Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

corpus-paul - 2 corinthians

corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Corpus-Paul

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Jim West <jwest AT Highland.Net>
  • To: corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: 2 corinthians
  • Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 22:40:47 -0400


I have a theory about the composition of 2 corinthians which does away with
the fragmentary nature of many hypotheses. here it is- please chop it to
little pieces....

Paul began his journey to Corinth from Ephesus and along the way he began
writing 2 Corinthians, in preparation for his arrival. Somewhere early en
route he penned chapters 1-7, rather scolding them for not taking his side
in some dispute that had broken out in Corinth about him. Evidently some
took him to be a money grubbing selfish twit whose physical presence was not
much to behold while his letters were strong and clear. Titus arrived as he
finished chapter 7 with good news- the Corinthians were willing to be
reconciled to him...
Mind you, this takes place while Paul is still travelling towards Corinth.
He takes the reconciliation as an opportunity to remind them of the offering
he is taking for the Jerusalem church. Thus, while still en route he pens
2 Cor 8-9 and dispateches titus (or someone) with 2 Cor 1-9. As anyone who
has ever done fund raising knows- ya never ask for money from folk who are
mad at you or who you are mad at. So the reconciliation is a perfect
opportunity--- but it backfires, because the opponents make use of it to
confirm their suspicions that Paul is greedy, etc. The journey continues...
but bad news arrives again from someone who has come from Corinth. Paul
receives the bad news and writes his really scornful repsonse in 2 Cor
10-13, in whihc he defends himself against his opponents accusations.

Thus, what I see is a letter that actually grows as Paul travels, woven
together very soon after the last part arrived in Corinth- just before
Paul's arrival.

What think ye?

Best,

Jim

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jim West, ThD
email- jwest AT highland.net
web page- http://web.infoave.net/~jwest





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page