[B-Greek] Single author as "we"

Webb webb at selftest.net
Mon Mar 5 13:41:49 EST 2007


Dear Kevin,
Thank you for the references to places where people have thought it was clear Paul was using the editorial "we". I can't say for sure, but I am willing to make an argument that even these are not editorial plurals.

In 2 Cor 10:11, 13, he is talking on behalf of himself and Timothy (and possibly Titus also). They worked as an apostolic/missionary team in Corinth to found that church. And 2 Corinthians is explicitly from Paul and Timothy.

In Gal 1:8-9 he uses a plural in reference to things said when he and his apostolic/missionary team--made up of himself and Barnabas in the first instance and himself and Silas and Timothy in the second instance--were with them face to face; then he speaks on his own behalf in the current epistolary setting, saying "and I say to you".

In Romans 1:5 seems very possible that Paul has his an apostolic/missionary team in mind, given that Timothy sends his greeting at the end of the letter, and Paul calls him "my co-worker" (Rom. 16:21).

I agree that each of these looks like a reasonable candidate at least for an editorial "we". Are there any other instances you think are likely? 

Webb Mealy






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