Paul and the Therapy of Desire

Epithymia, God’s Grace, and Love in the Spirit

Nélida Naveros Córdova

• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Year: 2025
• Print ISBN: 9798385230303, 9798385230310
• eBook ISBN: 9798385230327
• Topic: Théologie et religion
• Subtopic: Études bibliques

In this book Nelida Naveros Cordova offers an in-depth analysis of the use of the Greek term epithymia (desire) and cognates in Paul's seven genuine letters, in light of the Greek philosophical traditions of Plato and the Stoics and the Hellenistic Jewish traditions of Philo and 4 Maccabees. Through the lens of these traditions of interpretations, Pauline texts are thoughtfully examined to bring to the fore his ethical understanding of the passion of desire, focusing on its association with idolatry within Paul's Christocentric monotheism and sexual vices that were common in the pagan Greco-Roman world. Naveros Cordova not only expounds the dangers of epithymia and its negative sequels (all kinds of passions/desires, sinful passions beyond measure, and excessive sexual desire), but also comprehensively elucidates Paul's solution to the problem of epithymia. She argues that Paul's remedy to avoid and/or control desire and eliminate excessive or irrational desire is not based on the practice of a "commandment" or food laws, which is the solution that Philo and 4 Maccabees give. Rather, Paul, as a Hellenistic-Jewish believer, develops his solution in the context of his Christocentric approach founded in the grace of God and the love commandment in the Spirit.

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• 1. Paul’s Background
• 2. Paul’s Reevaluation of Jewish Monotheism
• 3. Paul’s Reevaluation of the Mosaic Law
• 4. The Grace of God in Love and the Spirit
• 5. Conclusion
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C
• Bibliography