Journal for the Study of the New Testament recent issues

Absent Presences of Paul and Christ: Enargeia in 1 Thessalonians 1--3

Heath, J. M.F. — 2009-09-08

Paul is absent from Thessalonica; Christ is (in some sense) absent until his parousia; God is distant, invisible; the missionary visit lies in the past. But in the letter they receive from Paul, the Thessalonians find these manifold presences conjured under Paul’s pen and again made vivid. The following article studies this in the context of ancient discussion of enargeia. Although enargeia was never well systematized in antiquity, the term was frequent in diverse contexts for a range of interrelated phenomena connected with effects of vivid presence. Previously, scholarly discussion of ‘absent-presences’ in Paul has focused on Paul’s practice of making his own personal presence vivid to addressees, and this has been debated chiefly in the light of ancient epistolary theory. The introduction of enargeia opens the way for investigation of a wider range of ‘absent-presences’ and relationships between them, and places the discussion in a broader cultural setting. The aim is a theologically and historically richer exegesis of the epistle.

Paul's Caricature of his Chief Rival as a Pompous Parasite in 2 Corinthians 11.20

Welborn, L.L. — 2009-09-08

2 Corinthians 11.20 has received too little discussion in the literature on Paul’s opponents at Corinth, and, surprisingly, even less notice in recent research on patron—client relations in the Pauline communities. This article argues that 2 Cor. 11.20 depicts the leading figure among Paul’s apostolic rivals as an instance of a social type so familiar and loathsome that he was a favorite subject of ridicule in comedy, mime, and satire: the parasite, specifically, the ‘august parasite’ (µoo), who puts on airs and abuses his host and other guests. A composite portrait of this stock character is drawn from the comedies of Alexis, Antiphanes, Plautus and Terence, and from Lucian’s satirical defense of the parasitic art. Parallels to Paul’s vocabulary (oo, , µβ etc.) are traced in Greco-Roman comedies and satires. Paul’s satirical account of the behavior of a rival missionary in 2 Cor. 11.20 serves not only as a foil to Paul’s own modest conduct, but also functions as a reproach to the Corinthians for their complaisant response to the interloper. This hortatory function must be borne in mind as one seeks to comprehend the roles that Paul, his rival and the Corinthians play in the little scenario Paul has constructed.

The Invasion of a Mustard Seed: A Reading of Mark 5.1-20

Garroway, J. — 2009-09-08

This article reads Mark’s tale of the Gerasene demoniac as a narrative explication of the parables in the preceding chapter—particularly the mustard seed—in which the kingdom of God is described in light of the paradigmatic kingdom of the period, imperial Rome. The account portrays the violent destruction of Rome, achieved through synecdoche by the annihilation of an occupying ‘Legion’, as well as the peaceful infiltration of a new kingdom, achieved through mimesis in the second scene by the demoniac’s ‘invasion’ of a hostile crowd. In so doing, the passage both mimics and subverts standard ancient ideologies of kingdom and invasion.

Narrative Analysis as a Text Critical Tool: Mark 16 in Codex W as a Test Case

Shepherd, T. R. — 2009-09-08

In their description of the history of the transmission of the New Testament text, textual critics can use narrative analysis to elucidate the theological tendencies of narrative portions of an individual manuscript. The current article is an application of this methodology to the text of Mk 16.9-20 in Codex W. The article correlates the theological tendencies of this passage against the rest of the text of Mark in W with the outcome that there is reasonable evidence for a Tendenz focused on the cosmic power of Christ. This, in turn, correlates well with the triumph of the church over paganism in the fourth to fifth centuries CE when W was copied.

Making Fear Personal: Hebrews 5.11--6.12 and the Argument from Shame

Perry, P. S. — 2009-09-08

The author of Hebrews directly shames his audience in 5.11-12: ‘you have become oi in hearing ... you need someone to teach you ... You need milk not solid food’. Taking into account occurrences in other literature, oi in Heb. 5.11 and 6.12 is best translated as ‘unambitious’, connoting a shameful failure to recognize and act on advantages. Mapping the use of emotion in Hebrews with Aristotle’s definitions reveals that this direct shaming is unique and critical to the argument of the epistle. The hearers may dismiss warnings of God’s wrath as relevant to others but not themselves. Shame in 5.11—6.12 makes this fear personal.

