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.
This passage rests on three statements which are amplified at length. This elaboration is effected by further explaining some key-notions by means of distinctions. Most of these are clearly recognized by the construction ou)...a)lla/ (vv. 6-7.8-9.12.13). In vv. 6-9 the statement: "Wisdom we do speak among adults", is elaborated by distinguishing twice between the wisdom of this aeon and the wisdom of God (vv. 6-7.8-9). In vv. 10-12 the statement: "To us God has revealed (his hidden wisdom) by the Spirit", is elaborated by enlarging on the Spirit. First, the Spirit of God and the human spirit are distinguished from and compared to one another. Next, it is remarked that this Spirit is not the spirit of the cosmos, but the Spirit of God. In vv. 13-16 the statement: "This (wisdom given by God) we do speak", is further explained. First, distinction is made between speaking with human learning and speaking with the learning of the Spirit. Next follows the distinction between a psychic person who has no understanding of spiritual things and a pneumatic person who has such understanding and who judges everything in a spiritual manner. In the three parts of this passage a similar dissociation is brought about30. Two levels are sharply distinguished from each other: the level of God’s wisdom which is open to God’s Spirit and the level of the wisdom of this aeon which is open to the human spirit. ‘We’, Paul and Apollos, are here lifted up from the level of human wisdom and understanding to that of divine wisdom and spiritual understanding.
The analysis of this passage suggests that it belongs to epideictic rhetoric and also that it represents a definite type of this genre. This passage deals with a subject which deserves the highest honor, namely the eternal, hidden wisdom of God. According to v. 7 this glory reflects on ‘us’, Paul and Apollos, to whom God has revealed his deepest secrets by his Spirit and who, taught by this Spirit, speak about this in a spiritual manner. This seems to be an exalted, honorable encomium (e)gkw/mion e!ndocon).
After Paul has emphatically stated that he, just as Apollos, has