PAUL AND ANCIENT VIEWS OF SEXUAL DESIRE

Paul’s Sexual Ethics in 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Corinthians 7 and Romans 1

J. EDWARD ELLIS

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A Continuum imprint

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J. Edward Ellis has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the Author of this work.

Copyright © J. Edward Ellis, 2007

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

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

ISBN-10: 0-567-04538-2 (hardback)

ISBN-13: 978-0-567-04538-6

LIBRARY OF NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

354

Formerly the Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement series

Editor

Mark Goodacre

Editorial Board

John M. G. Barclay, Craig Blomberg, Kathleen E. Corley, R. Alan Culpepper, James D. G. Dunn, Craig A. Evans, Stephen Fowl, Robert Fowler, Simon J. Gathercole, John S. Kloppenborg, Michael Labahn, Robert Wall, Steve Walton, Robert L. Webb, Catrin H. Williams

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Statement of the Problem

History of Research

Methodology

A Note on Choice of Texts

Chapter 2

VIEWS OF SEXUAL DESIRE IN JEWISH LITERATURE FROM 200 B.C.E. TO 200 C.E

Introduction

Texts That Contain Clear or Possible Condemnations of Sexual Desire Per Se

Summary of Findings Regarding Texts that Contain Clear or Possible Condemnations of Sexual Desire Per Se

Texts That Condemn Misdirected or Overpowering Sexual Desire

Procreationism in Jewish Literature

Conclusion

Chapter 3

VIEWS OF SEXUAL DESIRE AMONG GREEK AND ROMAN MORALISTS AND PHILOSOPHERS

Introduction

Greco-Roman Moral and Philosophical Thought

Conclusion

Chapter 4

1 CORINTHIANS 7 IN LIGHT OF THE GREEK ROMANTIC NOVELS

Introduction

Exegetical Choices

Key Components of Paul’s View

Paul and the Romantics

Conclusion

Chapter 5

SUMMARY, IMPLICATIONS, AND AVENUES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Summary

Implications of This Study

Avenues for Further Research

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index of Ancient Authors and Works

Index of Modern Authors

For my wife, Terri

Acknowledgments

I am sincerely grateful to the many people who have helped me to bring this project to its completion. As my adviser, Dr. Sharyn Dowd showed confidence in me by granting me the ‘space’ to work on my own, offered valuable scholarly advice when I needed it, and, from time to time, took on the role of pastor. Her friendliness and humanity helped to make this process not only bearable but enjoyable. Dr. Charles Talbert, to whom I owe special thanks for suggesting the topic, pointed me toward valuable sources and offered helpful comments during the writing process. Both of these professors ...