1. New Testament General

2009-06-10

2. New Testament Topics

2009-06-10

3. Jesus

2009-06-10

4. Gospels

2009-06-10

5. Matthew

2009-06-10

6. Mark

2009-06-10

7. Luke--Acts

2009-06-10

8. John

2009-06-10

9. Paul

2009-06-10

10. Romans

2009-06-10

11. Corinthians

2009-06-10

12. Galatians

2009-06-10

13. Ephesians, Colossians & Philemon

2009-06-10

14. Philippians & Thessalonians

2009-06-10

15. Pastoral Epistles

2009-06-10

16. Non-Pauline Letters

2009-06-10

17. Revelation

2009-06-10

18. Judaism

2009-06-10

19. Graeco-Roman

2009-06-10

20. Early Christianity

2009-06-10

21. Language

2009-06-10

22. Textual Criticism

2009-06-10

23. Reception

2009-06-10

Books Received but not Reviewed in this Issue

2009-06-10

Index of Authors

2009-06-10

Index of Titles

2009-06-10

Index of Publishers

2009-06-10

Nurslings, Milk and Moral Development in the Greco-Roman Context: A Reappraisal of the Paraenetic Utilization of Metaphor in 1 Peter 2.1-3

Tite, P. L. — 2009-04-17

A scholarly tradition exists linking the nursling-milk metaphor in 1 Pet. 2.1-3 with Jewish (or Jewish-Christian) motifs from, for example, the Odes of Solomon and Qumran. This article attempts to broaden the cultural associations of this metaphor to include the broader Greco-Roman world—specifically the role of the wet nurse, the idealized mother, and formative moral development of the child through breast-feeding and childminders (nutrix and nutritor). This article will then link these cultural referents to the rhetorical strategy of this section of 1 Peter's paraenesis.

Matthew and the Pauline Corpus: A Preliminary Intertextual Study

Sim, D. C. — 2009-04-17

This study investigates the possibility that the author of Matthew's Gospel had access to the letters of Paul. Using the methods of intertextuality, it establishes criteria for determining whether this was indeed the case and concludes that it is more probable than not that the evangelist did know the Pauline epistles. An intertextual relationship between the Gospel and the Pauline corpus becomes clear once we understand that Matthew, as a Law-observant Christian Jew, was opposed to the more liberal theology of Paul. A single test case reveals that the evangelist was reacting to certain claims of the apostle expressed in his letters, and raises the prospect of further intertextual connections between these early Christian documents.

Welcoming a Child as a Metaphor for Welcoming God's Kingdom: A Close Reading of Mark 10.13-16

Spitaler, P. — 2009-04-17

The purpose of this article is threefold: to analyze the structural markers in Mk 10.13-16 that signal that the reader should render the simile in 10.15 `welcoming the kingdom of God as one welcomes a child', to sketch the narrative and symbolic functions of this simile within its immediate literary context, and to highlight those aspects of 10.13-16 that indicate this passage is an expanded Markan relecture of 9.33-37.

`Do not Judge who is Worthy and Unworthy': Clement's Warning not to Speculate about the Rich Young Man's Response (Mark 10.17-31)

Clarke, A. D. — 2009-04-17

Since the earliest commentators, Mark's account of the rich man has almost universally been read as evidently suggesting the character's ultimate rejection of Jesus' call. However, if this man is typical of Mark's portrayal of minor characters, then he may be regarded as a positive foil to the disciples; and his sadness in departure is nonetheless consistent with considered reflection on the severe cost of discipleship. Such a reading is also consistent with Mk 8—10, which challenges that true discipleship is indeed costly, and not to be entered upon lightly. Jesus subsequently gives a critical rejoinder to the precipitate self-congratulation of the disciples—`many who are first will be last, and the last will be first'. Mark's silence about whether or not the rich man did, after due reflection, accept Jesus' invitation encourages the reader to focus rather on the cost of following Jesus, than speculating about what has been left unstated.

