Journal of Biblical and Pneumatological Research

Volume Three, 2011

Paul Elbert

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9781498261500
• eBook ISBN: 9781498275316
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

Journal of Biblical and Pneumatological ResearchVOLUME THREE FALL 2011The Journal of Biblical and Pneumatological Research (JBPR) is a new international peer-reviewed academic serial dedicated to narratively and rhetorically minded exegesis of biblical and related texts. Potential topics include theological and pneumatological interpretation, the role of spiritual experience with authorial, canonical, and contemporary contexts, and the contextual activity of Ruach Yahweh, Ruach Elohim, and various identifications of the Holy Spirit. JBPR hopes to stimulate new thematic and narrative-critical exploration and discovery in both traditional and under-explored areas of research. CONTENTS: Editor's Overview of Volume 3 - 1GALEN L. GOLDSMITHThe Cutting Edge of Prophetic ImageryREBECCA SKAGGS and THOMAS DOYLEThe Audio/Visual Motif in the Apocalypse of John through the Lens of Rhetorical AnalysisDAVID SEALSensitivity to Aural Elements of a Text: Some Acoustical Elements in RevelationSIMO FRESTADIUSThe Spirit and Wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2: 1-13KEITH WHITTRighteousness and Characteristics of YahwehVANTHANH NGUYEN, S.V.D. Luke's Point of View of the Gentile Mission: The Test Case of Acts 11: 1-18LYLE STORYLuke's Instructive Dynamics for Resolving Conflicts: The Jerusalem CouncilReview of Christopher L. Carter, The Great Sermon Tradition as a Fiscal Framework in 1 Corinthians: Towards a Pauline Theology of Material Possessions (R. G. Dela Cruz)Review of Robert P. Debelek, Jr., Hidden in Plain Sight: Esther and a Marginalized Hermeneutic (A. Kay Fountain)Review of Richard Feldmeier, The First Letter of Peter: A Commentary on the Greek Text (Rebecca Skaggs and Thomas Doyle)Review of Rodrigo J. Morales, The Spirit and the Restoration of Israel: New Exodus and New Creation Motifs in Galatians (James C. Miller)Review of Robin Routledge, Old Testament Theology: A Thematic Approach (Andrew Davies) Review of John C. Poirier, The Tongues of Angels: The Concept of Angelic Languages in Classical Jewish and Christian Texts (Russell P. Spittler)

The Spirit and Wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2:1–13

SIMO FRESTADIUS

[email protected]

Regents Theological College, West Malvern, Worcestershire, United Kingdom

Introduction

Significant interest has lately arisen in Pauline epistemology and 1 Cor 1:18–2:16 has been identified as one of the key passages in this discussion.1 This article hopes to further explore Paul’s religious epistemology2 in First Corinthians, with particular emphasis on the role of the Spirit in relation to divine wisdom/knowledge in 1 Cor 2:1–13. It will be argued that, although Paul does not explicitly address epistemology here, for Paul epistemology seems to be fundamentally pneumatic since the Spirit is presented as having primacy in (1) knowing, (2) revealing, and (3) communicating God’s wisdom. Paul’s “pneumatic epistemology”3 was not only a significant antidote to the Corinthians’ egocentric understanding of divine wisdom, but it offers a number of potential implications for contemporary Christian epistemology.

It is also assumed that 1 Corinthians is best understood as Paul’s ad hoc response to the Corinthian situation. Consequently, the Spirit and wisdom are discussed in the light of the Corinthian church’s view of wisdom, and thus my first aim is to explore the nature of this view.

1. Corinthian Wisdom

1.1. Ad Hoc Epistle

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is not a work of systematic theology, but Paul’s ad hoc response to reports of the church’s situation (e.g. 1:11; 5:1; 7:1; 8:1).4 Thus the reconstruction of the Corinthian context is “one of the essential tasks”5 in interpreting the epistle. This seems to be especially the case for Paul’s notion of “wisdom” in 1:18–3:23. The word group sofi/a/sofo&v is seldom used elsewhere by Paul but dictates the theme of chapters 1–3.6 This suggests that wisdom was fundamentally a Corinthian issue which Paul was forced to address in a corrective, ad hoc manner.7 Hence it is reasonable to argue that Paul’s notion of wisdom in the epistle should be primarily understood in relation to the Corinthian view of wisdom.

