‘The Body for the Lord’

Sex and Identity in 1 Corinthians 5–7

Alistair Scott May

Copyright © 2004 T&T Clark International

A Continuum imprint

Published by T&T Clark International

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British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 0–567–08096-X

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

1. Beginnings

2. Unity or Disunity?

3. Previous Studies of 1 Corinthians 5–7

4. 1 Corinthians and the Social Sciences

5. Sex and Identity

6. Program for this Study

Chapter 1

Identity in Theory

1.1. The Sense of Belonging and Distinction

1.2. Social Identity Theory

1.3. Grounds for Proceeding

Chapter 2

Sex and Self-Definition among the Roman Elite (A Case Study)

2.1. Social Competition

2.2. Controlling Language

2.3. Conclusion

Chapter 3

Social Dynamics and Rhetoric in 1 Corinthians

3.1. Introduction

3.2. The Context of 1 Corinthians

3.3. Paul’s Group Boundary in 1 Corinthians 1–4

3.4. The Ethical Dichotomy in 1 Corinthians 5–7

Chapter 4

Putting the πόρνοι in their Place (5.1–13)

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Controlling Language: An Intergroup Comparison

4.3. The Theological and Social Solution

4.4. The Status of the Immoral Man

4.5. The Significance of the Boundary

4.6. Conclusion

Chapter 5

Lawsuits before the ἄδικοι (6.1–11)

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Objectionable Judges

5.3. Litigious Brethren

5.4. The Function of 6.9–11

5.5. Conclusions

Chapter 6

The πόρνη and the πορνεία (6.12–20)

6.1. Introduction

6.2. The Background and Context of 6.12–20

6.3. The Question of εξουσια (6.12)

6.4. Body vs. Stomach: Sex vs. Food (6.13–14)

6.5. Union with the πορνη or Union with the Lord (6.15–17)

6.6. The Temple of the Spirit (6.18–20)

6.7. Who is the πόρνη?

6.8. Implications

Chapter 7

Reading 1 Corinthians 7

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Objections to the ‘Ascetic Hypothesis’

7.3. Consideration of the Proposed Motivations for Corinthian Asceticism

7.4. Problems with Eschatological/Enthusiastic Explanations

7.5. Conclusion

Chapter 8

Marriage, Renunciation and Social Context

8.1. Marriage and Society

8.2. Exceptions that Prove the Rule

8.3. The Response of the World

8.4. The Social Ethos of 1 Corinthians

8.5. The Corinthian Church, Society and Asceticism

Chapter 9

Rereading 1 Corinthians 7

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Reconstructing the Dialogical Context

9.3. Reading the Text as Pauline Theology

9.4. Denials and Affirmations (7.1–9)

9.5. The Denial of Divorce (7.10–16)

9.6. Remain As You Are: Principle and Paradox (7.17–24)

9.7. Further Reasons for Remaining Single (7.25–40)

9.8. Conclusions...