Paul's Political Strategy in 1 Corinthians 1-4: Constitution and Covenant

This volume examines 1 Corinthians 1-4 within first-century politics, demonstrating the significance of Corinth's constitution to the interpretation of Paul's letter. Bradley J. Bitner shows that Paul carefully considered the Roman colonial context of Corinth, which underlay numerous ecclesial conflicts. Roman politics, however, cannot account for the entire shape of Paul's response. Bridging the Hellenism-Judaism divide that has characterized much of Pauline scholarship, Bitner argues that Paul also appropriated Jewish-biblical notions of covenant. Epigraphical and papyrological evidence indicates that his chosen content and manner are best understood with reference to an ecclesial politeia informed by a distinctively Christ-centered political theology. This emerges as a "politics of thanksgiving" in 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 and as a "politics of construction" in 3:5-4:5, where Paul redirects gratitude and glory to God in Christ. This innovative account of Paul's political theology offers fresh insight into his pastoral strategy among nascent Gentile-Jewish assemblies.

Author: Bradley J. Bitner
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 06/25/2015
Pages: 365
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.40w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781107088481

About the Author
Bitner, Bradley J.: - Bradley J. Bitner is Tutor in New Testament and Greek at Oak Hill Theological College in London. He is the co-editor, with James R. Harrison, of New Documents Illustrating Early Christianity, Volume 11 (forthcoming).