“Mirror-reading” is commonly used to reconstruct the Corinthian understanding of wisdom. However, Baird points out its rigidity in that if “Paul denies something” it is assumed that “the opponents must have affirmed it,” and if “Paul affirms something,” similarly, “the opponents must have denied it.”8 To avoid this unnecessary circumscription, Baird asserts that “attention will need to be given to the religious and social backgrounds of the converts.”9 Baird’s inference regarding mirror-reading is helpful, as is his focus on Corinth’s social context. However, some scholars have taken Baird’s safeguard of the “potential” social background of the converts and made that the central factor in identifying the Corinthian situation. This has implied that the selection of ancient sources used by an interpreter (e.g. political, Cynic, Sophist, Stoic, Gnostic etc.), to reconstruct the Corinthian context, has often determined Paul’s opposition at Corinth without necessarily accurately reflecting the text.10 Thus Keener justifiably states that despite the rigidity of mirror-reading, the situation must be reconstructed primarily from the epistle and not from other first-century documents.11 Therefore, the reconstruction of the Corinthian understanding of wisdom attempted here will primarily focus on the text, whilst not ignoring the socio-religious context of Corinth.

1.2. Division and Wisdom

In chapters 1–4, there is a clear connection between wisdom and division. Paul begins by addressing the division (1:10–17), then he focuses on wisdom and its relation to the cross of Christ (1:18–2:5) and to the Spirit (2:6–16). This is followed by a rebuke against division (3:1–17), again reflected in connection to wisdom (3:18–23). The section ends with Paul readdressing the Corinthian division (4:1–20).

Since Paul responds to Corinthian division with a theological statement on wisdom, it seems likely that Corinthian division stemmed from their misunderstanding of wisdom. Hence, Paul aims to correct their understanding of wisdom in order to change their behaviour.12

Different leaders appear to be central to the quarrels (1:12; 3:4, 21–22), especially Apollos, mentioned six times in chapters 1–4 (1:12; 3:4, 5, 6, 22; 4:6). Following the connection between wisdom and division argued above, it is reasonable to assume that Apollos and/or his followers are also central to identifying the wisdom of those Paul is addressing. Furthermore, if one accepts the evidence of Acts where Apollos is acclaimed as an Alexandrian who is an “eloquent/learned man” (a0nh\r lo&giov) and “competent in the Scriptures” (dunato\v w2n e0n tai~v grafai~v) debating skilfully with the Jews (Acts 18:24, 28), this is helpful for reconstructing Paul’s opponents in 1:17–3:23.13

1.3. Worldly Wisdom

Apollos’ competence in knowledge and eloquence in rhetoric seem to be two aspects of Christian wisdom that the Corinthians have misunderstood.14 Paul argues against both the content of Corinthian wisdom (1:21; 2:6–7)15 and its form, with particular emphasis on eloquent rhetorical speech (2:1, 4; cf. 1:17).16 However, since Paul speaks positively of Apollos (e.g. 3:6, 9; 16:12), but refutes his followers (1:12; 3:3–4, 21–22), it is fair to state that Apollos per se was n...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Editor’s Overview of Volume 3
• The Cutting Edge of Prophetic Imagery
• Through the Lens of Rhetorical Analysis The Audio/Visual Motif in the Apocalypse of John
• Sensitivity to Aural Elements of a Text: Some Acoustical Elements in Revelation
• The Spirit and Wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2:1–13
• Righteousness and Characteristics of Yahweh
• Luke’s Point of View of the Gentile Mission: The Test Case of Acts 11:1–18
• Luke’s Instructive Dynamics for Resolving Conflicts: The Jerusalem Council
• Carter, Christopher L. The Great Sermon Tradition as a Fiscal Framework in 1 Corinthians: Towards a Pauline Theology of Material Possessions. Library of New Testament Studies 403. London / New York: T & T Clark International, 2010. Pp. xi + 272. Hardcover. £70.00 / $130.00. ISBN 978–0–567–47304–2.
• Debelak, Robert P., Jr. Hidden in Plain Sight: Esther and a Marginalized Hermeneutic. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2008. Pp. 170. Paper. $20.00. ISBN 978–1–55635–499–1
• Feldmeier, Reinhard. The First Letter of Peter: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Trans. Peter H. Davids. Waco, Tex: Baylor University Press, 2008. Pp. 265. Paper. $29.95. ISBN 978–1–60258–024–4
• Morales, Rodrigo J. The Spirit and the Restoration of Israel: New Exodus and New Creation Motifs in Galatians. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2/282. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2010. Pp. xii + 200. Paper. €49.00 / $71.60 / £43.54. ISBN 978–3–16–150435–8
• Routledge, Robin. Old Testament Theology: A Thematic Approach. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2009. Pp. 384. Casebound. $32.00 / £17.99. ISBN 978–0–8308–2896–8.
• Poirier, John C. The Tongues of Angels: The Concept of Angelic Languages in Classical Jewish and Christian Texts. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2/287. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2010. Pp. xi + 222. Paper. €59.00 / $93.18 / £51.25. ISBN: 978–3–16–150569–0.