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Topic 6 Paul as a Letter-Writer. Characteristics of Paul’s letters “Occasional” writings Writing to deal with particular issues in particular churches. Not intended for broad publication, for posterity, or to become Scripture. Substitutes for personal presence or pastoral visits.
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Topic 6 Paul as a Letter-Writer • Characteristics of Paul’s letters • “Occasional” writings • Writing to deal with particular issues in particular churches. • Not intended for broad publication, for posterity, or to become Scripture. • Substitutes for personal presence or pastoral visits. • One side of on-going conversation with a church. • Implications for: • Exegesis – Reconstruct “occasion” of letter; read in context. • Hermeneutics – Realize that much of Paul’s advice is situation-specific; may not apply directly to other situations. • Theology – Realize that a given letter covers only what is relevant to its occasion; much is left unstated. • Issue of “contigency” vs. “coherence.”
A. Characteristics of Paul’s letters – cont. • Literary genre • Adolf Deissmann (early 20th cent.) distinguished between: • Literary epistles – intended for publication; letter form is literary device; popular way to publish a treatise in classical Greece. • Genuine letters – genuine correspondence to address momentary needs; thousands of everyday papyrus letters were discovered at Oxyrhynchus in 1897 (cf. Horrell, p. 50; Roetzel, p. 53. • Deissmann insisted Paul’s letters are “genuine letters.” • Called them “informal private notes.” • Correct to emphasize they are real letters; occasional nature. • Recent scholars have moderated Deissmann: • More than “informal private notes.” • Intended to be read aloud in worship; carry apostolic authority (cf. 1 Thess. 5:27; Col. 4:16).
A. Characteristics of Paul’s letters – cont. • Oral style • Intended to be read aloud in worship. • Paul often dictated letters to an “amanuensis” (prof. scribe). • Tertius as amanuensis of Romans (Rom. 16:22). • Sometimes writes closing in own hand (Gal. 6:11-18). • Dictation affects style – not polished but oral language. • Many examples of digressions, broken sentences, interruptions, etc. (cf. 1 Cor. 1:14-16; Gal. 2:4-6; 2 Cor. 5:6-8). • Use of “pre-Pauline” traditional material • Sometimes explicitly cites use of a tradition: • 1 Cor. 11:23ff. – Lord’s Supper tradition. • 1 Cor. 15:3ff. – Resurrection tradition. • Often uses traditional material without identifying it (cf. Phil. 2:6-11; Rom. 1:3-4; etc.). • Types of traditional material used: • Apostolic kerygma (see Roetzel, p. 69). • Words of Jesus (1 Cor. 7:10-11; 9:14; 11:23-25). • Christian liturgy: confessions (Rom. 1:3-4; 3:24-25; 1 Cor. 15:3-7); hymns (Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 1:15-20); baptismal (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-29) and Eucharistic formulas (1 Cor. 11:23-25); prayers (1 Cor. 16:22; Rom. 8:5). • Paraenesis (ethical instruction in stock language; Gal. 5:19-23; Rom. 1:29-30).
Form of Paul’s letters Follows and develops customary form of Greek letters (cf. Roetzel, pp. 53-54; Horrell, p. 50). Five main parts of typical Pauline letter(Roetzel, 55-66) • Salutation (1 Thess. 1:1) • Standard: “Sender to Recipient: Greeting.” • Paul: “Paul to Church X: Grace and Peace.” • Thanksgiving (1 Thess. 1:2-10) • Developed out of standard prayer for recipient. • Paul gives thanks and mentions prayers for recipients – in every letter except one. • Often “telegraphs” key themes in letter. • Body (1 Thess. 2:1-5:11) • Quite varied; long or short; a few regular landmarks. • Opening formulas: “I appeal to you…;” “I want you to know…” • Autobiographical section: near beginning; defense of apostleship; news about himself. • Travelogue: near end shares travel plans; wish/intention to visit; sending emissary and letter as substitute.
Form of Paul’s letters – cont. Five main parts of typical Pauline letter: • Paraenesis (ethical instruction) (1 Thess. 5:12-22) • Near end is usually a section of very general ethical exhortations – string of maxims; lists of vices and virtues; etc. • Debated how much of this is: • General instruction based on stock teaching (Dibelius). • Subtly shaped to fit particular situation (Furnish). • Closing (1 Thess. 5:23-28) • Peace wish – sometimes • Greetings – often greets individuals by name; sometimes writes in own hand (1 Cor. 16:21; Gal. 6:11; Phlm. 19; Col. 4:18; 2 Thess. 3:17). • Kiss – “Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.” • Grace benediction • “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” • “Peace and grace” in closing balances “grace and peace” in greeting (inclusio).
Rhetorical criticism • “Rhetoric” = “art of persuasion through public speaking.” • Central element in Greek education. • Handbooks prescribed techniques for constructing a persuasive speech. • Rhetorical criticism analyzes Paul’s letters according to conventional rhetorical techniques. • H. D. Betz classified Galatians as an “apologetic letter” employing “forensic rhetoric” to defend the truth of his gospel against a rival version. • Others have developed and modified Betz’ approach. • Some have questioned whether Paul was educated in rhetoric or had only a superficial acquaintance. Betz' Outline
Betz’ Outline of Galatians Based on Classical Rhetoric • 1:1-5 Epistolary Prescript • 1:6-11 Exordium– Introduction: defines character of speaker and central issue. • 1:12-2:14 Narratio – Narrates events related to central issue. • 2:15-21 Propositio – Summarizes central thesis to be proved. • 3:1-4:31 Probatio – Proof: sets forth logical arguments. • 5:1-6:10 Exhortatio – Instructions/warning: no parallel in classical handbooks. • 6:11-18 Epistolary Postscript/Peroratio – Recaps basic points; evokes sympathetic response.