NT Letters

What is "rhetorical criticism" and how does it relate to biblical studies?

"the application of the ancient Greco-Roman rules for speech to the written text of the New Testament, especially to the letters of Paul" - may involve (1) ancient rhetoric (applying rhetorical categories from ancient rhetorical handbooks and/or compositions to NT writings) or (2) new rhetoric (focusing on the persuasive effect of the writings without referring to ancient categories) or (3) a hybrid of 1 and 2. --- (1) is most common in biblical studiesWhat is "rhetorical criticism" and how does it relate to biblical studies? - at the time of Weima's article (1997), this approach was gaining popularity in biblical studies - more and more evidence of attempts to categorize Paul's writings using rhetorical categories, such as those described.

Give the (i) form and (ii) function of the Letter Body epistolary conventions

- Disclosure Formula (part of Letter Body - often introduces Body) (i)Form: "I want you to know that" (ii)Function: Wants recipient to know some information. 1. Use of a verb of "KNOWING" POSITIVE: "I want you to know ..." NEGATIVE: "For we do not want you not to know" ABBREVIATED form: "We know ..." IMPERATIVE form: "Know that ..." MOTIVATION for writing: "I have written to you so that you may know..." Often marks beginning of the letter body or a major transition. Indicates the degree of Paul's pleasure or displeasure with his readers - Appeal Formula (part of Letter Body) (i)Form: 4 elements: 1. I appeal 2. persons addressed 3. prep phrase for authority by which appeal is made 4. content of appeal. (ii)Function: more friendly than a command 1. VERB "I appeal" or its synonym "I ask" in the first person 2. The RECIPIENTS of the appeal 3. Prepositional phrase indicating source of sender's AUTHORITY to appeal. 4. CONTENT of the appeal: introduced by a "that" clause Indicates a major transition in the text Marks transition either from the end of the thanksgiving to the beginning of letter body or a transition within the body of letter. A more friendly, less heavy-handed tone to make a request. - Peri de Formula (part of Letter Body) (i)Form: Uses the words peri de = "Now about/concerning" (ii)Function: shorthand way to introduce next subject of discussion. Can be a reference to a previous letter, but not necessarily Serves as a major transitional marker, introducing new section or topic Used with a subject which is readily known by both author and reader, but not necessarily so - Ta de loipa Formula (part of Letter Body - often last item in Body) (i)Form: Uses the words ta de loipa = "Finally for the rest" --- or some similar phrase (ii)Function: Introduces the final topic

Give the (i) form and (ii) function of the Letter Closing epistolary conventions

- Farewell Wish (part of Letter Closing, which rarely includes all of these elements)(i)Form: some version or "Be strong & prosper" or "Farewell" (often expanded with further details) (ii)Function: signals end of letter; Closing is primarily concerned with re-establishing sender's relationship with recipient - Health Wish (part of Letter Closing, which rarely includes all of these elements) (i)Form: "Take care of yourself that you may be healthy" (ii)Function: similar to Letter Opening, but this health wish does not refer to the sender's health - Secondary Greetings (part of Letter Closing, which rarely includes all of these elements) (i)Form: Greets someone directly, please greet someone else or becomes an agent thru whom a 3rd party greets the recipient. (ii)Function: Closing is primarily concerned with re-establishing sender's relationship with recipient - Autograph (part of Letter Closing, which rarely includes all of these elements) (i)Form: Written by sender in own hand, not by a secretary - content varied; often just farewell wish, greetings, date or postscriptive remarks. (ii)Function: Closing is primarily concerned with re-establishing sender's relationship with recipient - Illiteracy Formula (part of Letter Closing, which rarely includes all of these elements) (i)Form: "X wrote for Y because he did not know how to write" (ii)Function: Many people unable to close letter in their own hand b/c illiterate; Not in family letters, but usually in business or official letters

