Corpus-Paul

[Richard Fellows <rfellows AT intergate.ca>]

Ian,

>I am preparing to begin research on Paul’s teachings on human sexuality,
>and have noticed how 1 Corinthians seems to deal mainly with Paul’s advice
>to the community (on matters concerning the community,) while in 2
>Corinthians he is caught up with matters relating to himself and his
>ministry.

I don't think 1 and 2 Corinthians are as different as you suggest. Paul
defends his ministry in 1 Corinthians as well, most directly in 1-4,9&15.
Indeed, it has actually been suggested that these chapters were originally
attached to 2 Cor 10-13.

>  Could early redactors have used this basis to sort the material
>we have in these two letters? And if this is at least plausible, what
>implications exist for extant partition theories?  Would anyone care to
>comment on this observation and possible implications?

Are you proposing that 1 Cor be divided? If so, where, and why? I think you
will be interested in the work of Bruce Winter, if you have not read it
already. His "Philo and Paul among the Sophists" and his very recent book,
"After Paul left Corinth" discuss the causes of the divisions in the
Corinthian church. He argues that Paul combats Sophists, or Sophistic
thinking throughout 1 Corinthians, and (inadvertently) provides an argument
for the unity of the letter, I think. By the way, Winter has much to say on
the sexual issues.

Richard Fellows
Vancouver
rfellows AT intergate.ca