moral defilement that is dangerous to the community is echoed in 1.27, where true reliaon entails keeping oneself 'unstained from the world' (&orrtAovbau~6vT T + ~&rr; E ? VTOG K ~ O U 'Filthinessi )? here is connected to 'rank growth of wickedness' metaphorically, thus putbng away 'filthiness' is a figure for ceasing from wickedness. James's concern for correct moral behavior, wluch 1s an identifying feature of the community to which he writes, is expressed in terms of taking off the garment of defiling conduct. Johnson notes that withln this exhortation to put aside moral defilement is a 'rejection of one measure for another';'' a contrast which is apparent with respect to the antithetically parallel exhortation to 'receive with meekness ( r r p a i k q ~the ~ ) implanted word'. As a rejection of one measure for another the emphasis rests upon the manner in which the 'implanted word' is received, namely 'with meekness' (kv TIP&T~TI) in contrast to anger (bp~)which does not accomplish God's righteousness. Instead of embracing a life-style of moral pollution associated with human anger, James's readers are challenged to receive the 'implanted word' in keeping with the socially constructed norms of the wmmunity. Usually commentators connect r r p a i i ~ qto~6itaoBs ~ and thus the exhortation is to 'receive with meekness'. However Laws correctly observes that mpuljq~t could qualify either the participle &rro88v~vo1 or the verb 6 8 ~ ~ o B aAnd .~' its position between the two suggests that it should be taken with both verbs, for 'meekness' is the essential attitude to he adopted in putting off filthiness and receiving the implanted word.'' In terms of purity, lines are drawn between the morally defiling behavlor of the believer and the meek reception of the implanted word. In order to reject the wickedness of 'filthiness' one must receive in 'meekness', a quality associated with the 'lowly' (1.9), 'poor' (2.5), and 'humble' (4.6). Those in the category of 'lowly', 'poor', and 'humble' are consistently elevated as examples for James's readers because on account of their inability to provide for themselves they lack security and basic subsistence and therefore exercise wholehearted dependence upon God. When in danger of transgressing this particular purity line, members must 'receive the implanted word' mth the characteristic desperate need associated with the 'meek' or 'lowly'. Receiving 'with meekness' the 'implanted word' is the means by which one can strengthen the boundary separahng what is morally defiling to the readers (human anger) and the community's shared
9 Johnson, Letter ofJnmes, p. 201. 10 Ibid., p. 200. 11 Laws, James, p. 82. 12 See Baker, Personal Speech-h'thics, p. 89
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salvation. Continuing in moral defilement, in James's construal of reality, is a position of danger. Yet how are we to understand the phrase 'the implanted word'? The temZp@~~ov is a hapax legomenon in the NT and only occurs once in the LXX (Wis. 12.10), where it is used with its usual sense of 'innate' or 'natural'.13 Hort argues for this meaning because he views the reference to 'the word of truth' in 1.18 as referring to creation as opposed to the gospel. Thus he understands 'innate word' as referring to 'the original capacity involved in the Creation in God's image which makes it possible for a man to apprehend a revelation at all'.14 This is very similar to Jackson-McCabe's argument that b A~YOS is philosophically connected to the Stoic theory that human reason comprises divinely given 'natural' laws which are implanted preconceptions &I+UTOS npoAq+s) and the innate disposition to f o m concepts like 'good' and 'evil'.'' However this view does not account for why something 'innate' should be received and the implication of the following context is that one can choose whether or not to do the 'word' (1.22-25) which does not correspond well to the notion of the Stoic idea of the 'innate' logos. in Barnabas 1.2: 'so deeply implanted Cheung points to the use of %vc$~ov (fp$~u~ov) is the grace of the spiritual gift that you have received'; and 9.9: 'He also placed within us the implanted (IE@uTov)gift of hi covenant', to show that the term may be used in the context of a gift bestowed which is not 'innate'. Cheung considers whether the implanted word of 1.21 is 'as powerful as, if not more powerful than, the inborn wickedness or evil inclination humans find within their inborn nature (cf. Jas 1.1415)' and thus 'the phrase "implanted w o r d refers to the word planted in the new n a t ~ r e ' . 'Finally ~ he concludes that the 'idea is not receiving the gospel truth in conversion, but rather on learning and understanding the word of hth'.17 This reasoning on Cheung's part is convincing and, though he does not draw this connection, the manner of receiving the word becomes the foundational reason for certain behavior. Because as a gift the new wvenant has been implanted, the readers should reject the pollution of wicked behavior. Rather than allowing human anger to foster defiling wickedness, readers should become doers of the word (1.22-25). Because the lines of purity are drawn to distinguish proper from improper ethical behavior of the reader, the language here is afigurative 13 Johnson, Letter of J m s , p. 202. Johnson lists Herodotus, Persinn War 9.94; Plato, Symposium 191D, Phnedrvr 237D as occurrences of this usual sense. 14 F. J. A. Hort, The Epafle of St. J m s (London: Maanillan, 1909), p. 37. 15 Jackson-McCabe, Logos mul Lmv. See also, Dibelius, J m s , p. 113. 16 Cheung, H m m t i c s of J m s , pp. 8WO. Konradt (ChristlicheExisteru, pp. 8 5 9 0 ) also understands the 'implanted word' as having the power to save one from the Nil desires of 1.15. 17 Bid, p. 92.
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label for transgression. Though no physical purification or removal rite is in view, by analogy one may regain 'purity' through 'putting away' the 'filth' or wickedness by meekly receiving the implanted word. This is figurative language marking real behavior. As Johnson has argued, putting off filthiness and receiving the implanted word in the manner of meekness is the rejection of one measure for another. This assessment is plausible yet may be sharpened. Putting off Jilthiness is a challenge to repent from the pollution resulting from adopting the alien values and behavior of a different construal of reality, one contrary to God's righteousness. Specifically it is to reject human anger, which is divisive, destroying community and cohesion by means of hasty speech (1.19), and to embrace God's righteousness through the consummate characteristic of those chosen by God-meekness. Here James's readers are challenged by the line drawn between the morally polluting behavior of human anger in imprudent speech (resulting in internal conflict) and the quality of 'meekness' in receiving the implanted word.
2. James 1.26-27 As considered above, the function of 1.2-27 is to introduce the controlling contrasts and associations woven throughout the rest of the letter and verses 26-27 are placed at the end of the introductory prologue to draw the section to a close. Aptly placed then, this aphorism has been carefully crafted and given priority as a concluding distillation of James's wisdom. Therefore the thematic importance of these two verses cannot be overemphasized in our understanding of the letter. Here true religion is defined lirst in negative ('worthless') then positive ('pure and &blemished') terms.'' Key to understanding the passage is the term 'religion' (8pqo~~ia) which only occurs four times each in the LXX and the NT. @ p q o ~ ~appears ia twice in the Wisdom of Solomon (14.18, 27) where it' refers to idol worship and twice in 4 Maccabees where Antiochus refers to the 'religion' of the Jews (5.7, 13). There are two occurrences of the term in the NT outside of James. In Colossians 2.18 it is used to describe the 'worship of angels' or 'worshipping of angels' (Opqm~iuTGV&yy6Amv) and Luke attributes the use of the term to Paul with reference to Jewish worship of God (Acts 26.5).19 Thus the term can be used positively (a favorite term of Josephus, Ant. 19.5.2; 20.1.2; 13.8.2 speaks of the respect of Antiochus VII for the Jewish religion; Acts 26.5) 18 Bauckham (.I-S, pp. 7&1) argues that there is no distinct train of thought running through verses 26 and 27 and they are thus distinct aphorisms, one articulating what true religion is not and the other promoting what mre religion is in fact. 19 The term appears in later Chistian literatwe comparing Jewish and Christian worship: 'We have written enough to you, brothers, about the things which pertain to our religion (8pqrmriay (I Clem. 62.1).
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and negatively.'' The NT passages may be divided between both negative and positive uses of the term and Schmidt asserts that one must emphasize that 'the bad sense is not intrinsically necessary'.21The objective genitive following the term is what gives it either a positive or negative meaning. It is a more plastic term that can be used to describe the negative aspects of devotion to a deity or the positive. Thus the emphasis is not on 'religion' but its description as 'pure and undefiled'. Whereas the specifically cultic aspect of the term is evident," the meaning of the term should not be restricted merely to the cultic dimension of worship, but denotes the total expression of a religion, both internal and e~ternal.'~ In the flow of 1.19-27, this aphorism arguing for 'pure and undefiled' religion reinforces both the exhortation to be a 'doer of the word' in 1.2225 and to 'put away' moral defilement and with meekness 'receive' the implanted word in 1.21. Yet the dividing line in the preceding contexts is drawn with reference to individuals as they are positioned within the group. That is, distinctions between 'putting off and meek 'receiving' and between the 'mere hearer' and the 'doer of the word' draw a line between actions of readers and lead them to a choice as to how they will align themselves internally. The implied contrast in 1.26-27 between 'pure and undefiled' and its opposite, defiled religion, is used rhetorically by the author either to shame or warn the readers that they are in danger of aligning themselves with a different socio-religious system. The line in 2 6 27 is drawn to force readers to choose between two different systems and their constituent core values. In the first, or negative instance, religion is linked in 1.26 to speech ethics: 'If any one thinks he is religious (epqcntk), and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion (8prlm~ia) is worthless.' Here uncontrolled speech and self-deception are related to improper or defiled religion. Religion that fails to result in the control of the tongue is deemed 'worthless' (pa~alos).O p q o ~ ~isi ahere used in an ironic sense for those who fail to 'bridle' the tongue ([ah~vaywycjv),or are deceitful," 20 For example, Philo, Spec. Laws 1.315 and Worse21; Wis. 11.15; 14.17, 18,27 and Col. 2.18 which describes an attack on worship of angels as the wrong worship. 21 TDNT3.157. 22 BDAG (8.". p. 459) refers to worship especially in the wnted of cultic rites (see Johnson, Letter of J m s , p. 211). Dibelius also stresses the d t i c aspect of Bpqonsia stating: 'the pious person, in quotation marks, who is distinguished not by a pious attitude in general, but by the fd6llment of the religious (in the thought of antiquity, this meam "dtic') obligatio-this is the sense of "reli@on" (Opqmia)' ( J m , p. 121). Hemeutics of Jmnes, p. 124. Verseput ('Faith and Deeds', pp. 1014) 23 Chdehes 'religion' here as: 'the practice of obUpations wmeded with the veneration of a supernatural being, whether of individual religious rites or of the entire religious system by which the deity was honoured'. 24 Johnson is correct to point out that &nar&v should be understood in its usual sense of 'deceive' rather than 'give pleasure to' (Letter of J m s , mpp. 21G11).
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and demonstrate they do not possess real religion at all. The one who is faultless in speech, bridling his tongue, is later described by James as a 'perfect man' (TQAEIW & 4 p )who is able to keep the entire body in check (3.2). Uncontrolled, deceitful speech disrupts cohesion and is deemed 'worthless' religion rather than 'pure and undefiled'. The author declares that this individual is not aligned with the correct construal of the 'world', his religion is 'worthless'. That this kind of religion is 'worthless' is significant. The term p a ~ a ~ o ~ is used in the LXXdescribing idols and idol worship as worthless (Jer. 2.5; 10.3).25 Jeremiah's point is that rendering service to idols, things fundamentally not God, is worthless or not 'pure and undefled' religion at all. Here the line is drawn between the one m verse 26 who 'thinks he is religious' and really is not at aU because his 'religion' is worthless and 'pure and undefiled religion' in verse 27. The one deceitful and loose in speech is implicitly on the impure side of the line. This individual is in danger because his 'worthless' religion is likened unto the idolatry of worshipping stones as the world does. This is tantamount to the idolatrous alliance with the world (4.4) to which James refers later. Identifying the alliance between 'worthless religion' and the 'staining' influence of the world reinforces the implicit impurity of this so-called 'religion' in 1.26. One who thinks himself to be religious in this wrong sense 'deceives his own heart'. In \crse 27, the author conveys the primary concern of the composition: 'religion that is pure and undcfikcl kforc God, the Fathcr'. Here the line is clearly drawn between true or 'pure and undefiled' religion and 'worthless religion' (1.26-y implication impure. Both in the LXX and the NT, ~aBap6srefers to physical purity (e.g., ritual purity qualifying one for cultic use; Lev. 7.19; 10.10; 13.17, etc.; Mt. 23.26, 35; Heb. 10.22) and to moral purity (Fs'. 51.10; Hab. 1.13; Prov. 12.27; Job 8.6; 33.9; Tob. 3.14; Test. Ben. 8.2;Mt. 5.8; 1Pet. 1.22; 1Tim. 1.5;3.9;2Tim.2.22).261tcanalso mean 'morally free' from evil (Gen. 24.8; 2 Sam. 22.24, 25; Mt. 23.26; Jn 13.10). Hauck notes that in Diaspora Judaism there is a trend toward 'spiritualizing' the older concept of ritual purity in favor of the ethical and spiritual connotations thus highlighting its metaphorical use." This 'metaphorical' use is evident in Josephus where there is an emphasis upon the purity of the soul and conscience (J.W. 6.48), a concern also present in Philo (Unchangeuble 132; Drunkenness 143; Planting 64). Likewise, the term 'undefiled' (&piuv~og)is used in the LXX with reference to the ritually undefled temple (2 Macc. 14.36; 15.34) and to 25 See Acts 14.15; 1 Pet. 1.18. 26 Sigui6cantly on a few occasions D'tmpn is translated as xa8apk in the LXX (Gen. 20.5, 6). And at other times it is found togethcr with 6psvrrros in Job 4.17; 11.4; 33.9. 27 TDNT 3.417.
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moral purity (Wis. 3.13; 4.2; 8.20; Heb. 7.26; 13.4; 1 Pet. 1.4). The related term ptaivo is frequently used in the LXX for rendering someone or something ritually Impure (Lev. 5.3; 11.24; 13.3; Deut. 21.23) but can also refer to moral aspects of purity as well (Gen. 34.5, 13, 27; Lev. 18.24-28; LXX Ps. 105.39). Yet, in the present context the terms 'pure' and 'undefiled' set out a contrast hetween it and the 'worthless' religion in 1.26. It is important to note that what James calls 'pure and undefiled' religion is qualified as such 'before God and the Father' (rrapa T@ a&@ ~ a rra~pi). i The rrapa here can be taken as suggesting sphere: 'in the sight/judgment of God' (Rom. 2.13; 1 Cor. 3.19; 7.24; 1 Pet. 2.20) ~ndicatrngthe ultimate standard by which all aspects of worshp, thought, and conduct should be assessed and will in the end he judged. The perspective from which this religion is 'pure and undefiled' is 'with reference to God's scale of meas~rement'.~~ Furthermore, the prepositional phrase rrapa TGBE@ along with the similar phrase in verse 27 (hrrb TOG K&C~OV), 'clearly suggest an opposition between God and the world'.z9 This rhetoric effectively demonstrates that the author does not wish to cast the two types of religion as equal but opposite, but rather he refers to God as the only one who approves pure religion, effectively demonstratmg that there is only one way to construe the ordered 'world'. It is God's perspective that functions as the key indicator separating worthless religion from 'pure and undefiled religion'. The definition of acceptable religion in the sight of God is first characterized as looking after orphans and widows in their af3iction. The concern for the weak and vulnerable takes up a traditional issue of covenantal obligation emphasized in the Torah (Exod. 22.20-21; 23.9; Lev. 19.9-10; 19.33; 23.22; Deut. 10.17-19; 14.28-29; 16.9-15; 24.17-18; 26.15), and the prophets (Amos 2.6-8; 3.2; Hos. 12.8-9; Mic. 3.1-4; Zeph. 1.9; Zech. 7.8-10). Here orphans and widows are particular representations of a broader class of vulnerable individuals. In Jeansh tradition there were four types of the poor and vulnerable: widows, orphans, sojourners (resident aliens), and day laborers. These individuals were disadvantaged and in need of protection because either they could not work or they did not own land and thus were open to attack and abuse by the powerful. 'Pure and undefiled' religion is defined by the action 'to visit' ( ~ W I ~ K ~ Tthese C T Evulnerable O ~ ~ L )individuals. The notion of the verb conveys the idea of visiting with the intent to help and, in the LXX, is often associated with dlvme oversight of those who are unable to help
28 Johnson, Letter of James, p. 212 29 Wachob, Voice of Jesus, p. 83.
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themselves (Gen. 21.1; 50.24-25; Exod. 3.16; 4.31; Sir. 46.14; Jdt. 8.33):' The issue of care for the disadvantaged reoccurs throughout James (2.113, 15-16; 5.1-6) and may be explicitly connected to fulfilling the 'royal law' which is to love one's neighbor (2.8)." As the lines of purity drawn in 1.21 were concerned with the believer adopting the attitude of the lowly, namely 'meekness', here the k s t characteristic of 'pure and undefiled religion' is to help the lowly, those who are vulnerable and unable to care for themselves and who are the characteristic examples of wholehearted devotion to God. The second characteristic of 'pure and undefiled religion' is to keep oneself 'unstained' (&orrtAov)from the 'world' (TOGK ~ V O The U ) .inhitive q p ~ i with v a double predicate indicates the need 'to maintain a certain condition or stance'?'James3s audience is to keep &ornAoswith respect to 'the world', that is, to maintain a particular purity boundary between them and 'the world'. The term &ornAosis not found in the LXX and only appears four times in the NT.Two of these NT occurrences pair tlie term with & p o ~ o'unblemished' s (1 Pet. 1.19, with reference to Christ as an 'unblemished' lamb; 2 Pet. 3.14)" while in 1 Timothy 6.14 &orriAos appears with q p h : 'I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.' In order to correctly determine the context of &cmtAos we must first understand what James means by 'world'. James uses KWVOS five times in the letter (1.27; 2.5; 3.6; 4.4 [2x]), each time with the definite article. In challenging his readers with the incongruity of believing in Jesus Christ and practicing favoritism, James rhetorically asks in 2.5, 'Has God not chosen the poor in the world (T@ ~ b ~ toqbe) rich in faith? Though a few manuscripts read TOG ~ b v o u , the dative is well attested and makes better sense here.% The phrase TG ~ & s v qshould be read as a dative of advantage35and thus 'poor in the eyes of the world'. The syntactical construction here emphasizes that it is 30 See Sir. 4.10: 'Be a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than docs your mother.' 31 McKnight, 'A Parting Within the Way', pp. 117-18. 32 lobnson cites 1 Cor. 7.37; 2 Car. 11.9; 1 Tim. 5.22; 6.14; and Wis. 10.5. 'I kept myself blameless' as evidence (Letter of James, p. 212). 33 In Jude 24, several manuscripts read aonthous eithet beside avouws or earlier in the verse (cf. pn, C 945, 1243,1505) and thus may add weight to understanding the two terms as commonly being used together. 34 Davids understands the genitive a s a scribal attempt to smooth out the grammar (James, p. 112). 35 As in Daniel Wallace, Greek Grmnmar Beyond tk Bosics (Grand Rapids. Zondnvan, 1996), p. 144, or a datiws comma*. For commentatorswho understand the dativein this way cf. Johnson,Bother of Jesus, Friendof God, p. 212; Ropes, St. James, pp. 193-4; Dibelius, J m , p. 138; Davids, J m s , pp. 1 1 1-12; Martin, James, pp. 6 4 5 ; Moo, Letter of J m m , p. 107; poce Laws, Jomes, p. 103, who takes it as a dative of respect.
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from the perspective or valuation of the world that these people are counted poor or low in social and economic status.36 Rather than humanity in general, 'the world' here is the system of order contrary to the heavenly order, 'a measure distinguishable from ~ o d ' s ' .In ~ ~3.6 James identifies the tongue as a 'world of wickedness' (b K~U!JGS riis &til~ias), or taken adjectivally, 'a wicked world' which 'stains (untAoGua) the whole body'. Though the issues of translation and interpretation in this passage are complex, we can state here that James understands ~ & p o swith the nuance of the sinful w o r ~ d - s ~ s t ethat m ~ 'stains' ~ or 'defiles' the body (akin to the understanding of 'world' in the Johanine epistles, 1 Jn 2.15-17). Finally, in 4.4 James uses K&OS twice in conjunction with friendship. 'You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world (TOG K & ~ O U ) is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world (TOGK ~ U ~makes O U ) himself an enemy of God.' The notion of friendship (@~Aia) in the Greco-Roman world meant above all to share, that is, to have the same mindset, the same outlook, the same view of reality.39To be a friend of the world is to live in harmony with the values and logic of the world in the context of James 4.1-10, namely envy, rivalry, competition, and murder. Friendship language is the language of alliance or coalition and here in 4.4 those allying themselves with 'the world' are labeled 'adulteresses', or those unfaithful to covenant relationship. These references to 'the world' in James refer to something more than the material world or humanity in general; it is the entire cultural value system or world order which is hostile toward what James frames as the divine value stern."^ 36 Note the similar use of a dative of advantage with regard to the 'poor' (moxoi) in Mt. 5.3: Madptot oi m40i TG mzli~an.This usage of the dative indicates that the poor may be viewed from different vantage points and spe&cally in James, because it is from the world's vantage point, this is the wrong point of vim. 37 J o h a n , Brother of Jrsus, p. 212. Laws (James, p. 174) argues that korld' in James denotes 'in general the values of human society as against those of God, and hence the man who pursues pleasure aligns himself with the world and compromises or actually denies his relationship with God' (6. Cheung, Hermeneutics of Jnmes, pp. 202-3). 38 There is evidence of the pre-Christian use of 'world' with this nuance, 1 Ea. 48.7; 108.8; T. Jos. 4.6. 39 The allusion to friendship with the world is quite stdking when viewed against the background of the traditional Greek use of the idea of friendship in moral teaching. It stressed the essential equality and unity of friends; they were 'one soul'(Euripides, Orates 1046);they 'share all things in common' (Adstotle, Eth. nie. 9.82; Plutarch, Mornlia 96F. 'On Having Many Friends' 8); a friend is 'another self (Eth. nic. 11664 Cicero, De micitin 21.80); furthermore, friends 'saw things the same way' for in friendship there is 'equality' (Platto, Laws 757A; 7443; Aristatle, Eth. nie. 1157B; Plutarch, Mornlia 484B-C. 'On Brotherly Love' 12; see Johnson, Letter of James, pp. 2 4 H ) . 40 Moo comments in this regard. 'The 'korld" is a common biblical way of referring to the ungodly worldview and lif&le that characterizes human life in its estiangement f&m the -tor. Christians who have ended that estrangement by accepting the reconciling work
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Thus the context in which to place the meaning of &orrtAos in 1.27 is precisely its relationship to 'the world' as a system of valuation. For Berger and L u c h a n n the highest level of legitimation for a society is the 'symbolic u~iverse'?~ This symbolic universe is the 'allembracing frame of reference' within which all human experience can be conceived as takiig place." Symbolic universes serve as 'sheltering canopies over the institutional order as well as over individual biographies' and 'set the limits of what is relevant in terms of social intera~tion'?~ Berger and Luchann's concept of symbolic universes corresponds to Geertz's notion of 'worldviews' mentioned above. According to Geertz, a society's worldview is 'their picture of the way things in sheer actuality are, their concept of nature, of self, of society. It contains their most comprehensive ideas of order'." Edward Adams comments that '[tlhe theologies expressed in the New Testament writings may he viewed as symbolic universes ...' and has helpfully demonstrated how Paul's use of ~6oposfunctions as 'worldbuilding' language.45 For Plato, ~ b p o 'designates s the ordered unity in which heaven and earth, gods and human beings are bound together (Gorg. 507*508)'.~~Adams continues: 'One of the elements of the worldview encoded by ~ b p o (= s world/universe) ... was the assumption that there is a natural relation between the social order and the cosmic order.'47 Similarly, ~ b p w marks social/wsmic order, or worldview, in James. In order not to confuse terms, in what follows worldview will refer to this social/cosmic order and instances of 'the world' (0 K&W) in the text of James will appear in Greek. In this regard James actually presents two different socially constructed realities or worldviews. One worldview he refers to as b ~ b p o snamely , the system of valuation and organization of language and' behavior which has the ability to 'stain', and another worldview which the readers are to embrace as 'pure and undefiled' in the sight of God. Readers are to keep themselves 'unstained' from the contagious pollutant of b ~ b p o g'from , a society regulated by the polluted of God in Christ must wnstanuy work to distance themselves from the way of life that surrounds us on every si&to keep themselves "spotless" ... f m the world's contaminating iduence' (Letter of Jmnes,p. 97). 41 Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann, The Social Comtruction of Reality: A Treatise in the Socioloav o f h w l e d z e (Hamondsworth:Penwin. oo. 110-46. Bereer - . 1967)..... (Sacred Cmopy, p. 2&iers to theact'of religious 'world-buildinggas constructing a sac;& cosmos. 'Religion is the human entarise hv which a sacred cosmos is established.' 42 Ibid., 114. 43 Ibid., p. 120. 44 Geertz, The Interpretation of Culkmes, pp. 89-90. 45 Edward Adams, Comnucting the World A Study in P & Cosmologid Language ( S N T W ; Fdinburph: T&T Clark, 2000). 46 Bid,p. 47. 47 Bid.,p. 69.
i.
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values of [o ~b~osl'!' For the author of James there is really only one worldview or system of valuation that correctly orders reality and that worldview he refers to here as 'pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father'. Any one who thinks himself 'religious' in any other sense is deceitful, or in the language of verse 27, he is allowing himself to be 'stained' or contaminated by b ~ b v o s Within . the framework of the letter this is a call to maintain the distinction along the ideological boundary separating a worldview ordered by God and one ordered by b ~ b p o s . What is implied in this ideological boundary? That is, how must one maintain 'religion' which in the sight of God is ~ a 8 a p aand &wiav~os and keep oneself 'unstained from the world'? Does maintaining this boundary line include physical or ritual separation from specific people or objects or does it only refer to rejecting the cultural value system of b ~ b o ~ oMany s? scholars have noted that there is no explicit evidence to suggest that James is taking up the concept of ritual purity of common Judaism in this aphorkm!' As we have considered above, ritual purity played an important part both in Israel's cult and the individual lives of first century Jews. Purity was a distinctive element in Jewish identity particularly distinguishing Jews from the Gentiles. Common elements or symbols that consolidated Jewish identity were monotheism, election, Torah, and Templeand with respect to the Torah and Temple, purity rites.'' As many diachronic surveys of the literature show, different Jewish groups distinguished themselves from one another by means of different interpretations of the purity laws." Differences involving rit~talpurity were often integrated with attitudes toward the Temple and the worship 48 Elliott, 'Holiness-Wholeness', p. 73. He caments further. 'Here holy worship of God and care for the most vulnerable in the community is declared incompatible with alliance with a polluting society and its contrary "worldly" standards of valuation' (cf. Johnson, Brother of Jmrs, Friend of God p. 212). 49 Cheung, Hermeneutics ofJnmes, p. 126; Laws,James, pp. 91-2; Dibelius, James, p. 121; 0.J. F. Seitz, 'James and the Law', pp. 47246. Johnson (Brother o f J e w , p. 8) states: 'James does not connect noms to any form of ritual observance. Besides not mentioning cir-cision, he shows no interest in special days or feasts (contrast Gal. 4.9-11; 5.24, 12; 6.12; Col. 2.161, or in dietary or purity regulations (contrast Col. 2.21). James makes no mention of any sort of meal, and certainly betrays no interest in a pure table-fellowship.' Yet see Bruce Chiltan's (A F& ofMmings: Eucharistic Theob~iesfromJ w to Johnnine Circle [Leiden: Brill, 19941,pp. 9G108) effoas to corned James to disputes cancerningmeals. 50 That purity was viewed in the same way among Palestinian and diaspora Jews is a disputed point: Dunn (The Pmtings of the Ways, eh. 2), Richard Bauckham ('The Parting of the Ways: What H a p p e d and Why', ST47 [1993], pp. 13%51), and N. T. Wright (The New Testment rmd the People of God &ondon: SPCK, 19921, pp. 224-32; and, Jesus rmd the Victory of God, pp. 384-7) contend that to varying degrees purity was important among diaspora Jews while Barclay, Jews in the Mediterrmm Diarporo, does not. Iamb Neusner, The I& of Purity 6z 51 Klawans, Impurity and Sin in Ancient JudoAnciml Judaism.
