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  • From: Edgar Krentz <ekrentz AT sbcglobal.net>
  • To: crhutson AT salisbury.net, Corpus-Paul <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Cc:
  • Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Liberating Paul
  • Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 10:15:16 -0600

Daniel,

In his commentary, Fee makes as strong a case as can be made for the interpolation theory.

But it is not a persuasive theory. There is no manuscript support for omitting 34-35. Curt Niccum shows this clearly. The case for taking all of 33b-36 as an interpolation is even more strained, since in the mss only 34-35 are moved after v. 40. V. 33b does not travel with 34-35 in the mss variants. We should read 33b as the end of the thought begun in 33a. The KJV gets the punctuation right on v. 33.
The case for treating 34-35 as an interpolation is highly tenuous, and that for treating 33b-36 as an interpolation is simply special pleading on the part of those who don't want to admit that Paul said such a thing. Besides, claiming that this is an interpolation doesn't solve the problem about women's roles in the churches, because this is still the canonical text.

We need to accept that Paul wrote 34-35, and we need to see that, starting in 14:26, he gave the same instructions "let them be silent" also regarding prophets and tongue speakers. Paul had no intention here of banning prophecy or glossolalia in all congregations for all time. He recognizes in 11:2-16 that women do prophesy in Corinth, and he does not criticize that. And he would like for all the Corinthians to prophesy and to speak in tongues (14:1, 5). So his recommendation regarding women in 34-35 is consistent with his recommendations regarding prophets and tongue speakers in 14:26-33. He is addressing a local problem, not laying down a general mandate for all times and places.

The interpolation theory regarding 14:34-35 will only convince the choir. It will not stand up to scrutiny and so, as a practical matter, it is not useful for persuading traditional patriarchalists. We need stronger arguments than that in favor of ordaining women.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Chris

-----------------------------
Christopher R. Hutson
Hood Theological Seminary
-----------------------------

The evidence from the MSS tradition is completely unpersuasive, since no MS is earlier than about 200 CE. The interpolation must have taken place somewhere between 80 and 100 CE, before there is a demonstrable collection of Paul's letters.

The argument from internal evidence is strong. The verses contradict both 1 Cor 7 and Gal 3. The passage reads more coherently with the verses removed. And Paul's suggestion that God is a God of order provides the reason for making the insertion at this location in the letter.

Peace, Ed Krentz
--
Edgar and Marion Krentz
5433 S. Ridgewood Ct.
Chicago, IL 60615
Tel.: 773-947-8105
e-mail: ekrentz AT sbcglobal.net
Office: ekrentz AT lstc.edu




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