Conflict and
Community in
Corinth

A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary
on 1 and 2 Corinthians

Ben Witherington III

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan / Cambridge, U.K.

© 1995 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

All rights reserved

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

255 Jefferson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 /

P.O. Box 163, Cambridge 3 9PU U.K.

www.eerdmans.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Witherington, Ben, 1951–

Conflict and community in Corinth: a socio-rhetorical commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians / Ben Witherington III.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-8028-0144-9

1. Bible. N.T. Corinthians—Commentaries. I. Title.

BS2675.3.W58 1994

227´.207—dc20 94-19491

CIP

Quotations from Jesus the Sage: The Pilgrimage of Wisdom by Ben Witherington III are copyright © 1994 by Augsburg Fortress Publishers and used by permission.

Except as noted, all photos are by the author.

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

INTRODUCTION

Paul the Greco-Roman Jew and Jewish Christian

Roman Corinth

The City and Its People

Trade and Manufacturing

Tourism

Religion

The Social Level of Paul and His Converts

Paul’s Position and Presence

The Corinthian Christians

Social Status

Ethnic and Religious Background

Social Diversity and Problems in the Christian Community

Household Assemblies

Two Prominent Members

The Literary World of Paul and His Converts

1 and 2 Corinthians as Letters

1 and 2 Corinthians as Rhetoric

Developments in Rhetoric in the Greco-Roman World

Modes and Functions of Greco-Roman Rhetoric

Paul’s Use of Rhetoric

Socio-Rhetorical Resources on 1 and 2 Corinthians: An Annotated Bibliography

Archaeology

Classical Studies

Greco-Roman Rhetoric

Sociology and Anthropology

Paul and Ancient Philosophy

Paul the Sage and Ancient Wisdom Movements

1 CORINTHIANS

The Background and Structure of the Letter

Chronology and Composition

Rhetorical Setting

Epistolary Prescript: 1:1–3

Epistolary Thanksgiving and Exordium: 1:4–9

A Closer Look: The Apollos Factor and Faction

A Closer Look: The Character of the Ekklēsia

Propositio: 1:10

Narratio: 1:11–17

Probatio: 1:18–16:12

Argument I: 1:18–4:21

Division 1: 1:18–31

“The Wisdom of the Cross, Wisdom on the Cross”

A Closer Look: Pagan Views of Salvation

Division 2: 2:1–16

“Wisdom for the Mature”

Division 3: 3:1–23

“The Wise Master-Builder and His Coworkers”

Division 4: 4:1–21

“The Future of an Allusion and the Past of a Sage”

A Closer Look: Rhetors, Teachers, and Imitation

Argument II: 5:1–6:20

Division 1: 5:1–13

“Beyond All Bounds”

A Closer Look: Honor and Shame in the Roman World

Division 2: 6:1–20

“Courting Trouble”

Argument III: 7:1–40

“Holy Wedlock and Unholy Deadlock”

A Closer Look: Slavery in Roman Corinth and Paul’s Advice in 7:21

Argument IV: 8:1–11:1

Division 1: 8:1–13

“The Party of the First Part”

A Closer Look: Dining in Roman Corinth

Division 2: 9:1–27

“For Example”

A Closer Look: Paul’s Self-Presentation

A Closer Look: Why Paul Made Tents

Division 3: ...