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associated with it. Yet, it is premature at this point to draw any conclusions regarding the manner in which this boundary was to be maintained in James's context. Other references to purity in James must be considered and compared with the various uses of purity language outlined in chapter two before a conclusion may be drawn. It can be concluded that the use of purity language in 1.27 does function as afigurative labelfor social/ideologicallocation. The labeling function of the language marks the line between two worldviews: one associated with God and the other associated with b ubopos. The language of purity marks the correct or endorsed version of reality over against social order of b ~ & J p o s .The author, proclaiming what is in God's view 'pure and undefiled', uses such polarizing rhetoric in order to lead readers to a decision. One aligning with 'worthless' religion via deceitful, uncontrolled speech is suffering the contagious pollution of b K&J~os.This individual is labeled a deviant, one who is in real danger of pollution, namely adopting the social order of b ubapos and thus alienating himself from his own socio-religious context. Therefore the lines of purity in 1.27 serve to distinguish worldviews or the ordered systems ('worthless' or 'pure and undefiled religion', 27a) and to mark distinctions among readers with respect to these worldviews (one stained or 'unstained', 27b). 3. James 3.6 The section consisting of 3.1-12 begins with a vocative address (Sr6~Aaoi pow) plus a negative imperative (pi yiv~08a)warning the addressees of the improper use of the tongue, with special reference to teachers (3.1)" The proposition itself asserts that 'perfection' is possible through control of the tongue (3.2), which thematically draws the exhortation of 1.19b and the statement of 1.26 (pi xaah~vaywyGv yhGoaav d ~ o i j ;note the repetition of the rare word Cahlvaywyijoa~in 3.253) together with this section. Not only do these three passages thematically address control of the tongue but also all three do so with reference to purity as well-James connects impurity with inappropriate speech. In 3.1-12 the one who 'does not stumble in what he says' who is a 'perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well' (3.2) is set in opposition to the one who stumbles with regard to the 'staining' influence of the tongue. Along with the use of E ~ ~ ~ Temphasizing ES. the fact that this contrast is something the readers of the letter already know," the rhetorical goal of the passage is to lead readers to a decision regarding control of the tongue. 52 The unity of this passage has often been recognized (see Martin, Jnmes, p. 103; Watsan, 'Rhetoric of James 3.1-12, p. 52; Baker, Personal Speech-Ethics, ch. 4; Johnson, Letter of J m s , pp. 253-5; Bauckham, J m s , pp. 6S9; Moo, Letter of J m s , pp. I H , pace Dibelius, J m e s , pp. 181-2). 53 So Watson, 'Rhetoric of James 3.1-12, p. 56 n. 45. 54 Davids, James, p. 137; followed by Baker, Persoml Speech-Ethics, p. 123.
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After illustrating the disproportionate influence of the tongue upon the body @it to a horse, rudder to a ship, 3.3-4), James declares the tongue an 'unrighteous world' set among our members, 'staining the whole body' (i orrtAoCoa &Aov T& a&pa). As we begin our exegesis of this passage the first point is to draw attention to the repetition of the phrase 6Aov T& o6pa in 3.2 and 3.6. The primary point of the passage (3.1-12) is that the tongue affects the whole body and produces one of two possible results.'' On one hand, according to 3.2, one who controls the tongue ('does not stumble in what he says') also controls the whole body ('able to bridle the whole body as well'), and thus is a 'perfect man' (&AE~osA!&). AS argued above, the notion of perfection in James has to do with total and unwavering commitment to God and controlling the whole body by means of bridling the tongue is forwarded as a characteristic of this wholehearted devotion. On the other hand, as 3.6 avers, one who cannot control the tongue, which is an 'unrighteous world', suffers the polluting effects of this failure, viz., 'staining the whole body @Aov TA o&pu)'. The fact that the control or lack of control of the tongue affects the 'whole body' is significant. Whether or not the entire section is directed at 'teachers' (616&o~aho1,3.1), or those who aspire to the office of 'teacher', the opening of the section is set in the context of community instruction. Furthermore, it is reasonable to understand the activity of 'praising God' (3.9-10) as taking place in the context of corporate worship.56 Thus the 'staining' influence of the tongue affects the entire social body. The phrase &Aov~ 6 0 6 p in a both 3.2 and 3.6 should be understood within this group context as the concern for controlling the tongue as an issue of community harmony. This is made explicit later in the letter where brothers are in c o d c t due to 'slander' (4.11-12; 5.9). Though the context of this section seems relatively clear, a precise translation of the first phrase of verse 6 is extremely difficult. The phrase consists of five nouns in the nominative case along with one verb, and the problem is how best to combine these words in a way that makes both grammatical and logical sense. In Johnson's estimation '[tlhe problems revolve mainly around how to understand the phrase ho kosmos tes adikias, especially since it has a definite article, and how to understand it syntactically in relation to the substantive "the t~ngue"'?~Some have argued that b ~ k p o means s 'whole' or 'sum total' as in LXX Prov. 17.6:~ 55 Watson, 'Rhetoric of James 3.1-12'. p. M). He notes the impartance of the repeated phrase BAou T& a&va, and notes that this is an indication that rhetorically the author is returniog to the main or strongest point under considxation. 56 Martin, Jomes, p. 104. 57 Johnson, Letter of J m s , p. 259. 58 Both Cheung (Hermeneutics of Jhmp, p. 203) and Moo (Letter of J m e r , p. 157) feel this may be due to the im3uence of the heVulgate (wriversifa inipuifntis), a translation reflected in the NLT. Both scholars reject this meaning.
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Others have suggested the translation 'adornment' (1 Pet. 3.3) and thus understand the tongue as the 'adornment' of evil. But Dibelius correctly objects, 'No reader would have heard either of those two meanings in this expression'.59 'World' conveys neither of these senses in other occurrences in James, thus Mayor seems to have had the best feel for the phrase saying: 'In our microcosm, the tongue represents or constitutes the unrighteous With Mayor most take TTs i &61~ius as an attributive genitive and thus render the phrase 'unrighteous world', as the RSV. Understanding the phrase b K & ~ O S fis & 6 1 ~ i aass 'the unrighteous world', we must place it within the sentence as a whole. Moo observes that there are three possible options!' The first option is as follows: 'The tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. The tongue is appointed among our members as that which stains the whole body . . .' This rendering (a) takes 'world of unrighteousness' in apposition to 'fire', @) places a full stop after this phrase, and (c) takes the phrase 'which stains the whole body' as the predicate of 'is appointed' ( K U ~ ~ U TThough ~T~I). the appositional relationship between 'fire' and 'world of unrighteousness' cannot be ruled out, Moo is correct in noting that the feminine participle 'stain' (h orrthoiioa) is 'very diflicult to turn into the predicate of the verb "is appointed" !' A second rendering maintains, 'The tongue is appointed as a fire, indeed, as the world of unrighteousness in our members; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the course of our existence .. .' Here again 'world of unrighteousness' stands in apposition to 'fire', yet it is the term 'fire' that is taken as the predicate of the verb 'is appointed'. A third, and most popular, option maintains the translation, 'And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is appointed among our members as the world of unrighteousness, staining the whole body .. .'63 Here 'world of unrighteousness' is the predicate of the verb 'is appointed' and as Moo points out, 59 Dibelius, J m s , p. 194. Mayor, S f . Jmnes, p. 115; cf. Ropes, S t James, p. 233; Laws, James, p. 91; Johnson, Letter of Jmnes, p. 259; Cheung, H e m t i c s of Jmnes, p. 203. Here the genitive is a substitute for the adjedive as elsewhere in James (d.2.4, vptrui GtaAoylavCiv rrovqpCiv 'judges with evil motives'; c f I En. 48.7; Mk 16.14; Lk. 16.9). 61 Moo, Letter of J m s , pp. 1574. 62 aid,p. 158. 63 Others seek to make sense of the passage by emending the text: Richard Bauckham CTlIe Tongue Set on Fire by Hell [James 3.6]', in Fate of the Deal: Studies on the Jewish mul Christtn Apocalypses [NovTSup 93; Leiden: Brill, 19981, p. 119 n. 1; he follows Adamson, James DD. . 1 5 W ) has made a verv interestiee - a r-m e n t that the text of James 3.6 should be corru.tr4 aaonling to t l x Pcihitt~by inwnlng bA11after aGtr'~o,.Hauckham then trsnslatrs 3 5-6: 'Seehou ,mall a tire .SL\ al~ghtPO latgr. a furc,t [wood(! Thr tcrnguu ir ,I ti*, the snhl world wt,url.' (itven lhls recomtructlun he umcluda that the 'lirst xntcnce sram thc Image. whlch thc s a o t ~ dintcrpruts by idcnul)tng the I*" c l r m c n ~~n~the alleyor\ - . I he irn:tgc . ,I, thcn picked up again in v 6b ('setting on fire the wheel of existence ...'), where r.5~ ~pox.5" y~vbanosis synonymous with 6 nbovw hGt
+
+
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it places 'a punctuation break between the initial assertion and the further e l a b ~ r a t i o n ' This . ~ ~ h a 1 option is likely the best overall rendering of the passage; however, in order to maintain uniformity with how the verb ra8ia~a~a1 is used elsewhere in James (4.4), the translation should maintain the middle voice. Thus the passage should be rendered, 'And the tongue is a fire. The tongue appoints itself an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body . . .' This understanding of the passage is consistent with the letter's overall notion of b K & J ~ as ~ san evil and unrighteous system in opposition to God. Johnson notes: James's meaning is only to be grasped in the light of 1.27 and 2.5, where kosmos and God are opposed, and in light of 4.4, where the same verb (kathistem~)is used for those whose choice of 'friendship with the world' has 'established' them as an enemy of ~ o d . ~ ~
Therefore, just as b ~&J~los is the agent of contamination the readers are warned to avoid (1.27), so too the tongue is likened to the 'unrighteous world' that is able to pollute 'the whole body' (3.6).66 Laws aptly comments that: It is the tongue that brings the individual man into relation with 'the world'; indeed brings the world within him .. . The tongue effects in a man the defilement that is inherent in the world (cf. i.27, with the warning already in i.26 that the religious man must bridle his tongue), and its effect is total: it defiles the whole body. The idea is presumably that it is in his speech that a man identifies with that total hostility to God, and shows that it is part of his inner character.67 It is through the tongue that hostility to God, and consequently alignment with the polluting world, is manifest. Yet note Laws' assumption that the 'tongue affects . . . a man . . . and shows that [hostility to God] is part of his inner character' refening to the individual context at the expense of the corporate. This same shortcoming is true of Baker's otherwise excellent investigation as seen in the title of his work, Personal Speech-Ethics in the Epistle of James. The warning against contamination by means of the tongue shapes one's social context. The staining influence of the tongue means that the Moo, Letter of James, p. 158. 65 Johnson, Letter of Jnmer, p. 259. 66 With reference to the dangerous force standing behind the tongue (and the world) as a g sinfluence, many have taken the reference to 4yirwa in 3.6 as referring to the devil or the forces of evil (cf., Moo, Letter of J m s , p. 126; Baker, Persoml Speech-Elk, p. 128). However, Bauckham (The Tongue Set on Fire by Hell', pp. 119--31)has convincingly argued 64
that Gehenna refers not to the fom behind the world or tongue, but rather to the place of just punishment for the one who errs with the tongue. Thus, as the tongue is a fire, so one sinning with the tongue will be punished by k. 67 Laws, Jnmes, p. 150 (emphasis original).
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group has come under the influence of the values of b ~ h o ~ and o s thus manifests 'anger' (1.20) through inappropriate speech. Specifically the group is infected with the pollution of 'slander' (4.1 1-12; 5.9) which, when it spreads, is a disease that can kill the whole body. The tongue is the agent of pollution, and is such by its association with the 'unrighteous world'. Therefore, the reference to purity language here is, like &ontAovin 1.27, a figurative label for social/ideological location. It labels the action of the tongue in administering the polluting force of b ~ h o p oand ~ thus marks what is socially dangerous or destructive to the group. 4. James 3.11-12 As argued in the previous chapter, the rhetoric of 3.1-12 is to contrast the one who 'does not stumble in what he says' (3.2) and the one who stumbles in the use of the tongue (3.6). This basic contrast is illustrated in 3.3-5 by the opposition between small things exercising control over large things (bit to a horse, rudder to a ship, and a spark to a forest fire), between tamed animals and the untamed tongue (3.7-8), the antithesis of the blessing (correct) and cursing (incorrect) tongue (3.9-lo), and by the natural impossibility of geological and botanical elements not reproducing after their own kind (3.1 1-12). It is in this final illustration that we find the concept of purity. This illustration consisting of two images of water (3.11, 12b) that frame two images of fruit (3.124 is carefully composed. The first three images are introduced by rhetorical questions that summarize the primary antithesis of the blessing and cursing tongue in 3.9-10. Each of the questions clearly expect a negative response as indicated by the p f i ~.t. . vjl structure: 'Does a spring from the same opening pour fourth both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers, or a grape vine figs? (3.11-12a). From the everyday experience of geological and biological limitations, the readers are invited to agree that such things are impossible. The fmt question reinforces the point made in verse 10: where the natural source (spring) cannot produce both good (fresh water) and bad (brackish water) products. The next two questions illustrate the impossibility of equally 'good' kinds producing fruit of a different kind. Here it is not the goodness or badness of producer to product but the inappropriateness of what is produced by that particular producer.68That is, plants are unable to produce contrary to their kind and this is implicitly an issue of natural purity as afigurefrom 'mixed kinds: The natural order of things would be transgressed ifa fig tree put forth olives or a grape vine 68 Brosend (James nnd Jude, p. 54) comments: '. ..the third chapter where James writes of the impossibility of holding coficting oppositions (bless and curse, salt and fresh water) together (3.10-12). a passage that ends with a 011 to righteousness and peace, which pairs virtues, in contrast to the conflicting anger and righteousness in 1.20'.
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put forth figs. This transgression is reinforced in the 6nal statement; 'neither can salt water yield fresh' (3.12b), which reintroduces the distinction between bad (salt water is unusable to humans) and good (fresh water which is useful). Bauckham comments: 'Thus the implication of the metaphors shifts from the initial claim that one person cannot utter both good and bad statements (blessing God and cursing people) to the claim that a person of one kmd cannot utter statements of another kind and finally to the claim that a bad person cannot utter good statement^.'^^ Thus the images illustrate that the kind of person (that is good or bad) will ultimately be revealed in what he produces (blessing or cursing). The one who uses the tongue to bless and curse has demonstrated that his blessing is empty and his cursing derives from his true being-a wicked individual. This person is deceitful, unnaturally mixing blessings and curses in the same mouth. By implication from the larger context, such an individual is wicked and not only suffers the effect of pollution from the staining tongue, but also, by means of his words, inilicts sickness and disease on the social body. There are several examples of such a comparison in Grew-Roman literature. Plutarch, arguing that an individual should remain content with one's naturally suited role in life, states: 'We do not expect the vine to bear figs, nor the olive grapes.'70 And again, Epictetus exclaims, 'For how can a vine be moved to act, not like a vine, but like an olive, or again, an olive to act, not like an olive, but like a vine? It is impossible, in~onceivable.'~' Finally, Seneca states this same principle: 'Do you think a sane person would marvel because apples do not hang from the brambles of the woodland? Would he marvel because thorns and briars are not covered with some useful Yet the closest parallels are found in Jesus's sayings in Matthew (7.16-18; 12.33-35) and Luke (6.43-45) where the same point is conveyed: good people speak blessings out of the goodness of their hearts and bad peopie spe& wicked things out of the evil in their hearts.73 This passage uses a natural illustration of the disorderliness of 'mixed kinds'; the tongue that utters both blessing and cursing is a perversion, and James says, 'this ought not to be so'. And again from the wider context this illustration of 'mixed kinds' reinforces the inappropriate and destmctive effect the polluted tongue has upon the social body. Cursing men who have been made in the image of God (3.9) is the final outcome of the polluted tongue and clearly such wnduct destroys the 69 Bauckham, James, p. 90. 70 Moralia 472E473B. 'On Tmquility of Soul' 13. 71 Dircourse 2.20.18. 72 On Anger 2.10.6. 73 We detect no direct allusion to the Gospel tnrt in J a m (with Bauckham, Jomes, p. 91).
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cohesion of the social body. The conclusion that a person, who by their cursing, demonstrates themselves to he evil and thus not able to utter genuinely good statements (3.11-12) and polluted by the staining tongue proves an apt transition to the following section which contrast the outward expression of earthly, demonic wisdom and the pure 'wisdom from above'.
5 . James 3.17 James 3.13-18 not only shows two types of wisdom contrasted with respect to their origin ('from above' versus 'earthly, unspiritual, demonic'), but also with respect to their consequent external behaviors ('pure', etc. versus 'jealousy and selfish ambition'). Part of the main thrust of the passage is that there are consequent actions and attitudes which come from two competing f o m of wisdom. The characteristics of 'wisdom from above' and 'earthly, unspiritual, demonic' wisdom are given almost as a response to the rhetorical question posed in 3.13: 'Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom (gv T I P U ~ ~ o@~us).' ~TI AS Dibeliw observed, first one demonstrates his wisdom by a good life and second the wise individual proves his wisdom in 'meekness' ( r r p a i h q ~ see ~ , 1.21). Note again the value of humility demonstrated in the attitude of 'meekness'; the truly wise are so in 'meekness', which is characteristic of those who wholeheartedly trust in God. Though implicit, the contrast between two kinds of wisdom here may draw readers to choose between them. The author sets out two kinds of wisdom. First he states if the group has 'bitter jealousy' (Cfihov rr~~pbv) and 'selfish ,&bition' (ipl&iav) in their hearts this is not wisdom that comes down from above (3.14). That 'jealousy' is paired with 'se16sh ambition' or 'rivalry' indicates that the individuals who are not associated with the wisdom that comes down from above might be seeking the higher status positions within the group and thus creating internal dissention and disorder. This so-called wisdom which animates such self-seeking is 'earthly' ( ~ W ~ ~ E I'unspiritual' OS), (@XIK$, and 'demonic' (6a1povw6r~s); each adjective indicates an increasingly negative aspect of this wisdom74 and thus further alienation from God. The first term, 'earthly', is not attested in the LXX and in the NT it is often used for what is characteristic of the earth as opposed to the heavenly (Jn 3.12; 1 Cor. 15.40; 2 Cor. 5.1; Phil. 2.10), as in Philo ('On the Cherubim', 101). With this implicit contrast in mind, 'earthly' denotes not only what is inferior to the heavenly, but also that which is in opposition to the heavenly. Acknowledging that James consistently uses b ~ h p o sto denote the sinful, polluting system of values that stands in opposition to God, the 74 Ropes, St. Jmnes,p. 248.
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term 'earthly' certainly reinforces and parallels the notion of ~ & o s . The second adjective, 9 x 1 4 , is used in the N T to oppose something that is ~ ~ V E U Vof~ the T I 'spirit' K ~ ~ (e.g., , of an 'unspiritual' person, 1 Cor. 2.14; 15.46; Jude 19). The h a 1 adjective, ~ ~ I ~ O Vdoes I Wnot ~ appear ~ S , in the W( and only here in the NT. Several commentators note that the sufiix -6qs suggests the term means 'demon-like', that is performing deeds similar to demons,75ultimately demonstrating that this wisdom onginates not from God but from the devil. The next verse cames through on the logic of this wisdom, for James states that: 'where jealousy and sel6sh ambition exist, there will be disorder (h~UTaUTa0ia) and every vile (@&how) practice' (3.16).~~ Earthly wisdom traffics in jealousy and ambition, the external qualities indicative of one motivated by self-interest viewing others as rivals because they possess what he himself lacks. James has already noted that the 'double-minded' man is t x ~ a ~ a m a('unstable'; ~os 1.8) in all his ways, which is thematically and lexically simiiar to the idea here that 'earthly' wisdom produces social 'disorder' ( h ~ a ~ a m a o iby a ) means of jealousy and ambition. The term h ~ a ~ a m oini aclassical Greek has the nuance of political disorder, anarchy, or confusion that come from a variety of disruptions of the state (Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquaties 6.31.1; Lk. 21.9, 'insurrection'; 1 Cor. 14.33).~~ Here the term specifically refers to social strife that threatens cohesion (see Paul's similar use of the term in 2 Cor. 12.20). Along with 'disorder' the jealousy and ambition characteristic of 'earthly' wisdom produces 'every vile practice'. QaGAos in the NT often denotes evil action (Jn 3.20; 5.29; Rom. 9.11) and is a wmmon term in the LXX Proverbs (5.3; 13.6; 16.21; 22.8; 29.9). In the Sibylline Oracles it is paired with 'unrighteous' (&61Kos; 3.625), and in Josephus the term is used in opposition to 'the good' (& ?xya90i; J.W. 2.163). Here the author seeks to subvert this kind of so-called wisdom by demonstrating that the worldview of b K&OS, that is, the social system from which this wisdom derives, produces 'disorder' and evil actions. In this sense 'earthly' wisdom is a source of social unrest and division that is implicitly an impurity (versus 'pure' wisdom, 3.17). This so-called 'wisdom' produces jealousy of power and status on the part of those who have none. 75 Hort, St. James, p. 84; Laws, Jmnes, pp. 161, 163; Davids, James, p. 153; Martin, J m s , p. 132. 76 In 3.14 James identifies the characteristic of 'earthly wisdom' as 'bitter jealousy' (CfjAov nlKp&").Note that the similar phrase 6iCa n ~ r p i a('root ~ of bitterness') in Heb. 12.15 has the potential to 'defile' (p~av%&o~v). 77 Also, see the interesting connection between 'pride' (6mpq$aviq) and 'disordei (hramo~aoia)in Tob. 4.13 and that between ' d y ' wisdom's production of 'disorder' (hna~aoraoia)in James 3.16 and the associated 'pride' (6mpq+orotg) in the next s t i o n (4.6).
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In sharp contrast to the wisdom characterized as 'earthly, unspiritual and demonic' issuing in social disorder and baseness is the 'wisdom coming down from above' (3.17). As the rhetoric of the passage unfolds, the origin of wisdom, real wisdom, is highlighted as coming down from God (compare 1.17). The 6; in 3.17 signals a contrast with what has come before. Again, the rhetoric betrays the author's view that 'earthly' wisdom is really only such by name, and that the wisdom coming down from above, that is from God, is the only real wisdom by which one may demonstrate he is 'wise and understanding' through the 'meekness of wisdom'. For our author the first characteristic of 'wisdom from above' is that it is 'pure' (hyvi). As with the use of purity language in 1.26-27, the significance of describing wisdom from above as 'pure' can hardly be overestimated. Whereas the author uses T~AEIOSwith emphasis elsewhere (1.2-4; 3.2), here wisdom is not 'perfect' but 'pure'. The syntax of the phrase singles out the quality of purity from the other characteristics of wisdom in 3.17. This wisdom 'is first pure' (rrpG~ov~ b v&yv
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Progressing from this head characteristic of 'wisdom from above', this wisdom is further distinguished by three sets of qualities set off by 'then' (IETTEIT~): ~ipqv~Mi, ~TTIEII(T~S,E ~ I T E I ~ ('peaceable, S gentle, willing to yield') associated by alliteration; then p ~ BA6ous o ~ a~aprrijv i hya8i;v ('full of mercy, and good fruits'); and finally &~IUKPITOS, ~ ( V U T T ~ K ~ I T O((without S a trace of partiality or hypocrisy') associated by the alpha-privative form and - K ~ I T O Sending. All of these qualities are crucial for community cohesion and maintenance and are demonstrated through a 'good life' in the 'meekness of wisdom' (3.13). Not only is the 'wisdom from above' first 'pure' but also it is 'peaceable', the opposite of strife producing earthly wisdom. Wisdom from above is also 'gentle', thus associated with the meek reception of the implanted word (1.21). It is 'full of mercy', the quality upheld in 2.1-13; 'full of good fruits', that is completing faith with works (1.22-25, 27; 2.14-26); and 'without partialitys1 or hypocrisy'. Several of these virtues associated with wisdom from above are counter to being 'double-minded'. Thus wisdom from above provides the necessary qualities for one to be T ~ ~ E I O and S brings about religion that is acceptable in the sight of God, viz., 'pure and undeJiled religion' (1.27). It is likely then that perfection and purity are not identified but integrally related. Wisdom from above is a key component in building the worldview associated with God and animates the social behaviors of the distinctive groups associated with it. The virtues of such wisdom are not derivative from human thinkmg, but are 'from above' and thus deemed by the author as 'pure'. Rather than ending in deceit or human anger, this wisdom produces good works. In this way the language again is a type of figurative label for social/ideological location. So-called earthly wisdom that causes social disorder and moral wickedness is described as 'demonic', belonging to the sphere of b K&OS which we now learn is influenced and infected by the devil. This wisdom implicitly is not pure and is associated with b K ~ ~ I ~ ('earthly') O S and, by association, has the ability to 'stain' James's readers. Practically, the defilement brought on by this so-called wisdom works itself out in social strife and public disorder'jealousy' and 'selfish ambition'. On the other hand, pure wisdom is constitutive of God's system of order, combating the social estrangement brought on by 'earthly' wisdom. What is ultimately behind the contrast between the two kinds of wisdom is a contrast between God and the world/devil, with their respective system of values. And such a contrast 81 This adjedive appears only here in the NTand is derived from 61anptvG,which James uses in 1.6 and 2.4 in connection with double-mindedness.Most commentators view the term in 3.17 as 'simple' and thus related to the notion of single-mindedor wholehearted devotion (Hort, St. James, pp. 86-7; Mayor, St. Jmnes, p. 132; Rapes, St. J-8, p. 250; Adamson, James, p. 156; Laws, James, p. 164; Moo, Letter of James, p. 136; Cheung, Hermemties of J m , p. 144).
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rhetorically pushes the readers to make a choice as to which system they
will align themselves with. 6. Jmnes 4.8 Though some have argued for 4.1-10 forming an independent unit of thought stressing repentance from human desires2 while others stress the connection with 4.1 1-12 and sinful speech,p3this section shows significant connection to the precedmg context.84Though the two sections may stand on their own, 3.13-18 and 4.1-10 have been linked together through lexical and thematic connection^.'^ Johnson has noted that 3.13-4.10 progresses by means of rhetorical questions (3.13, 4.1 [2x], 4.4,4.5 [2x]), the first two formulated by f.v bp?v. 3.13 Inquires regarding the 'wise and understanding among you' and 4.1 asks about the source of conflict 'among you'.86 These rhetorical questions raise the fundamental issue of wisdom's connection with behavior. Those among the community who are truly 'wise', animated by 'wisdom from above', will demonstrate such by their good life-style in 'meekness of wisdom', yet the rhetoric of the letter clearly demonstrates that readers are not acting according to such wisdom. Marked by the second iv bviv (4.1), the rhetorical question sharply raises the issue that the community members have not lived in keeping with 'wisdom from above' because there is strife and battles raging within the group. The connected passages serve as an indictment against incorrect wisdom/perception (3.15-16) and action (4.1-4), both of which are associated with b ~ k p o (3.15; s 4.4). From this indictment the author then calls a segment of his readers, namely those deceitful in speech and in danger of following wisdom from below, to hhmble repentance (4.7-lo).'' In addition to the rhetorical questions and the introductory formula 6v bpiv, Johnson further illustrates how themes in 3.13-18 are taken up in 4.1-10. The term 'jealousy' ((fihov) in 3.14, 16, which is characteristic of 'earthly' wisdom, is associated with what divides James's readers in 4.2: 'you covet' ( ~ ~ A O ~ T E ) . 82 Laws, J-s, p. 167. 83 Frankem6lle, 'Das semantische Netz', pp. 5734. 84 Cheung, Hermeneutics of Jmnes, p. 76 (contra Dibelius, J m , pp. 208-9; Laws, Jmnes, pp. IS&% Wuellner, 'Dm lakobusbrief im Licht der Rhetorik uod Textpragmatik', pp. 51-2; and Davids, J m s , p. 149). 85 The thematic and lexical mnections are most convincingly argued by Johnson (Brother of J e w , pp. 182-201; iiem, Letter of J-s, pp. 26&9, 286-9; see also Chemg, Hermeneutics of James, pp. 76-9; and Moo, Letter of J m s , pp. 167-8, who draws together 3.12-4.6). 86 Johnson, Brother of Jesur, p. 188. 87 The transition from indictment to call to repentance is indicated structuraUy by the d v in 4.7 before which there are fourteen second person plural verbs, none of which are imperative, and after which there are nine second person plural verbs all in the imperative.
