Corpus-Paul

["Revd Dr Sean F. Winter" <sean.winter AT virgin.net>]

Craig,

I agree with Richard and Bob; the  EIMI HO EIMI phrase can only be 
properly understood within the context.  This is the only way to clarify 
the undoubted ambiguity of the language.

The closest parallel that I can think of are the EGO EIMI phrases in 
the gospels.  In Jesus' mouth these can be either a simple formula for 
self-identification (Mark 6.50) or an allusion to the Exodus formula 
(e.g. John 8.28).  Failure to take context into account would require us 
to suspect that the man born blind is claiming divine status (John 9.9).

To return to Paul and I Cor 15.10 it seems clear to me that  EIMI HO 
EIMI is simply an easy way of describing Paul's present status as keast 
of the apostles.  It wouldn't surprise me if the phrase cropped up all 
over Greek literature in this idiomatic sense, but I don't have access 
to TLG to do the search.

That deals with authorial intention.  As to whether Gentile readers 
would have caught an allusion to Exodus? I doubt it.  Whether Craig's 
reading of the phrase as an allusion is legitimate raises 
hermenutical questions best left for another time and another list.

Sean