When did you last read the Apocrypha in your Bible?

John Baiamonte, Ph.D.

Grace Memorial Parishioner, Vestry Member, and Christian Education Leader

You might first ask “What is the Apocrypha?” It comes from the ancient Greek word that means hidden. It is a collection of ancient books thought to have been written sometime between 200 BC and 100 AD. The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches consider some or all of the books in their version of the Old Testament. These churches consider these books to be useful for instruction but non-canonical. 

This is the position of the Lutheran Churches and the Anglican Communion. As of 1981 the Apocrypha is included in the lectionaries of Anglican and Lutheran Churches.

​The history of the inclusion and exclusion of the Apocrypha in early Bible editions is confusing, and in my opinion, it is not important. What is important is the agreed upon books accepted in the Apocrypha and found in the New Revised Standard Version, which is the translation of the Bible used by the Episcopal Church:
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• The Third Book of Esdras
• The Fourth Book of Esdras
• The Book of Tobias
• The Book of Judith
• The Book of Esther
• The Wisdom of Solomon
• Ecclesiasticus or Sirach
• Baruch the Prophet
• The Story of Susana
• The Song of the Three Children
• Of Bel and Dragon
• The Prayer of Manasseh
• The First Book of Maccabees
• The Second Book of Maccabees
• 1 Esdras
• 2 Esdras
• Letter of Jeremiah
• Prayer of Azariah
• Sirach
• Song of the Three Jews
• Susanna

The Apocrypha is not found in all Bibles. Of the several Bibles I have in my library, only my NRSV Bible has the Apocrypha plus 3Macabees, 4 Macabees, and Psalm 51.

Besides its spiritual impact on religion and it has had a pervasive influence on American culture for centuries. In the Roman Catholic burial mass “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them” comes from 4 Esdras 2: 34-35. A line from The Merchant of Venice comes from Susanna. James Agee used a line from Ecclesiasticus 44:1 in his book about sharecroppers, and John Bunyan in his spiritual biography took a line from Ecclesiasticus. These books have inspired homilies, meditations, poets, dramatists, composers, and artists. Some of the most common expressions and proverbs come from the Apocrypha. A passage from the Apocrypha encouraged Christopher Columbus in his enterprises. We could go on discussing the influences of the Apocrypha, but perhaps we should save that for another blog.

The Lectionary of the Episcopal Church offers readings on Sunday from the Apocrypha. For example, on the fifth Sunday after Epiphany, which is not too far off, we are scheduled to read Ecclesiasticus 15: 11-20. So, let’s take a look at a portion of this passage:

​Do not say, “it was the Lord’s doing that I fell away”; for he does not do what he hates.

Do not say, “It was he who led me astray”; for he has no need of the sinful.

The Lord hates all abominations; such things are not loved by those who fear him.

It was he who created humankind in the beginning, and he left them in the power of their own free choice. (15: 11-15)

As you can see, this passage reads very much like lines from the Old Testament. It actually reads like a psalm. Apparently, Ecclesiasticus was a favorite of mine because as I thumbed through the passage, I found an old and frayed piece of paper in it with the following inscription in my handwriting: “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord” from Ecclesiasticus 2:17b. Apparently, this line was a favorite of mine.

The Apocrypha belongs definitely to the genre of wisdom literature because it stresses the lessons of experience and on the “fear of the Lord.” It began as a “church book” in the early Christian community which accepted it into its canon. If you are interested in ancient and military history, I suggest that you read Books 1 and 2 of the Maccabees, which are considered fairly accurate.

I hope these books in the Bible are no longer “hidden” from you. If your Bible does not have the Apocrypha, go out and find an edition of the NRSV and start reading it and let me know what you think.