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Here in 4.2 'to be jealous' or 'to covet' is used in the sense of misplaced zeal for what another possesses. The main virtue produced by 'wisdom from above' is seen in the term 'pure' (&pi), which corresponds to the recommended procedure for repentance in 4.8: 'purify' (ir/vioa~~). Finally, 'demonic' wisdom (6a1pov1&6qs,3.15) logically has to do with the 'devil' (6 61upoAos,4.7), who is in some way behind the wmmunity disorder.88Again, using the primary concept of purity demonstrates its fundamental rhetorical importance for the author. Furthermore, the aphorism found in 3.18 not only draws the material to a natural subconclusion, but also serves as a thematic transition in terms of the peace/ disorder wnkast developed in 3.13-18 (specifically itpjvqv in 3.18) which is again taken up in the community strife in 4.1 ( ~ ~ ~ A E ~ O I ) . ~ ~ Rhetorically the indictment wmes to a climax in 4.4: 'Adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.' The label 'adulteresses' (po1xaAi6~s)symbolically refers to the covenant relationship between God (as a groom) and Israel (as his bride) found in the f or ah?' Tbis relationship is likened to a marriage (Isa. 54.48) where God is spurned by unfaithful Israel, where the unfaithfulness of Israel is often metaphorically spoken of as adultery (Ps. 73.27; Jer. 3.6-10; Isa. 57.3; Ezek. 16.38):' Edgar notes that the 'metaphor depicts God's people as disobedient to God's order, expressed in the covenant relationship ... They dishonor God through their unfaithful behavi~ur.'~' This address is followed by the climactic indictment of the letter, stated first as a rhetorical question then as a direct statement. The use of O ~ K &&UTE(d' o YOU not know') indicates the author assumes the readers refuse to act upon the shared knowledge that 'friendship' with the world is incompatible with relationship with God?3 AS noted above, the use of 88 Johnson, Brother of Jesus, pp. 1884. 89 See Davids, J m s , pp. 135, 155; Martin, Jmnes, p. 126; Cheun& H e m e u t i c s of J m s , p. 76. 90 Johnson, Letter of Jnmes, p. 278. The use of v o ~ ~ a h idoes b r not sigoal a 'suspicion of the female' because 'women are dangerous' (contra J. L. P. Wolmarans, 'Male and Female Sexual Imagery: James 1.14-15, IS', Actn Patrktica et B y z m r t ~5 119941, . . .DD. . 13U1). 91 ("msistmr wth such ;ndictrnrutarc thc covcn.tnt-hmkingsctiuuj of svcanng lalsely {Ju5.12). uirhhuldang wag* ( J a 5.4: Ikut 21Ii).and nrdcxtinp u i d o u ~a d orphans(Jal 1.271. 92 Edgar, Hos Not God Chosen the Poor?, p. 103. See Ropes,St. Jmnes, p. 2M); Mayor, St. James, p. 139; Dibelius, James, pp. 219-20; and also the unlikely argument that due to the f d e form of 'adulteresses' the connection here is to the adulterous woman in Proverbs. See 1.1. Schmitt, "'You Adulteresses!" The Image in James 4.4, NovT28 (1986), pp. 327-37. 93 Tbis shared base of lolowledge is assumed elsewhere in the letter ('knowing [ ~ I ~ O K O Vthat T Ethe S ]testing of your faith produces endurance', 1.3; 'let not many become teachers, my brethren, knowing [~i66rss]that as such we will incur a stricterjudgment', 3.1; You should know [ y l v d ~ w ] 5.20). ' ~
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'friendship' in the lint century was much more restrictive and had deeper connotations than today. One of the most common uses of friendship in ancient literature applied to alliances, cooperation or non-aggression treaties among peoples?4 The alliance between friends referred to the fact that friends shared similar vision and values. Euripides referred to a friend as 'one soul with mine' ( ~ a@ i ~ ~v i a v and ) ~ Cicero ~ considered a friend as a 'second self referring to the friendship between Laelius and Scipio: 'we shared the one element indispensable to friendship, a complete agreement in aims, ambitions, and attit~des'?~ He goes on to say 'Now friendship is just this and nothing else: complete sympathy in all matters of importance . . .'97 Furthermore, this ancient concept of friendship included a particular kind of social relationship within the pervasive social structure of honor/shame. Alicia Batten comments, 'Closely related to other political uses of friendship is the relationship between patrons and clients, often d e h e d as friendship.'98 The link to patron-client relationships will be considered more fully in the following chapter but here we must note the siguiiicance of friendship language as alliance language that includes the pervasive first century patron-client system. The indictment of alliance with b ~&sporin 4.4 is rounded off by rhetorical questions in 4.5 and 4.6: 'Or do you think scripture speaks in vain . . . but does [God] not give greater grace? Because it says ...' As complex as the exegetical issues are surrounding 4.5,99the overall thrust of 4.5-6 is to legitimate the rejection of alliance with b ~ b p o and r therefore justify the sharp call to repentance from the individual and corporate effects of pollution. The citation from Proverbs 3.34 does not merely add ornamentation to the passage but serves as the founding principle which the author bdlds his call to repentance upon.loOIn the verses following the quotation of Proverbs 3.34, James, in reverse order, first expounds the second half of the quotation in 4.7-10, and then considers the first phrase 94 See Homer N 3.93, 256; 4.17; 26.282; Virgil Aen. 11.321; Demosthenes On the N q v Boar& 5; On the Embarsy 62; L e t m 3.27; Josephus Ag. Ap. 1.109, 2.83b. See also David Konstan, Friendship in the Classied World (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997); John T.Fitzgerald ed.,Friendship. Flattery, ondFrmkness of Speech: Studies on Friendship in the New Testmnent World (NovTSup, 82; Leiden: Blill, 1996); idem, Greco-Rom Perspectives on Friendship (SBLRBS, 34; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1997); Alicia Batten, 'Unworldly Friendship: The "Epistle of Straw" Reconsidered' (PhD disserktioq University of St. Michael's College, 2000). 95 Orestes, 1046. 96 On Friendship, 21.80; 4.15 resgectively (cf. Aristotle, Eth. nic. 9.4.5, 9.1, 9.10). 97 On Friendship, 6.20. 98 Batten, 'Unworldly Fliendship', p. 27. 99 See the recent discussion by Craig B. Carpenter, 'James 4.5 Reconsidered', NTS 46 (2000), pp. 189-205. 100 Dands, James, p. 165; Martin, Jmnes, p. 152; Bauckham, J-s, pp. 152-5; Moo, Letter of James, p. 192; eonm Laws, James, pp. 180-1.
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of the citation in 4.11-5.6. Alonso Schokel argued this position speci6cally asserting that the thematic refrain of 'humble yourselves' (rarre1vcj8s~e) in 4.10 recalls the 'lowly' (~arre~vois) in 4.6 and thus frames James's exposition on the second half of the citation: 'God gives grace to the lowly'. This lexical link ties the following commands to the promise of God's grace in the text citation in 4.6. Furthermore, the first half of the citation, 'God resists the proud', is considered in 4.11-5.6. This is signaled by the connection between 4.6 and 5.6 in the repetition of the rare verb &VTITUUUW in both verse^.'^' Whether or not 4.11-5.6 should be viewed as commentary on the first half of the Proverbs 3.34 citation, the lexical connection between ~ a r r e l v o i s / ~ a r r e l v &(4.614.10) 8 ~ ~ ~ and the related theme of humble submission and repentance clearly draws the citation to the following verses (4.7-10). The series of commands flowing from the citation of Proverbs 3.34 begins and ends with the conceptually (though not lexically) related terms 'submit yourselves to God' (SITOT&YT]TE T"E@) in 4.7 and 'humble yourself before the Lord' ( T ~ T T E I V$V&TIIOV ~ ) ~ ~ Twpiou) E in 4.10. These second person plural imperatives mark off and state the topic of the subsection, namely submitting to God in repentance. God's 'grace' is given to the 'humhle' (4.6); therefore the readers must 'submit' to God (4.7), a notion that is expanded in the rest of the passage (4.7-10). The eight imperatives falling between ~)TTOT&YT]TE in 4.7 and rarr~lvcj6qnin 4.10 form three couplets punctuated by a triplet.102
101 In light of this lexical connection the subjectless phrase in 5.6 'he does not resist you' h v n ~ & m r a61liv). t which could either be a statement or a question, may be read in light of the text citation in 4.6. Therefore the subject of the verb in 4.6 may be supplied in 5.6 and rendered as a question rounding off James's exposition of God's judgment against the proud. Thus 5.6 would read 'does he [God] not resist you? (SchBkel, 'James 5,2 [sic] and 4,6', pp. 7 3 6 Johnson, Letter of James, p. 305). 102 Davids argues for three couplets (Jnmes, p. 165), yet Martin (James, p. 152) and M o o (Letter of J m s , p. 192) both find four. (WK
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~ a r n ~ v & l nBvwr~ov~upiou~ a S+&OEI i 6~2s. The resisting and drawing near are further defined in terms of puri6cation (4.8b) and identification with the lowly through sorrow and soberness (4.9). Many have observed this reading of Proverbs 3.34 is strikingly similar to 1 Peter 5.5-9Io3and thus may reflect a widespread early Christian call to repentance.lo4 The first step in submitting to God is to 'resist the devil', because, if the community does, James says, 'he will flee from you'. If the associations hold throughout this section, 'the devil (61agbAo)' is certainly connected to 'earthly, unspiritual, demonic (6a1povlcj6qs)' wisdom (3.16) that produces the 'disorder' that manifests itself in the community through conflicts and disputes (4.1) and is ultimately associated with alliance with b K ~ O (4.4). S Johnson comments: 'The devil personifies the negative side of James's cosmic dualism, the force that inftuences the kosmos resistant to God's kingdom."05 True enough, but what Johnson fails to note is the apt designation of b K&OS as polluted, ultimately by means of the devil himself. If strife and dissention are the devil's work, then, in the author's worldview, it would make reasonable sense to highlight 'purity' rather than 'perfection'. The devil is much more a pollutant than an 'imperfeo tion'. Thus, drawing near to God necessarily entails resisting the devil and the consequent wisdom and alliances associated with hi. Significantly the author describes drawing near to God and resisting the devil in terms of purification. The verb byyico is often used in the LXX to refer to the priest 'drawing near' to God in cultic worship.'" And this image is reinforced by'the parallel command. 'Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded' (4.8b). The parallelism may be shown in this way:
103 In I Pet. 5.5-9 the same text citation is followed by the commands to 'humble younelves, therefare, under God's mighty hand, that he may exalt you in due time' (5.6) and to resist the devil (5.9). 104 Bauckham, Jones, pp. 155-7; Moo, Lerrer of J m , p. 192. 105 Johnson, Letter of Jomes, pp. 283-4. 106 See B o d . 19.21, where the people could not 'draw near' to God but in 19.22 the priests could; Lev. 21.21, 23; Deut. 16.16; Isa. 29.13; 58.2; Ezek. 40.46; and in the NT once p. 166; Martin, Jmnes, p. 153; Johnson, Letter of with this sense in Heb. 7.19. Davids, .I-s, .I-s, p. 284. Moo argues that the cultic metaphor is not in view because later in the same verse God 'd draw near ( ~ I Eto V hum-, an idea which disrupts the cultic image (Letter of J m , p. 195); however the following image of cleansing and purifying again calls attention to the cultic image.
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In this passage 'cleanse' is connected to 'purify', 'hands' is linked with 'hearts', and 'sinners' is paralleled by 'double-minded'. Note that as one approaches God greater purification is necessary while the further away from God (near the world/devil) dejilement is assumed. The labels given to the readers are important to note. 'Sinners' (5.20) and the 'double-minded' (1.8) are related to one another in that each must seek purification.107These negative descriptions of the readers develop the negative portrayal expressed in 4.4 ('adulteresses') and, taken along with James's typical address 'brothers', the author signals that he views his readers as a believing group yet needmg to readjust their social and religious commitments. Referring to his readers as 'sinners', James focuses upon their breach of God's standard of order. They have failed to live as God's covenant people and thus are 'separated from God and outside his eschatological order, threatened with death (1.15; 5.20)..'~~Within the associations of the letter, the 'sinner' has strayed from the tmth and if he continues in 'the error of his way' (rrhauqs b&G a6~oG)he will suffer death (5.20). 'Sinners' were, above all, traitors to God's covenant guilty of wicked alliances with b ~ & p o s . The parallel term 'double-minded', unattested before James, is initially described in 1.8 as one who is 'unstable ( & r a ~ a o ~ a ~inoall s ) his ways'. This phrase is in apposition to 'that man' (b tiv8pwrros 6mivos) in 1.7 who is identified with 'the one who doubts ( 8 1 a ~ p l ~ p ~ v oins )1.6b. . The doubter does not ask in faith and thus is 'second-guessing'-vacillating irresolutely between two choices. Cheung points out that '[dloubt is not so much intellectual doubt as uncertainty in one's loyalty, between God and the world'.lw Other than Hermas the closest parallel to James's use of Gi+uxos may be found in the description of the 'double faced' (61rrp6owrros) in Testament of Asher. Cheung notes several points of similarity: (1) both terms refer to one uncommitted to the good; (2) as Gi+uxos is set against &TAGS ('single') in James 1.5-6, so too in the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, G~rrp&wrros is the opposite of &TAGS;(3) in James the opposite of Gi+utos is faithfulness and loyalty, likewise the opposite of G~rrpbowrrosis povorrpwwm which means wholeheartedness in one's commitment to God (T. Ash. 6.1); (4) both 6i+uxos and G~rrp&wrrosare associated with the evil inclination; (5) the Glrrpbwrros allies himself with Beliar and the Gi+wxos allies with 'the 107 Sir. 2.12 points out that a sinner is one who walks a double path (i& 660 ~ p i p w r ) and as Laws (James, p. 184) points out the 'dodh-minded are the archetypal s*mprs; for James doubleness is the essence of human sin, seen in the divisive desires of the individual (iv.1) and the 'adulterous' attempts to combine prayer to God and a quest for the friendship of the world (iv.3f.y. 108 Edgar, Hm GodNot Chosen t k Poor?, p. 104. 109 Cheung, Hemvneutia of James, p. 197.
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world' and its 'demonic' wisdom (3.15); (6) Beliar will flee from the one keeping God's commands, likewise James 4.7 commands submission to God and resisting the devil, who will flee at such action; (7) both T. Ash. 3 4 and James 1.4-18 reflect a similar moral dualism where the Gi@xos is in danger of death."' Within the contrasts set forth in James 1.2-27, 'perfection' (1.2-4) is in opposition to 'double-mindedness' (1.5-8). Instead of wholehearted devotion to God alone, the 'double-minded' irresolutely wavers between devotion to God and b rbpos. In 4.8, again in the context of choosing between God and b ~6crpos(4.4), the remedy for 'double-mindedness' is purification. 'Sinners'-who those associated with 'tax-collectors'-were, in Sanders' view, those who betrayed the God of Israel's covenant, a betrayal where the religions and political aspects were not easily distinguished."' In James's wntext this betrayal is explicitly demonstrated in one's alliance with b ~ b u o s(4.4), something only cleansing could remedy. This leads to a discussion of the two parallel verbs: ~ a e a p i o a nand iryvicran. The verb 'cleanse' (ra8apiCw) is used for priestly removal of defilement in Leviticus 16.19-20 and specifically with reference to 'sins' in Leviticus 16.30 and Sirach 23.10 (also Heb. 9.14,22,23; 1 Jn 1.7,9; 2 Cor. 7.1). Likewise kyvitca is associated with cultic purity (Exod. 19.10; Num. 8.21; 19.12; 31.23). The command to 'cleanse your hands' and 'purify your hearts' is reminiscent of Psalm 24.4 (23.4 LXX) where the one who may ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in his holy place is 'He who has clean hands and a pure heart.' In James 'hands' and 'heart' refer to both external behavior and internal attitude and should not be wnflated into a single command to 'purify There was concern for maintaining of the hand in the Second Temple period as both the Gospels (Mt. 15.2; Mk 7.2-5) and later rabbinic (m. Yad. 1.14.8) discussion indicate. Often the hands could represent one's actions. For example, in Deuteronomy 2.7, literally 'in the work of you hands' is translated as 'in all your undertakings' in the NRSV. Similarly, the heart is often referred to as the seat of the affections (Gen. 6.5; Deut. 8.2) and the 'pure heart' represents a right relationship with God (Ps. 50.10, 12 LXX). In this way James is addressing both the inward disposition and the outward moral and social concern. Thus part of resisting 'the devil' and drawing 'near to God' is cleansing/ p d c a t i o n . The first line, 'cleanse your hands', makes reference to ritual practice but applies it to the social and moral wntext. The cultic requirements for approaching Israel's God which were fiercely debated among Jews in the Second Temple period are now figuratively applied to 110 Ibid., p. 201. 111 Sanders, Jesur md Judnism, p. 178 112 Contra Davids, James, pp. 1 6 7 .
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moral and ideological purification required of the one approaching God in spirit."3 'Sinners', those treasonous to God's covenant and the people of God, are to 'cleanse' themselves. Because of the two terms 'sinners' and 'hands' this use of purity language is again a figurative label for social/ ideological location. The author's rhetoric implicitly labels the actions (hands) of these 'sinners' as impure (associated with both the devil and b K ~ ~ o sand ) , thus in danger. The second line, 'purify your hearts', interestingly may refer to the unmixed quality of the heart's devotion in worship. The stains of the world and the devil affect the readers internally and therefore they must be purified. Here specifically the purification of the inward dispositions and attitudes, therefore, is afgurative label for cleansing. b. The Coherence of Purity m James The composition uses punty language eight times and makes one clear allusion to the purity concept of 'mixed kinds'.114 Though purity references are not numerous, nine references in 108 verses, they appear at several key points. First, there is a compelling cluster of purity terms in the important concluding and transitional aphorism in 1.26-27. Here the author d~stlllsthe primary wisdom contained in the themes of the prologue by offering an aphorism regarding 'pure and undefiled' religion; religion in which one must keep 'unstained' from b K~ULIG%.Second, in the plvotal s d o n regarding two kinds of wisdom and ther consequent behaviors, the first and most important characteristic of 'wisdom from above' is that it is 'pure' (3.17). It is important to note that the author chose not to use 'perfect' (&AE[G%) to describe this wisdom. Because this is a favorite term for the author elsewhere, his choice of words here is all the more significant. Finally, in arguably the sharpest call to repentance in the letter, our author chooses to characterize such repentance as cleansing and purification from alliance with the K&S~G% and the devil (4.1-10). Whereas we have already noted that the author strategically uses polar oppositions throughout the composition to lead readers to a point of decision, the analysis above suggests that the occurrences of purity language implicitly fit into this overall rhetorical strategy.'15 The exhortation in 1.21 to put off 'filth' and receive the 'implanted word' draws a clear distinction in the minds of the readers, leading them to make a choice between continuing in their 'filth', or living in step with the &t of the 'implanted word'. Clearly there is a sharp distinction drawn between 113 Bauckham, J m s , p. 146. 114 'Filthiness', 2.21: 'pure and undefiled' and 'unstained', in 1.27; 'stains', 3.6; 'pure', 3.17; 'cleanse' and 'purify', 4.8. The allusion to 'mixed Ends', one of our puity categories, is found in 3.11-12. 115 Johnson, B~othmof J e m , p. 32.
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two so-called kinds of religion in 1.26-27. 'Worthless' religion, which is no religion at all, is practiced by the loose tongues and deceit of the impure. The effect of the author's rhetoric calls those practicing such deceit to align themselves with 'pure and undefiled' religion by keeping 'unstained' from b ~ h o sIn. 3.1-12, the contrast between the one who controls the tongue (the 'perfect man') and the one stained by the tongue implicitly draws the readers to make choices about how they use their tongues and how speech shapes their communities. Finally, though the choice called for by the contrast between 'wisdom from above' and 'earthly' wisdom is more subtle, the following passage of 4.1-10, with its strong call to repentance, draws readers to choose between God's wisdom/friendship and the world/devil's. The wntrast between purity and pollution functions well within the author's overall strategy of using polar oppositions to bring readers to a decision. By calling attention to boundaries through the means of purity labeling, the author calls the entire readership (both those labeled as in 'danger' and those held up as paradigm examples) to align their behavior with God's values. For the former this decision entails constructing new boundaries, for the latter maintaining ones already there. In keeping with this strategy of contrasts, the exegesis above suggests that James outlines two competing worldviews or culturally constructed systems which order language and behavior. The author equates one worldview with b &bs (1.27; 2.5; 4.4) and the other he equates with b K ~ V (1.27; W 2.5; 3.6; 4.4 [2x]), or 6~riy~1os ('earthly'; 3.14-17). Each time James uses b ~ b p o its is antithetically contrasted with b 8sbs as a counter system of order (with the only exception being 3.6). And in these very contexts, where two systems of order are set in opposition, purity language is frequently used.l16 For example, in 1.27 'pure and undefiled religion' is such in 'the sight of God' and maintaining such religion entails keeping oneself 'unstained from the world'.l17 Though there is no reference to b a&&, in 3.6 the tongue is an 'unrighteous world' able to 'stain the whole body'. Here the staining inhence of the tongue is associated with the unrighteous K ~ V O S Wisdom . appears in one of two forms; it is either 'earthly' (thus associated with b ~ 6 a 1 . land ~ ) 'demonic' (3.15) creating disorder and instability (3.16), or it comes from God and produces peaceableness and mercy (3.17). The 'wisdom from above' is 'iirst of all pure' (3.17), in contrast to 'earthly' wisdom which creates 'disorder' (3.16). ' S i e r s ' and the 'double-minded' are told to 'cleanse 116 The only instance of b ~bouosappearing without reference to pnrity/impuity in the larger context is 2.5. 117 Note Hartids comments regarding 1.27 '. ..he is using the imagery and language of purity in ordm to capture the essential understanding of separation between those who belong to Gad and those who belong to the world' (Jmnes, p. 109).
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your hands' and 'purify your hearts' in order to 'draw near to God' (4.8). And in context, this purification is from the staining alliance with b K & ~ O S (4.4). Only the reference to 'filthiness' in 1.21 exists independently from an explicit association with b ~bopog.Yet as Johnson argues, the call to 'put off filthiness' is precisely the rejection of one system of valuation for another. Putting off filthiness is a challenge to repent from the pollution resulting from adopting the alien values and behavior of a different 'world', one contrary to God's righteousness. As such, human anger is related to an alien set of values embodied in b K & ~ W . " * Furthermore, the application of the taxonomy to the various uses of purity language in James has enabled us to see more precisely how the language is functioning in the rhetoric of the composition. Rather than S i t i n g the function of such language to either 'ritual' or 'metaphorical', the language functions in a variety of ways. The language can figuratively refer to moral transgression (1.21), but often it functions rhetorically to locate readers in areas of socio-religious danger by negatively labeling them (figurative label for sociol/ideological location, 1.26-27; 3.6; 3.17; 4.8a). This labeling implicitly leads the readers to make a choice either for or against the worldview of the author. Though no explicit purity language is used in 3.11-12, the author uses thefigure of 'mixed kinds' to reinforce the inappropriateness of misusing the tongue. And finally, the figurative label for cleming used in 4.8b reinforces the call to repent because the 'sinners' are implicitly labeled as socially and ideologically impure. The greater degree of precision afforded by the taxonomy provides an illuminating perspective upon the author's rhetoric and concerns for his audience. Thus the use of purity language in James highlights clear areas where readers are in 'danger' of either failing to construct a boundary line or crossing an existing one. Purity language rhetorically m a r k the 'danger' associated with crossing the line between the two worldviews, or put another way, the danger of not maintaining a distinct boundary between the readers, who are to associate with God, and b K&~OS. The association of impurity with b ~6upo-j will need further exploration. The following chapter will address what k i d of separation this purity language entails and whether or not such separation suggests that a sectarian community necessarily exists behind the composition. Furthermore, though we have generally located James's readers as existing in a precarious Jewish diaspora context, we must consider which readers are in danger of not separating from b 118 Jacksan-McCabe ('Mythic World of James', p. 708 n. 32) notes: 'In James, impurity comes ultimately from "Gehenna" (3.6), and to humans through the h s m (1.27). Individuals are tainted primarily through a self-indulgentpursuit of pleasure characterized as a failure to resist 'the Devil" (4.7-8; d 4.1-6), or through the tongue-which, interestingly, is thus itself likened in same fashion to b nwllos *s h6t~ias.'
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~ b p wAnd, . does the call to remain pure from b ~bl.~os mark the danger at the external boundaries as well as internal ones, as in Douglas's analysis? The composition challenges its readers with regard to particular cultural values. In this respect, readers are condemned as lawbreakers when they show preferential treatment toward the rich at the expense of the poor (2.2-9). James's rhetoric challenges this notion of status (1.9-11; 4.10) indicating the inversion of social stratification associated with the values of b K W ~ O S . James elevates the poor and lowly along with the attitude of meekness despite their lack of social status and economic power. James also challenges the dominant values of speech. Deceit and slander are socially disruptive to the groups that would seek wholehearted devotion to God and may constitute an internal boundary line in need of maintenance or construction. These themes indicate a rejection of social standards most likely current in the dominant Greco-Roman culture. It is this dominant social structure that James associates with b ~ b p o s At . face value, it seems that through labeling b K6upos impure and casting it in opposition to God, the composition is counter-cultural or antagonistic toward the values of Grew-Roman culture. But we must probe this cultural stance further in the next chapter.
c. Conclusion From the analysis above we have discovered that viewing James through the concerns of purity and pollution as informed by our taxonomy helps draw the overall rhetorical call to separation from b ~ b p o into s sharper focus. The composition consistently uses the notion of purity to mark the boundary between two different worldviews: the worldview associated with God and the worldview of b ~6opos.As a means of labeling these different worldviews the language of purity is taken up with the rhetorical intent to legitimate one view of reality over against another, which has the effect of bnnging the readers to a decision a s to which worldview they will adhere to. The purity concern in James is to maintain a pure community (in its internal constitution and external boundary) in the midst of a polluting, antagonistic culture. The line drawn by purity is Integral to James's concern to challenge the counter4tural community to adhere to God's measure of reality by strengthening the boundary between them and the values of the ambient culture which are infiltrating their thinking and behavior. It is within this rhetorical concern that James labels b ~ b p o s impure and condemns the social and moral pollution implicit in those allying wlth it.
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2. Purity as Integral to Perfection Many scholars have identified the semantic similarities between perfection and purity (Bauckham, Cheung, and Hartin especially). In addition to this lexical relationship, we noted in Chapter 3 that these two terms have been carefully placed as the opening and closing concerns in the introductory prologue of the letter. This intentional placement of lexically similar terms within the prologue helps readers link these concepts in what is to follow. Furthermore, these terms and associated concepts are further interrelated in three specific passages in the letter's exposition. As in James's introductory chapter, the notion of perfection and purity are related in 3.1-12. The phrase 'the whole body' (iihov T& oopu) l i i the two contrasting results of one's control or lack of control of the tongue. According to 3.2, one who controls the tongue 'does not stumble in what he says' and therefore bridles 'the whole body'. This individual is labeled the 'perfect man' (&AEIOShmjp). AS the T~AEIOS &mjp, this individual demonstrates his wholehearted devotion to God by controlling his tongue. However, lack of control over the tongue results in the pollution ('staining') of 'the whole body'. One who controls the tongue is perfect and one who cannot shows evidence of pollution by b K&JVOS. If indeed these concepts are l i e d one could state the reverse and claim that one who bears the marks of pollution by b K&OS cannot be perfect. Suffering the pollution associated with b K ~ ~ V Onegatively S affects one's ability to have wholehearted devotion to God. By association it is uncontrolled speech epitomized by human anger rather than 'meekness' (1.20-21) that presumably reveals an over-abundant wickedness. in one's life that needs to be c~eansed."~ So, not only are these concepts connected in this passage but we may also see something of their relationship as well. The notion of purity and undivided devotion are linked in the description of wisdom in 3.13-18. Wisdom 'from above' is first of all described as 'pure'. The characteristics following in 3.17 may be viewed as integrally linked to the head or overarching characteristic of wisdom's purity. One of wisdom's characteristics is ~ ~ I U K P L T O S . In classical Greek this term may be rendered 'indistinguishable' or 'uncertain' but that meaning is inappropriate here. Laws suggests its meaning 'may best be deduced from the cognate verb diakrinomai which James uses in i.6 and ii.4' and she concludes 'wisdom is without doubleness . . .'lZ0 If this term is the negated substantival related to the verb 6lu~pivo,then it may be the case that one of the qualities of wisdom which is 'pure' coming down from
119 Baker, Personal Speech-Etkicr, p. 137 120 Laws, James, p. 164.
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
God (1.17) is that of single-mindedness or wh~leheartedness.'~~ T ~ ~ EisI W the single-minded devotion to God and within the contrast of 1.2-8, the individual who is lacking must ask of God without 'doubting' or vacillating between two options. The one who wavers (b B I U K P I U ~ ~ is EVOS) 'double-minded'. This is precisely what 'wisdom from above' is not. The wisdom that is first 'pure' is &&&KPITW; it is 'not divided'. Thus within the associational structure of James, 'pure' wisdom is an agent in the war against a 'double-minded' approach to GodlZ2 and therefore one's perfection is integrally related to 'pure' wisdom. Here it is allowing the wisdom from above to animate one's actions, namely to produce singlemindedness, which is a derivative of wisdom's purity. Stating this relationship in the opposite way, the individual animated by 'earthly' wisdom is jealous and has selfish ambition resulting in 'disorder' ( & ~ a ~ a o ~ a oand i a )every vile thimg (3.16). This 'disorder' is the very same symptom of the 'double-minded' individual who wavers in his faith toward God (&KUTUUTUTW in 1.8). Finally these two concepts are related through association in 4.1-10. The climax of the indictment of the community's infidelity to covenant relationship with God comes in James's sharp antithesis between frimdship with God and friendship with the world in 4.4. The only remedy for this situation is complete repentance in the form of submitting to God (4.7). One of the components of submitting to God is for the 'double-minded' and 'sinners' to 'cleanse' and 'purify' themselves from the polluting influence of alliance with b u h o s . Here the 'double-minded' are to complete an act of puri6cation in order to regain covenant loyalty (wholehearted devotion) to God (4.4). The dividedness or 'doublemindedness'!associated with vacillating between God and b ~ b p o in s 4.4 is implicitly a source of pollution because of the necessary purification required in,4.8. Therefore we can once again see that maintaining a polluted assdciation with b K & ~ Wnecessarily affects one's ability-rather lack of ability-to be T Q A E I ~The . unfaithfulness of vacillating between association with God and b u b p o s is a dilemma which must be resolved through disconnecting from the worldview of b ~ b pOne ~ who . is allied with b ~ b p o sis 'double-minde8 and disqualified from wholehearted
121 See the following commentators who understand the term to refer to singlemindedness, Hort, Sf. James, pp. 86-7; Mayor, St. Jomes, p. 132; Ropes, St. 3-8, p. 250; Adamson, James, p. 156; Laws,Jmnes, p. 164, Moo, Jomes, p. 136; Cheung, Hermeneurics of Jmnes, p. 144. 122 Both Hartin (A Spirituality of Perfection, p. 73) and Cheung(Herm0leurics of Jomes, pp. 165, 177) strw the semantic overlap between perfection and puniy in the description of wisdom being pure; however, they arrive at this observation independent of one another.