Give the (i) form and (ii) function of the Letter Opening epistolary conventions

- Prescript (part of Letter Opening) (i)Form: 3 elements- sender, recipient & salutation (ii)Function: establish or enhance relationship between sender and recipient; e.g., sometimes sender & recipient have titles or terms of relationship, endearment & honor; sometimes salutation adds details "warmest greetings" or "greetings & good health" - Health Wish (part of Letter Opening) (i)Form: "If you are well, it would be good. I too am well" (ii)Function: establish or enhance relationship between sender and recipient; expresses concern for welfare of letter recipient & assurance of writer's own well-being. - Thanksgiving Formula (part of Letter Opening) (i)Form: (not as fixed as some other conventions) some mention of thanksgiving, worship, or prayer to the gods for good health, safe travel (ii)Function: establish or enhance relationship between sender and recipient (nothing specifically mentioned in reading) 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 AN EXAMPLE OF THANKSGIVING SECTION 1. Paul gave thanks for God enriching them and giving grace to them. Knowing they were overly proud, he didn't give thanks for THEM... He gave thanks to GOD for not what they were doing, but for what God was doing. 2. He foreshadows how KNOWLEDGE puffs up but love builds up. 3. He foreshadows they are never going to be PERFECT until the Lord's return, so there is no reason to be haughty.

List and define briefly the four major parts that make up the "arrangement" or structure of a speech?

1. EXORDIUM - introduction that establishes rapport and creates goodwill and interest 2. NARRATIO - states the proposition and provides background information and rationale 3. PARTITIO - enumeration of the particular points to be made, including the opponent's argument 4. PERORATIO - conclusion that summarizes the points

List and define briefly the five "canons" or laws of rhetoric.

1. INVENTION - delineation of the type of rhetoric and development of potential arguments 2. ARRANGEMENT - organization of the material into an outline and sequence 3. STYLE - selection of proper words and figures of speech to achieve clarity 4. MEMORY - memorization of the speech so it appears natural 5. DELIVERY - use of vocal inflection, pitch, rhythm to effectively deliver argument

List and define briefly the three types/species/genres of speech.

1. JUDICIAL - forensic, to accuse or defend, answers a charge in court, by lawyers 2. DELIBERATIVE - legislative, to exhort or dissuade, political, future 3. EPIDEICTIC - ceremonial, to praise or blame, funerals, graduations, retirement

What function does the Thanksgiving section generally have in the Pauline letters?

1. PASTORAL Function: The thanksgiving re-establishes Paul's relationship with his readers by means of a positive expression of gratitude to God for their work, growth, and faith, revealing his deep pastoral concern. 2. EXHORTATIVE Function: "persuasion by praise" - when someone praises you, you want to live up to that praise; this persuasion is at times implicit, but when there's a Prayer Report, the exhortation becomes explicit 3. FORESHADOWING Function: Most importantly, foreshadows the central themes and issues of the rest of the letter, as well as its tone and character (is it warm and fuzzy, like Philippians, or cold and hostile, like Galatians); it's not quite a Table of Contents, but maybe like a movie trailer

Give at least one example for each one of how the apostle has in a particular letter adapted or shaped this epistolary convention in such a way that it either echoes or even summarizes one or more major concerns previously raised in the letter body

