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Title: Epideictic Rhetoric in Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 1-4
Author(s): SMIT, Joop F.M.
Journal: Biblica
Volume: 84    Issue: 2   Date: 2003   
Pages: 184-201
DOI: 10.2143/BIB.84.2.3194466

Abstract :
In the discussion as to whether Paul uses Classical rhetoric First Corinthians 1-4 plays a key-role. In this article an overview is given of the main characteristics of the epideictic genre and in the light of this it is argued that in 1 Cor 1-4 Paul presents the four types of this genre: a paradoxical encomium in 1,18-31; an honorable encomium in 2,6-16; an ambivalent encomium in 3,5-23 and a dishonorable encomium in 4,6-13. In this manner he gives a deliberate proof of his rhetorical ability so as to restore his image, damaged by the impressive performance of Apollos who visited the city after him and apparently took the prize. So, after all, there seems to be Classical rhetoric in Paul.

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