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devotion to God, or perfection. The proximity of one to b K & ~ Wand its construal of reality directly affects one's perfection.123 Elliott understands that the purity/poIlution language in James replicates the wholeness/dividedness, or &AEIWlanguage, a notion largely followed by Hartin. Elliott asserts: 'concepts of pollution and purity ... are used to summarize the exhortations regarding incompleteness and mtegrity, division and wholeness', and furthemore, 'concepts of pollution and purity, division and wholeness, may be merged in an effort to address the issues of distinctive Christian identity, responsibility, social cohesion, and social b~undaries'.'~~ Rather than agreeing with Elliott's thesis that wholeness (perfection) is replicated or identical to purity/pollution it is apparent that these are related yet distinct concepts. Rather than codating these concepts, as Elliott and perhaps Hartin do, perfection and purity are distinct yet dynamically related concepts in James. The primary concern with purity focuses upon the audience's relationship with the surrounding culture and their internal coherence. Interaction (1.27) and alliance (4.4,8) with b K & ~ W is deemed a source of defilement for James's readers. The overall notion of perfection in James is that of resolute devotion to God, the opposite of 'double-mindedness'. The contrast between TfAatos and Gi@xcs refers to the relationship between James's readers and God; they either may be wholehearted, single-minded in devotion, or irresolute, double-minded in their relationship with God. Perfection, as it were, renders the readers wholly unto God and thus makes them holy. On the other hand, double-mindedness is an indication of lack of devotion, the consequence (not condition) of maintaining an alliance with the world. Note that the composition uses the notion of Gi\Iruxos not 'impurity' in d i i c t contrast with perfection. Thus it is only when James's readers maintain a degree of separation from b K & ~ W(thus achieving purity) that they are able to begin to achieve perfection. It is only when readers 'cleanse' their hands and 'purify' their hearts that they are able to start down the road to perfection (4.8). Where the readers align themselves with the world, in James's view, there can only be imperfection (= 'double-mindedness') and ultimately eschatological 'death' (1.15; 5.20). Whereas separating from b K & ~ w by , means of 'pure' wisdom, leads to perfection and wholeness (1.4) and ultimately eschatological 'life' (1.12). There is no indication in the text that one can ally with b K & ~ Wand expect to be TQAEIW. Yet the converse does not obtain. One must do more than separate from b K & ~ Wto be T~AEIOS. Thus purity is a necessary, yet not suflicient, condition in order to achieve 123 Note that Hartin ( J m s , p. 73) argues: 'James demibes the Torah as the "perfect law" (1.25). Here the concepts of purity and perfection come together-'holiness and wholeness", as Elliott expresses it a19931 7141).' 124 Elliott, 'Holiness-Wholeness', p. 74.
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perfection. Where it is true that to be wholeheartedly devoted to God entails that one is separated from 'the world', the converse, that separation from the world necessarily entails that one is wholehearted in devotion to God, is not true. Mere separation from the surroundmg culture without respect to one's devotion to God is hardly James's concern. It is only as separation from b K~OIIOS serves the objective of wholehearted devotion to God berfection), that James's antagonism toward the world is understood. Here, unlike Elliott, we claim that perfection is not replicated by the notions of purity and pollution but there rather are related yet separable concepts working together in the text. Rather than wholeness (perfection) language being 'replicated' in purity/pollution, the evidence indicates that purity in James's understanding is a necessary condition for perfection. Closer to the point are Bauckham's comments regarding the relationship between perfection and purity. The use of purity 'belongs to this aspect of wholeness as exclusion: purity must be preserved by removing and keeping untainted by anything that would defile'.lZ5The specific issue of how purity functions to encircle James's readers and thereby giving them a particular identity will be taken up in the following chapter. However, we may say here that purity in James does envisage a boundary which strengthens (or calls forth) the 'counter-cultural' stance his readers must take. It remains to be seen if such a call to boundary creation/ maintenance necessarily entails that the identity of James's readers be secured by delineating themselves over against others. Again, these issues will be taken up in the following chapter, but here the conclusion must be drawn that p&ity is related to perfection and that it is insufficient to view their relationship in terms of replication-they are related yet separate concepts that work together.
3 . Summary and Conclusion James consistently uses the notion of impurity to label the worldview associated with b ~iwpos.Our taxonomy has enabled us to see this labeling feature of purity language in James more clearly. Where the worldview associated with God is labeled 'pure and undefiled', the worldview of b K ~ ~ Ois the S source of pollution ('stain', 1.27; 3.6). The call to cleanse and purify (4.8) is a call to create or maintain a boundary between James's audience and surroundmg culture which is polluting and antagonistic. The community's relationship or proximity to b K&T~OS has been seen to directly affect their ability to attain perfection, or
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wholehearted devotion to God. Thus one cannot understand the concern for perfection in James without a proper understanding of purity. The purity concern in James is related to perfection specifically by calling forth some kind of separation from b K ~ L I O S But . the purity language alone does not indicate the kind or degree of separation. Does the call to cleanse oneself from b KOULIOS demand sectarian separation or partial separation? And what specifically are readers to separate from when they refuse alliance with b K ~ M OItS is ? to these questions we must now turn.
Chapter 5 PURITYAND THE CULTURAL STANCEOF JAMES
Thus far the investigation has demonstrated that purity language in James is used to label b ~boposas an agent of pollution. The purity of James's readers is directly related to their proximity to b K & ~ S and their proximity to b ~boposdirectly affects the audience's ability to maintain wholehearted devotion (perfection) before God. Whereas this suggested relationship with perfection helps situate the language of purity, we need now to give an account of how the purity concern in James, understood as separation from b K ~ O ~ O works S, throughout the entire composition, and whether or not it indicates a sectarian community. The cultural stance of a text is bound up in several complex and interrelated factors. The attitude of any given text toward the surroundmg culture may be broadly categorized as either integrative or antagonistic. Though a mix of these attitudes may be present, generally we can describe the overall posture of a text as leaning more toward one or the other of these options. The particular attitnde toward culture may be expressed across a 1arge:variety of categories, namely, the political, social, linguistic, educational, ideological, religious, and material. Furthermore, in any one or combination of these categories, the level of antagonism or integration will appear at dierent levels or degrees. In order to determine the cultural stance of a document one needs a sufiiciently nuanced model to account for the different factors involved. Thus, the analytical tools suggested by J. M. G. Barclay in his study of Jewish Diaspora literature will provide the nuanced model required in the present study.' The evidence that will be sifted through Barclay's model will consist of the language and motifs of the Letter of James along with the author's description of the audiences, others, God, and attitudes toward the surrounding culture. Here especially the author's description of and concern for the audience's identity (actions and beliefs) will indicate an 1 Barclay, Jews in the Meditormrem Dimporn, eh. 4. See also Graydon F. Snyder, 'The Interaction of Jews with Nan-Jews in Rome', in Judaism mrd Christhity f z First-Century Rome (ed. Karl P. Donfried and Peter Richardson; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998), pp. 6% 90.
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integrative, oppositional, or mixed attitude toward the readers' ambient culture. Special attention will be focused upon the author's rhetoric, which may clearly indicate the author's concerns and persuasive intents, and, in a less direct way, the situation(s) of the readers. As wisdom paraenesis, James offers little indication of the readers' actual sociohistorical situation and the author's rhetoric can only give but the slightest hints of this context. Thus the following discussion will m&e a distinction between the author's affective and reflective rhetoric. Mectiveiy the author intends to persuade his audience of a certain set of values, attitudes, and actions where he often uses the identity of his readers as an appeal to adopt these values. On the other hand the author's reflective rhetoric is the information that may indicate actual issues or incidents to which the author is responding-these reflective aspects of the text will be discussed in the broadest terms. Keeping this distinction in mind, the goal of this chapter is to determine where James's rhetorical emphasis lies along the spectrnm between cultural convergence (generally promoting integration) or cultural antagonism (insisting on some degree of social and ideological separation). From such a conclusion the social and ideological implications of purity as separation from b K&OS may be determined.
1 . Assimilation, Acculturation, and Accommodation: A Method of Analysis a. Ethnic Identity In determining the cultural stance of James it will be helpful to consider how the identity of the readers is portrayed. In general, interest in ethnic identity and its social embeddedness has been a focus of scholarly research in recent decades. This state of affairs may be due in part to both modem manifestations of ethnic confict and the flood of literature in the field of ethnicity theory, including in the field of biblical studies.2 Many of the theoretical assumptions of ethnicity in the ancient Mediterranean world have been discussed elsewhere? Of particular relevance for this study is the definition of boundaries for a group 2 In biblical studies, Philip F. Esler (ConPict and Identity h Romrmr Minneapolis: Fortress, 20031, p. 40) speaks of 'modeling' rather than a theory of ethnic identity; Louise J. Lawrence. An Ethnopra~hvofthe Gosnei . o.f Matthew: A Critical Assessmort ofthe Use of the Honour ondShuna ilc,azlrn hrh Tesprrrun
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which has been developed withm the discussion of the sociology of sects. Particularly this conversation has been wncemed with a group's response to the world. This discussion began with the church-sect typology which has been a useful heuristic schema for describing the early church's response to the world. M. Weber 6rst distinguished between 'church' and 'sect', a distinction further developed by Troeltsch into a full typology.4 In Troeltsch's sociological typology, he contrasted the conservative churchtype with the more radical sect-type. For Troeltsch, the church-type accepted the existing social order's values and customs and ultimately the interests of the ruling classes, while the sect-type demonstrated radical hostility toward institutional power structures and firmly associated with the lower classes and the socially marginalized. The goal of the churchtype is world domination attained by means of adaptation and compromise, while the goal of the sect-type is inward personal perfection often in terms of sharp opposition to the world. Troeltsch's basic typology has been expanded by Bryan Wilson and, unlike Troeltsch, 'he does not define a sect over against a church-type organization as its opposite (a contrast which he points out derives from Chri~tianity)'.~ Wilson considers sects as 'deviant religious movements' and he classifies them in terms of their responses to the world-their 'orientations to the wider society, its culture, values, and cultural goals, the experiences of evil and the means of escaping it and attaining ~alvation'.~ Wilson's sect is a deviant religious movement primarily characterized by tension with society. Yet Wilson's sect typology has come under critical assessment. Philip Harland notes: 'The modem, individualistic character of Wilson's model is quite evident . . ." Furthermore, Harland does a fine job of demonstrating that the relationship between religious communities and GrecoRoman culture cannot be slotted in 'either/or' categories. He argues that: synagogues and assemblies, could in vgways participate within certain areas of life in the polis under Roman rule, including involvements in imperial honors and connections. Associations were not, as often assumed, subversive groups in consistent tension with polis Aaron P. Johnson ('Identity, Descent, and Polemic: Ethnic Argumentation in Eusebius'
Praeporatio Evmgelied, Jmnnl of Early Ckrirrivl Studies 12 [2004], pp. 2 S 5 6 [29D for a full list of recent shldies. 4 Btyan Wilsos, Mopte und l k d l i l l u n n ~ zA: Sur~olopualStudy oJ'Rr1;gtmmMutrmnrr u/PrulziI mnvnp 7iihol rvul firrrl- World People$(l.ond,,n: Hcit~eruann,IY73), p. II. lhat is the 'conservative church and the perfectionisisect'. See Ernst Troeltsch, The ~ i c w Teaching l ofthe ChrFrtimz Churches (trans. 0.Wyon; New York: Macmillan, 1931). 5 Adams, comrrucring the WorW p. 8. 6 Wilson, Ma&, p. 26. 7 Philip A. Harland, Assoeiorionr, Synngogues, and Congregotiom: C l n h n g a Phce in Aneimt Medtennnean Society (Mimeapolis: Fortress Press, 2003), p. 190.
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and empire. Rather, despite occasional involvements in civic disturbances, there was ongoing positive interaction between these groups and society ... The manner in which both Jewish and Christian groups are oftmr cafegorized as 'sects' in conflict with society acts as a hindrance to perceiving the more complex spectrum of possibilities in interactions between groups and society. There was a range of perspectives mu1 practices among Jews and Christians with regard to separation from or involvements in various aspects of society, including imperial honors and
wmections? Communities could and did develop complex relationships with the cultural and religious structures surroundimg them such that Wilson's individualistic categories cannot account for important details. Specifically in this regard Harland critiques Elliott's work on 1 Peter. Harland stresses that for Elliott 'the most important characteristics of these sects are their tensions with and separation from society! He stresses that the typical Christian assembly in Asia Minor was an exclusive "community set apart from the routine affairs of civic and social life".'9 Elliott correctly notes the distinctive identity of Christiansthey distinguished themselves from the surrounding society in many respects and refrained from participation in certain areas of life within Greco-Roman culture. However, Harland helpfully shows that Elliott is simplistic in his application of the sectarian model and thus misses the complexities of the group-society relations neglecting evidence that does not neatly fit into this model. These concerns raised by Harland are especially important in our study of James because first, with respect to the critique of Wilson, the community as opposed to the individual reaction to the world is the focus of James's exhortation and second, with respect to the critique of Elliott, though conflict is an issue in James, the composition itself does not indicate that conflict with a speciiicaIly defined group of outsiders is the primary focus of the text and therefore any conflict in James must be put in proper context in an investigation of James's rhetoric concerning relationship with the world. b. An Analytical Method In order to assess the overall movement and organization of the markers indicating identity in James, we must employ a theory which will allow sufficient flexibility to organize the available textual data, yet not restrict that data into simplistic, and ultimately unhelpful, categories. For example, it would not be helpful to note the link in the text between the audience/author and Israel's history, ancestry, and homeland only to 8 Bid., pp. 89 (emphasis original). 9 ibid, p. 12. Harland is reacting to John Elliott's A Home for the Homeless: A ~~ciological~xegesis of I Peter, Its ~it&tion&Strategy (London: SCM h a s , 1980, p. 79.
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conclude that James shows no positive evaluation of Hellenistic culture. This is clearly an incorrect conclusion because the letter itself was not only written in Greek hut bears several marks of highly refined Greco-Roman literary rhetoric. In his study of Diaspora Judaism, Barclay develops three scales in order to determine different kinds and degrees of Hellenization among Jews in diaspora settings: assimilation, acculturation, and accommodation. Barclay clarifies Hellenism as 'the common urban culture in the eastern Mediterranean, founded on the Greek language . .. typically expressed in certain political and educational institutions and largely maintained by the social Blite'.lo The principal components of cultural engagement with Hellenism include: politics, society, language, education, ideology, religion, and material." Barclay is careful to point out that this list is not comprehensive and each category not airtight. Influence across cultures may occur in several of these categories yet in differing degrees. Barclay concludes that it is helpful to distinguish between 'different kina5 and between different degrees of Hellenization'.l2 In order to detect the nuance of different kinds and degrees of cultural engagement, Barclay suggests the first scale: assimilation. This scale refers to the level of social integration (becoming similar to one's neighbors) and concerns social contacts, interaction and practices. Someone at the top of the assimilation scale had abandoned the social distinctive fundamental to Jewish identity; someone at the bottom confined his or her social l i e entirely to the Jewish community. Second, he develops the acculturation scale, which refers to the lmguistic, educational and ideological aspects of a cultural matrix. Someone at the top of the acculturation scale had scholarly exp6rtise in Hellenistic scholarship; individuals in the middle of the scale either demonstrated familiarity with Greek literature, rhetoric, philosophy and religion, or demonstrate a passing acquaintance with common moral values; someone at the bottom knew no Greek at all. Regarding those falling in the middle range Barclay notes '[flamiliaxity, of course, is not easily quantified, but it is often evident, for instance, if a Jewish author really knows the philosophy he purports to discuss or has only a passing acquaintance with its most well-known tenets'." Lastly he offers the accommodation scale which considers how acculturation is used. At either end of the accommodation spectrum, accordmg to Barclay, one will find texts or individuals who submerge Jewish cultural uniqueness with the goal of cultural integration or, at the other extreme, one finds antagonism to Greco-Roman culture bearing an overall 10 Barclay, Jovs h the Meditmranem Dwspora, p. 88 11 Bid., pp. 8 9 9 0 . 12 aid., p. 90 (emphasis original). 13 Zbid. pp. 9%.
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oppositional stance toward Greco-Roman culture. Though Diaspora Jews often became familiar with Greco-Roman culture, it was another matter how they employed what they had learned. They could use their training either to defend or to attack Judaism, either to justify or to undermine its peculiar customs.14 Although the evidence is not as complete as desired, these three scales allow a heuristic tool to distinguish among the many different ways James's audiences interacted with their environment. Acknowledgrng the complex relationships between religious groups and Greco-Roman culture noted by Harland, this investigation will employ the aid of Barclay's scales of assimilation, acculturation, and accommodation.
2. Analysis of the Cultural Stance of Jmnes In order to guide the collection and interpretation of textual data along the lines of Barclay's scales outlined above, three major questions will be asked of the text, one aligning with each of the three scales. F i t l y with respect to the description of the audience, author and any other parties, is there evidence of social contacts, interactions, or specific practices indicating integration or antagonism? Though the letter of James does not contain much information regarding such social relationships, a general concern for particular issues of assimilation may be identified. Secondly, we must ask whether there are indications of acculturation in the text. That is, we must ask about the author's acquaintance with and skill ~n Greco-Roman rhetorical foms or the author's religions or philosophical foundation from which he describes his audience and then relationship to God, and conclude whether or not he had a degree of acquaintance with Greco-Roman culture. Finally, in keeping with the accommodation scale we must ask to what purpose is the author's acculturation put, namely whether the author seeks to build bridges between cultures, burn them down, or something in between. To structure our analysis, these three interrelated questions and their corresponding scales will be taken up in a discussion of the various parties discernible in James. F i s t we will consider the audience, second, any other groups present in the text including 'opposition' groups, third we will consider information regardmg the author's self-description and fmally, we will consider what religions and philosophical materials and concepts the author uses to describe God.
14 In his own way Harland notes the usefulness of the concepts of a s M a t i o n and d t u p d t i o n (Associntiom,pp. 19P-200).
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a. Description of Groups The primary dit3culty in uncovering information about the socialhistorical context of this letter is the wide-ranging and hypothetical mood of the composition itself. Johnson observes that '[tlhe way to the real readers is blocked above all by the general character of James's moral exhortation. He is certainly detailed enough, but his lively vignettes appear as situations that might apply to all communities, rather than a single church.'" Many wmmentators have observed this quality of ~ames.'~ In Chapter 3 the argument for reading James as a letter to diaspora communities was made; thus the social-historical context of the audience must be broached with this general context in mind. And because the description of the audience survives within the rhetoric of the author, the analysis must distinguish between reflective and affective language described above. The survey will first describe the general audience; second, it will take up other addressees, specifically the 'rich', and the 'poor'; finally, the author's references to 'teachers' and 'elders' will be explored.
1. Description of the Audience There are six indicators of the author's description of the audience: (1) the address, 'to the twelve tribes in the diaspora', (2) the frequent vocative address 'brothers' or 'my brothers', (3) the evocative labels used of the audience (specifically 'adulteresses' [4.4], 'sinners', and 'double-minded' [4.8]), (4) the 'our' and 'we' passages, (5) passing references to conflict among the readers, and (6) the rhetorical placement of the audience when the author describes other p m e s . The primary designation of the audience appears in the prescnpt: 'to the twelve tribes in the diaspora' (1.1). Virtually without exception these terms were used to designate Jews reslding outside of Palestine while calliig upon the future expectation that God would either reassemble 'the twelve 15 Johnson, Brother of Jesu, p. 37. Johnson furthermore points up the hermenentical implications of James's broader appeal: 'It s e w s clear that the more we move from occasional literature such as letters to compositions intended for a wider readership, the more the factors of rhetoric and literary artistry necessarily interpose themselves between the wntemoorarv reader and the social world that mav have been oresumed bv the wmoosition' (Brother of Jesus, p. 103). 16 Davids. Jomes. DD. ZSM: Moo. Letter ofJomes.. o. o. 26) a ~ t l ~ . 25. Bauckham (Jnmes... wmments: 'The seemingly irrepressible desire of modem historical criticism of the New Testament to specify the contexts of the original audiences of the New Testament texts as closely as possible must be resisted, since the character of James as an encyclial contradicts it. We must take seriously the im~licationthat James addresses not s p d c but typical .. illusuonr, such a.$ he knows iI is qtuite likel) his r a d m in o m ) pxts of rhc. L)l;upura mtght cncounlcr, and r;bukci lyplwl f;lnhn&~,s ~ c ha, hc might lhmk lhkely to occur in many Jruish C h d s b communities in the Diaspora.:
. .
,..
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tribes' or, more generally, fulfill the hope for the 'freedom of Jews from foreign dominion (whether in the diaspora or in the land)'.l7 As the 'twelve tribes in the diaspora', the addressees are M y placed withm the broader narrative of Israel. These addressees 'can best be seen as those sharing a Jewish world-view, and, in particular, those sharing the conviction of the authority of the interpretation of this view associated with Jesus and his movement'.'* This title, 'twelve tribes', suggests a high degree of assimilation within Jewish culture.'' As such the audience existed in the highly variegated context of the diaspora where both religiously and culturally they were in the minority and no doubt faced external pressure to assimilate with other non-Jewish cultures. It follows then that, due to the extremely diverse situations throughout the Jewish diaspora, the letter's address is appropriately comprehensive in its scope.20 Yet, such a description may in fact be part of the author's affective rhetorical description of his audience. In this way the text itself may be calling forth a specific identity in light of the audience's particular social location. Various groups in situations appropriate to the diaspora context are addressed by James's typically general imperative style with a view to encourage them not to assimilate to the world that surrounds them culturally-a type of epistle not without example in the Second Temple peri~d.~' A second indicator of the identity of the audience is the author's frequent use of 'brothers' (&&eA+oi)to address his readers. The tern hbA@i occurs a total of 15 timesfour times on its own (4.11; 5.7,9, lo), three times as 'my beloved brothers' (1.16, 19; 2.5), and eight times as 'my brothers' (1.2; 2.1, 14; 3.1, 10,12; 5.12, 19). The vocative hbA$oi appears along with an imperative verb 12 times,'' demonstrating the authoritative teaching role the author takes with the audience. However this authoritative role is cast in more egalitarian terms than typical wisdom texts. Where 'son' is often used with reference to younger companions or 17 Sanderr, JecurandJmi~tn?,, p. 95 It ~r thi point that Idpar illor GdJ.Yur (%own tlu, Puur', pp. 97 IUI) Fail, tu apprrrlatr in hls d~scutricmn i t h r tiguratwc inurprzwuon dl our --
1.1. 18 Edgar, Has God Not Chosen the Poor?, p. 100. 19 Note also in this respect the frequent use of Jewish examples (Elijijah, Job, Abraham, Rahab). 20 Edgar u n n e c e s d y assumes that 'ldlesoite the amarently wide-ranping .. . .. . .address, the author may well have had in mind qoitc. a i ~ ~ ~circle a l l of dlddresrer~. ' (H,L~GoJ Not C h n w rhr Puor:' D. lUUl I t is mom Ilkel) that the author d ~ d in lJLt h a w il WIJCTIIUJIL~CC in ~Ulnd and ad&& hisstyle and parti&lar themes accordingly. 21 See the examples of 'diaspora letten' in Tsuji, Glnube z w i s e k VoIEommenheit und Verweltlichung, pp. 18-36; Niebubr, 'Diasporabriefe'; Verseput 'Genre and Story', pp. 99102 Bauckham, Jmnes,pp. 19-21. 22 3as 1.2, 9, 16, 19; 2.1, 5; 3.1; 4-11; 5.7, 9, 10, 12.
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
students (especially in Wisdom literat~re)'~and at times may even reference the addressee as a subordinate (Josh. 7.19; 1 Sam. 4.16), the term &6~A4&5indicates a less hierarchical relationship between teacher and was commonly used to refer to a costudent. In its general sense, religionist or compatriot,24and, in early Christian literature, may either refer specifically to fellow-christiansZ5or fellow-Jew~.~~ Edgar helpfully points out that 'thii address marks out the addressees as members of a fictive kin group of which the author is also a member. This group would be presupposed to share the ties of loyalty, mutual commitment and support which bonded the members of a physical family.'z7 As demonstrated below, this may be reinforced in noting that the author's one explicit claim to authority is expressed in terms of being a 'slave' to God and Christ. This practice by the author would indicate that especially the 'brothers' are, in some respect, a highly integrated group. Thirdly, the author refers to the audience by means of specific labels. In chapter four the author calls the readers 'adulteresses' (4.4), 'sinners', and 'double-minded' (4.8). Since these labels have already been taken up in the previous exegesis, it remains only to show how these appellations function in the overall picture of the addressees. It was concluded previously that the label 'adulteresses' in 4.4 was a term specifically referring to the OT image of God's covenant relationship with Israel as a marriage and here the classification marks the readers as the adulterous wife who has dishonored God and transgressed his cosmic order." Using the second person plural imperative, the author labels his readers 'sinners' and 'double-minded' (4.8ehighlighting his audience's failure to live according to God's standard of order. Few have observed that in the crucial section exteniting from 3.13 to 4.10, a sharp accusation and call to repentance, the author does not refer to his readers with his customary vocative 'brothers'. Perhaps this could be taken as evidence of an internal sub-group within the audience that the author is calling to repentance. However, the fact that the two rhetorical questions in 3.13 and 4.1 both call upon 'who among you' seems to indicate that the entire audience is in view (see further on 4.1-2 below). The point is that all the 'brothers' are in danger of being 'sinners' and 'double-minded'. 23 Prov. 2.1; 3.1,21; 4.10,20; 5.1; 6.1; 7.1. Jesus calls the students of the Pharisees 'sons' (Mt. 12.27) and in Acts Paul is described as a son of the Pharisees (Acts 23.6) referring not to his parents but his teachers. 24 That the term denotes associations in a wider context than members of Judaism or Christianity see the Greco-Roman references in H. von Soden, 'Msh-, TDNT, 1.146. 25 Acts 1.16;6.3;Rom. 1.13;7.4;8.12; 1 Cor. 1.10-11;2.1;3.1;4.6;2Cor. 1.8;Heb.3.1, 12; 10.19; 13.22; 1 In 3.13. 26 Acts 2.29, 37; 3.17; 7.2; 13.15, 26. 27 Edgar, Har God Not Chosen the Poor?, p. 102. p. 260; Mayer, St. Jmnes, p. 139; Dibelius, Jomes, pp. 219-20. 28 Cf. Rapes, St. J-s,
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As 'sinners' they have failed to live as God's wvenant people and thus are threatened with separation from God and hi wvenant community. Within the associations of the letter, the 'sinner' has strayed from the truth and if he continues in 'the error of his way' (rrhavlls 6606 a6~oG)he will suffer death (5.20). 'Sinners' were above all traitors to God's covenant. The 'double-minded' are 'unstable' ( & ~ a ~ & o ~ 1.8) a ~ oins all , their ways and, by association, in 1.6-8 they vacillate irresolutely between two options (they are equal to 'the one who doubts [ ~ L U K ~ I Vin~ ~ E V C 1.6b). The central issue with this 'doubt' is hesitation or vacillation in one's allegiance between God and b ~6upos.These labels indicate that the author expects the audience to share a set of assumptious or worldview rooted in Jewish tradition as interpreted by Jesus and his movement. With this in mind, Edgar perceptively .shows how the author used the label 'twelve tlibes of the diaspora' to draw: eschatological hopes of God's restoration of the chosen people. The addressees were thus presenqed] as belonging to that restoration, and consequently expected to share the values associated with it. Other names used for the address- (especially 'adulteresses', 'sinners' and 'double-minded') suggested inconsistency between the views held by the author and the behaviour of the It is this 'inconsistency between news' which James seems to press through terms l i e 'double-minded' and 'the one who doubts'. It is this inconsistency that draws the harsh call to repentance in 4.7-10. Furthermore, these labels are negative descriptions of the readers and not 'outsiders' of the community. The author directs these descriptors toward 'you' (the audience; 4.1) and not others and as such they are devices the author takes up to persuade his readers to repent. A particular manifestation of this inconsistency suggested by Edgar is over the status and treatment of the socially marginal, namely the poor (2.~).~'Refemng to his readers as 'adulteresses', 'sinners', and 'double-minded' as well as 'brothers', indicates that the readers are (a) members of a cohesive party, and yet @) needing to strengthen certain social and religious purity boundaries that separate them from b ~ b p o sThese . labels all refer to the basic issue of loyalty to God and are a call for readers to reassess their 'becoming like their neighbors' or their assimilation especially with the surrounding Greco-Roman culture. Fourth, the 'our' and 'we' passages help iill out a picture of the audience. The phrase 'the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ' in 2.1 indicates the solidarity and identity of both author and audience. But as the opening thesis statement of 2.1-13, which bases the rejection of partiality 29 Edgar, Har God Nor Chosen the Poor?, p. 134. 30 Bid., pp. 111-25.
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in judgment upon the audience's fundamental commitment to 'the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ', this indication of identity functions as an appeal to see from the perspective of God and not from the perspective of the world ( ~ . 5 ) . ~This ' affective rhetoric calls upon the (perhaps neglected) identity of the audience with a view to strengthening values, attitudes, and behaviors-particularly non-partiality-which highlight their separation from a certain way of viewing the world. In addition to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the author appeals to their shared history and fictive familial connection by referring to 'Abraham our father' (2.21). As an appeal to common ancestry, the reference Abraham functions within the argument of 2.14-26 to challenge the audience to embrace values which they most likely already agreed with but were failing to act upon. Finally, both the author and the audience are understood to he 'a kind of first fruits of his creatures' (1.18). James is refening to the common salvation enjoyed by both the author and his audience. And, as the first portion of the deliverance offered by God, both author and addressees are to adopt a particular construal of the world and participate in a specifically defined community. Thus, while being 'first fmits of his creatures' is a description of the audience, it is part of the author's affective rhetoric pressing the audience to strengthen a particular attitude and identity. Fifth, it is evident that James's readers faced difficulties (both external and internal) and that part of the reason for writing was to encourage steadfastness and endurance in the face of these trials (1.24, 12; 5.7-11). Clearly, external 'dangers' of assimilation have already come into focus above. The clearest indication of internal 'danger' comes from 4.1-2: 'What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you (iv itvb)? Is it not your that are at war among your members? You desire and do not have; so you ki.And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war.' There is considerable disagreement over whether 'wars' (rr6Aspo1)and 'fightings' (paxa~),and 'you kill' ($OUEJETE) literally refer to armed and deadly conflict32 or whether this is a metaphorical way of referring to community strife, specifically verbal battles.33 Because both terms are used elsewhere metaphorically to refer to verbal quarrels (paxak, LXX Prov. 17.14; 26.20; 2 Tim. 2.23; Tit. 3.9; T T ~ ~ PSS. E ~ Sol. OI, 12.3) and taking into account the general nature of the text it seems plausible that these references are metaphorical as well. That the waning and fighting is taking place 'among you' (iv ~&v) and 'among your members' (iv TOIS p6h~a1v GpWv) most likely indicates fighting within the
31 Cheung, Hermeneutics a f J m s , p. X8. 32 Martin, J m s , pp. 144-6. 33 Hort, St. J m s , p. 88; Ropes, St. Jmnes, pp. 252-3; Davids, J m s , p. 216; Moo, Letre, ofJames, pp. 179-82.
