Is Paul Also Among the Prophets?: An Examination of the Relationship Between Paul and the Old Testament Prophetic Tradition in 2 Corinthians

313 Pages·2012·1.529 MB·English

by  Jeffrey W Aernie

LIBRARY OF NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

467

Formerly Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series

Editor
Mark Goodacre

Editorial Board
John M. G. Barclay, Craig Blomberg,
R. Alan Culpepper, James D. G. Dunn, Craig A. Evans, Stephen Fowl,
Robert Fowler, Simon J. Gathercole, John S. Kloppenborg, Michael Labahn,
Robert Wall, Steve Walton, Robert L. Webb, Catrin H. Williams
ii
IS PAUL ALSO AMONG THE PROPHETS?

An Examination of the Relationship between
Paul and the Old Testament Prophetic Tradition
in 2 Corinthians

Jeffrey W. Aernie
Published by T&T Clark International
A Continuum imprint
The Tower Building, 11 York Road, London SE1 7NX
80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038

www.continuumbooks.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

© Jeffrey W. Aernie, 2012

Jeffrey W. Aernie has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to
be identi(cid:2)ed as the Author of this work.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

eISBN: 978-0-567-07369-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

Typeset and copy-edited by Forthcoming Publications Ltd. (www.forthpub.com)
CONTENTS

Acknowledgments ix
Abbreviations xi

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1. The Object of the Study 1
2. The Parameters of the Study 2
3. The Position of the Study 3

Chapter 2
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPHETIC TRADITION 8
1. Introduction 8
2. The Prophetic Tradition in the Old Testament 10
a. Prophetic Material in the Pentateuch
and Historical Books 10
b. The Prophetic Literature 19
c. Conclusions 27
3. The Prophetic Tradition in Second Temple Judaism 28
a. The Potential Cessation of Prophecy 29
b. Prophetic Activity in the Second Temple Period 36
c. Conclusions 50
4. Hellenistic Prophetic Traditions 51
5. The Prophetic Tradition in the Gospel Traditions 61
6. Conclusion 70

Chapter 3
THE PROPHETIC TRADITION IN 1 CORINTHIANS 72
1. Introduction 72
2. Prophetic Persona (1 Corinthians 9.15-18) 73
a. Renunciation of Rights (1 Corinthians 9.15) 76
b. Prophetic Constraint (1 Corinthians 9.16-17) 78
c. Free Proclamation (1 Corinthians 9.18) 87
d. Conclusions 89
vi Contents

3. Prophetic Rhetoric (1 Corinthians 14.20-25) 90
a. Exhortation (1 Corinthians 14.20) 92
b. Scriptural Quotation (1 Corinthians 14.21) 93
c. Inspired Speech in the Assembly
(1 Corinthians 14.22-25) 102
d. Conclusions 111
4. Conclusion

Chapter 4
PAUL’S PROPHETIC SELF-PRESENTATION IN 2 CORINTHIANS 113
1. Introduction 113
2. The Relationship between Paul and Moses 114
a. The Ministerial Call of Paul 116
b. The Nature of Paul’s Ministry 120
c. The Function of Paul’s Ministry 130
d. Conclusions 132
3. The Relationship between Paul and the Isaianic Servant 133
a. Paul and the Servant Outside of 2 Corinthians 135
b. Paul and the Servant Within 2 Corinthians 139
c. Conclusions 157
4. The Relationship between Paul and Jeremiah 158
a. The Call of Paul in Relation to Jeremiah 159
b. Paul as a Minister of the New Covenant 161
c. Jeremiah’s Mission and Paul’s Authority 166
d. Paul’s Act of Boasting in the Lord 175
e. Conclusions 183
5. Conclusion 184

Chapter 5
PAUL’S PROPHETIC RHETORIC IN 2 CORINTHIANS 185
1. Introduction 185
2. Prophetic Triumph in 2 Corinthians 2.14-16 186
a. Paul’s Apostleship as Defeated Sacrifice 186
b. Paul’s Prophetic Framework 192
c. Conclusions 195
3. Prophetic Proclamation in 2 Corinthians 4.1-6 195
a. Paul’s Apostolic Character (2 Corinthians 4.1-2) 196
b. Christocentric Proclamation (2 Corinthians 4.3-4) 199
c. Prophetic Light (2 Corinthians 4.5-6) 202
d. Conclusions 214
Contents vii
4. Prophetic Exhortation in 2 Corinthians 6.14–7.1 215
a. Initial Exhortation (2 Corinthians 6.14) 217
b. Rhetorical Antitheses (2 Corinthians 6.14-16) 219
c. Scriptural Substantiation (2 Corinthians 6.16-18) 223
d. Final Exhortation (2 Corinthians 7.1) 231
e. Conclusions 233
5. Prophetic Ascent in 2 Corinthians 12.1-10 233
a. Paul’s Failed Heavenly Ascent 234
b. Paul’s Prophetic Framework 239
c. Conclusions 243
6. Conclusion 244

Chapter 6
CONCLUSION 245
1. Summary and Implications 245
2. Further Research 250

Bibliography 251
Index of References 278
Index of Authors 291
1
viii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The present study constitutes a slightly revised version of my doctoral
thesis, submitted to the University of Aberdeen in 2011. The completion
of such a project is rarely done in isolation and I am grateful for the
numerous contributions of time, effort, and encouragement offered
throughout the course of that unique academic pilgrimage. Special
acknowledgment is due especially to Dr. Andrew Clarke for his patient
and attentive supervision of the project. His own measured approach to
biblical and theological studies is an admirable example of scholarship.
The examiners of the original thesis, Dr. Jutta Leonhardt-Balzer and
Prof. Karl Olav Sandnes, offered invaluable insights and sharpened the
work at numerous points. Thanks are also due to Dr. Eckhard Schnabel,
who first introduced me to the depths of the argument in 2 Corinthians,
and to Dr. Robert Yarbrough, who provided continual scholarly wisdom
and support. Likewise, the faculty and postgraduate students at the
University of Aberdeen created a constructive academic community
within which to develop the study. Sincere thanks are also due to Dr.
Mark Goodacre and the editorial staff at T&T Clark International for
accepting the volume as part of the Library of New Testament Studies.
Gratitude must also be expressed to my extended family. My parents,
Debra Hansen and Robert Aernie, supplied constant love and encour-
agement. Michael, Nicole, Haley, and Bonnie Aernie, as well as Randy,
Norma, Andrea, and Arica Coleman, took great interest in the project
and offered support in more ways than can be counted. My late maternal
grandparents, George and Jean Pirtle, were in many ways the catalyst for
the project. I am particularly indebted to my brother, Dr. Matthew
Aernie, who read the entire work and contributed sage insights at a num-
ber of points. I am especially grateful for his encouragement throughout
the process.
Above all, I am indebted to my immediate family, all of whom
graciously sacrificed in many ways to ensure that this study came to
fruition. My daughters, Abigail Jean and Chloe Anne, who both arrived
during the course of the project, provided constant joy and refreshment.
My wife and best friend, Allison, supplied both editorial insight and
loving support. No aspect of this study was completed without her
wisdom and encouragement, and so I dedicate it to her.