1. Peace Benediction e.g., 1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.- Here the Peace Benediction is expanded from its traditional formula to emphasize two themes of the entire letter: (1) call to holy / sanctified living - in his benediction Paul prays that God will sanctify the recipients completely and totally; this emphasis arises (a) in the Thanksgiving, in which Paul thanks God for the evidence of holy living among the Thessalonians; (b) in the first half of the Letter Body, where Paul uses the holy living of himself and his co-workers as a model for the Thessalonians; (c) in the second half of Body, where Paul's exhortations focus on sanctification / holy living (2) comfort about Jesus' return - in his benediction Paul mentions "at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"; Paul has mentioned this second coming in the Thanksgiving and the first half of the Body; in the second half of Body, Paul comforts the believers that all (even those previously dead) will experience Jesus' return and that they need not fear this eschatological event all sons of light need not fear any devastation that happens upon Christ's return 2. Hortatory Section e.g., 2 Corinthians 13:11 - As would be expected of a Hortatory Section, this verse includes several imperative verbs. All 5 of these connect to words and ideas in Letter Body: Rejoice, Aim for restoration, Encourage one another, Be of the same mind, Live in peace - in general, all five relate to Paul's concern that the Corinthian church is plagued by quarreling and disorder 3. Greetings e.g., Romans 16:3-16 - A very long greeting list (discussed above in Week 1 notes). This "name dropping" echoes Paul's concern through this letter for establishing his apostolic authority. One specific example is that he gives greetings on behalf of "All the churches of Christ," implying that Paul speaks with the backing of all Christians in Asia! (Philemon 23-24 is another example) e.g., holy kiss in Corinthian letters - Paul uses this exhortation especially in churches that evidence disunity. "Holy" kiss distinguished from kiss greeting of non-believers as a symbol of unity in Christ. 4. Autograph Indicated shift from secretaries' hand to Paul's hand since his letters were read to large gatherings. A prism that reflects what has been said earlier in the letter. e.g., Galatians 6:11-18 - Very long, also emphasizes the "very large letters" that he is using in this section. In this section written in his own hand, Paul exhorts the Galatians using key words that were also significant earlier in the letter: (1) flesh; (2) the cross of Christ; (3) circumcision; (4) persecution; (5) the new creation (not used earlier, but certainly consistent with the letter's themes); (6) the Israel of God (again, not a term used earlier, but consistent with Paul's emphasis on spiritual belonging in "Israel"). 5. Grace Benediction (most common and most consistent of Paul's conventions) Farewell wish like sincerely. 3 elements: wish, divine source & recipient. ex. the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. e.g., 2 Corinthians 13:13 - Paul here adds "love of God" and "fellowship of the Holy Spirit" to the standard "grace of Lord Jesus Christ". These additions are consistent with Paul's concern throughout the letter (including the other aspects of the Letter Closing) that the Corinthian church reject his opponents' divisive influence and restore peace and harmony among themselves and with him.

What are the five parts that typically make up the Thanksgiving section form or structure?

1. Principal VERB: verb "I/We give thanks" and its personal object "to [my] God.". 2. MANNER of thanksgiving: adverbial and/or participial constructions that serve to indicate the manner in which Paul gives thanks; typically in prayers. 3. CAUSE of thanksgiving: using verbs of learning or hearing) that give the reason for Paul's thanksgiving 4. EXPLANATION: modifies the preceding causal unit and so serves to elaborate on the cause for Paul's thanksgiving 5. PRAYER Report: a report of what Paul prays for regarding his addressee's.

List & explain the 3 broad types of Greco-Roman letters.

1. Private Letters- not intended for publication, "private" understood broadly (all correspondence in the personal domain), most important of the 3 types for understanding NT letters (because...? we have the biggest group of them still in existence?) Examples: Family Letters- correspondence b/w family members. Ex. Son to mom Letters of Petition- woman appeals to king for justice after being burned at the baths Letters of Introduction- especially letters of recommendation (very common in a society valuing reciprocity, ie: if you bestowed a favor on someone, they were obliged to do something for you) Business Letters- dealing with business dealings 2. Official Letters- correspondence for conduct of state business b/w kings, government officials, ambassadors in exercise of their duties. Rough draft by king, written by royal secretaries, farewell wish in King's hand. Often inscribed by city-recipient on stone & put on public display -- both to honor the king who sent it and to ensure the privileges contained in the letter. Senatorial decrees typically translated to Greek. 3. Literary Letters - catch-all category for letters that don't fit into other 2 categories, but they do share both an obvious literary character and the intent that they be published / distributed to a wider audience. Examples: Letter Essays Philosophical Letters for instruction Novelistic Letters- fictional w/ interesting stories & anecdotes School exercises for philosophy & rhetoric

List the distinctive formal elements of the letter opening of Roman's.