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readership itself.34Moo points out that 'the problem of community strife fits perfectly into the larger topic that James develops in this part of the letter. For disputes are almost always accompanied by harsh words, criticism, and s l a n d e r a e misuse of the tongue that James castigates (3.1-12; 4.1 1-12; 5.9).'35 James 4.1 1-12 further indicates that internal strife is the author's focus. Here 'brothers' are slandering 'one another' ( K U T U ~ U ~ irhhrjhwv) E?TE and are accused of judging 'your neighbor' (rbv rrhqaiov). A similar warning addressed to the 'brothers' not to speak 'against one another' (KUT'ir&jhwv) appears in 5.9. Thus James's audience is experiencing internal strife especially manifested in slanderous speech toward one another. One can only speculate what the internal confict was over, but a good guess may be the tensions brought on by the external pressures to assimilate with Grew-Roman practices. Finally, it is crucial to note how the audience is referred to with reference to other parties. The audience is usually not directly addressed as 'poor' or 'rich'; rather, 'when James addresses his readerspearers in general, he speaks of both the poor and the rich as other people'.36 Thus implicitly the text indicates a distinction between the audience and the 'rich' and the 'poor'. The only exception to this may be 1.9 where the 'humble brother' is addressed. Regarding this particular verse, Wall argues that the 'humble brother' in 1.9 'expands our understanding of this community', namely that it is 'a community of the poor, who are nevertheless exalted by God'.37 Yet this assertion is stated without supporting argument in Wall's commentary. While we should not deny that this verse indicates that there may have been, and probably were, poor individuals among James's addressees, the general nature of the aphorism in 1.9-11 indicates that James is not addressing his readers as exclusively, or predominantly, poor. Johnson helpfully points out that the passage does not appear to be direct exhortation, but rather 'the stathg of basic principles concerning the human condition before ~ o d ' , ~and ' thus affective rather than reflective language. Therefore, 1.9-11 need not refer to a specific situation in the community, nor should we assume that the audience is made up of the 'lowly' based upon this passage alone. In 2.2-7 the audience is neither wholly identified as the man 'with gold rings and in 6ne clothes' nor as the 'poor' man 'in dirty clothes', but rather addressed as a third (perhaps majority) group, neither rich nor poor. In fact the entire passage most likely is hypothetical or as Davids noted above, it is 'simply a parabolic narrative used to introduce a teaching, not 34 35 36 37 38
Also R o w , St. Jmnes, p. 253, contra Laws, Jmnes, p. 168 Moo, Letter of J m s , p. 180. Bauckham, James, p. 188. Wall, Community of the Wke, p. 54. Johnsan, Letter of James, p. 191 (emphasis ori*).
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an actual report of historical occurrence^'.^^ Balancing this point Laws is correct to warn that even if the social example in 2.2-4 contains caricature and hyperbole, it could not fullill its function in the discourse unless it had some direct correspondence to what might have or frequently did occur.40 But a well-chosen hypothetical situation representative of probable events would function powerfully within the author's rhetorical strategy. Wachob adds, 'if we may accept what cultural anthropologists tell us about the patron-client system that permeated the Greco-Roman world during that period, then the incident envisioned looks typical rather than unusual'. And thus this passage is not referring to a specific situation, for '[tlhe issue of favoring the wealthy over the poor in judicial proceedings is, in fact, a conventional subject in ancient source^'.^' Likewise in 2.14-16 the addressees are offered a hypothetical situation where a brother or sister comes to the readers lacking basic food and clothiog. Again, the readers are not wholly identified with the group of needy brothers and/or sisters, nor does the text explicitly indicate that the community is primarily made up of such 'poor' brothers and sisters," only that there are brothers and sisters in need. The hypothetical examples work within the use of contrasts to lead readers to a choice. Will they be like the 'poor', adopting the correct attitude toward God, or will they, like the 'rich', assimilate to the surrounding culture? Along with the six characteristics of the audience noted above, there are instances where direct address appears yet is not indicative of the author's attitude or description of the audience. Specifically the address '0empty man' (A &v8purr~ KEVQ) in 2.20 functions as a rhetorical device addressed to an imaginary interlocutor and does not refer to the audience. The two summons, 'Come now, you who say' (&YEYU^v oi AQYov~~g, 4.13), and 'Come now, you rich' ( & y wv ~ oi rrAo6o1ot,5.1), again do not reference the audienci, but, reminiscent of prophetic denunciation, rhetorically invite the audience to witness the condemnationof othersq3This language does not reflect the social-historical character of the audience, rather it is affective rhetoric. Two other groups are mentioned in passing: 'teachers' 3.1, and 'elders' 5.14. Where the latter are only mentioned to illustrate the appropriate kind of prayer, the former functions within the argument of 3.1-12 regarding inappropriate use of the defiling tongue. Teachers are influential in their speech and indeed fall under greater judgment regarding their use 39 Davids, J m s , p. 30. 40 Laws, James, p. 98. 41 Wachob, Voice of Jesus, pp. 7%. 42 Contra Wall, C%nnZ~ily of lhe Wise, pp. 13-14, 5 6 7 and Maynard-Reid, Poverty md Wealth in James. 43 Edgar, H a God Not Chosen the Poor?, p. 96.
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of the tongue. But teachers are used here as an apt yet typical illustration of how the tongue may be influential in the corporate context. This evidence indicates that the readers were understood as a group sharing common attitudes and values. However, they were taking up attitudes and evaluative criteria of the 'rich' (and therefore signaling their alliance with 'the world', 4.4) and were experiencing internal conflict (4.13; 4.11-12). Each of the above six characteristic features whereby the author calls attention to the identity of the audience consistently describe the audience with reference to Israel's history and Jewish identity in general, and yet this identity remains quite independent from particular issues of assimilation. In other words, there is no discussion of circumcision or table fellowship. There are two particular issues impinging on assimilation that the author is quite concerned about and which demonstrate a degree of cultural antagonism. First, the author rhetorio ally locates his audience by contrasting typical cultural attitudes toward the 'poor' and 'rich'. This contrast shows how the audience has taken up the dominant cultural stance of deferring to the wealthy who may be in a position to offer material benefit, at the expense of the poor and socially marginal. As they operate under such cultural values, the audience is labeled 'sinners' and 'double-minded'. Second, the internal strife caused by slander or misuse of the tongue is deemed a polluting influence (3.6). So, the audience is clearly not to assimilate with two particular aspects of Grew-Roman culture. 2. 'Enemies' or Opposition ~arty?" Noting James's rather wide-ranging and hypothetical style, identifying opponents or enemies of James's audience is rather precarious.45In order to determine whether the composition refers to enemies, the following discussion will consider the description and identification of different parties in the text. This will be accomplished by identifying how the
44 In the fallowing dirmssion the term 'party' or parties' will be used to describe various collective characteristics of groups in James's rhetoric which need not indicate real social groups but rather the general values, attitudes, and actions common to that collective. The language of 'parties' is intentionally broad and suits the more general language and style of our mposition. 45 Note Johnson's caution (Brother of Jesus, p. 103): 'When the text itself reveals little spe& information about its social world, the investigator becomes more dependent on theoretical models concerning social groups and their development. The sheer multiplicity of possibilities suggested for various "communities" piesupposed or addressed by the Gospels raises severe doubts concerning the usefulness of the search.' See &o the critique of the sociology of the 'sect' as it is used in NT studies, Stephen C. Barton, 'Early Christianity and the Sociology of the Sect', in The Open Text [ed. Francis Watson; London: SCM, 19931, pp. 14IM2).
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author uses labels to distinguish these parties and their attendant characteristics. The primary negative labels appearing in James which could refer to an opposition group are 'the rich' (oi rrhoituto~,2.6; 5.1 in the plural, 1.10, 11; 2.5 in the singular), the 'proud' (6rr~pr~$avo1~. 4.6), 'douhle-minded' (&i@xo~,4.8 plural, 1.8 singular), and 'sinners' (ir~aprwhoi,4.8 plural, 5.20 singular). The terms 'douhle-minded' and 'sinners' are applied speci6cally to the audience in 4.8 in the plural. Both terms are used one other time in the composition and both within the context of a general admonition where, rather than referring to a specific group, they serve an exemplary function within the didactic section (1.8, and 5.19-20). Thus these are labels marking the audience with respect to their neglect of devotion to and alliance with God. Because the terms 'double-minded' and 'sinners' are used either in a generic way or as a label for the audience, it is unlikely that these t e r n are sufficientto identify a group of opponents. The most likely label for 'opponents' in James is the 'rich' (1.10, 11; 2.5, 6; 5.1) who may be associated with the 'proud' (4.6). Identifying the 'rich' in James has been the focus of a lively debate. Locating the 'rich' turns out to be quite a complex issue because in one passage the text represents a strong denunciation of the 'rich' (5.1-6) while in another the attitude toward the 'rich' is more vague and open to different readings (1.1-9). While the negative portrayal of the 'rich' in 5.1-6 is without doubt, commentators are divided as to whether the rich in 1.9-1 1 are a part of the readers' party or if they represent a party of 'rich' outsiders. Most discussion on the passage either concludes on the basis of grammar that the 'rich' are a part of the audience (i.e., ~ h r i s t i a n s or, ) ~ ~reading in light of the harshjdenunciation of 5.1-6, others conclude that the 'rich' are not part of the audience (non-Ch~istians).~'A thud possibility, noted by few, is that the 'rich' are professing to be insiders (Christians), yet, in the author's rhetoric, are labeled as a real outsider party (thus professing to be Christians yet deemed non-Christian by the author).48 None of these options are satisfactory in light of the general nature of the letter. 46 Becaw grammatically the verb in 1.9 ( ~ a u ~ h d governs o) 1.10a and because b &&A$& in 1.9 can be understood as governing both b ~ a m ~ vin&1.9 and b rrAwolos in 1.10,many understand James to instruct wealthy Christians to renounce pride in possessions and humble themselves before God (Mayor, St Jmes, pp. 454; Ropes, St J-S, p p 145-6; Musmer, Der Jokobwbrief, p. 74 Adamson, J m s , pp. 61-2; Moo, Letter of J m s , p. 66). 47 This group of scholars deny that grammatically one must understand b &&A@&as governing both b TuITEI& in 1.9 and b nA&ror in 1.10,and understand the notion of boasting (K~u)(&&) in 1.10to be ironic. The rich man has had his day; all he can e m from the fuhlre is humiliation [in fuhlre judgment]; that is the only thing leR for him to "boast about"' (Dibelius, J m s , p. 85; Laws,Jmnes, pp. 634;David$ J m x , p. 77; Marbh, Jmnes, p. 26; Penner, Jmner md Eschatology, pp. 206-10, 272). 48 Wall, Communify of the Wise, pp. 55-6.
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Wall asserts that the addressees of James are a 'congregation of "humble" means (1.9-11; cf. 4.6-10) composed of members from the working-class poor (5.1-6) and from other social groups who are most neglected (1.27; cf. Acts 6.1-6), most oppressed (2.1-7; cf. Gal. 2.9-lo), and most poor (2.14-17)'. Furthermore, Wall asserts the enemies of this community of the poor 'are the landed rich (5.1) and merchant middleclass (4.13)', in fact the rich 'have become "outsiders" (2.6-7) to God's reign . .. they no longer belong to "the twelve tribes" and cannot look forward in joy to their complete restoration'." Here Wall represents a maximalist interpretation of social context behind the composition. In contrast to the exegesis in the previous chapter and above, Wall fails to appreciate the different contexts in which 'lowly', 'poor', and 'rich' appear, and awkwardly misses the fact that James consistently refers to the 'poor' as people other than his audience. James's audience(s) is rhetorically called to identify with the attitudes of the 'poor' and 'lowly'; they are not identified with them. And even if James's audience is closely associated with the 'poor' this by no means proves that therefore they are necessarily the enemies of the 'rich'. Wall's conclusions are speculative at best. With greater sophistication Wachob argues that '[iln James .. . the "rich" are the powerful outsiders and enemies of the "elect poor" (James 5.1-6). They have achieved their status, not because they have wealth ... but because they identify with and live according to the world and its systemof values (4.4).'50 Wachob argues that the rich 'are the enemies of the "pious poor2'-the "righteous"; indeed they kill the "righteous" (5.6). The opposition between the rich and the poor in James is essentially an opposition between the righteous (= the pious poor who obey the law, 2.5, 8, 10-13; cf. 1.9) and the unrighteous (= the rich, 2.6b-7; 4.1S5.6; cf 1.10. Compare I Enoch 99.1 1-16)."' Though Wachob's claim that the rich are outsiders and enemies is contestable, his comments aptly note that these are not literal social groups but rather parties rhetorically contrasted for the purpose of persuading the readers of the values, attitudes, and actions they should or should not adopt. Penner asserts that 'whenever b rrAwolos is used (6.1.10-11; 2.6; 5.1) "the rich" being referred to are explicitly understood as outsiders of the community. Thii is fairly clear in 2.6-7 and 5.1-6, but has been debated for 1.9-11.'~' Though it has been argued that b rrhdolos in 1.9-10 must be t&en as reference to a community member since b &&A~$brin 1.9 is
49 Bid, p. 14.
50 WBchob, The Voice of J e w , p. 153. 51 Bid 52 Penner, 3-8 md Eschatology,p. 208 n. 3
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understood as the implied referent in 1.10,'~Penner disagrees. He asserts that 'while it is true that ~au5aoB&refers to both the 'humble' and 'rich', it is not grammatically necessary that b & ~ E A + & also refers to the subject of 1.10. Given the fact that in 2.6 and 5.1 oi rrAo6o1otrefers to the outside enemies of the community, it makes perfect literary sense to read the singular referent in 1.10 in the same rnant~er."~ Though Pemer wants to read 'rich' in 1.10 as a reference to outside enemies of the community based upon the fact that the rich are enemies in 2.6 and 5.1, he never provides evidence that the rich are enemies in these last two passages. Instead he simply assumes that this is so. Penner concludes that the rich/ proud are a specific group of opponents and that the insider/outsider language is a polemic 'reflecting an idealization of the wmmunity in view of biblical values and norms and a demonization of the outsiders in mind of the same . ..'55 He insists that 'the "rich" designates not a socioeconomic group per se, but a specific group of opponents which the writer envisions'. And these opponents are: Jews who are opposed to the incipient Christian movement. Characterizing these opponents as 'rich' and 'proud' is a way of depicting the outsider so as to confirmthe ideological struchre of the insider group ... If one a&ms that the community to which the fetter is written is Jewish-Christian, this increases the likelihood that the socalled 'rich' outsiders are none other than a rival Jewish group or synagogue opposed to the Christians of the Jamesiau ~ommunity?~ Cheung directly replies to Pemer, asserting that '[ilt is, however, precarious to take every mention of conflict found in James as evidences of conflict between the messianically renewed community with some rival Jewish 53 Cf. Mayor, St. Jmnes, pp. 454,189; Ropes, St. James, pp. 1454; Adamson, James, pp. 7&7; L. W: Countryman, The Rich Christians in the Church of rhe Early Empire: Contradictions rmd Aecommodatim (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 1980), pp. 82,98 n. 42; Mussner, Der Jokobusbrief;p. 74; Frankem6Ue, Der Brief des Jokoburr, p. 241; Moo, Letter of Jams, pp. 6 5 4 . For those who understand that the 'rich' person is not a 'brother' see Mbelius, James, pp. 85-7; Dands, J m s , pp. 7 6 7 ; Laws, Jmnes, pp. 6 H ; Martin, J m s , pp. 25-5; Penner, J m s rmdfichntology, pp. 2W10; Johnson, Letter of James, pp. 1%1. 54 Penner, J m s mul Esehntology, p. 208. 55 Bid., p. 272. 56 Ibid., pp. 272-3. It is curious that Pmer news James's 'enemies' as a rival Jewish group. There is so much in the letter that seans to indicate a 'toned dawn' Christian perspective either in order to axommodate a Jewish mdinz 'The Fiction of James'. .. (AUison. . pp 529- 701 or hccou* thu tcxt is unly a lightly C'hristianlr'4 Jcwsh wmposluon (a view ouw brgcly out ol lavor, m L Msscbicad, ~ ' k p i t r de r Jacqua s t - c l l e l ' w u \ ~ ~ , d ' uihritcn?' n RHR 32 [1892, pp. 24W3; Arnold Dm R&el &s Jaeobusbriefe~[BZNW 10; GeiBen: Alf~edT6plemm, 19301). However one wndudes on these issues, the primary wntlict addressed in James's affective rhetoric is among the readers and not between the audience and 'outsiders' (cf 4.1-3; 11-12, as opposed to the more hypothetical language in 2.6-7). ~
~
a eyer,
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group. ..Our author may simply be arguing against the dominant system of values which are diametrically opposed to the values of God's kingdom.'57 The key arguments for viewing the rich as outsiders are: (1) the text addresses a specific community with particular issues rather than various communities in a wider socio-historical context, (2) rich and poor refer to actual social groups in codict rather than stereotyped or typical references used rhetorically for instruction, (3) the clear denunciation of the rich in 5.1-6 is understood as an announcement of judgment upon a specific group associated with James's community, rather than a general denunciation of the characteristically rich, therefore (4) other references to the rich in the composition are likewise read as referring to this specific group. Yet, several of these arguments have been challenged. With regard to (I), James should be read as paraenetic wisdom offered in the form of a diaspora letter addressed to several communities existing in the Jewish diaspora context and, as such, the letter should not be read as addressed to one s w c community. As a letter addressed to several audiences in conjunction with the more general context of paraenetic wisdom, the admonitions offered by the author should be read as typical wisdom instruction intended for application in the broad setting of the Jewish diaspora. Consequently, against (2), most of the examples of the rich/ proud and poorflowly are hypothetical rather than reflective of specific instances. Though certainly referring to situations which were possible @erhaps likely) in the diaspora wntext, and which could very well happen, the situations in 2.1-7, 14-17, 3.13-17, and 5.1-6 should not be taken as commentary on specific episodes of conflict between a single community and its antagonists. Regarding (3), where the denunciation of the rich in 5.1-6 appears to be the strongest case for viewing the rich as enemies of James's community, even this passage can be understood as condemning the typically rich for rhetorical eff& upon the audience. Here the rich are condemned because of their arrogant attitude toward and exploitative use of wealth. Johnson understands the passage as focusing on the demise of their wealth itself (it has become rotted, moth-eaten, rusted, 5.2) and 'according to the logic of envy', the rich 'have identified themselves with their possessions'. These resources are indeed being stored up, but not for the purpose the rich intended. Because the cries of the harvesters reaches 'to the ears of the Lord Saboath', the Lord of Hosts himself will bring destruction upon the 'nch' and will vindicate the poor,58 and consequently what was hoarded 57 C h e w , Hermrmpuzics of J m s , p. 245. 58 The phrase ntpiov oa$a&E only occurs here and in a citation from Isaiah in Rom. 9.29 in the NT. Frequently reference to 'Lord Sabaoth' or 'Lord of Hosts' derives from Isaiah from the wntext of judgment upon the wicked (see Penner, J-3 mrd Eschafology,p. 175).
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for advancement ironically become evidence of their guilt: you have fattened your heart for the day of slaughter' (5.5). As argued above, 5.6 can be read in light of the text citation in 4.6, thus tak'mg 4.11-5.6 as commentary on the fist part of the Proverbs 3.34 citation. The final word to both 'the rich' and merchants (4.13-17) is that God himself is the one who stands against them. Here 'the rich' are equated with the 'proud' of the Proverbs 3.34 citation and may be viewed as a generic group or 'certain class of people'59 marked out for judgment because of their attitude of arrogant pride (pride in their words, 4.11-12; in their mercantile abilities, 4.13-17; and in their exploitative creation and hoarding of wealth, 5.1-6).~' Ironically it is Penner who helpfully points out that with regard to these passages: (1) 'Pride' is often used synonymously with 'wickedness' (cf. Ps. 94.4), and haughtiness, loftiness and arrogance are seen to be characteristicsof the unrighteous. (2) The use of the reversal language occurs in the wntext of expected judgment of the wicked; a sudden act by God in history (i.e. the 'Day of the Lord'). (3) The 'humble' are essentially placed in their position by the wicked, a situation which God intends to
Penner continues to mark the eschatological and sapiential elements of this section that are common in the OT prophetic literature. It seems plausible, therefore, that the concerns articulated in the denunciabon of 'the rich' in 5.1-6, arise not out of a particular denunciation of a specific group of opponents, hut rather from the traditional expectation for God to reverse the fortunes of the proud and the lowly at a future t m e of judgment. This accords with the general tone of the reversal of status k s t articulated in 1.9-11. Therefore, in light of the proposed framework for readmg James, 5.1-6 does not need to refer to outsiders in order to accomplish the author's desired rhetorical effect-to call his readers away from the values of b K ~ O ~ G specifically S by demonstrating that the values, actions, and attitudes of the typically rich d l be met with God's fmal opposition (5.6). Thus the language of rich/poor is highly styliid after prophetic
59 Penner, Jmnes ond Eschatology, p. 151. It is interesting that Penner can demibe 'the rich' as a class of people here yet later argue that they are a specific group of enemies of the community 60 his 'class of people' s+cally includes the merchants called out for judgment in 4.13-17 as sigoaled by the repetition of the & viiv fo~lllula(4.13; 5.1). originally argued by B. Noaclr, 'Jakobus wider die Reichen', ST 18 (1964), pp. 10-25, and taken up by Dands (James, p. 171), Maynard-Reid (Poverty ond Wealth, p. 68), and Penner (Jmnes nnd Esehntology, p. 151 n. 1). 61 Pemer, J m s ond Eschatology, ppp. 163-4.
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denunciation6=and in keeping with the Jewish tradition regarding poverty and riches.63It is plausible that the author takes up the typical categories of rich and lowly out of a concern for the readers to adopt the values and actions of the lowly and poor over against those of the rich (2.2-9) and proud (4.7-10). The proposal here is that the labels which some have taken as referring to opponents of the community should be read as more general, stereotypical language which aligns with James's overall concern to strengthen purity boundaries between his audience and b ~6ouos. Though rich and poor are not entirely empty of social connotation neither are they entirely socio-economic terms. Rather they are social types exhibiting humility and dependence upon God for salvation in the case of the poor and pride and reliance upon wealth and status in the case of the rich. The poor and lowly are the paradigm heirs of the kingdom not because of their socio-economic status but because typically they wholeheartedly depend upon God and do not look to wealth or social status for advancement. On the other hand the rich are typical in their arrogant and self-sumcient attitude and thus represent the paradigm of divided loyalties, attempting to make alliance with the world.@ AS such, deference to the rich represents the system of values of the surrounding culture, which the composition rejects and from which the composition draws a distinct line of separation (a purity boundary). God's choice of the poor (2.5) not only derives from the quality of the 'poor' as totally dependent upon God, but also from a general rejection of wealth and status as the primary markers of worth in the community. Cheung has noted that the author 'is employing a socio-rhetorical strategy, using "rich and "poor" and their respective traits as stereotyped polarities understood in terms of "labelmg" '. Not merely socio-economic descriptions, they are ethical categories. Cheung continues, In James, 'the poor' is a form of positive name-calling, while 'the rich' is
negative, with the respective accompanying attitudes of being humble and proud ... Our author employs such socio-rhetorical strategy to deter those 'deviants' from their community-destructive behaviours and from associating themselves, either in deed or in attitude, with those typified as 'the rich'. It is also a critique of the ethos of the culture based on a patron-client relation~hip.~~ 62 Penner, J m s ond Eschatology, p. 271. 63 Moo, Letter of Jmnes, p. 35. 64 In this respect Jackson-McCabe ('The Messiah Jesus in the Mythic World of James', p. 707) says: '"The rich" are symbolic of all thine opposed to God.' 65 Cheune, Hmmmmties of Jmnes, 0. 260. Bmce J. Malina and Jerome H. N e. w. ('Codia in Luke-Aas Latxling and I k b i n n c e lhcory', in T1tr Sorul Worldvf Ldr-Arri: Mod& for lnt~rpreturbnId. Jrrornc H. Neyrc).; Peshody. MA.: Hmdnrk$on, 19911) iwtr: am& are social labels-by means of which the readerbarer mmes to evaluate and
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If this analysis is correct the rejection of such typified status groups marks the composition's antagonism toward assimilation in these specific areas. Therefore the composition is not attempting to define the identity of the audience in terms of outsiders or opponents. Rather, the socio-rhetorical strategy of stereotyped parties is used to move the audience to repent from assimilating with the dominant culture, specifically with respect to the issue of deferring to the rich and powerful. His rhetoric is aimed at creating an identity (diminished assimilation in a particular area) rather than reflective of an existing one. The primary strategy in the author's affective rhetoric is to label aggressive assimilation (deference to the rich and elite) as impure and to label those participating in gross assimilation 'sinners' and 'double-minded'. Based upon this [me of argument, the primary tension is not between a community and its enemies, but rather the audience's ascribed identity over against the values, attitudes, and actions associated with the dominant culture. This coheres with the argument from the previous chapter that purity marks the boundary between the worldview associated with God and that of b K & ~ S generally and the boundary between the audience and the surrounding culture specifically. Arguing that the primary boundary line is drawn between antithetical worldviews does not overshadow the ethical and social consequences of such a distinction. Here it is clear that whereas James's audience is set over against the attitudes of the typically 'rich', there need not be a social opposition group in view for James's rhetoric to work. 3. Description of the Author Here two of evidence will help locate the author: the literary and rhetorical character of the text and the author's self-description. In considering each of these the focus will not rest upon identifying the historical author of the text, rather emphasis will be placed upon what such evidence implies regarding the author's degree of acculturation and relationship with the different parties of the text. With respect to the literary and rhetorical evidence, it has been long observed that James demonstrates a highly polished koine Greek. The grammatical ability of the author is demonstrated in various ways. by the use of subordination and participial constructions rather than coordination, the attention to word order (1.2; 3.3, 8; 5.10), the lack of categorize the penons presented in the story both negatively and positively.. . Labels such as "sinner," "unclean," and "brood of vipm," then, are powerful social weapons. In the months of influential persons, they can imlict genuine injury when they succeed in defining a person as radically out of social place. ConRict, then, can be expressed and monitored in the ways people hurl derogatory names and epithets against outsiders. This social name-dug is a type of interpersonal behavior technically called labelling.'
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anacoloutha (though see 3.17), and the use of the gnomic aorist (cf. 1.1I ) . Johnson ~~ notes that the language of the epistle 'is a form of clear and correct koine with some ambitions toward rhetorical flourish. Less idiosyncratic than the Greek of Paul and far more polished than that of John, James's language is comparable in quality, if less complex in texture, to that of he brew^.'^' In addition to the author's mastery of literary grammar, the composition is rich in literary rhetorical features: such as pleonasm (3.6-7), alliteration (1.2-3; 3.17), parachesis (1.24), and paronomasia (2.4, 20; 4.14).~*The extensive evidence of word-play (e.g., ~picnr/ih~os/ixvkheos2.13), catch-word links (xaipe~vl~apdtv,1.1/2; h~li'r6p~vol/h~ine~al, 1.415; rr~1~aopb/rn1pa~6pevos, 1.12/13; 6 p q a ~ i a / Opqo~~ia, 1.26/27; and so on), and use of sorites (1.2-4, 15) make it widely accepted that the text was composed in Greek and is not a translation from Hebrew or Aramaic. James also takes up the dialogical or conversational form of teaching common in Greco-Roman pedagogical contexts called diatribe. Diatribe advances a student's knowledge chiefly by the teacher or philosopher posing questions and then answering them.69 Especially in 2.18-26, James displays characteristic elements of the diatribe style including the imaginary interlocutor's objection ('but some will say', 2.18), the shift to second person singular in 2.18-23 and then back to second person plural in verse 24, the vocative address 'you empty person' (2.19), the use of rhetorical questions (2.20-21), and the appeal to exemplwn (Abraham and ~ a h a b ) . ~Further ' residue of Hellenistic influence may be observed in James's use of moral topoi common in Greco-Roman moral teaching.71 66 Davids, Jmnes, p. 58. 67 Johnson, Letter of Jomes, p. 7 68 Wachob (The Voice of Jesus, pp. 11, 12) mob. 'The high literary quality and rhetorical character of James are readily acknowledged by most scholars.' For example Mayor, pp. ccxl--ccxlv; Ropes, pp. 257; Adolf Schlatter, Der Brief des Jnkobur (Smttgart: Calwer, 1956),pp. 77-84; and Baasland, 'Literarische Form', pp. 365M2. Wachob notes the following rhetorical feahlres of the text: alliteration and assonance (1.2; 3.2, 5,6, 8, 17; 4.1); rhyme (1.6, 14; 2.12; 4.8); paraechesis (1.24,25; 3.6,7, 17); word-plays and paranomasia (I .l, 2;2.4, 13,20;3.17, 18;4.14);rhythm(1.2, 13,20;2.8,9, 15, 18;3.3, 5,8, 14;4.4;5.10-11); hexameter (1.17); anaphora (4.11; 5.7-8); epiphora (3.7-8; 4.11, 14); anadiplosis (1.3-4; 1.1920; 1.26-27); grodntio (1.3-4, 15); parallelism (3.6-7; 5.2-3, 5); chiasnus (1.19-21, 22-25; 3.1318; 5.7-8); inclusio(1.2-4 and 1.12; 1.17 and27; 2.14 and26); asyndeton (1.19,27; 2.13; 3.15, 17; 4.2; 5.6); antithesis (1.4,s-8,9-11, 13-15,26-27, andpmsim); pleonasm (3.7); and others. 69 Roues, St. James, DD. . . 12-1 I. In fact R o. w arrmes . that James should be classified as a Greek J i a l n k Howr!er. orhrn have correctly n o t d that rrthcr than a Jtsltnrt lltrmry g;nre. Jiatrik ihduld br. YICWLYIi i i d ~ I a s r o ~ ilcuwly rn hetween lrachrr and srudent and thus better described as a 'mode' rather than a genre (Malherbe, Moral Exhortntion, p. 129). 70 For the characteristics of Greco-Roman diatribe see Aune, The New Tesrmnmr h its Literary E n v i r o m t , pp. 2W2. 71 Topoi are set treatments of various subjects, usually employing common examples and propositions to state one's position.
