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.
under discussion fulfils within the argument of 1 Cor 1–4 as a whole23.
1. First Corinthians 1,18-31
In this passage a number of persons are evaluated. In vv. 20-25 the crucified Christ is paramount, more in particular the different estimations which are attached to him. The seekers after signs and wisdom revile him as a scandal and a folly. Those who are called praise him as God’s power and God’s wisdom. In vv. 26-29 the valuation of two groups of people is at stake. People without status are chosen by God. People possessing status are shamed (kataisxu/nw) by Him. Human beings cannot boast in themselves (kauxa/omai) before God. In the framing verses 18-19 and 30-31 it is made clear that in the end the wise are nowhere, their status is nullified, they have nothing to boast of. The foolish believers without status are in Christ Jesus, who is their wisdom and redemption, they boast in the Lord.
This passage contains a profusion of Gorgian figures of style. It almost completely consists of parallelisms, in which antitheses are dominant. The most prominent of these are vv. 18.22-24.25.27-28. Anaphora very often occurs; pou= (v. 20) and ou) polloi/ (v. 26) are most conspicuous. Paronomasia can also be observed regularly; see among others sofi/a in vv. 20-21. In the two quotations from Scripture this figure is further enhanced by alliteration, respectively by means of the letter sigma (s) in v. 19 and of kappa (k) in v. 31. With respect to this figure also the formula ta_ mh_ o!nta, i#na ta_ o!nta (v. 28) is worth mentioning.
The qualifications of scandal and folly versus power and wisdom, which are attributed to the crucified Christ, belong to the standard repertoire of epideictic rhetoric. This holds even more clearly for the qualification of the Corinthians as not wise, but foolish; not influential, but weak; not of noble birth, but of lowly and despised origin. Moreover in vv. 18-19 by using the verb a)po/llumi twice, Paul makes an allusion to the name of Apollos. By means of a quasi-etymological connection he suggests that the followers of Apollos will perish24.