Jan Lambrecht, «The Fool’s Speech and Its Context: Paul’s Particular Way of Arguing in 2 Cor 10–13», Vol. 82 (2001) 305-324
Paul’s particular way of arguing in 2 Cor 10–13 is visible in the Fool’s Speech (11,22–12,10) as well as in its context. The speech is interrupted more than once and there are shifts regarding the object of boasting. The introduction to the speech (11,1-21) is not straightforward and two brief retrospections (12,11a and 19a) should not go unnoticed. The major topic in this study, however, consists in the indication of three rings within the context of the Fool’s Speech: (1) 10,1 and 13,11 (moral exhortation); (2) 10,2-18 and 13,1-10 (Paul’s defense of his authority); (3) 11,5-12 and 12,11b-18 (Paul denies inferiority). Yet from the presence of these enveloping rings a strict concentric structure of 2 Cor 11–13 cannot be deduced. Special attention must also be given to 10,8.12-18 and 11,3-4.12-15.18-20. In these passages Paul, by comparing and attacking, seems to prepare his boasting as a fool in a more direct way.
to it and a retrospection inform the reader of the basic characteristics of Paul’s particular manner of arguing. A schematic preview of the data may be useful:
a) The Fool’s Speech (11,22–12,10):
Reflexive interruptions in 11,23b.30-31; 12,1a.5-6.9de-10
Shifts in boasting at 11,23b.27.28.30; 12,1b.7.b) Announcements (11,1-21):
Tolerate me in a little foolisness (vv. 1-4)
I too will boast in folly (vv. 16-18)
Since you tolerate others, I too dare to boast (vv. 19-21)c) Retrospections (12,11a and 19a)
1. Interruptions in 11,22–12,10
Paul’s foolish discourse of 11,22–12,102 is not of one piece. It is several times obstructed by what can be called ‘reflexive interruptions’. This hardly surprises the readers after the breaks and hesitations present in 11,16-21, the preceding passage. Already in 11,23b Paul interrupts himself and repeats an introductory idea: ‘I am talking as if out of my mind’ (cf. his last reference to it in 11,21). At the end of the catalogue of hardships (11,23b-29), before continuing his discourse, Paul again pauses in 11,30-31 and inserts several ideas:
If boasting there must be, I will boast of the things [that manifest] my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus — he who is blessed for ever! — knows that I am not lying.
A third interjection comes in 12,1, immediately after the brief report of the flight from Damascus (11,32-33); it announces more boasting: ‘There must be further boasting. Although it is no use, yet I will come to the visions and revelations of the Lord’. In 12,5-6 a fourth, lengthy interruption appears:
About this [person] I will boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. But if I want to boast I will not be foolish, since I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain in order that no one esteem me above what he or she sees of me or hears from me.