1. Romans- Sender Formulaexpanded in unparalleled manner. 2.Paul identifies only himself, omits co-senders like Timothy who was with him. 3.Uses 3 titles- servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God - all of which work together to describe him as an apostle in the line of the OT prophets, divinely appointed 4.Instead of going to recipient formula, Paul inserts lengthy description of the Gospel he's set apart to proclaim. 5.Further expands sender formula & tries to win their confidence w/ confessional material of early church. 6.Places Romans w/in the apostolic commission also. 7.Use of the plural "we received"

List the five key hermeneutical categories

1.Holy Spirit-same Spirit who breathed into Biblical writers speaks to us today 2.Grammatical -look at text in original language 3.Literary - look at type of writing for interpretation. Ex. Historical, narrative, law codes, wisdom sayings, parables, letters 4. Historical - look at history, language, geography & culture of Biblical writers. 5.Theological-interpret Scripture w/ Scripture. Interpret individual passages in light of whole passage.

Explain how the unique features of the Romans letter opening occur not by accident but rather support Paul's larger purpose(s) at work in the letter as a whole

1.Reason for Excessive length: to introduce himself to church that doesn't know him. 2.Omits co-authors b/c he wants to draw attention of his largely unknown readers to himself & his gospel. 3.Reason for 3 names: -Servant of Christ Jesus wants Romans to see him as a divinely inspired servant of God just like the OT prophets- Moses, Joshua, David, Jonah who are authorized to share the gospel. -Called to be an apostle- Use the Divine passive- unspoken agent (God) using passive voice. Stresses divine source of his apostolic status -Set Apart for the Gospel of God- divinely appointed by God to preach the Gospel 4.Lengthy Description- suggests there's confusion in Rome concerning what Paul's Gospel is. 5.Confessional Material- shows he shares w/ the Romans a common gospel & faith. 6.Emphasizes again Paul's divine calling & responsibility 7.Use of plural connects grace Romans receive to Paul's apostleship.

What is an "apostolic parousia"? In other words, how would you explain or define it?

= "presence of an apostle" It's an attempt by Paul to make his presence more powerfully felt among his readers in a more authoritative way - can be done by referring to (1) the writing of the letter (2) the coming of Paul's emissary (3) his own future coming to his recipients - unlike other aspects of Paul's epistolary conventions, the form of Paul's Apostolic Parousias are not similar enough to warrant a list of conventions and noted variations - better to say that it's a loose form

What is a "thanksgiving section"? In other words, how would you explain or define it. This question is not answered explicitly in the reading but you should be able in a relatively easy fashion to come up with an answer.

A distinct epistolary unit in Paul's letters, located between the letter opening and letter body, in which Paul gives thanks TO GOD FOR THE BELIEVERS to whom he is writing. This section is important because it foreshadows Paul's purpose for writing the letter. The form of Paul's thanksgivings is much more complex and structured than anything found in ancient letters, and he almost always has one. Has origins in his Jewish background.

What function does the "apostolic parousia" have generally in the Pauline letters?

Effective literary device where Paul can exert his apostolic authority and power over his letter recipients not for power or ego but so that they will accept & obey the words in his letter. Note that in Romans, there are many similarities between the Letter Opening/Thanksgiving (1:1-15) and the Apostolic Parousia (15:14-32), showing that the Parousia accomplishes the same purpose as the first two parts of the letter.

