Corpus-Paul

[Tim Harris <tim.harris AT stmatts.asn.au>]

Dear Fred,

Interesting inquiry - there is much more available on rhetoric than
letter writing. In addition to other replies, here are a couple of
suggestions:

P. Arzt, ‘The “Epistolary Introductory Thanksgiving” in the Papyri and
Paul’ NovT 36 (1994), 29-46
J. Reed, ‘Are Paul’s Thanksgivings “Epistolary”’ JSNT 61 (1996)
87-99
Peter T. O'Brien, Introductory Thanksgivings in the Letters of St. Paul,
NovTSuppl. 49, Leiden, E.J. Brill, 1977
R. Dean Anderson, Jr., Ancient Rhetorical Theory and Paul.
Contributions to Biblical Exegesis and Theology, 18. The Netherlands: Kok
Phraros, Kampen, 1996 - has some comments on the relationship between
rhetoric and letter writing.
The New Documents series also has some comments on letter writing
more generally - see esp. Vol. 7 and the section on the conveyance of
letters
There are also further references to be found in John D. Harvey,
Listening to the Text: Oral Patterning in Paul's Letters, ETS1,
Grand Rapids: Baker/Apollos, 1998 - see footnotes on 16-22.

Regards,
Tim Harris
Ph.D candidate
Flinders University,
South Australia