The Social Ethos of the Corinthian

An exemplary study, focussing on the Corinthian correspondence, of the social ethos of early Christian teaching and its development.

Preface

xi

(4)

Abbreviations used in text

xv

Introduction

1

(8)

Part I. Methodology: sociology and New Testament study

9

(54)

1. What is a `sociological' approach?

9

(24)

1.1. Introduction

9

(1)

1.2. The use of models

9

(9)

1.3. Determinism and causal explanation

18

(4)

1.4. Sociology and the `typical'

22

(4)

1.5. Sociology and history: same difference?

26

(5)

1.6. Conclusion

31

(2)

2. Theoretical resources

33

(30)

2.1. Introduction

33

(1)

2.2. Functionalism

33

(6)

2.3. The sociology of knowledge: Berger and Luckmann

39

(6)

2.4. Giddens' structuration theory

45

(8)

2.5. A framework for exegetical research

53

(10)

Part II. The Corinthian correspondence: exegetical studies

63

(233)

3. The Corinthian community

63

(1)

3.1. Introduction

63

(1)

3.2. Social context: first-century Corinth and the Roman Empire

64

(9)

3.3. Paul's mission at Corinth

73

(4)

3.4. The central resources of the faith: a new symbolic order

77

(3)

3.5. Ritual: enacted faith

80

(8)

3.5.1. Baptism

82

(4)

3.5.2. The Lord's Supper

86

(2)

3.6. Between founding mission and 1 Corinthians

88

(3)

3.7. The social composition of the Christian community at Corinth

91

(10)

3.8. Social tensions in the community: background to Paul's response

101

(18)

3.8.1. Division and the Lord's Supper: 1 Cor 11.17-34

102

(3)

3.8.2. Disagreement about XXX: 1 Cor 8-10

105

(4)

3.8.3. Believers engaged in litigation: 1 Cor 6.1-8

109

(3)

3.8.4. Factions among the believers: 1 Cor 1-4

112

(5)

3.8.5. Women and men in the community

117

(2)

3.9. The theology of Paul's Corinthian `opponents'

119

(5)

3.10. Conclusion

124

(2)

4. The social ethos of 1 Corinthians

126

(73)

4.1. Introduction: the issue of `love-patriarchalism'

126

(5)

4.2. Paul's reactions to social tensions at Corinth

131

(27)

4.2.1. Division and worldly wisdom: 1 Cor 1.10-4.21

131

(6)

4.2.2. Litigation among believers: 1 Cor 6.1-8

137

(5)

4.2.3. Idol meat and the rights of the strong: 1 Cor 8.1-11.1

142

(8)

4.2.4. The Lord's Supper: 1 Cor 11.17-34

150

(5)

4.2.5. Criticism of the socially strong

155

(3)

4.3. Paul's attitude towards the weak

158

(37)

4.3.1. `Remain in your calling': 1 Cor 7.1 ff

158

(4)

Excursus: 1 Cor 7.21b - freedom or slavery?

162

(6)

4.3.2. `Let a woman cover her head': 1 Cor 11.2-16

168

(8)

4.3.3. Order in the Body: 1 Cor 12-14

176

(8)

Excursus: 1 Cor 14.34-35

184

(11)

4.4. Conclusion

195

(4)

5. Conflict at Corinth and apostolic lifestyle

199

(39)

5.1. Introduction

199

(1)

5.2. The image of the apostles: 1 Cor 4.8-13

200

(4)

5.3. Apostolic lifestyle: 1 Cor 9.1-23

204

(13)

5.3.1. Paul's conduct as an example to the strong

206

(4)

5.3.2. Criticism of Paul: the issue of support

210

(7)

5.4. Increased conflict

217

(3)

5.5. Paul's response to the conflict: 2 Cor 10-13

220

(9)

5.5.1. Paul's response to the criticism of his lifestyle

223

(2)

5.5.2. Paul's boasting: the self-image of the apostle

225

(4)

5.6. Reconciliation: 2 Cor 1-9

229

(4)

5.7. Conclusion

233

(5)

6. The social ethos of 1 Clement

238

(43)

6.1. Introduction, date and authorship

238

(6)

6.2. Occasion: the situation at Corinth

244

(6)

6.3. The main themes of 1 Clement

250

(8)

6.4.1. Clement's attitude to social distinctions: love patriarchalism in 1 Clement?

258

(14)

6.5.1. Clement's attitude to civil authority

272

(6)

6.6. Conclusion

278

(3)

7. Conclusion

281

(15)

7.1. Summary and conclusions

281

(4)

7.2. A wider trajectory within Pauline Christianity?

285

(6)

7.3. Contemporary reflections

291

(5)

Appendix 1: The painful letter and the chronological order of 2 Cor 1-9 and 10-13

296

(17)

1. Unity or partition of 2 Corinthians?

296

(2)

2.2 Cor 10-13 as the painful letter?

298

(4)

3. Problems with dating 2 Cor 10-13 after 1-9

302

(2)

4. Problems with the identification hypothesis

304

(8)

4.1. Titus

304

(3)

4.2. The offender

307

(3)

4.3. The rival missionaries

310

(1)

4.4. Redaction and composition

311

(1)

5. Conclusion

312

(1)

Bibliographical Appendix: Giddens' work on selected topics

313

(1)

Abbreviations used in bibliography

314

(2)

Bibliography of works cited in the text

316

(47)

1. Primary sources

316

(3)

2. Secondary literature

319

(44)

Index of ancient references

363

(19)

Index of names

382

(11)

Index of subjects

393

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

The Social Ethos of the Corinthian Correspondence

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials