Journal: Southeastern Theological Review
Volume: STR 13:1 (Spring 2022)
Article: A Proverb Performance Study Of James 1:19
Author: David R. Seal

STR 13:1 (Spring 2022) p. 41

A Proverb Performance Study Of James 1:19

David Seal*

Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI

Abstract: While in the last two decades or so orality and performance have entered the mainstream of biblical studies, the genre of wisdom literature, specifically the proverb, has remained largely unexplored from these perspectives. This essay will address this omission, by looking at the proverbial statements in the New Testament through the lens of orality and performance—specifically the maxim in Jas 1:19. The essay will first, label James’s genre as an oral paraenesis written in epistolary form. Second, the essay will describe the nature of a proverb performance and demonstrate how Jas 1:19 can be classified accordingly. Third, the essay will investigate the introduction to the proverbial statement in Jas 1:19, asserting the statement’s traditional nature, and explaining its meaning in its literary context. Finally, the essay will examine the proverb’s strategic value for the author, including the authoritative force derived from the saying’s performance, traditional nature, and oral aesthetics. The analysis of Jas 1:19 through the lens of orality and performance will highlight the value of this methodology, demonstrating that there is not only value in what James says but in how he says it.

Key Words: Epistle of James, orality, performance criticism, proverb performance, Proverbs

* I am grateful for the comments and suggestions received from the anonymous reviewers for STR.

While in the last two decades or so orality and performance have entered the mainstream of biblical studies, the genre of wisdom literature, specifically the proverb, has remained largely unexplored from these perspectives.1 To address this omission, I intend to draw attention to the

STR 13:1 (Spring 2022) p. 42

value of looking at the proverbial statements in the New Testament through the lens of orality and performance—specifically I will examine the maxim in Jas 1:19. In part, I am concerned with determining the ancient understanding of the authoritative force of the words in this text. I will proceed in four steps. First, I will label James’s genre as an oral paraenesis written in epistolary form. Second, I will describe the nature of a proverb performance and demonstrate how Jas 1:19 can be classified accordingly....