Ancient Rhetoric and Paul's Apology
The Compositional Unity of 2 Corinthians

This study demonstrates the unity of 2 Corinthians, drawing on extensive research in classical discourse.

Fredrick J. Long (Author)

9780521078955, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 September 2008

312 pages, 36 tables
22.4 x 14.4 x 1.8 cm, 0.3 kg

Review of the hardback: 'The argumentation and verification of statements are sound and excellent. … For the reviewer the value of this monograph lies in the fact that this publication will initiate further discussion and debate … [Long's] study will be of relevance to Classicists and NT Scholars alike.' Neotestamentica

Second Corinthians is Paul's apology to the Corinthians for failing to visit them, using rhetorical persuasion in his letters, and appearing unapproved for the collection. The scholarly consensus maintains that 2 Corinthians is a conglomeration of letters due to its literary and logistical inconsistencies. Consequently, most interpretations of 2 Corinthians treat only parts of it. However, a different consensus is emerging. Fredrick Long situates the text within Classical literary and rhetorical conventions and argues for its unity based upon numerous parallels with ancient apology in the tradition of Andocides, Socrates, Isocrates and Demosthenes. He provides a comprehensive survey and rigorous genre analysis of ancient forensic discourse in support of his claims, and shows how the unified message of Paul's letter can be recovered. His study will be of relevance to Classicists and New Testament scholars alike.

1. An apology for the unity of 2 Corinthians
Part I. A Survey of Ancient Forensic Discourse: 2. The anatomy of a genre: sources, nature and features of forensic rhetoric
3. Forensic exigency
4. Forensic invention
5. Forensic disposition
6. Apologetic letters
Part II. A Rhetorical Analysis of 2 Corinthians as Ancient Apology: 7. The rhetorical exigency of 2 Corinthians
8. The rhetorical disposition of 2 Corinthians
9. The rhetorical invention of 2 Corinthians
10. The rhetoric of 2 Corinthians and the nature of Paul's theology.

Subject Areas: Bible readings, selections & meditations [HRCG9], Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB], Semantics, discourse analysis, etc [CFG]