Apostle of the Crucified Lord

a theological introduction to paul & his letters

Second Edition

Michael J. Gorman

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

2140 Oak Industrial Drive N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505

www.eerdmans.com

© 2017 Michael J. Gorman

All rights reserved

Published 2017

ISBN 978-0-8028-7428-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Gorman, Michael J., 1955– author.

Title: Apostle of the crucified Lord : a theological introduction to Paul & his letters / Michael J. Gorman.

Description: Second edition. | Grand Rapids, Michigan : William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016027073 | ISBN 9780802874283 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Epistles of Paul—Theology.

Classification: LCC BS2651 .G64 2017 | DDC 227/.06—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016027073

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

For Richard Hays

mentor, colleague, friend

&

biblical scholar for the Church

Contents

List of Maps

Foreword by John M. G. Barclay

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Acknowledgments for the Second Edition

Acknowledgments for the First Edition

Abbreviations

introduction: approaching paul

Perspectives on the Apostle

1. paul’s world(s)

The Greco-Roman Context of His Mission

2. paul’s résumé

The Mission of the Former Persecutor

3. paul’s letters

Apostleship in Absentia

4. paul’s gospel

The Good News of Christ Crucified and Raised

5. paul’s spirituality

Participation and Transformation in Christ

6. paul’s theology

A Dozen Fundamental Convictions

7. 1 thessalonians

Holiness and Hope in Faithful Witness to a Pagan World

8. 2 thessalonians

Cruciform Endurance and Goodness before the Parousia

9. galatians

The Sufficiency of Christ and the Spirit

10. 1 corinthians

Chaos, the Cross, and the Spirit in Corinth

11. 2 corinthians

Paul’s Defense of Spirit-Filled, Cruciform Life and Ministry

12. romans

Gentile and Jew in Cruciform Covenant Community in Christ

13. philippians

The Master Story of the Crucified, Exalted Lord in the Cruciform, Missional Community

14. philemon

The Cross and the Status Quo

15. colossians

The Cosmic, Crucified Christ as the Fullness and Wisdom of God

16. ephesians

One New Humanity, Walking Worthy of the Cosmic, Crucified, Peacemaking Christ

17. 2 timothy

Suffering Rather than Shame

18. 1 timothy

Proper Order and Conduct in God’s Household

19. titus

Ordering Church Life and Leadership between the Epiphanies

20. epilogue

Paul Our Contemporary

Index of Authors

Index of Subjects

Index of Scripture and Ancient Sources