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#30. The Apocrypha.
Further parallel with the Epistles and the Gospel of Matthew.
pp. 94 - 98
The reader may have observed that the parallels already brought forward, between the
Book of Wisdom and the epistle to the Romans, have been confined to that part of
Rom. 1: that makes no revelation of the grace of God or of the great plan of justification
by faith. We find no obvious parallels in the Apocrypha to the doctrinal parts of Romans,
and this we can readily understand; but upon reaching chapters 9:-9:, we do find some
similarity. For example, compare the apostle's argument in Rom. 9: 20, 21 with
Wisdom 12: 11, 12 and 15: 7:--
"Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing that formed
say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over
the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?"
(Rom. 9: 20, 21).
"For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither didst Thou for fear of any man,
give them pardon for those things wherein they sinned. For who shall say, What hast
Thou done? Or who shall withstand Thy judgment? Or who shall accuse Thee in respect
of the perdition of nations, which Thou Thyself madest? Or who shall state a case
against Thee, as advocate in respect of unjust men?" (Wisdom 12: 11, 12).
"For the potter tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel with much labour for our
service. Yea, of the same clay he maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and
likewise also such as serve to the contrary. But what is the use of either sort the potter
himself is the judge" (Wisdom 15: 7).
The apostle's words, "If some of the branches be broken off" (Rom. 11: 17) and the
words of Wisdom, "The imperfect branches shall be broken off" (4: 5) are similar.
There are one or two more instances, but as they also appear to be reflections of O.T.
passages they will not be cited here as examples.
When the apostle counseled the Romans in 13: 1 to be subject to the higher powers,
adding:--
"For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God . . . . . for
he is the minister of God to thee" (Rom. 13: 1-4).
the Jews in that church would remember the words of Wisdom in the address to kings and
judges:--
"For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, Who shall try
your works, and search out your counsels" (Wisdom 6: 3).
There is a further parallel between these two chapters in Wisdom 6: 18 and
Rom. 13: 10: "Love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. 13:) and "Love is the keeping of
her laws" (Wisdom 6:).