Table Of ContentS
in the Episde of'Jma
Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen
zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe
Herausgegeben von
Martin Hengel und Otfried Hofius
68
Personal Speech-Ethics
in the Epistle of James
by
William R. Baker
J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck) Tiibingen
Die Deutsche Bibliothek - CIP-Einheitsaufnahme
Baker, William R.:
Personal speech ethics in the epistle of James 1 by William R. Baker.
- TUbingen: Mohr, 1995
(WissenschaftlicheU ntersuchungen zum Neuen Testament: Reihe 2; 68)
ISBN 3-16- 145958-X
NE:W issenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 102
O 1995 by J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck). P.O. Box 2040, D-72010TUbingen.
This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that permitted by
copyright lawj without the publisher's written permission. This applies particularly to repro-
ductions, translations. microfilms and storage and processing in electronic systems.
The book was typeset by Sam Boyd Enterprise in Singapore, printed by Gulde-Dmck in
Tiibingenon acid-free paper from Papierfabrik Niefernand bound by Heinr. Koch inTllbingn.
Printed in Germany.
ISSN 0340-9570
To the memory of my father
Enned R. Baker
Though he died in 1973,
he had so much to do with the completion of this thesis.
The tenn 'personal spaachcthicsm sounds foreign to contemporary man.
Not only is the term unfamiliar, but the concern which it describes is far
removed from what people today associate with their endeavor to be
ethicaL Time and again during my course of study, upon announcing the
title of my thesis I have been met with looks of bewilderment from
academics and non-academics alike. I doubt this would have happened in
the ancient Mediterranean world. People in that time understood that
morality in speaking is intrisic to the fabric of society, essential for
friendship vital for learning, and, indeed, plays a part in most beneficial
aspects of human existence.
Any work of this kind puts the author in debt to many people, not only
for academic assistance but also for practical help and for personal support
and friendship.
In the first category, I would like to thank Professor Robin S Barbour,
Professor I. Howard Marshall, and Dr. Ruth Edwards of the Department of
New Testament Exegesis in the Divinity Faculty at King's College,
University of Aberdeen.
In the second category, I would like to thank Teresa Clark, the Divinity
secretary, and also the library personnel at the now closed King's College
Library, especially the always cheerful and efficient Jennifer at the in-
formation desk
In the third category, I would like to thank my mother, friends at the
Christian Church of Hoffman Estates (Minois), friends at Bridge of Don
Baptist Church (Aberdeen), and these in the Aberdeen postgraduate com-
munity: Rolando and Aida Aranzarnendez, Doug and Donna Barranger,
I-Ians and Susan Baycr, Barry and Kathy Blackburn, Craig and Fran
Blomberg. Gary and Carol Burge, Danny and Linda Clyrner, Dean
Fleming. Conrad and Shanesse Gempf, Russ and Linda Glessner, Skip and
Micky Heard, Pi Shiin and Yun Li Kang, Henry and Lois Laztnby, Bob
and Marilyn Lowery, Mike and Krystal Nola, Eckart and Barbara
Schnabel Gary and Karen Shogren, and Phil and Anne Towner. Finally, I
would like to thank my wife, Joni, whose help is of all three types
mentioned above and much, much more.
Finally, 1 would like to thank St. Louis Christian College for granting
me time to work on the revision of this thesis for publication and to
Martin Hengel and Gcorg Siebeck at J. C R Mohr for their interest in
having this thesis published and in their patient assistance.
My hope is that this monograph will not only benefit the reader
academically but also motivate the reader - as the author of James and
the authors of the ancient Mediterranean literature were trying to do for
their readers - to speak truly, with integrity, with grace, with benefit to
others, and with all honesty to God
November 1994 William R Baker
Table of Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
...
Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . XIII
General Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Specialised Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Epistle of James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Paraenesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Theology and Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Use in Moral Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Part I .
The Rudiments of Speech-Ethics
Chapter 1: Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Near Eastern Wisdom Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening. Words. and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Old Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening. Words. and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Words and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Qumranic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Words and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rabbinic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Words and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
...
vlll Table of Contents
Graeco-Roman Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Words and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Philonic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Words and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Words and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 2: Epistle of James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exegesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James1:19-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James1:19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James1:20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James1:21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jamesl:22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James1:23-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James1:25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James1:26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James1:27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controlled Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Words and Deeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part I1 .
The Evil of the Tongue
Chapter 3: Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Near Eastern Wisdom Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Old Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Qumranic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Rabbinic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Graeco-Roman Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Philonic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 20
New Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Table of Contents k
Chapter 4: Epistle of James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Exegesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
James 3: 1-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
James3:l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
James3:2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
James3:3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
James35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
James3:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
James3:7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
James3:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
James 3:lO-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
James 4: 1- 2b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Part 111 .
Speech in Inter-Human Relationships
Chapter 5: Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Near Eastern Wisdom Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Old Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Gossip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Slander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Mockery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Cursing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Hot-tempered Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Flattery and Deceit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Tactlessness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Perjury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Partiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Reproof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Qumranic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Rabbinic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Graeco-RomanL iterature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Philonic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
New Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Chapter 6: Epistle of James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Exegesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
James 3: 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
James 4: 1- 2b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
James 4:ll-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
James5:9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