The Layers of the Apocalypse: An Integrative Approach to Revelation's Macrostructure

Bandy, A. S. — 2009-04-17

The structure of John's Apocalypse represents a perennial problem, drawing much attention while managing to elude a consensus around any one structural model. This article posits that the structure of the Apocalypse comprises a tripartite framework of individual layers woven together in a cohesive literary unity. The surface structure represents the first layer and provides the most accessible means for understanding the major and minor divisions. A second layer of intertextual parallels is evidenced by the way the Apocalypse apparently models portions of the Old Testament. A final layer consists of intratextual connections linking repetitive terms and phrases in a complex system of internal cross-references. By recognizing the surface structure, the intertextual layer and intratextual layer, interpreters can further explore how these individual layers influence the structure of the Apocalypse. This approach may also prove useful when investigating the meaning of the text through its structure.

Exposing the Economic Middle: A Revised Economy Scale for the Study of Early Urban Christianity

Longenecker, B. W. — 2009-01-23

In 2004 Steve Friesen proposed a `poverty scale' for Graeco-Roman urbanism as a backdrop against which to assess features of the earliest urban Christian communities. This article offers an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of Friesen's scale, not least in relation to binary taxonomies of Graeco-Roman economic stratification, rhetorical conventions of the ancient world, and the `middling groups' of Graeco-Roman urbanism. It proposes adjustments to the scale (renamed as the `economic scale') and gives consideration to the significance of those adjustments for the reconstruction of early Christianity relative to ancient poverty.

Named Letter-Carriers among the Oxyrhynchus Papyri

Head, P. M. — 2009-01-23

This paper analyses the role played by named letter-carriers among Greek personal letters in the Oxyrhynchus papyri as possible background for Pauline practice, and within the context of recent proposals concerning the role of the letter-carriers within Pauline practice. Around forty letters are discussed, with three examples analysed in more depth (P.Oxy. 113; P.Oxy. 3313; P.Oxy. 3505). It is seen that, when named and identified within the letter, the letter-carrier frequently supplements the written communication with some oral supplement. Against some recent proposals no evidence is found in support of the view that the letter-carrier ever read the letter itself to the recipient.

The Politics of Promise: Echoes of Isaiah 54 in Romans 4.19-21

Forman, M. — 2009-01-23

In recent years significant evidence has been unearthed with regard to the sociopolitical nature of Paul's corpus. Despite this, there are politically provocative texts which remained unexamined. One of these is Rom. 4.13-25. This article proposes that, by drawing on the Abraham and Sarah birth tradition in vv. 19-21, Paul is evoking a perspective profoundly socio-political in nature. Using Richard Hays's criteria as a guide, the article argues that Paul here echoes Isa. 54.1-3 and that he does so because this passage and the interpretive tradition associated with it offer hope specific to the believers in the heart of the Roman Empire. Whereas interpreters often dismiss the phrase `inherit the world' (Rom. 4.13) as a curious anomaly, this article explores the ways in which the phrase coheres with the following verses and therefore contributes to an overall counter-imperial perspective in Rom. 4.13-25.

Revisiting the Euphemism in 1 Corinthians 7.1

Ciampa, R. E. — 2009-01-23

To date, the euphemism of `touching' in 1 Cor. 7.1 has only been examined in light of eight examples in Greek literature, and these have led most scholars to conclude that it is a general euphemism for sexual intercourse. This study examines 25 examples of the euphemism, shows how it relates to the common ancient distinction between sex for pleasure and sex for procreation, and concludes that it is only used for the former and typically has to do with a man's use of a woman (or boy) for his sexual gratification. The article concludes with a consideration of 1 Cor. 7, which argues that the context here also favors understanding the Corinthians' use of the euphemism as a critique of certain kinds of sexual relations rather than a rejection of sex in general.

After 70 and All That: A Response to Martin Goodman's Rome and Jerusalem

Carleton Paget, J. — 2009-01-23