Paul and the Rhetoric of Reversal in 1 Corinthians
The Impact of Paul's Gospel on his Macro-Rhetoric

This book examines why Paul waits until the end of his letter to the Corinthians before mentioning the important theme of resurrection.

Matthew R. Malcolm (Author)

9781108734035, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 September 2018

321 pages
21.2 x 14.7 x 1.8 cm, 0.44 kg

'… I applaud Malcolm's approach of looking at the rhetorical structure more broadly (while also affirming the value of formal rhetorical analysis at the microlevel) … I recommend this book as a balanced and well-researched read for someone trying to understand the argumentative flow of 1 Corinthians.' Trent A. Rogers, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ], Christian theology [HRCM], New Testaments [HRCF2]