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Probably more than anyone else Johnson has drawn attention to the shared moral topics between James and the wider Grew-Roman tradition. He observes that such similarities may be seen in the concern for the testing of the wise, the unity of virtue, the mirror as a source of self-reflection, the tongue as full of poison, the common images of the charioteer and pilot for self-control and the fundamental convictions that virtue must be tested, that speech must be controlled, that friends correct each other, that wars arise from one's passions, and that speech must be kanslated into action." On a deeper level, Johnson has argued that James uses Greco-Roman fopoi to structure his argument. Specifically he argues for the use of a topos of envy in 3 . 1 3 4 1 0 , ~the ~ topos of friendship in 4.4 and ~ . 2 3and , ~ the ~ topos of taciturnity in 1.19-20, 1.26, and 3.1-9?5 While acknowledging 'this thoroughly Hellenistic sensibility', Johnson argues that James 'takes as its authoritative text the Jewish Scripture, shown must [sic] vividly by the fact that the warrant for moral behavior is grounded not in the "honor/shame" motivation found so commonly in Greco-Roman moral discourse but in the power of God to create and to judge'. From this Johnson concludes, 'here we find a complete and seamless merging of Greek and Jewish sensibilities, in the manner of The Letter of Arirteas, 4 Maccabees, The Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides, and Philo J~daeus'?~ Yet this conclusion is very interesting. Johnson suggests James's use of Greco-Roman literary forms and moral topoi are indicative of integrative accommodation. However, this is not the stance of some of the exemplars Johnson cites. Barclay has shown how Philo, The Letter of Arirteas, and The Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides are not only thoroughly acculturated, but that they use this acculturation for greater cultural accommodation. According to Barclay, 4 Maccabees, while an example of a high degree of acculturatio~uses its sensibilities to promote cultural antagonism. This is a perfect illustration that one needs a conceptual framework that is able to register the complex set of issues inherent in the acculturation and accommodation of texts. That Johnson is not able to distinguish between Philo, The Letter of Aristem, and The Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides on the one hand and 4 Maccabees on the other should warn us that his characterization of James's 'complete and seamless merging of Greek and Jewish sensibilities' may be wrong. It seems that Johnson fails to 72 Johnson, Brother of Jesur, p. 18. 73 Johnson, 'James 3.134.10 and the topos PER1 PHTHONOU', ch. 11 in B r o f b of Jew. 74 Johnson, 'Friendship with the World and Friendship with God: A Study of Discipleship io James', ch. 12 in Brother of Jesus. 75 Johnson, 'Taciturnity and True Religion: James 1-26-27, ch. 9 in Brother of Jesus. 76 Johnsoq Brother of Jesur, pp. 1849 (see Johnson, Letter of James, pp. 3843).
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appreciate the fact that James can show a high degree of acculturation, while showing a low degree of accommodation. In addition to the strong link with Greco-Roman literary rhetoric, the Greek of James can be located in relationship to the Septuagint. James explicitly cites the LXX in 2.8-11, 23, and 4.6 where other passages (1.11; 2.25; 5.4, 5, 17, 20) contain verbal allusions to the LXX.77Furthermore, James's diction as a whole is that of the LXX as seen in the phrase r r o l ~ l ~hbyou, ai a Semitism rendered 'doer of the word' (1.22) rather than 'wordsmith' or 'poet' as in Plato (Phaedo 61A; Ep. Arist. 31)'~ and in rro~qGsvbvou for 'doer of the law' (4.11) rather than ' l a ~ m a k e r ' . ~ ~ James's appeal to the Septuagint signals part of his theological and intellectual source of authority. Where texts are cited (Lev. 19.18b in 2.8, Gen. 15.6 in 2.23, and Prov. 3.34 in 4.6) they function as an authoritative proof in his argument. James usually cites the OT using variations of 'says' (Aiyo),80 yet in 2.8 the text citation is introduced by the phrase 'according to the scripture' (KUTU Gv ypa+~v),plusing K ~ T Uwith the sense of 'in correspondence with'. Rather than only signaling the citation is from scripture, James is stating that there is a way of life or conduct which is 'in keeping' with or consistent to the scriptural principle of 'love your neighbor as yourself' (Lev. 19.18b). Therefore, where Greco-Roman literary devices and moral topics are taken up by James, his intellectual heritage rests firmly in the Jevvlsh scriptures. The author of James was clearly proficient in Greek grammar and rhetoric and able to discourse effectively on moral topics common within broader Greco-Roman culture. This kind of cultural engagement seems not to be a problem. That is, writing good literary Greek and using GrecoRoman moral topics do not seem to constitute one being polluted by the influence of b K ~ ~ I O SThe . author is clearly acculturated, demonstrating familiarity with Greco-Roman grammar, rhetoric, and quite a proficient grasp of common moral values of the culture. Though Barclay notes it is difficultto precisely determine the degree of familiarity based solely on the text itself, references to friendship, controlling the tongue (especially using the image of the helmsman and charioteer), and envy all indicate that the author of James was highly acculturated (toward the 'scholarly expertise' 77 For example the t e r n npmonoAq~+ia~s (2.1) and npmwnoAqpmi-rr (2.9) clearly echo thephrase & h$p* np&mnovin Lev. 19.15;and the parallels between 1.11 and Isa. 40 are evident: the 'rich' 'will pass away like the flowerof grass' (1.10: As 6 v k x b p ~ wc;f. WM Isa. 40.6:& &v8osxbprou) and the rising of the sun,with its scorching heat 'withers the grass' (1.11: iE$pavnv r&v xbp~ov;cf W( Isa. 40.7: i(nphu8q b xbpror) and 'its flower faW (
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extreme of Barclay's acculturation scale). Yet the more d i c u l t and pressing question is to what purpose did he put hi acculturation. The primary authority for the author was the Jewish scriptures and he certainly takes up Greco-Roman moral topics to illustrate his particular a i m e h o t h of which wuld indicate either an antagonistic or apologetic and therefore more integrative stance. It is also instructive to observe how the author describes himself. Here the self-description of the author will he considered first by the information in the prescript (1.1), then, second, through the author's use of 'our' and 'we' language. First, from the prescript we find the most straightforward selfdescription of the author: 'James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ' (1.1). Here the author claims the identity of 'James'. Almost all scholars have observed that the simple designation of James must refer to an individual who would have been sufficiently well known in the early Christian movement and one specifically who the addressees would have automatically known and accepted as an authority. Though James (Jacob) was a common Jewish name in the first century, most conclude that there is 'only one person of reputation in primitive Christianity who wuld have been suggested by the way in which his name appears in the prescript of our letter. James, the brother of ~ e s u s 'AS . ~ we ~ have argued above, the composition should he read as a letter to the diaspora. L i n g such a letter to James the brother of Jesus is coherent in that, as the leader of the Christian movement in Jerusalem, James logically wuld take up a traditional epistolary form of a diaspora letter in order to encourage and exhort adherents living abroad. Given his traditional place of influence in the early Christian movemenf especially in his authoritative role in settling the dispute set forward in Acts 15, James would be a particularly apt figure to: address Jewish Christians living outside their homeland. Addressing the letter from 'James', whether real or fictive, significantlyties the composition both to the originator ('Jesus') and the initial geographical center (Jerusalem) of the Christian movement. The unique double designation 'servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ' neither functions as a title nor as a means to distinguish this James over against another James. Rather the phrase is meant to indicate the author's leadership and authority to address hi audience. As a GoiiAos of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, the author signals his relationship to God as a servant to his master, an expression more common in the LXX
82 Dibelius, J m s , p. 12 (emphasis original). The issue of whether James, the brother of Jesus was the author of the composition or someone later wrote pseudonymously in his name has been bracketed out in our discussion, though there has been compelling argument given for the former (cf Johoson, Letter of Jomes, pp. 8P-121; Moo, Letter of James, pp. 9-22).
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than Greek literature in general.83 in the LXX, bGAw was regularly used to render the Hebrew term 7 3 Y which often referred to those who obey God, and specifically of figures such as Moses, Joshua, David and the prophets.s4 Edgar notes, 'When God is viewed as the supreme, universal authority, then the metaphor of slave presents itself naturally with reference to those under this authority, of whom complete obedience is demanded' and as such '[tlhe author has set himself in the correct place withm the overall order of the universe, by placing himself under the supreme authority of ~ o d ' Often . ~ ~ Christian leaders are referred to as 'slave of ksus Christ' (Rom. 1.1; Phil. 1.1; 2 Pet. 1.1) or 'slave of Christ' (Gal. 1.10). Also the designation 'slave' draws on the characteristic posture of the poor and lowly before the almighty God, a characteristic the author seeks to promote among his readers. Thus by referring to himself as a &&Aw, the author not only claims God's authority behind his exhortation, he also identifies with the typified class of the 'poor', the very same group his audience is to identify with over against that of the 'rich'. Furthermore, because the designation GoGAw is used with the unique combination of 'God and of the Lord Jesus Christ' he asserts that he is under the authority of both God and Jesus ~ h r i s t . ' Using ~ thii double designation the author explicitly acknowledges the authority of Jesus Christ. Second, the use of 'we' and 'our' language indicates the author's selfdescription. The importance of Jesus Christ to both author and audience is evident in the opening exhortation of chapter two: 'My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory' (2.1). Here the author signals his solidarity with his audience, calling upon their common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a reason not to show partiality in judgment. No matter how one addresses the difficult phrase 'ipijv'lqooG Xp~moGfis 665qs', it is clear that faith in Jesus Christ is a foundational characteristic of both the author and the audience. Thus, along with the reference to Jesus Christ in 1.1, in 2.1 the author indicates that the prime component of both the author's and audience's identity is defined by servanthood to and faith in Jesus Christ. It is no exaggeration to say along with Verseput that the expression 'the 83 D. B. Martin, Slnvery as Solvofion (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1990). pp. xlvxvi. 84 Of David, 2 Sam. 7.8,25,29; 1 Chron. 17.4; LXX Pss. 77.70; 88.4,21; 131.10; 143.10; Ezek. 34.23; 1 Ma-. 4.30; of Moses, LXX Ps. 104.26, 42; Mal. 3.24; and of the prophets, Amos 3.7; Joel 3.2; Jon. 1.9; Zech. 1.6; Jer. 7.25; 25.4; Ezek. 38.17 (cf. Martin, J m s , p. 7). 85 Edgar, Hos God Nor Chosen the Poor?, p. 46. 86 While Vouga's (L'Epfrre de Snht Jacques,pp. 31, 36) suggestion that God and Lord should be read in apposition is grammatically possible this is unlikely b e c a w if this was the author's intention the titles most likely would have warred in the opposite order (Moo, Letter qfJmnes, p. 49).
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faith of our Lord Jesus Christ' functions 'as the single most essential identifying feature' of the a~dience.~' The author further draws attention to his solidarity with his audience by referring to a shared history and fictive familial connection to Abraham as, 'our father' (2.21). Here the identity of both author and audience is lirmly rooted in the biblical narrative of Israel. Appealing to Abraham as father, James argues that faith and works naturally go together as exemplified in the life of Abraham. This appeal challenges the audience not only to accept the conclusion that one must have both faith and works, but also that as a group they should follow the example of their common ancestor. However, identification with Abraham here is made without reference to traditional Jewish identity markers, namely circumcision and table fellowship. In this respect the appeal to a common family in Abraham is universalized and focused on the issue of uniting faith and works rather than the mark of circmncision. Thus, over against other Jewish construals of descent from Abraham, James's readers are unified by their descent from Abraham specifically in the commitment to unite faith in Jesus (2.1) with works especially illustrated in caring for the 'poor' (2.14-16) and not showing partiality to the 'rich' (2.1-4). In addition to the description of the audience as members of 'the twelve tribes', the appeal to common ancestry with Abraham marks out author and audience over against both Greeks and Romans as well as non-Christian Jews--those who are not, as it were, 'true' children of Abraham. Two 6nal passages shed light upon how the author views himself: 'we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures' (1.18); and 'we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness' (3.1)." The author again strengthens their solidarity by describing both himself and his audience as 'first fruits of his creatures'. Earlier in the verse the author states, 'in fulfillment of his own will he gave us birth by the word of truth'. Though the use of 'give birth' (&rntdllo~v) and the reference to God as 'father' in the previous verse could indicate that God's creation of human beings is in view (as in Phil~),~' the fact that the only other occurrence of the verb &rro~uio in the NT occurs in 1.15, metaphorically refemng to spiritual birth, makes it more likely that James is refemng to the common salvation enjoyed by both the author and his audience. The term 'first fruits' (hrrapkv) finds its origins in Israel's cult as the first part or portion of the 87 Vemeput, 'Reworking the M e of Faith and Deeds', p. 88. 88 The first person only appears in the phrase 'my brothem' (1.2, 16, 19; 2.1, 5, 14; 3.1, 10, 12: 5-12, 19) or in indirect discourse (2.3, 18) while verbally the first penon only appears in indirect discourse (1.13; 2.18; and in 4.13, 15 in the first person plural). The only other occurreurn of a verb in the first person plural are the passages we cite here and 5.11. 89 See Hort, St. Jmnes, p. 32; Laws,J m s , pp. 7 5 8 ; L. E. Elliott-Bims, 'James 1.18: Creation or Redemption?' NTS 3 (195&57), pp. 14M1; Klein, Ein volhmmenes Werk,pp. 129-34.
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sa&ce offered to God, specifically the first of the flock or field (Exod. 22.28; 25.2-3; Lev. 2.12; Num. 15.20-21; Deut. 18.4), yet in the NT it is used of the first part that represents the whole, specifically as the 'down payment' of the spirit (Rom. 8.23), the first to rise from the dead (1 Cor. 15.20,23), and the founding of Christian communities (Rom. 16.5). In this sense the author understands that he, along with his audience, is the produce of God's work of deliverance of which both author and audience are just the first or representative portion of the whole. Secondly, in James 3.1 the author speaks of himself as a 'teacher' (616amaAos), specifically indicating that 'we who teach shall receive (hqp@5p~8a)greater judgment'. The use of Aqp+6p~8aseems to indicate that the author is speaking of a sub-group to which he belongs but which his epistolary audience is not yet part of though perhaps aspires to join; thus the warning regarding the abuse of the tongue may be applied both to teachers specifically and to those, more broadly, aspiring to be teachers. The use of 6t6ao~aAosto refer to a recognized authority was common in the early Christian movement. Edgar points out that the term 'occurs 49 times in the canonical gospels, 42 of which refer to Jesus as teacher, including the direct address 6 ~ 6 a m a A30 ~ times'.90 Teachers were often associated with prophets and apostles in the NT (Acts 13.1; 1 Cor. 12.28; Eph. 4.1 1; 1 T i . 2.7; 2 Tim. 1.11) and clearly were regarded as authority figures?' Along with the appellation 6oGAos (1.1), a 616aoraAos speaks and acts as a recognized authority accurately representing the supreme authority of God. As Edgar points out, this notion of teacher accords well with the imperative and didactic style of the composition indicating that it was the right of the author to instruct and demand response without further ju~tification?~ Yet this appeal to authority is not made without appropriate humility, for the verb A I ~ V + & P E 'reveals ~~ the author's inclusion of himself not only as a teacher but also as one in this precarious situation with regard to judgment--even as he writes'.93 The author of James produces a well-written Greek text taking up Greco-Roman rhetoric and moral topics; he claims the persona of James who is the 'slave' of God and Jesus Christ; and styles himself as a teacher speaking with the endorsement and authority of both God and Jesus. Though a teacher, he also places himself in the midst of his audience by callmg them 'brothers' and referring to their common familial bond with Abraham in more universalistic (particularly Christian) terms than more traditional Jewish references. He also acknowledges their common faith 90 Edgar, Hns God Not Chom the Poor?, pp. 5G1. 91 See Davids, J m s , p. 136; Martin, James, p. 108; and especially Edgar, HarGodNor Chosen the Poor?, pp. 52-6. 92 Edgar, Has GodNot Chosen the Poor?, pp. 56-7. 93 Baker, Personal Speech-Ethics, p. 123.
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and salvation. Clearly the author thought that articulating his message via precise Greco-Roman literary rhetoric fulfilled his purpose, thus demonstrating a high degree of acculturation. It is interesting then that our discussion demonstrates on one hand an openness to wider culture in the areas of language, rhetoric, moral topics, and universalistic description of relationship with his audience, yet on the other hand antagonism at the particular points of patron-client relationships with the 'rich' and inappropriate use of the tongue. Here it is Douglas's 'danger' at the external boundary (marked by purity language) which is the concern. Though it seems that the author's acculturation with Grecn-Roman culture is marshaled to render a distinctively Jewish Christian identity-an identity which is true of himself and which he uses as part of his affective rhetoric toward his audiencewe must further probe to what end such acculturation was put. b. Description of God To further assess James's accommodation we must consider how the author describes the divine being. The most common title used is 'God' (8a&s), which occurs 16 times (1.1, 5, 13 [2x], 20, 27; 2.5, 19, 23 [2x]; 3.9; 4.4 [2x], 6, 7, 8). James refers to God as 'father' (rra-rrip) in 1.17, 27; 3.9 and at least some of the time uses 'Lord' (dpios) mth reference to God (see 1.7; 3.9; 4.10, 15; 5.4, 10, 11 [2x]). In this relatively short composition, James has some 26 explicit references to ~ o d . " Though largely focusing on God, there are two explicit references to Jesus Christ (1.1 and 2.1) and implicitly other terms to refer to Jesus as well?5 Whereas explicitly refers to God in several passages, the use of 'the appearing' rrapouaia) of the Lord (TOG~upiou)twice io 5.7-8 is virtually a technical Christian usage referring to the coming of Jesus as judge.% Further in this context James warns his readers that 'the judge is standing at the door' (5.9). Though James claims that 'there is only one Lawgiver and Judge' and thus 'judge' here may refer to God the at her,^' it seems more likely that Jesus Christ is the soon-coming judge who stands at the door?'
(4
94 See Johnson, Brother of Jesur, p. 245. 95 See the recent discussions of Christology in James, Martin Karrer, 'Chrishls der Herr und die Welt as StStte der P&ng: Zur Theologje dm Jakobnsbreifes', KD 35 (1989), pp. 1 6 8 8 ; Markus Lautenschlager, 'Der Gegenstand des Glaubens im Jakobnsbrief, pp. 16384; Klein, Ein vollkommenes Werk, pp. 165-75; Jackson-McCabe, 'The Messiah Jesus m the Mythic World of James'. 96 Johnson, Letter of Jmnes, p. 314; see also Moo, t e t f e r of J m , p. 221 and Martin, Jnmes, p. 190. 97 Laws, Jmes, p. 213. 98 So most commentators; see, Moo, Letter of James, p. 225; Johnson, Lerter of James, p. 317; and Martin,James, p. 192.
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Often God is described in characteristically Jewish terms. Referring to the classic articulation of Jewish monotheism, the Shema', James agrees with other Jews that 'God is one' (ETSBUTIV b O E ~2.19; , cf. LXX Deut. 6.4; b BE& dpios As ~ u T ~ vand ) , this God is quintessentially the one and only 'lawgiver' and 'judge' (AS ~ O T I V [b] v 0 ~ 0 8 k - qKU\ ~ K P I ~ 4.12)?~ S, With the emphatic position of 4s in 4.12 there is a clear reference to God who is understood as the author and aver of the law.loOIn his judgment God is 'the Lord of Hosts' (~upiouuapa&O, 5.4), a label the author does not defme most likely because his readers are already familiar with it from the Jewish On one hand, Abraham is extolled as a 'friend of God' (2.23) who, along wth exemplary references to Rahab (2.25), the prophets (5.10), Job (5.1 I), and Elijah (5.17-18), ties the understanding of God (especially in relating to humanity) to the narrative of Israel. Yet, whiie God is described as 'father' in the OT narrative (Deut. 32.6; Exod. 4.22; 1 Chron. 29.10;Isa. 63.16;64.8; Jer. 3.4,19; 31.9;Mal. 1.6;2.10;6.9), James refers to God as 'father' in a broadened sense.lo2God is 'Father of lights', which is most likely a general reference to God as creator (1.17). So too those created by God are not to bless 'the Lord and Father' only to turn and curse others who have been created in the likeness of God (3.9; see the implicit allusion to Gen. 1.26-28). The overall description of God in Jewish terms is, in turn, nuanced by the emphasis upon the general terms of father of creation and perhaps the fatherless (1.27). Whereas the author is working from a Jewish understanding of God, the relational aspects between humans and God are made broader, significantly including faith in Jesus (1.1; 2.1; 5.7-9) while leaving out explicit reference to circumcision and table fellowship. Furthermore, God is understood to interact with humanity. Not only is God the creator of impermanent nature (1.17) and humanity (3.9), he is also the one who 'of his will gave us birth by the word of truth' (1.18), which we have considered above as a reference to God's redeeming and renewing of his people. But the notion of his people may be broadened especially in light of the affectwe rhetoric of calling his audience the 'twelve tribes'. For James '[hlistory is bounded in the past by the creation 99 Note the similarity between 2.19 'one is God' and 4.12 'one is the lawgi'verand judge'. For other references to God as 'lawgiver', see 4 Macc. 5.25; Philo, The Sacr9ces of Coin m d Abel131. 1M) Johnson, Letter of James, p. 294; Jackson-McCabe, 'The Messiah Jesus in the Mythic World of James', p. 708. 101 The term oa$n&8 is a transliteration of the Hebrew and is used as a title in LXX Josh. 6.17; 1 Sam. 1.3; Zech. 13.2; Isa. 1.9; 5.7; 19.4; Jer. 26.10. 102 Rather than referrine James " to God as 'our father' or the 'father of J m s &sti. rticri lo G d xls falhcr LO thc g~mcralwm~.ofcre;l~or (1 1 7 ) ; ac fathcr oforphans and Mdou,c ( 1 27): and to rrn~hnrilclh~lhurnms an. crcald uln thc h a s < oi (bd (3.9) (Esther Yuc L. ~ g'Father-~od-~anguage , and Old Testament Allusions in &es2, ~YnaulS.1(2~)3), p. 52).
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of the kosmos and humanity by a good God (e.g., 1.17; 3.9) and moves inexorably toward a final judgment over which God himself will ultimately preside (4.12; cf. ~.2-13)'.'~~ Between these two acts of creation and judgment we see God's continued involvement with the world and specifically with humans in his revealed will in 'the perfect law of liberty' (2.8-11) by means of which revelation he will judge humanity (2.12; 4.12).'" God is able to save and destroy (4.12), and judges and resists those who arrogantly exalt themselves over others (4.6; 5.6). God is in charge of human affairs (4.15). God is compassionate (5.1 I), promises the crown of life to those who love him (1.12; 2.5), has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom (2.5), regards pure and undefited religion (1.27), hears the cry of the oppressed (5.4), raises up the sick (5.15), hears the prayers of faith (1.5-6) rather than the wicked (4.3), and forgives confessed sins (5.15), he approaches those who draw near (4.8), raises up the lowly (4.10), and is characterized as a 'friend' (4.4 and, specdically to Abraham, 2.23). A distinctive aspect of James's characterization of God is that he is known for his generous or 'pure' giving.lo5James makes the point three times beginning with the descriptive statement that God 'gives to all generously' (&TAGS)and 'without reproaching' (pij ~UEI&
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of total trust and dependence upon God-as demonstrated by the poor, meek, and lowly-to which James's readers are called. In this respect several scholars have asserted that James has portrayed God as an ideal patron whose benefit the audience should seek over that of the rich. For instance, Edgar t h i s that one of the 'key persuasive themes' in James is the 'depiction of God as the one, supremely good, unchanging creator, orderer and judge, who is the only fitting patron for God's chosen Yet because of the potential abuse and exploitation inherent in the patron-client relationship, which often paraded as friendship in the first century, Batten has argued that the 'image of God that James presents conforms more to the description of an ideal benefactor and friend to a community of the faithful than to a patron who forms alliances with individuals, and potentially exploits powerful differential^'.'^^ Yet, Batten underplays the covenantal aspect implied in the relationship envisioned by James in that undivided loyalty to God required obedience, not unlike requirements of a client. By describing God this way, the text calls readers to seek God and not the 'rich' as a benefactor contrary to what most in the ambient culture were prone to do. And herein rests a critique of Greco-Roman culture. Taking the letter's portrayal of the rich along with the characterization of God as a giving, frank friend, Edgar and Batten are right to point out that James urges his audience to turn to God and not the rich as a type of benefactor, implicitly indicating that those who seek out rich patronsthus exploiting God's chosen poor-are marked by the world's pollution. Exploitative patron-client relationships (i.e., viewing the poor through the value system of the rich, cf. 2.1-4) characterize the polluting world. This critique of seeking rich patrons ultimately has the larger cultural value of honorlshame in its sights. Rather than seeking a rich patron, James urges his readers to be wholehearted in their devotion to God, as the giver of all good things and thus to devote themselves to 'pure and undefiled religion'. 1. Conceptual Frmnework Depicting God's Relationship with Addressees and Other Parties As the survey above indicates, God relates as a 'friend' (2.23; 4.4) to some and an 'enemy' and 'judge' to others. As a friend, God is the perfect giver of wisdom (1.5), every good and perfect gift (1.17), and grace to the lowly 107 iilsar. Ilus Cud Nvr Chosen rhr. Pu'uor9 pp. 2IGI9. S a :~lso,J . S. Kloppmburp. 'Pnrrunape Aroldancr I" Jams', H I S 55 (1999). pp 1 10; N.J. Vhyrn
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(4.6), and thus he draws near to those who repent and humble themselves (4.7). Whereas relationships between individuals among James's addressees are referred to in familial terms, 'brothers' or 'brother or sister' (4.15), the relationship between God and his people incorporates both a familial term ('father' 1.17, 27; 3.9) and the designation 'friend'. Upon the backdrop of Greco-Roman usage, 'friendship' refers to a range of relationships including political and economic alliances, patron-client relationships, as well as the emotional bonds between social equals. The use of 4iAos and @Aiu along with hxB& in 4.4 has some interesting implications to how the author viewed the relationship between himself and his audience and God. One is either a 'friend' to God or an 'enemy'. Whereas in the Greco-Roman sources the more common wntrast is between a 'friend' ($iAos) and a 'flatterer' ( ~ b h u t ) , ' ~here ~ James has pitted the 'friend' against the 'enemy'. David Konstan remarks that Aristotle, in the Eudemimr Ethics (3.7, 1233b30-34a32), indicates that the 'mean between enmity or hostility (ekhthra) and flattery (kolakeia) is called philia, which is here presumably equivalent to "friendliness" '."O Thus there are different kinds of deviation from true 'friendship'. At one end of the spectrum, flattery and falseness mark out the deceitful friend who is merely seeking social or economic gain through relationship and is thus no friend at all. Their words of praise (and prayer) are deceitful and empcy. This is the flatterer or toady that ancient authors show great conoxo to disuwer becausc of the political and personal damage the flatterer may cause. At the other extreme is the enemy, who, unlikc the patron or benefactor, seeks no friendly relationship but shows opposition in every sense. hxtlpk commonly designates enemies in military conflicts, cither the nations in a state of war (LXX 1 Sam. 29.81, or one's prsonal enemies (Exod. 23.4; Num. 35.23; Pss. 5.8; 13.2, 4). In James's argument it is thc masquerading benetictor, the devil, operating in and through the polluting wbopoi and thc typically 'rich' whom the audience is to reject. One must purfy and cleanse oneself from such a polluting cnpagement with b K&VOS (4.8). And the fact that anyonc who is a friend or in alliance with the world is called an enemy marks the particular area where the composition is antagonistic toward Grew-Roman culture. That God is an enemy of and hostile toward friends of the world is developed throughout the letter. God is ultimately the judge (4.11-12; 5.9) who will bring judgment upon the 'proud' (4.6) and the 'rich' (5.1-6).
