expository, quasi-contemplative character of both the sapiential books and the apostolic epistles. Just as the former interpret the history of the Jews and their law for the people of God, so do the latter interpret the gospel for the Church. The upshot is that the relationship between the testified and the testifying Word is a fluid one, varying from clear contrast to actual identity. Revelation then is effected partly before the writing, partly in the actual writing; in other words, scripture participates