What does Paul do in the Romans thanksgiving to support his larger purpose(s) at work in the letter as a whole

He's adapted it to focus on his divine calling as the apostle to the Gentiles to preach the gospel to the Christians in Rome. His strategies begin subtly but become more significant - "through Jesus Christ" highlights his relationship to Christ - "God is my witness" - defending himself against any potential criticism - even though he hasn't met the Romans, he truly does care about them and pray for them; also emphasizes that Paul's apostleship has been witnessed by God - his Prayer Report focuses on his desire to come to Rome, rather than on his prayers for the Romans themselves (as would be expected based on Paul's other Thanksgivings) - the long Explanation of his Prayer Report clarifies why he wants to come to Rome - to preach the gospel - the way Paul words this section enables him to ward off concerns of both neglect and egoism - this section ends with a clear statement of what the gospel is ** Note that Paul's purpose in preaching is NOT to convert the Romans, bc he comments on the genuineness of their faith; rather, his desire is to strengthen their faith

What objections can be raised against the now common practice of using the ancient Greco-Roman rules for speech to interpret Paul's letters?

It is true that Paul uses rhetorical devices in his letters, and there is something to be gained by comparing his writing to rhetorical devices common in the world within which he wrote. However, these devices would have been common in everyday speech. From Paul's use of them we cannot infer that he was trained in rhetoric or used the devices consciously. Ultimately, it would be unwise to believe that rhetorical theory holds the key to the meaning of Paul's letters. So, objections: 1. Epistolary and Rhetorical Handbooks - Paul wrote letters, not speeches, so it makes sense to focus primarily on epistolary conventions, not rhetorical conventions, of his time - there is very little cross-reference between epistolary handbooks and rhetorical handbooks of Paul's day 2. Paul's training - Paul was trained as a Pharisee. No indication that this included rhetorical training. - No indication that he was trained rhetorically in any other context, except maybe in Jewish school - only for the purpose of speaking in synagogue, wouldn't have been Greek rhetorical theory 3. Paul's own testimony - 1 Corinthians letter indicates that believers thought that Paul's speech was unskilled and unprofessional; his response to them indicates that he deliberately chose not to use rhetorical skill, which he felt would distract from the content of his message 4. Church Fathers - no Church Father (except Augustine a bit) interpreted Paul's letters within a rhetorical framework; since many of them were familiar with rhetorical handbooks, wouldn't they have used this frame if it had been appropriate? 5. Inappropriate context - most rhetoric was intended to be used when speaking with equals or superiors who were unfamiliar or unfriendly; Paul was writing to friends, so it may have been inappropriate to emphasize rhetorical devices 6. Rhetorical creation versus analysis - Rhetorical handbooks were meant to help with the creation of oral speech, not to aid with its interpretation... so beware of using handbooks to analyze and interpret writing (Cara's note -- isn't this what Weima does with epistles?)

List the distinctive formal elements of the letter opening of Paul's Non-ROMAN letters.

Other Letters Sender Formula: 3 elements 1. Name "Paul" 2. Title of "apostle" or "servant" 3. Descriptive phrase indicating source of apostleship. "Of Christ Jesus or by the will of God" 4. Co-sender: "and Timothy our brother" Recipient Formula: 2 elements 1. Church or ekklesia w/ name of city/region located 2. Description of recipient's relationship to God. Greeting Formula: 3 elements 1. Greeting "grace & peace" 2. Recipient "to you" 3. Divine source "From God our Father & the Lord Jesus Christ"

How does Paul shape or adapt the epistolary conventions in the letter closing of Romans so that this final section better supports his larger purpose(s) at work in the letter as a whole?

Paul's Letter Closings are often considered random, abstract, and simply a means to establish contact with his Recipients. Weima asserts instead that Paul's Closings are deliberate and directly relate to (or summarize, "highlight and encapsulate") the main themes of the letter body. So, here in Romans, the Closing is used by Paul to reflect the key issues of the letter, specifically, to ensure the acceptance of his apostleship & gospel by the Roman Christians. Several unique features: [*** this one is most important and noticeable] --- 1. Greeting Lists - there are two instead of one; the first one is exceptionally long; he includes descriptors of commendation with many of the names; all of this is meant to show that key people in the Roman community can provide excellent character references for Paul - he has done great work, and is worthy of the sort of praise he is heaping on these people Ex. Prisca & Aquila- his missionary partners. he greets the Romans on behalf of all the Asian churches - nowhere else is his greeting so broad - means to show that he has the backing of all these churches, so Romans should accept him as well he inserts a letter of commendation about Phoebe (probably the letter bearer) - by commending her, he's associating with her, and she's likely a respected member of the church 2. Hortatory Section to his Roman "brothers" - not a rebuke, but rather affirmation of what they're doing - builds his relationship with them 3. Doxology - unusual in Paul's Letter Closings - some think it was added later, but Weima shows how its content closely relates to the Letter Opening and thus was likely written by Paul in his goal of making his apostleship and gospel acceptable and authoritative

