An apostolic enigma? Dispelling the incoherence of Second Clement through the patron–client frame

Abstract

The so-called Second Letter of Clement has long been regarded as an enigmatic text with an elusive message. This article seeks to elicit previously unforeseen coherence from the document by demonstrating how its content conforms with patron–client relationships at the discourse level. Drawing on tools from cognitive linguistics and socio-scientific reading models, a patron–client frame is constructed through which the document’s content can be organised. The frame consists of a patron ‘slot’, a client ‘slot’ and corresponding characteristics of asymmetry in status, an enduring relationship, and a reciprocal exchange of goods and services. When applied, God and Christ consistently occupy the patron slot, while the addressees fill the client slot along with the accompanying characteristics. As a result of the analysis, a more precise communicative goal emerges as most coherent: to evoke an ongoing reciprocal behavioural response from the audience to the gift of salvation.
Contribution: The article demonstrates that Second Clement achieves coherence when understood in the terms of patronage, and as a result, a reciprocal behavioural response to salvation is presented as the most coherent purpose of the document.