O n Fricndrh~p':'For a fr~end(qihosj IS nou.h;rc near a flarrervr (r;lhac) .. .' (72.276~): Maxtnlu of Tyre 'By What Mrmr One May Srparare a llalterrr Crom a Friend'.
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proudlrich in the 'day of slaughter' (5.5). The addressees, however, are technically in neither of these two groups. The author envisions his readers as the rightful 'friends' of God and the epistle is largely written to warn them of losing this perspective (2.6). Significantly, the contrast between God giving grace and resisting the proud (4.6) coheres with the boundary line drawn m terms of purity between the audience and the specific Greco-Roman value of patronizing the rich. Thus God gives grace to those on the pure side of the boundary as the lowly and those who ask in faith as friend
Jewish tradition making two allusions to the Shema: one in 2.19 ('you believe God is one; you do well') and the other in 4.12 ('There is one lawgiver and judge'). God's relationship with humans is depicted by means of Jewish wisdom literature. 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' The basic anthropology of the text coheres with the Jewish notion that humans were created by God and specificallyin God's likeness (3.9; alluding to Gen. 1.26-28). That the author would call his readers 'adulteresses' in light of their 'friendship with the world' betrays a conception of God based upon the covenant relationship between Israel and God found in the Torah, which describes the relationship between God (as a groom) and Israel (as his bride). No doubt this is the OT covenant relationship promoted over against the typical Greco-Roman patron-client relationship with the 'rich'. As judge of the wicked rich, God is described as the 'Lord of Hosts' (5.4) or Lord of armies. The Lord of Hosts opposes the proud and will mete out punishment upon the wicked rich, both of whom are implicitly associated with the defiling K&JNOS. MOOcomments that James 'rarely goes beyond accepted OT and Jewish perspectives, combined with some very basic, distinctly Christian conceptions: Jesus as Lord (1.1; 2.1) and coming judge (5.7,9); the tension between the "already" of salvation accomplished (1.18) and the "not yet" culminated (1.21; 2.14; 5.20); "elders" functioning as spiritual leaders in the local church (5.14)'.11' A neglected foundational concept in James's description of God as 'single' (&rrA&s) (1.5) or 'one' (3s ~UTIV) (2.19; 4.12) may be related to the concept of purity. The author's description of God as single is a claim to exclusivity both in God's character and in his relationship with humanity. In this regard God is unmured or pure in his essence and in his actions, an ' or wholeheartedly 111 Moo, Letter of J m s , p. 11.
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devoted to God, which in turn, requires purity (or separation) from the polluting influence of b K&J~OS. c. Conclusion: Cultural Syntheses and Strategy While the addressees are described as a group sharing a common identity with the author, they are portrayed as taking up attitudes and evaluative criteria of the 'rich' (= world) and as experiencing internal conflict (4.1-3; 4.11-12). Throughout his affective rhetoric the author calls attention to the identity of the audience with reference to Israel's history and uses it as the basis for an appeal to strengthen values, attitudes, and actions over against those of their surrounding culture. In this appeal the composition is not attempting to define the identity of the audience in terms of outsiders or opponents; rather, the socio-rhetorical strategy of stereotyped parties and the labeling function of purity/pollution is used to move the audience to reject the Greco-Roman notion of patron-client relationship and inappropriate use of the tongue in such relationships, both of which are deemed polluting. It is also clear that the author of James was proficient in Greek literary rhetoric and able to discourse effectively in moral values common within Greco-Roman culture. Such proficiency indicates a higher degree of acculturation, bearing a familiarity with Greco-Roman grammar, rhetoric, and a proficient grasp of common moral values of the culture. Yet while familiar with and approving of Greco-Roman language, rhetoric, and moral topics, the author tabes up the persona of James, the leader of the Christian movement in Jerusalem. He is the 'slave' of God and Jesus Christ and a *her. He reinforces his solidarity with his audience, calling them 'brothers', referring to their common familial bond with Abraham, and acknowleaging their common faith and salvation. Furthermore, God is described in characteristically Jewish Christian terms. While the Shema' is alluded to twice, 'God is one' (2.19) and the only 'lawgiver' and 'judge' (4.12), the author's intent is to reinforce monotheism generally. The author and audience are children of Abraham, Abraham himself is a 'friend of God' (2.23) and thus an example of how one ought to relate to God. Furthermore, characteristic of the OT, God is referred to as 'father'. Yet, instead of explicitly father of Israel, he is father of creation ('Father of lights', 1.17; 3.9) and judge (4.12; cf. 2.2-13), and as judge he is described as the 'Lord of Hosts' (5.4). James's appeal to the Septuagint (Lev. 19.18b in 2.8, Gen. 15.6 in 2.23, and Prov. 3.34 in 4.6) signals the theological and intellectual source of authority as deriving ultimately from the Jewish scriptures. From the textual data there is no indication that assimilation, particularly with reference to circumcision and table fellowship, was an
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issue for either audience or author.112At the same time the author clearly is highly acculturated, taking up Greco-Roman rhetoric and moral topics, and using them to describe his audience in broadly Jewish Christian terms. He is plainly acculturated with respect to language, rhetoric, values, and some intellectual traditions. The question is whether James utilizes GrecoRoman literary rhetoric and moral topics in order to draw the surrounding culture closer or to push it away. Whereas most of the exhortation in the composition may be read as culturally neutral, and therefore broadly open to at least a degree of accommodation, there are two points where the audience is to separate from the surroundmg culture. First, the author's contrast of typical cultural attitudes toward the 'poor' and 'rich' shows how the audience has taken up the dominant cultural stance of deferring to the wealthy (that is adopting patron-client relationships), who may be in a position to offer material benefit, at the expense of the poor and socially marginal. Adopting this attitude is precisely what the author identifies as becoming a 'friend of the world' and such an alliance results in pollution. Secondly, the internal strife caused by slander or misuse of the tongue (which would include deceitful flattery) is deemed a polluting influence (3.6). Using the tongue for selfish gain, either through slander or through flattery, is explicitly rejected in James. Where the author's use of rhetoric, moral topics, and description of God may be viewed generally as integrative with broader culture within the description of the audience there is an explicit appeal to reject particular values of the surrounding culture, and thus to strengthen the boundary between the audience and wider Greco-Roman culture at these particular points. And crucially it is the labeling function of purity which demonstrates the need for James's audience to maintain or create a boundary between themselves and b ~ b p o s . 3. How Purity Fmctions within the Cultural Stance of James John Elliott has argued that, for James, purity and pollution terminology are used to address issues of Christian identity, cohesion and social boundaries that must be drawn and maintained between the Christian community and the pollution-Jilled, contaminating ~ 0 r l d . l The ' ~ purity language 'appears to be used here ... to define the character and responsibility of the people of God as a holy community distinct from an unholy society'.l14 Because of the audience's 'failure to live in accord with this complete law and their compromise with the alien values and norms of society', as remedy, James 'urges his readers to sever their ties with 112 See Johnson, Brother of Jesus, p. 8. 113 Uliotf 'HolinessWlaoleness'. p. 74. 114 ibid., p. 73.
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secular pollution .. . to purify their hands and hearts by breaking clean from society's pollution'.115 But the question remains, what does it mean for James's readers to 'break clean from society's pollution'? Agreeing with Elliott, Ben Witherington understands that remaining unstained, at a practical level, is lived out by communal separation from broader society. He argues: the sort of advice the author of James gives suggests that he is trying to inculcate a community with carefully controlled boundaries, as is shown by the attempts to carefully limit behaviour, relationship, and speech. He is deeply concerned with matters of moral purity both in regard to behaviour and in one's emotions and attitudes. The sacred space is the community itself, the world is the zone of defilement ... James. in view of various trials and possible persecutions, is also suggesting battening down the hatches in a manner somewhat similar to the Johannine James is concerned with moral purity, regulates behavior and speech, and wishes t o limit the audience's relationship with the world. However, the notion of total social exclusion misses the point because the text offers no discussion of how the readers should relate to non-Christian neighbors, or political authorities. Bauckham argues that group identity formulated over against other social groups is not in view. The concern is not with sociologicalboundaries but with values. It is not for the sake ofdistinguishing themselves from outsiders that the doubleminded should purify their hearts (4.8), hut in order that they should be 'complete', wholehearted in their loyalty to God, living out God's values consistently. To infer a wmmunity defensively barricaded against the world is no more justified than it would be in the case of Jesus' own rigorous demand for undivided loyalty to God and consistent practice of the values of God's kingdom."' It is true that James does not focus upon distinguishing his audience from outsiders per se, but Bauckham implies that 'sociological boundaries' and value boundaries are mutually exclusive. It seems that it is rather a question of emphasis. In other words, both social group considerations and value systems inherently include maintaining boundaries. James indicates a greater interest in complete and wholehearted loyalty to God
116 Ben Witherington, J e w rhe Sage: ThP P i l g h g e of WiF&m (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994), p. 246. 117 Bauckham. James, DD. 1W7. Cf. Johnson. Jmnes. D. 88. Bauckham challensa the notion of group identity tGough boundary markg hut he does not provide a detailed discussion regarding how purity language is functioning sacially. He does mention that instead of group boundary marking the language is used to demarcate differing 'valuesystems' (pp. 107, 179).
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rather than in maintaining strict separation from secular society. Thus we may substitute 'sectarian' for Bauckham's use of 'sociological' in the above quote. The boundary between James's audience and the world is much more complex than an all-out rejection of the world in sectarian fashion. The author is steadfast in drawing a boundary between pursuing patron-client relationships with the 'rich' and pursuing a covenantal or patron-client relationship with God. The audience is also to reject the pollution of inappropriate and deceitful use of the tongue (whether by means of slander or flattery). Yet, these specific points of cultural antagonism are paired with an openness to Greco-Roman language, rhetoric, moral topics, and some philosophical notions of God's universal fatherhood. It seems plausible then that purity language is used to persuade James's readers to maintain (or create) 6rm value boundaries between them and the wider culture at these defined points. This value boundary is quite strong and non-permeable and in turn affects relationships withm James's audiences as well (internal strife arising from neglecting this primary, external boundary). However, the social boundaries are drawn more loosely. It is only when social relationships take on alien values (e.g., patron-client relationships or slander and flattery) that social restriction is made. Thus James's purity concern understood as separation from b K&IOS is rather focused upon these particular points and does not indicate sectarian separation. Against Witherington, one need not infer a community 'battening down the hatches'. This is not a defensive community blindly separating itself from the rest of the world. As we have seen in Harland's work, religious communities in the fist century were able to develop complex and variegated relationships with their ambient cultures. Harland points out groups were able to participate in a wide range of cultural activity and only at particular points insisted upon separation. Likewise, where James does refer to particular points of separation from the world, there are indications of openness to culture, especially aspects of Greco-Roman culture. Thus the language of purity/pollution in James marks specific boundaries of separation between James's readers and Greco-Roman society. As in Harland's research, James indicates a complex and variegated relationship with Greco-Roman culture, and it is within this complex relationship that religion 'pure and undefiled before God' ir contrafed with 'friendship with the world'.
4. Summary and Conclusion This chapter has attempted to place James's use of purity language withm the question of relationship with the world. Harland's recent work
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regarding the relationship between Jewish and Christian groups and their surrounding cultures provided a needed waming against oversimplifying such relationships as sectarian. With this warning in mind, James's particular cultural stance was analyzed by means of Barclay's scales of assimilation, acculturation, and accommodation. This analysis paid particular attention to how purity language functions as boundary language within an overall integrative or antagonistic stance toward culture in James. What is striking about the function of purity within the cultural stance of James is the ability of the language to create and to sustain a sense of differentiation (and thus address the 'danger' at the external boundary), and so to evoke an identity. But as we found, this differentiation is very particular. It is not drawn between social groups, or as a broad sectarian rejection of all culture and social contact. Rather, where the composition is open to Greco-Roman language, rhetoric, moral topics, and some philosophical notions, purity language rhetorically warns the audience of the need to d e h e or create the specific boundary of rejecting patron-client relationships with the 'rich' and its consequent inappropriate and deceitful speech. Thus James should not be understood as promoting sectarian separation from culture and social contact but rather, as Harland has suggested, as a complex document demonstrating a degree of cultural accommodation while at the same time maintaining specific socio-cultural boundaries between the readers and the world.
Chapter 6
The burden of the precedmg chapters has been to demonstrate not only that James's use of purity language is important, despite argument to the contrary,' but that this language accomplishes a specific function in the letter. Purity language articulates and constructs the reality of the audience with reference to how they should relate internally and to their surrounding culture. Though purity and pollution is not the only lens through which one views the message of James, this study has attempted to establish that both the text's worldview and primary theme (perfection) cannot be understood without reference to purity language, a point rarely appreciated in previous studies. Moreover, because previous scholarship has deemed purity language in James as either merely metaphorical language referring to individual morality or boundary language indicating a sectarian community, a re-evaluation of the function of purity and pollution in James has been deemed necessawa project which has not previously been attempted on such a large scale. The need for such a project has not least been reinforced by the current discussion regarding the nature of purity and pollution in ancient Israel. Tbis debate has framed the discussion around how purity and pollution is a matter of perceptions of contagion-whether associated with Israel's cult, a particular moral action, or social-cultural association-within a socially constructed socio-religious value system. Much more than merely determining something as dirty, such perceptions of contagion embedded in the text allow readers to peer into the ideological structures of the individuals and groups producing and receiving such texts. Thus, in light of the current discussion of ancient Jewish purity, the limited categories of ritual and metaphorical purity are inadequate for a proper understanding of how purity language functions within religious texts. As this study comes to a close it remains to offer a brief summary of the argument put forward here, to indicate the central result of this study, and to briefly indicate how this study relates to other areas of NT scholarship.
1 McKnight, 'Parting Within the Way', p. 117 n. 84
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1 . Summary of Argument The majority of scholars who discuss purity in James have turned to two basic categories in which to place this language, viz., either ritual or metaphorical. But in light of current debate, these two interpretive options have been shown to be unnecessarily restrictivemeaning and significance cannot he identified if one insists on forcing the meaning of purity language into an overly restrictive category. In Chapter 2, the temptation to restrict the classification of purity language to one of these overly reductionistic categories was resisted. In setting up the discussion of the function of purity language in James, Chapter 2 considered particular historical issues (purity in ancient Judaism), and finally adopted Douglas's symbolic approach to the study of puritylimpurity. Thus, supported by the anthropological/social approach, purity language constituted the primary clue as to how the author of James attempted to create order in an unstable context (e.g., a diaspora context). The second goal of Chapter 2 was to establish a taxonomy of purity language. This taxonomy was suggested in order to provide a more nuanced approach to understanding the function of purity language. Some of the specific categories of purity language noted are natural, ritual, moral, and figurative. Minimally, the taxonomy demonstrates that it is unsatisfacto~yfor scholars to offer interpretations of purity language equipped with the two reductionistic categories of ritual and metaphorical purity. Hopefully, beyond this minimal target, our taxonomy has offered a way forward in understanding the various ways purity language can be taken up within a symbolic system. Chapter 3 argued for several important aspects of the structure and strategy of the text. Specifically we suggested three interdependent characteristics, namely: (1) an epistolary structure; (2) a coherent rhetorical argument based on polar oppositions; and (3) the special function of James 1.2-27 as an introduction both to the themes and associations maintained throughout the letter. While attuned to the textual issues argued in Chapter 3, the categories developed in the taxonomy were applied as a heuristic guide to understand the function of purity and pollution in Chapter 4. This analysis demonstrated four specific things: (1) though purity language occurs relatively infrequently, it is used at crucial points in the composition (1.2627; 3.6, 17; 4.8); (2) that the use of purity and pollution specifically functions withm the overall strategy of contrasts which leads readers to a decision; (3) that the majority of the time purity language labeled the world (and by extension those associated with it) as set against the implicit purity of God; and, therefore, (4) the readers of James must he separate from the impure world ('pure') in order to be wholehearted in devotion to
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God ('perf&'). Thus, in order to be wholehearted in devotion to God James's readers must maintain separation from pollution labeled K&J~W. Perfection, as the audience's relationship to God, is duectly related to the audience's purity or pollution from the b K ~ U V W Yet. this discussion led to the question of exactly what kind of separation the purity language in James functioned to call forth. Because the purity of the audience is directly related to their proximity to b K ~ U ~the W final , step in our study was to identify the particular kind and degree of separation that James's purity language calls forth. Specifically, this discussion took up the question of whether or not this separation indicates a sectarian separation from society. Acknowledging that the cultural stance of a text is bound up in several complex and interrelated factors, our analysis included a description of groupsaudience, 'enemies', and author-and of God with the aim to discover the overall cultural stance of James. This analysis demonstrated that the text does not indicate that assimilation, particularly with reference to circumcision and table fellowship, was an issue for either audience or author. At the same time the author clearly is highly acculturated, taking up Greco-Roman rhetoric and moral topics and using them to describe his audience in broadly Jewish Christian terms. He is plainly acculturated with respect to language, rhetoric, some moral topics, and intellectual traditions, yet this acculturation is used to promote a sense of Jewish Christian identity distinct from the widerculture at very particular points. First, the author's contrast of typical cultural attitudes toward the poor and rich shows how the audience has taken up the dominant cultural stance of deferring to the wealthy (that is, adopting patron-client relationships), who may be in a position to offer material benefit at the expense of the poor and socially marginal. Secondly, the internal strife caused by slander or misuse of the tongue (which would include deceitful flattery) is deemed a polluting influence (3.6). This analysis paid particular attention to how purity language functions as boundary language within an overall integrative or antagonistic stance toward culture in James. What is striking about the function of purity within the cultural stance of James is the ability of the language to create and to sustain a sense of differentiation, and so to evoke an identity. But as we found, this differentiation is very particular. It is drawn neither between strictly defined social groups ('outsiders' or 'enemies'), nor as a broad sectarian rejection of the world. Rather, whereas the composition is generally open to cultural engagement, purity language rhetorically warns the audience of the need to define or create precise boundaries. The separation called forth by purity language refers to the particular issues of patron-client relationships with the 'rich' and the consequent strife such relationships bring about particularly with reference to the speech of James's readers. Thus the composition is not calling for sectarian
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separation from the surrounding culture, but rather, as Harland has suggested, is a complex document demonstrating a degree of cultural accommodation while at the same time calling forth specific socio-cultural boundaries between the readers and the world.
2. Conclusion Whereas commentators frequently restrict the categories for purity language in James to either ritual or metaphorical (and uniformly conclude the language is a metaphor for personal morality) this is overly restrictive and ignores how purity language was used in the first century. The central argument of this investigation has been that purity/pollution language both articulates and constructs the composition's worldview. The argument has proven that purity, as understood as the call to separate from the world, is a major concern in the Epistle of James. Purity is integrally related to the major theme of perfection in James and also constitutes a significant conceptual framework in the author's construal of reality. As a 'line', purity is a boundary marker indicating the point of no return between James's audience and wider Greco-Roman culture. Finally, understanding purity in James as separation from the world (b K ~ V OisS evidence ) not of a call to sectarian rejection of all socialcultural contact, but of a nuanced stance toward Greco-Roman culture. The labeling function of purity language constructs and calls for boundaries between James's audience and specific points of culture, yet this is not evidence of total (sectarian) separation.
3. Future Investigation This study has demonstrated how the lens of purity and pollution can aid one's analysis of a text's cultural stance. Future studies may t&e up this question to see if other New Testament texts use purity language to mark specific issues of non-negotiation between the Christian community and secular culture. The assumption that purity language is merely a metaphor for individual morality has intluenced not only research in James, but in the whole of the New Testament. Though the insights of Douglas regarding the symbolic system of purity have been taken up and applied to the Gospels, few have applied these insights to the epistolary literature in the New Testament. Where purity is the focus of investigation in New Testament epistolary literature, the historical/descriptive model has largely been employed.2 2 See especially Michael Newton, The Concept of Purity at Qumrm md h the Letters of Paul (Cmbridgc: Cambridge University Press, 1985).
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That Christianity took up the language and concepts of purity from ancient Jewish sources is apparent, but were these ideas recontextualized in the same way? Did other early Christian authors use purity language to mark the specific non-negotiable cultural distinctive? In his recent commentary, Brosend suggests that Jude is defending the purity of the community over against the iniiltrators, who are 'blemishes on your lovefeasts'; 'dreamers' who 'de6le the flesh'. He states that Jude's readers are called to have mercy but hate 'even the tunic defiled by their bodies'. Jude praises God who is able 'to make you stand without blemish' in God's presence.3 It would be instructive to examine how closely the sources of impurity in Jude are associated with the world and what k i d of separation is envisioned by using the language of purity. Furthermore, it would be instructive to examine the use of purity language in the Paulime corpus. It remains to be seen how characteristic or unique James's use of purity language was in this respect. But it is quite certain that the current discussion of ancient Israelite purity will continue to call for reexamination of how New Testament texts take up this important language.
3 Brosend, J a m nnd Jude, pp. 1 8 7 4 .
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Schmitt, J. J., "'You Adulteresses!" The Image in James 4.4', NovT 28 (1986), pp. 327-37. Schneider, Franz, Der Jakobusbritf (Regensburger Neues Testament; Regensburg: Pustet, 1987). Schokel, L. Alonso, 'James 5,2 [sic]and 4,6', Bib 54 (1973), pp. 7 M . Schiissler Fiorenza, Elisabeth, 'Cultic Language', CBQ 38 (1976), pp. 159-77. Scott, James M., 'Exile and the Self-understanding of Diaspora Jews in the Greco-Roman Period', in James M. Scott (ed.), In Exile: Old Testament, Jewish and Christian Concepts (JSJSup, 56; Leiden: Brill, 1997), pp. 173-218. Seitz, 0.J. F., 'Antecedents and Signification of the Term AIYYXOt', JBL 66 (1947), pp. 211-19. ' A f t e r t h o u g h t s on the Term Dipsychos', NTS 4 (1958), pp. 32743. ' T w o Spirits in Man: An Essay in Biblical Exegesis', NTS 6 (1959), pp. 82-95. -'James and the Law', S E 2= TU 87 (1964), pp. 472-86. Skehan, Patrick W. and Alexander A. Di Lella, The Wisdom of Ben Sira: A New Translation with Notes (AB, 39; New York: Doubleday, 1987). Snyder, Graydon F., 'The Interaction of Jews with Non-Jews in Rome', in Karl P. Donfried and Peter Richardson (eds) Judaism and Christianity in First-Century Rome (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998), pp. 69-90. Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus (trans. Hugh Lloyd-Jones; LCL; 3 vols. Cambridge, Mass.: Haward University Press, 1994). Spitta, Friedrich, Der Brief des Jakobus (Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1896). Starr, James and Troels Engberg-Pedersen, Early Christian Paraenesis in Context (BZNW, 125; Berlin: Walter de Gmyter, 2004). Stowers, Stanley Kent, Letter Writing in Greco-Roman Antiquity (LEC, 5; Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986). Swancutt, Diana M., 'Paraenesis in Light of Protrepsis: Troubling the Typical Dichotomy', in James Starr and Troles Engberg-Pedersen (eds), Early Christian Paraenesis in Context (BZNW, 125; Berlin: Walter de Gmyter, 2004), pp. 113-53. Tamez, Elisa, The Scandalour Message of James: Faith Without Works is Dead (New York: Crossroad, 1992). Tasker, R. V. G., The General Epistle of James: An Introduction and Commentary (TNTC, 16; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982). Taylor, Mark E., 'Recent Scholarship on the Structure of James' CBR 3 (2004), pp. 9&120. --A Text-Linguistic Investigation into the Discourse Stmcfure of James (LNTS, 311; London: T&T Clark, 2006).
206
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of J m s
Terry, R. B., 'Some Aspects of the Discourse Structure of the Book of James', JTT 5 (1992), pp. 10625. Thurkn, Lauri, 'On Studying Ethical Argumentation and Persuasion in the New Testament', in Stanley E. Porter and T. H. Obricht (eds), Rhetoric and the New Testament: Essays from the I992 Heidelberg Conference (JSNTSup, 90; Shefield Academic Press, 1993), pp. 46& 78. -'Risky Rhetoric in James? NovT 37 (1995), pp. 262-84. -'The General New Testament Writings', in Stanley E. Porter (ed.), Handbook of Classical Rhetoric in the Hellenistic Period 330 B.C; A.D. 400 (Leiden: Brill, 1997), pp. 587407. Tiller, Patrick A., 'The Rich and Poor in James: An Apocalyptic Proclamation', in Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers, 37 (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 1998), pp. 90%20. Tollefson, Kenneth D., 'The Epistle of James as Dialectical Discourse', BTB 21 (1997), pp. 62-9. Troeltsch, Ernst, The Social Teaching of the Christian Churches (trans. 0. Wyon; New York: MacMillan, 1931). Tsuji, Manabu, Glaube zwischen Vollkommenheitund Verweltlichung: Eine Untersuchung zur literarischen Gestalt und zur inhaltlichen Koharenz des Jakobusbriefes (WUNT 2, 93; Tiibingen: Mohr [Siebeck], 1997). van der Horst, P. W., The Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides (Studies in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigraphica, 4; Leiden: Brill, 1978). Verseput, Donald J., 'Reworking the Puzzle of Faith and Deeds in James 2.14-26', NTS 43 (1997), pp. 97-1 15. -'James 1.17 and the Jewish Morning Prayers', NovT 39 (1997), pp. 17'691. -'Wisdom, 44185, and the Epistle of James', JBL 117 (1998), pp. 691707. -'Genre and Story: The Community Setting of the Epistle of James', CBQ 62 (ZOOO), pp. 96110. -'Plutarch of Chaeronea and the Epistle of James', NTS 47 (2001), pp. 502-18. Vhymeister, N. J., 'The Rich Man in James 2: Does Ancient Patronage Illumine the Text? Andrews University Seminary Studies 33 (1995), pp. 26S83. von Lips, Hermon, Weisheitliche Traditionen im Neuen Testament (WMANT, 64,Neukirchen-Vluyn: Newkirchener Verlag, 1990). Vouga, Fran~ois,int pit re de Saint Jacques (Commentaire du Nouveau Testament, 13a; Geneva: Labor et Fides, 2nd edn, 1984). Wachob, Wesley Hiram, The Voice of Jesus in the Social Rhetoric of Jmnes (SNTSMS, 106; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000). -'The Apocalyptic Intertexture of the Epistle of James', in Duane F. Watson (ed.), The Intertexture of Apocalyptic Discourse in the New
Bibliography
207
Testament (Society of Biblical Literature Symposium Series 14. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2002), pp. 165-85. Wall, Robert, 'James as Apocalyptic Paraenesis', Restoration Quarterly 32 (1990), pp. 11-22. -Community of the Wise: The Letter of James (New Testament in Context; Valley Forge, Penn.: Trinity Press International, 1997). -'Purity and Power according to the Acts of the Apostles', Wesleyan Theological Journal 34 (1999), pp. 64-82. Wallace, Daniel, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics (Grand Rapids: Zondeman, 1996). Ward, Roy B., 'The Works of Abraham: James 2.14-26', HTR 61 (1968), pp. 283-90. ' P a r t i a l i t y in the Assembly: James 2.2-4', HTR 62 (1969), pp. 87-97. Watson, Duane F., Invention, Arrangement, and Style: Rhetorical Criticism of Jude and 2 Peter (SBLDS, 104; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1988). -'James 2 in Light of Greco-Roman Speech of Argumentation', NTS 39 (1993), pp. 94-121. -'The Rhetoric of James 3.1-12 and a Classical Pattern of Argumentation', NovT 35 (1993), pp. 48-64. Welzen, Huub, 'The Way of Perfection: Spirituality in the Epistle of James', Sfudies in Spirituality 13 (2003), 81-98. Wenham, Gordon, 'Purity', in John Barton (ed.), The Biblical World (2 vols. London: Routledge, 2002), pp. 378-94. White, John Lee., 'Introductory Formulae in the Body of the Pauline Letter', Journal of Biblical Literature 90 (1971), pp. 91-97. -Form and Function of the Body of the Greek Letter (SBLDS, 2; Missoula, Mont.: Scholars Press, 1982). -Light from Ancient Letters (LEC, Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986). Wilkim, M. J., 'Teaching, Paraenesis', in Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids (eds), Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments (Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press, 1997), pp. 115&9. Wilson, Bryan, Magic and the Millennium: A Sociological Study of Religious Movements of Protest among Tribal and Third-World Peoples (London: Heinemam, 1973). Wilson, S. G., Related Strangers: Jews and Christians, 70-170 C.E. (Miieapolis, Minn.: Fortress Press, 1995). Wilson, Walter T., 'Sin as Sex and Sex with Sin: The Anthropology of James 1.12-17, HTR 95 (2002), pp. 14748. Witherington, Ben, Jesus the Sage: The Pilgrimage of Wisdom (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994). -Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical
208
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995). Wolmarans, J. L. P., 'Male and Female Sexual Imagery: James 1.14-15, 18', Acta Patristica et Byzmztirma 5 (1994), pp. 134-41. Wright, David P., 'The Spectrum of Priestly Impurity', in Gary A. Anderson and Saul M. Olyan (eds), Priesthood and Cult in Ancient Israel (JSOTSup, 125; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1991), pp. 15&81. -'Unclean and Clean (OT)', in David N. Freedman (ed.), The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1992), pp. 72W1. Wright, N. T., The New Testament and the People of God (London: SPCK, 1992). -Jesus and the =ctory of God (London: SPCK, 1996). Wuellner, W. H., 'Der Jakobusbrief im Licht der Rhetorik und Testpragmatik', Linguistics Biblica 43 (1978), pp. S 6 6 . Zmijewski, Josef, 'Christliche "Vollkommenheit": Erwagungen nu Theologie des Jakobusbriefes', Studien zum Neuen Testament und seiner Umwelt 5 (1980), pp. 50-78.
