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.
been enabled to speak superior divine wisdom, in 1 Cor 3,1-4 he brings up for discussion his previous appearance in Corinth again. It is not his fault that this was a poor performance. For he was quite capable of teaching them divine wisdom. The Corinthians themselves are to blame. As neophytes, as infants in Christ, they were not up to digest such spiritual teaching intended for mature believers only.
3. First Corinthians 3,5-23
This passage deals with the relations of Paul, Apollos and the Corinthians to one another and to God. Its intention is to determine the correct order between them on the basis of the status each of them is credited with31. In vv. 5-8 the status of Paul and Apollos in relation to God is discussed. In comparison with God they both mean nothing. In vv. 10-15 the merits of Paul and Apollos are weighed against each other. For the time being Paul ranks higher than Apollos, although the final result of their work still has to be seen. In vv. 18-20 the status of the Corinthians in relation to God is discussed. In God’s sight the wise Corinthians do not count for much. Their thoughts are futile (ma/taioi). In vv. 21-23 as a result of the preceding discussion (w#ste) the mutual order is defined. Paul and Apollos are inferior to the Corinthians, but they in their turn are inferior again to Christ and God.
Typical of this passage are three metaphors, which are developed in an allegorical manner. Characteristic also is that in this passage, at all levels, a tripartite form is employed32 which usually shows an ascending line. The three metaphors accumulated in this section are: agriculture, house building and the temple (vv. 5-17). Each of these is elaborated in a tripartite sequence. Agriculture is elaborated in the triplet: to plant, to water and to make grow. This triplet itself is repeated three times (vv. 5-8). The next, connecting, verse consists of an accumulation of three metaphors: fellow workers, field, building; anaphora and asyndeton enhance the impact of this accumulation (v. 9). Building is elaborated in the triplet: laying of the foundation, building on it and testing of the result. This sequence is repeated twice (vv. 10.11-15). The building materials are also arranged in two series