Corpus-Paul

[<crhutson AT salisbury.net>]

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
   800 W. Thomas Street
   Salisbury, NC  28144
   (704) 636-6818
   www.hoodseminary.edu
crhutson AT salisbury.net
-----------------------------

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Daniel Grolin <dgrolin AT yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Corpus-Paul <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Date:  Tue, 23 Nov 2004 16:13:35 +0000 (GMT)

>Dear CPs,
>
>I have just started Neil Elliott's "Liberating Paul:
>The Justice of God and the Politics of the Apostle"
>and on page 27 he argues that 1 Corinthians 14:34-5
>are interpolations. How convincing do you find this?
>
>Regards,
>
>Daniel
>
 




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