The first letter to the Corinthians is one of the most discussed biblical books in New Testament scholarship today. Despite this, there has been no consensus on its arrangement and central theme, in particular why the topic of the resurrection was left until the end of the letter, and what its theological significance would have been to the Corinthian church. Matthew R. Malcolm analyses this rhetoric of 'reversal', examines the unity of the epistle, and addresses key problems behind particular chapters. He argues that while Jewish and Greco-Roman resources contribute significantly to the overall arrangement of the letter, Paul writes as one whose identity and rhetorical resources of structure and imagery have been transformed by his preaching, or kerygma, of Christ. The study will be of interest to students of New Testament studies, Pauline theology and early Christianity.
• Provides a possible solution to the problem of the theme and arrangement of 1 Corinthians • Answers recent calls for greater particularity in the investigation of Paul's rhetoric • A new approach to understanding early Christian proclamation and its impacts
Contents
Introduction; 1. The kerygma of reversal; 2. The unity and coherence of 1 Corinthians; 3. 1 Corinthians 1-4: divisive boasting over human leaders is set against the present inhabitation of Christ's cross; 4. 1 Corinthians 5-14 and Paul's ethics 'in the Lord'; 5. 1 Corinthians 15: pessimism for the dead is set against future inhabitation of Christ's resurrection; Conclusion.
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