Joop F.M. Smit, «Epideictic Rhetoric in Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 1–4», Vol. 84 (2003) 183-201
In the discussion as to whether Paul uses Classical rhetoric First Corinthians 1–4 plays a key-role. In this article an overview is given of the main characteristics of the epideictic genre and in the light of this it is argued that in 1 Cor 1–4 Paul presents the four types of this genre: a paradoxical encomium in 1,18-31; an honorable encomium in 2,6-16; an ambivalent encomium in 3,5-23 and a dishonorable encomium in 4,6-13. In this manner he gives a deliberate proof of his rhetorical ability so as to restore his image, damaged by the impressive performance of Apollos who visited the city after him and apparently took the prize. So, after all, there seems to be Classical rhetoric in Paul.
apparently is bad and deserves censure, but in reality is good and worthy of praise. As examples an encomium on death and another one on poverty are mentioned. Generally such speeches combine a playful character with a serious undertone. It is a popular type which is often put into practice21. Rather late in the Classical rhetorical tradition, within the epideictic genre, four types are formally distinguished22. They are: encomium on an acknowledged good, for instance a deity (e)gkw/mion e!ndocon); encomium on an acknowledged evil, such as the demons (e)gkw/mion a!docon); encomium on a person or matter which on the one side is praiseworthy and on the other side deserves blame (e)gkw/mion a)mfi/docon); encomium on a person or matter which is apparently bad or shameful, but in reality good and praiseworthy (e)gkw/mion para/docon). From the fact that this division is only mentioned at a rather late date it does not automatically follow that it was unknown before this time. In my view, the late date at which it is mentioned need not be an objection on principle against the use of this division as a heuristic pattern in identifying earlier speeches of this genre.
II. Four Types of Epideictic Rhetoric in First Corinthians 1–4
We now focus our attention on the four general reflections which Paul elaborates in 1 Cor 1–4. We shall analyse these, one by one, with the help of the model of the epideictic genre as set out above. The aim of this analysis is to find a clear answer to the question as to whether these passages may be reckoned to epideictic rhetoric and if so, in what sense. In order not to loose sight of the line of thought I shall add, each time as last part, a remark on the function which the passage