Dates of Paul's 11 Stages

Paul's pre-conversion life Paul's Conversion AD 33 Early Missionary Activity AD 33-47 1st Missionary Journey Ad 47-48 Journey to Jerusalem Council AD 48-49 2nd Missionary Journey AD 49-51 3rd Missionary Journey AD 52-57 Caesarean Imprisonment AD 57-59 Journey To Rome AD 59-60 Roman Imprisonment AD 60-62 4th Missionary Journey AD 62-67

List the five epistolary conventions that typically occur in Paul's letter closings

Peace Benediction Hortatory Section Greetings Autograph Grace Benediction

Paul's pre-conversion life

STAGE 1 -Born in Tarsus, no ordinary city- well known commercial center. -Studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Harvard of Judaism). Advanced beyond his years. Indicates Paul comes from wealthy, powerful Jewish(tribe of Benjamin/Father was Pharisee) family. -Zealous Pharisee- voluntarily chose the way of holiness priests were required to follow -Persecutor of Christian church- approves of Stephen's stoning -Appearance was unimpressive -Roman citizen by birth=house arrest when in prison. =Leatherworker to provide for himself while traveling.

Roman imprisonment

STAGE 10 AD 60-62 2 yrs. of house arrest as he boldly proclaims the Gospel. Allowed to live by himself w/ soldier guard.

Fourth missionary journey

STAGE 11 AD 62-67 Did he have one? I & II Timothy & Titus speak to events not found on other journeys. Paul & Timothy had not been to Crete in acct. in Acts. Driven into exile Muratorian Canon says he went to SPAIN Eusebius - 2nd visit to Rome he was martyrd. Thought he was decapitated and not hung like Peter since he was a Roman citizen.

Paul's Conversion

STAGE 2 1. HUGELY DRAMATIC - from fire-breathing dragon against Christians to a church leader 2. Paul grounds his authority as an apostle in HIS PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS -Near Damascus hit w/ heavenly light, blinded, Ananias helps him see again. Heard Jesus' voice in Hebrew

Early Missionary Activity

STAGE 3 (AD 33-47) 14 Years Total for Early Missionary Activity - he was a Christian 14-17 years before his first missionary journey! 1. 3 years - ARABIA AND DAMASCUS - don't think of this as time in Arabian desert; this was a three-year period that Paul spent in a large region east of the Jordan River and Dead Sea, including Damascus; because he felt such a strong call to preach, he was likely PREACHING THE GOSPEL here 2. First visit to JERUSALEM= "CONVERSION VISIT" - first of 5 visits to Jerusalem - this time apostles are nervous because of Paul's persecuting history; Barnabas helps him get introduced to the apostles. 3. 10 years - TARSUS - after Paul is in Jerusalem for a short time, apostles say that things are too "hot" with him there and send him to Tarsus, where he ministers for 10 years (little knowledge of what he does) 4. 1 year - ANTIOCH - Barnabas finds Paul in Tarsus and brings him to Antioch to help him there. 5. Second visit to JERUSALEM = "FAMINE-RELIEF VISIT" - Barnabas & Paul bring an offering to needy believers in Judea then return to Antioch