Old Testament
Gen. 1.26-28 175, 179 Gen. 1.28 43 Gen. 6.5 136 Gen. 6.9 23-4 &n. 7.3 18 Gen. 8.20 18 Gen. 9.7 43 Gen. 15.6 169, 180 Gen. 17.1 24 Gen. 20.5-6 114 Gen. 21.1 116 Gen. 24.8 114 Gen. 34.5 52, 115 Gen.34.13 115 Gen. 34.27 115 Gen. 35.2 59 Gen. 50.24-25 116 Exod. 3.16 116 Exod. 4.22 175 Exod.4.31 116 Exod 12.5 23 Exod. 19.10 136 Exod. 19.21-22 134 Exod. W.17 41 Exod. 21.14 52 Exod. 22.20-21 115 Exod. 22.28 173 Exod. 23.4 178 Exod. 23.9 115 Exod. 24.4 71 Exod. 2 5 3 1 46 Exod. 25.2-3 173 Exod. 25.11 40 Exid. 25.17 40 Exod. 25.24 40 Exod. 25.29 40 Exod. 25.31 40
Exod. 28.21 71 Exod. 28.36 40 Exod. 30.3 40 Exod. 3 H O 46 Exod. 36.21 71 Exod. 39.15 41 Lev. 1.3 Lev.1.10 Lev. 1-7 Lev. 1 4 Lev.2.12 Lev. 3.1 Lev. 3.6
23 23 46 42 173 23 34
-... .
L ~ V4.3 . 23 Lev. 4.12 18 Lev. 5.3 18. 115 Lev. 7.19 18, 114 Lev. 7.U)-21 44, 64 Lev. 10.10 114 Lev. 11.1-47 42 Lev. 11.24 18, 48, 49, 115 Lev. 11.25 49 Lev. 11.27 48, 49 Lev. 11.28 49 Lev. 11.32 18 Lev. 11.39 49 Lev. 11.40 49 Lev. 12 48 Lev. 12.1-8 42 Lev. 12.2-5 55 Lev. 12.4 46
Lev. 14.7 61 Lev. 14.8 46 Lev. 14.46-47 49
210
Purity and Worldview in the Epirtle of James
Lev. 15 2,49 Lev. 15.1-33 42 Lev. 15.5-11 49 Lev. 15.13 18 Lev. 15.13-15 48 Lev. 15.19 48 Lev. 15.19-23 49 Lev. 15.24 48 Lev. 15.26-27 49 Lev. 15.28-30 48 Lev. 15.31 44, 46, 64 Lev. 16 43,44 Lev. 16.19-20 136 Lev. 16.26 46 Lev. 16.28 46 Lev. 16.30 136 Lev. 18 2, 49, 5>5 Lev. 18.20 50 Lev. 18.24 18, 50 Lev. 18.24-25 53 Lev. 18.24-29 51, 115 Lev. 18.24-30 49, 50 Lev. 18.25 50 Lev. 18.28 50 Lev. 19 101 Lev. 19.5 169 Lev. 19.9-10 115 Lev. 19.14 85 Lev 19.18b 89, 169, 180 Lev. 19.19 62
Num. 19.12 136 Num. 19.13 46, 64 Num. 19.14 2, 48 Num. 19.16 -~ ~ -48 ~. . Num. 19.20 44,46 Num. 31.23 136 Num. 31.24 46 Num. 35.23 178 Num. 35.33-33 42, 50 Deut. 2.7 136 Deut. 5.17 89 Deut. 5.21 44 Deut. 6.4 [LXX] 175 Deut. 8.2 136 Deut. 10.17-19 115 Deut. 10.18 105 Deut. 14.28 105, 115 Deut. 16.9-15 115 Deut. 16.11 105 Deut. 16.14 105 Deut. 16.16 134 Deut. 18.4 173 Deut. 18.13 23-4 Deut. 21.23 55. 115 Deut. 22.9-11 62 Deut. 23.9-14 47 Deut. 24.1-4 55 Deut. 24.4 52 Deut. 24.14-15 85. 131 Deut.24.17-21 10i, 115 Deut. 25.15-16 55 Deut. 26.12 105 Deut. 26.13 105 Deut. 26.15 115 Deut. 27.19 105 Deut. 32.6 175 Josh. 4.5 71
Lev. 22.4 49 Lev. 22.17-25 62 Lev. 23.22 115
1 Sam. 1.3 175 1 Sam.4.16 154 1 Sam. 29.8 FXX] 178
Num. Num. Num. Num. Num. Num. Num.
2 Sam. 7.8 171 2 Sam. 7.25 171 2 Sam. 7.29 171 2 Sam. 22.24-25 114
5.1-3 47 5.2 46. 62 5.11-31 52 513 52 8.21 136 12.10-16 46 15.20-21 173 N u . 19 39,42, 43-4 Num. 19.1-22 42 Num. 19.7 46
1 Kgs 8.61 24 1 Kgs 11.4 24 I Kgs 14.24 55
Index of Ancient Texts 2 Kgs 15.5 62 2 Kgs 16.3 55 2 Kgs 22.26 23 1 Chron. 17.4 171 1 Chron. 28.17 41 1 Chron. 29.10 175 2 Chron. 3.4 41 2 Chron. 9.17 41 2 Chron. 23.19 46 2 Chron. 26.16-21 62 2 Chron. 26.21 46
Job 4.17 59, 114 Job 8.6 114 Job 11.4 114 Job 28.19 41 Job 33.9 114 Ps. 5.8 178 Ps. 10.14 105 Ps.10.18 105 Ps. 11.7 128 Ps. 13.2 178 Ps. 13.4 178 Ps. 24.4 57, 136 Ps. 50.10-12 LXXl Ps. 51 59 PF 51- -2 -59 Ps. 51.7 59 Ps, 51.10 114 Ps. 68.5 105 ... ...- .
136
Ps. 131.10 [LXXI 171 Ps. 143.10 171 Ps. 146.9 105 Prov. 1.8 Prov. 1.10 Prov. 2.1 Prov. 3.1
Prov. 3.21 154 Prov. 3.34 85, 1324, 164, 169, 176, ~nn pr%:4.10 154 Prov. 4.20 154 Prov. 5.1 154 Prov. 5.3 127 Prov. 6.1 154 Prov. 7.1 154 Prov. 12.27 114 Prov.13.6 127 Prov. 16.21 127 Prov. 17.4 KXXl 156 Prov. 17.6 bxxj 121 Prov. 22.8 127 Prov. 20.9 59 Prov. 21.8 128 Prov. 26.20 ~ X X ]156 Prov. 23.10 105 Prov. 29.9 127 Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa. Isa.
1.9 175 1.15b-16 59 1.17 105 5.7 175 13.6 85 14.31 85 23 1 85 23.6 85 23.14 85 29.13 44, 134 32.9-14 85 35.8 61 40.6 169 40.7 169
...
Ps. 77.70 LXXl 171 Ps. 88.4 LXX] 171 Ps. 88.21 LXXl 171
74 74 154 154
21 1
1sa. 52.1 61 Isa. 54.4-8 131 Isa. 57.3 131 Isa. 58.2 134 Isa. 63.16 175 Isa. 64.5-6 57 Isa. 64.8 175 Jer. 2 55 Jer. 2.5 114 Jer. 2.7 50 Jer. 2.23 50 1.51.3 55 Jer. 3.1 50 Jer. 3.2 59 Jer. 3.4 175 Jer. 3.6-10 131 Jer. 3.19 175
212
Purity and Worldvisw in the Epirtle of J m s
Jer. 5.28 105 Jer. 7.25 171 Jer. 10.5 114 Jer. 13.27 59 Jer. 25.4 171 Jer. 26.10 175 Jer. 29.1-28 73 Jer. 31.9 175 Jer. 33.8 59
Zech. 7.10 105 Zech. 7.8-10 115 &h. 13.10 175 Mal. Mal. Mal. Mal. Mal. Mal.
1.6 175 2.10 175 3.2-3 60 3.5 85 3.24 171 6.9 175
Lam. 1.17 58 Lam. 4.14-15 50 ---
--
Ezek. 7.19-20 57 Ezek. 16.38 131 Ezek. 20.30-3150 Ezek. 21.11 52 Ezek. 22.14 50 Ezek. 22.7 105 Ezek. 34.23 171 Ezek. 36.17 50, 57 Ezek. 36.18 50 Ezek. 36.18-19 50 Ezek. 36.22 59 Ezek. 36.25 50 Ezek. 36.25-26 59 Ezek. 38.17 171 Ezek. 40.46 134 Ezek. 45.8 71 Ezek. 47.13 71 Ezek. 47 13-14 71 Ezek. 4721-23; 71 Dan. 11.35
59
Hos. 5.3 55 Hos. 12.8-9 115 Joel 3.2 Amos Amos Amos Amos
171
2.6-8 115 3.2 115 3.7 171 7.17 55
Mic. 3.14
115
1 Esd. 6.7-8 93 Tob. 3.14 114 Tob. 3.15 52 Tab. 3.16 127 Jdt. 8.33 116 Wis. 3.13 115 Wis. 4.2 115 Wis. 8.20 - -~ 115 - - ~ Wis. 10.5 116 Wis. 11.15 113 Wis. 12.10 111
Sir. 1.1 101 Sir. 1.1-10 101 Sir. 1.11-30 101 Sir. 2.1 74 Sir. 2.12 135 Sir. 4.10 105, 116 Su. 7.3 74 Sir. 23.10 136 Sir. 24.3 101 Sir. 34.25 57 Sir. 36.13 71-2 Sir 44 21 71 sir. 46.74 116 Su. 48.10 71, 72 Sir. 51.13-30 101
Hab. 1.13 114
Bar. 4.37 72
Zeph.1.9
Ep. Jer. 73
115
Zecb. 1.9 171 Zech. 3.4 109
1 Macc. 4.30 171 1 Macc. 10.18 93
Index of Ancient Texts 1 Macc. 1 Macc. 1 Macc. 1 Macc. 1 Macc. 1 Macc.
10.25 93 10.25-45 99 10.26 99 10.27-28 99 13.36 93 14.20 93
2 Macc. 1.1 93 2 Macc. 1.1-9 73 2 Macc. 1.10-2.18 73 2 Macc. 1.27 71 2 Macc. 2.18 71 2 Macc. 11.16 93 2 Macc. 11.34 93 2 Macc. 14.36 114 2 Macc. 15.34 114 New Testament Mt. 5.3 117 Mt. 5.8 114 Mt. 5.34-37 86 Mt. 7.16 62 Mt. 7.16-18 125 Mt. 8.2 61 Mt. 10.1 62 Mt. 10.8 61 ~ t 12.27 . -154 Mt. 12.33-35 125 Mt. 12.43 61 Mt. 15.2 136 Mt. 19.28 71 Mt. 22.11 109 Mt. 23.26 114 Mt. 23.35 114 Mk 1.12 Mk 126 Mk 1.27 Mk 1.40 Mk3.11
62 62 62 61 62
Mk 7.8 44 Mk 16.14 122 Lk. Lk. Lk. Lk. Lk.
3.18 128 4.33 62 5.12 61 6.43-45 125 8.5 128
Lk. Lk. Lk. Lk. Lk. Lk.
8.29 62 9.42 62 16.9 122 22.22 128 22.29-30 71 23.56 128
Acts 1.6 154 Acts 2.29 154 Acts 2.37 154 Acts 3.17 154 Acts 6.1-6 161 Acts 6.3 154 Acts 7.2 154 Acts 7.8 71 Acts 10.28 61 Acts 13.1 173 Acts 13.15 154 Acts 13.26 154 Acts 14.15 114 Acts 15 170 Acts 15.8-10 61 Acts 15.23 93 Acts 15.23-29 74 Acts 15.24-29 73 Acts 23.6 154 Acts 23.26 93 Acts 26.5 112 Acts 28.21 73 Rom. -1.1- -171Rom. 1.13 99, 154 Rom. 2.13 92, 115 Rom. 3.2 128 Rom 154 - 7 4 Rom. 8.12 154 Rom. 8.23 173 Rom. 9.11 127 Rom. 12-15 69 Rom. 13.12 109 Rom. 16.5 173 1 Cor. 1.10-11 154 1 Cor. 1.10-16 99 1 Cor. 2.1 154 1 Cor. 2.14 127 1 Cor. 3.1 154 1 Cor. 3.19 115 1 Cor. 4 6 154 1 Cor. 7.24 115
214
Purity mzd Worldview in the Epistle of James Tit. 3.9 156
1 Cor. 1 Cor. 1 Cor. 1 Cor. 1 Cor.
15.3-4 15.20 15.23 15.40 15.46
2 Cor. 1.8 2 Cor. 5.1 2 Cor. 7.1 2 Cor. 7.11 2 Cor. 11.2 -
169 173 173 126 127
154 126 136 128 128
..-. - - ..
--
.
2 Cor. 12.20 127 Gal. 1.6-14 99 Gal. 1.10 171 Gal. 2.9-10 161 Gal. 5-6 69 Gal. 6.16 71
Eph. 4.11 Eph. 4.22 Eph. 4.25 Phil. Phil. Phil. Phil.
173 109 109
1.1 171 1.12-18 99 2.10 126 4.8 128
Col. 2.18 112-113 1 Thess. 1.2 1 Thess. 1.4 1 Thess. 1.7 1 Thess. 2.13 1 Thess. 3.9
Heb. 3.1 154 Heb. 3.12 154 Heb. 7.19 134 Heb. 7.26 115 Heb. 9.14 136 Heb. 9.22-23 136 Heb. 10.19 154 Heb. 10.22 114 Heb. 12.1 109 Heb. 12.15 127 Heb. 13.4 115 Heb. 13.22 154
99
99 99 99 99
Jas 1.1 9, 1617, 66, 67, 70, 73, 8&2, 93, 106, 109, 152, 167, 17&l, 174-5, 179 Jas 1.2 74, 76, 99, 153, 16&7, 172 Jas 1.2-4 17, 22, 80, 88, 93, 96-7, 99-100. 102.46. 128. 136. 156. 167 Jas 1.2-8 ' 874.'104.'142 Jas 1.2-11 67,99 ' Jas 1.2-12 82, 95 Jas 1.2-18 9 5 6 Jas 1.2-25 96, 99 Jas 1.2-26 67, 82 Jas 1.2-27 6, 66, 67, 82, 87, 92-106, 136. 186 Jas 1.3 88, 131 Jas 1.4 11,224, 76, 87-88, 143, 167 Jas 1.4-5 88 Jas 1.4-18 136 Jas 1.5 76, 88, 104, 167, 174, 1767, 174 A,,
Jas 1.5-8 23, 81, 88, 96, 99-100, 104, 135-6. 167
2 Thess. 1.3 99 2Thess. 2.13 99 1 Tim. 1.5 1 Tim. 2.7 1 Tim. 3.9 1 T i . 5.22 1 Tim. 6.14
114 173 114 116, 128 116
2Tim. 1.11 173 2 Tim. 2.22 114 2 Tim. 2.23 156 Tit. 2.5
128
Jas 1.13 167, 172, 174 Jas 1.13-15 167
Index of A.ncient Texts Jas 1.13-18 96 Jas 1.13-27 24, 81 Jas 1.13-5.12 81
215
Jas 2.10-13 83, 161 Jas 2.12 167. 175 Jas 2.13 83, 95, 167 Jas 2.14 74, 83, 94, 153, 167, 172, 179 Jas 2.14-16 17. 97. 158 Jas 2.1417 165, 161, 163 Jas 2.14-26 76,82-3,87,91,94, 104-5; 129, 156 Jas 2.15-17 72. 116 Jas 2.14 83
Jas 1.26-27 12, 18,92,96-7,99,102-3, lo%, 112-20, 128, 137, 139, 167,
Jas 3.6 1, 18-19, 84, 116-17, 120-4, 127, 137-9, 144, 159, 167, 181, 1867 Jas 3.7-8 84, 124, 167 Jas 3.8 23. i 6 6 7 Jas 2.1-26 96, 100 Jas 2.1-3.12 94 Jas 2.1-5.20 82. 9 3 4 Jas 2.2 75, 89; 109 Jas 2.2-4 72, 83, 88, 158 Jas 2.2-5 105 Jas 2.2-6 75 .-.--
--.
--
Jas 2.2-9 140 Jas 2.4 88, 122, 129, 167 Jas2.5 74,76,83,89,97, 110, 116, 138, 153, 155, 16&161, 172, 174, 176 Jas 2.6 83, 160-2, 179 Jas 2.8 22. 83. 161. 167. 169. 180 Jas 2.8-11 169, 175 Jas 2.9 83, 104, 167, 169 Jas 2.10-11 83
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
216
Jas 4.1 130, 134, 154-5, 167 Jas 4.1-2 154, 156 Jas 4.1-3 85, 130, 159, 162, 180 Jas 4.1-6 84, 139 Jas4.1-10 9,82,84,87,89,94,117, 130, 137--8, 142 Jas 4.1-17 96 Jas 4.3 86, 176 Jas 4.4 12, 76, 79, 85, 105, 114, 1 1 M 7 , 123, 130-2, 134-6, 138-9, 142-3, 152, 154, 159, 161, 167-8, 174, 176-8 Jas 4.5 169 Jas 4.6 72, 85, 110, 132-3, 160, 164, 169, 174, 176, 178-80 Jas 4.7 19. 174. 178
Jas 5.12 17, 19,23,67, 74, 8191,94-5, 98, 131, 153, 172 Jas 5.13 95 Jas 5.14 95, 158 Jas -5-13-14 86 ~~~-- Jas 5.13-18 75, 82, 86-8, 94 Jas 5.13-20 67 Jas 5.14 75. 179 .-~. - --
--
Jas 5.17 76, 169 Jas 5.19 74, 76, 86, 94-5, 153, 172 Jas 5.19-20 70,75,82,8.57,90,94,98, I hO
lPet.1.1 72 1Pet.1.4 115 1 Pet. 1.18 114 152,154,1M),167,174,176,178,182, 1 Pet. 1.19 116 186 1 Pet. 1.22 114 ~ai4.10 72, 95, 133, 174, 176, 178 1 Pet. 2.1 109 Jas 4.11 23, 74, 92, 94, 153, 167, 169 1 Pet. 2.20 115 Jas 4.11-12 76, 82, 85, 87, 91, 94, 98, 1 Pet. 3.2 128 121, 124, 130, 137, 157, 159, 162, 164, 1 Pet. 3.3 122 iRn 1 Pet. 5.5-9 134 Jas 4.11-5.6 133, 164 Jas 4.12 17S6, 179, 180 2 Pet. 1.1 171 Jas 4.13 95, 158, 161, 164, 172 2 Pet. 3.14 116 Jas 4.13-17 82, 85, 87, 94, 164 Jas 4.13-5.11 81 Jas 4.15 172, 174, 176, 178 Jas 4.17 85,95 Jas 5.1 95, 158, 1M162, 164 Jas 5.1-3 85 Jas 5 1-6 67- 72, 82, 85, 89, 94, 105, 116, 160-1, 1 6 H Jude 9 52 Jas 5 1-11 85, 87, 89 Jude 24 116 Jas 5 2 76. 163 Jas 5.4 13i, 169, 174-6, 179-0 Rev. 3.4 109 Jas 5.4-6 85 Rev. 3.8 109 Jas 5.5 164, 167, 169, 179 Rev. 7.5-8 71 Jas 5.6 97, 133-4, 161, 164, 167, 176 Rev. 7.14 109 Jas 5.7 74, 88, 94, 153, 179 Rev. 19.18 109 Jas 5.7-8 85, 167, 174 Jas 5.7-10 76 Jas 5.7-11 82, 85, 88, 94, 156, 178 Jas 57-20 94 I En. 48.7 117, 122 Jas 5.8 88 I En. 99.11-16 161 Jas 5.9 67,74, 121, 124, 134, 153, 157, I En. 108.8 117 174. 178-9 ~, ~ L 5 . 1 0 74,76, 85,88, 153, 166, 174-5 2 Bar. 77.2 71 Jas 5.11 76, 88, 91, 172, 174-6 2 Bar. 78-86 73 2 Bar. 78.4 71
as 4.7-10 8 4 , 130, 132-3, 155, 165 Jas 4.8 1 W 2 , 19,234, 13B-9, 1424,
A-"
~
Index of Ancient Texts 4 Bar. 6.19-23 73 4 Macc. 5.7 112 4 Macc. 5.13 112 4 Macc. 5.25 175 ED. Arist. 27 E ~Arist. . 35, 93 Ep. Arist. 41, 93 Jos. Asen. 23.24 52 Jub. 1.23-25 60 Jub. 3.8-14 55 Jub. 30 52 Jub. 32.13 55 Pss. Pss. Pss. Pss. Pss.
Sol. Sol. Sol. Sol. Sol.
11 71 12.3 156 17.26-28 71 17.28-31 71 17.50 71
llQT llQT llQT llQT
60.11-1 50, 55 45.17-18 62 46.16-18 62 49.4 62
Cher. 101 126 Worse 21
113
Dew 132 114 Ebr.143
114
P l ~ t . 6 4 114
Sib. Sib. Sib. Sib. Sib.
Or. 5 109 Or. 171 72 Or. 188 109 Or. 249 71 Or. 3.625 127
T.Sol. 10.12 110 T. Ash. 3 4 T.Ash. 6.1
136 135
T.Ben. 8.2
114
T.Jos. 4.6 117 T. Levi 5 4 52 T. Levi 7.4 41 T. Levi 14.6-7 52
Josephns
Ant. Ant. Ant. Ant. Ant. Ant. Ant. Ant. Ant. Ant.
1.21.4 3.261 3.264 7.11.3
71 62 62 109 8.7-8 52 8.50-54 9 9 11.133 72 13.8.2 112 19.5.2 112 20.1.2 112
Apwn 1.109 Apwn 2.83b
132 132
Life 217 93 Life 229 93 Life 365-366 93 War 2.163 127 War 6.48 114
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of J m s
218
Mishoa, Talmuc, and Related Literatare RoS. Has 1.3-4
73
m. Kelim 1.6-9 46 m. Yad. 1.14.8136
Cicem De micifia 4.15 132 6.20 132 21.80 117, 132 Euripides Orestes 1046 117, 132
'Rules of Uncleanness'44, 48 'The Guide for the Perplexed' f.
Meg. 2.7
46
Early Cluistian Textx Barnubar 1.2 111 Barnabas 9.9 111 1 Clem. 13.1 109 1 Clem. 62.1 112
Laws 4.716C-E 51, 58 9 56 744B 117 757A 117
Jw(in Did. Trypha 11772
Plutarch Moralu 60D 110 96F 117 472B-473B 63, 125 484B-C 117 Virgil Aennd 11.321 132
~ d a m s b nI. , B. 8; 86, 88, 91, 9 S , 102, 160, 162 AUison, D. C. 74, 162 Aune, D. E. 68, 167 Baasland, E. 67-8, 82, 96, 102, 167 Baker, W. R. 7, 110, 120, 123, 141, 173 Barclay,]. M. G. 61, 119, 146,150-1, 168-70, 184 Barton. S. C. 159 att ten,'^. 132, 17€-7 Bauckham, R. I . 11-12, 14, 16,2&1, 23-5, 67-9, 71, 7 H , 78, 82-3, 89, 94-5,98, 112, 119-20, 122-3, 125, 132, 134, 137, 141, 144, 152-3, 157, 182-3 Berger, P. L. 107, 118 Bindemann, W. 21 Bockmuehl, M. 44 Broseud, W. F. 9, 124, 189 C a l m , J. 97 Cantmat, I. 83, 94 Cargal T. B. 23, 70, 80, 92 Carpenter, C B. 132 Cheung, L. L. 12, 14,204, 24-5, 82-3, 90, 94-5.98-104, 111, 113, 117, 119, 121-2, 128-31, 13S6, 141-2, 156, 161, 163, 165 chllds, B. 2% Chilton, B. D. 5, 62, 119 CoUms, J. J 101 Conway, C M 34, 36, 107 Countryman, L W. 162 Crotty, R. B. 90 Davids, P. H. 7,9,20-1,674,74,76, 82,86,94-6, 102, 109, 116, 120, 127,
1 3 W , 136, 152, 156-8, 160, 162, 164, 167, 173 Deissmann, A. 67-8 deSilva, D. A. 60, 62 Dibelius, M. 5, 7-9, 20, 6€-7, 76-8, 82-3, 87-8, 94-5,98, 116, 119-20, 122, 126, 130-1, 141, 160, 162, 170 Douglas, M. 3,6, 14,20,29-30,34-9, 65, 76, 106, 108, 140, 174, 186, 188 Dryden, J. 78 Dunn, I. D. G. 57,119 Edgar,D. H. 71,75,82,95, 131, 135, 153-5, 158, 171, 173, 177 Eilberg-Schwartz, H. 31,34, 3&7,39 Elliott, J. H. 7, 12-17, 1%25, 66, 80-1, 82, 89, 93, 95, 1024, 119, 1434, 149, 181-2 Elhott-Bms, L. E. 172 Epictetus 58, 125 Esler, P. F 147 Euripides 47
Geertz, C. 107, 118 Gruen, E. S. 72
Hall, I. M. 147 Harland, P. A. 148-9, 151, 1 8 H , 188 Harriogton, H. K. 49, 61 Hartin, P. J. 5, 12-14,2%2,%5, 82. 89,95, 102-3, 128, 138, 141-3 Hays, C. E. 49, 63 Hoppe, R. 21, 103
220
Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James
Hart, F. J.A. 172
111, 127, 129, 142, 156,
Mussner, F. 21, 74, 83, 94-5, 103, 160, 162
Jackson-McCabe, M. 13, 20, 72,75, 86, 90, 109, 111, 139, 165, 174-6 Jenson, P. P 27,28, 31, 36, 4&5,48 Johnson, A. P. 148 Johnson, L. T. 5, 9-10, 20-1, 23, 66, 68, 75, 79, 83, 88, 90, 92,946,98, 102, 110-13, 115-17, 119-23, 131-4, 137, 152, 157, 159, 162-3, 167-70 Johnson, M. 3
Neusner, J. 1, 29-30, 40-1, 53, 56 Newton, M. 188 Neyrey, J. H. 29, 36, 38, 65, 165 Ng, E. Y. L. 175 Niebuhr, K. 68, 70-1, 7 M , 153 Noack, B. 164 Nussbaum, M. 1-2
Klein, M 86, l ~ 109, , 172 Kloppenborg, J. S. 177 Knohl, I 28 Konradt, M. 82, 111 Konstan, D. 132, 178 Lakoff, G. 3 Lantenschlager, M 21, 174 Lawrence, L J 147 Laws, S 6-8, 10, 20, 22, 67, 83, 94, 103, 110, 116, 119, 122-3, 127, 130,
Maccoby, H 32-3, 39, 5 Maimorudes, M. 27 M a h a , B I. 3&9, 165 Marcus, J. 82 Martm, R P 7, 22, 74, 82-3, 8 6 8 , 94-6, 103, 116, 1 156, 160, 162, 171, Massebieau, L. 162 Maynard-Reid, P 72, 158, 164 Mayor, J. 6, 74, 122, 129, 131, 142, 160, 162, 167, 169 McKnight, S. 1, 14, 17-20, 25, 26, 93, 102, 116, 185 Meyer, A. 162 Mllgrom, J. 28-31, 335, 53 Moo, D. J. 7, 22, 74, 82-3, 88, 94-5, 97, 102-3, 108, 11617, 12&3, 128, 130, 1324, 142, 156-7, 160, 165, 17CL1, 174, 178 Mullin, A. M
O'Briau. P. T. 99 Olyan, S. M. 49 Painter, J. 5, 74 Pardee, D. 73 Parker, R. 47, 55-6, 60 Pemer, T. C. 7, 21, 68, 774, 82, 86, 88, 95, 100, 160-5 Perdue. L. G. 77
Pohl, W 147 Popkes, W. 14, 21, 103 Porter, S. 88, 104 Reicke, B 7, 83, 86, 94-5 Robbms, V. K. 5 Ropes, J. H 56,8, 67, 82-3, 86, 95, 116, 122, 126, 129, 131, 154, 1567, 160, 162, 167, 169 Sanders, E. P. 28, 41, 44, 71-2, 136, 153
Schlatter, A. 167 Schmitt, J. J 131 Schiikel, A. 94, 133 Scott, J. M. 72 Se~tz,0 . J. F. 119 Seneca 63, 125 Snyder, G. F. 146
Tmez, 14, 103 Tavlor. M. E. 21. 78. 98 ,-h'l L. 69, 82, 95 Tollefson, K. D. 23, 66, 79-80 Troeltsch, E. 148 Tsuji, M 74, 103, 153
Index of Authors van der Horst, P. W. 101 Verseput, D. J. 69-70,724,77,9&7, 113.. 153.. 171-2. 177 Vhymeister, N. J. 177 von Lips, H. 82, 100-2 Vouga, F. 82, 95, 171 Wachob, W. H. 5, 68, 75, 115, 158, 161, 167 Wall. R 9., 20.. 71-2. 82. 95. 157-8. 160-1 Wallace, D. 116
Watson, D. F. 103, 12&1 Wenham, G. 27 White, J. L. 99 Wilson. -.-,-B. -148-9 Witherington, B. 4, 182-3 WoImarans, J . L. P. 131 Wright, D. P. 28, 31-2,43-5, 64
221
52-3,