First Missionary Journey

STAGE 4 47-48 AD To the island of CYPRUS and to cities in SOUTHERN ASIA MINOR, including Pisidian Antioch, Lystra, Derbe, and Iconium (about 1400 miles) - Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark - commissioned by Antioch church - go first to Cyprus, Barnabas' hometown - very important convert here - get to Perga - John Mark bails on them - they travel in southern Galatia, then return by a slightly different route to Antioch

Journey to Jerusalem Council

STAGE 5 AD 48-49 Details: Some men came from Judea saying that believers had to be circumcised. Paul & Barnabas go to clear this up. Judas & Silas come back w/ P & B to say no idols, no blood, strangled things & no sexual immorality. - 3rd visit - JERUSALEM = "COUNCIL VISIT" in 49 AD - Judaizers from Jerusalem come to Antioch saying that Gentiles need to be circumcised in order to be saved - Paul and Barnabas (and others) go to Jerusalem to discuss this issue, to present their side - the Jerusalem Council makes a decision that circumcision is not required but they want to make clear that Gentiles can't just do anything they want - so they draft a letter known by scholars as the "APOSTOLIC DECREE" to clarify their decision - sent via Silas and Judas, not Paul and Barnabas

Second missionary journey

STAGE 6 49-51 AD Paul wants to go back to the cities they've been in. Barnabas wants to take John Mark- they disagree since JM left them last time. Go separate ways. B & M, cousins, go to Cyprus but Paul & Silas go through ASIA MINOR to MACEDONIA (especially Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea), and then on to ACHAIA (especially Athens and Corinth) (about 2800 miles). As they went up to Antioch, they went up to Jerusalem for visit #4!!

Third missionary journey

STAGE 7 AD 52-57 Paul again set out from Antioch on 3rd trip. In Ephesus for 2 yrs & 3 months. Riot in Ephesus led by Demetrius who made silver shrines for goddess Artemis, worried he would lose business b/c of Paul & his followers. Paul has emergency visit to Corinth. BIG PICTURE: Collection - Wants Gentiles to take offering to X's in Palestine. Makes it to Corinth for 3 months (winter months) then to Troas. 5th Visit to Jerusalem w/ cash & growing entourage. Paul taken away to Caesarea (2 yrs. in prison there) under Felix & then Festus. The Sanhedrin want to take over Paul (and would have killed him). Paul goes before Sanhedrin, sees he's a Pharisee- Sadducees- denied resurrection. No consensus reached. through Galatia and Phrygia to EPHESUS, then on to MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA (about 2700 miles)

Caesarean imprisonment

STAGE 8 AD 57-59 Saduccees & Pharisees disagree over what Paul believes. Some Jews agree to fast until Paul is killed. Paul with help of his nephew appeals to the commander & Paul is taken to Casarea during the night. Felix: Appears over 2 yr. period before him. Felix wants a bribe. Permits Paul's friends to take care of him. Festus: Appeals to Caesar to avoid being tried by Jewish leaders.

Journey to Rome

STAGE 9 AD 59-60 Paul appeals to Caesar & undertakes his prison journey to Rome. Paul warns them not to sail but they do, many days at sea, Paul tells them they will not die & they listed to his instructions & spare all prisoners lives b/c of him. Paul bit by snake but doesn't die. Paul heals many sick on Island of Malta. After the storm off Crete, Paul's ship makes it safely to Malta. Paul takes another ship after 3 months & finally arrives in Rome.

Re Jeffrey A. D. Weima, "Preaching the Gospel in Rome: A Study of the Epistolary Framework of Romans,"What is the central thesis of the article? In other words, what does Weima try to prove?

Weima wants to prove that the epistolary framework of Paul in Romans helps us to understand Paul's PURPOSE in writing the letter of Romans. Specifically, he argues that the epistolary framework (particularly the LETTER OPENING, THANKGIVING, APOSTOLIC PAROUSIA, and LETTER CLOSING) helps us to see that Paul's overriding purpose is to PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE ROMANS. To accomplish this purpose, Paul needs to convince his readers that he is UNIQUELY QUALIFIED -- they need to accept his APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY.