Abstract
Abstract
This chapter argues that Paul uses his short stature for a variety of rhetorical ends in 1 Corinthians. One end is to highlight his least-among-the-apostle status, that he is an unlikely person in both body and reputation to serve the Messiah as a herald to the Gentiles. Another end is to depict his ministry as one of weakness in strength; he is a short-statured boxer punching himself in the face or a gladiator fighting beasts in Ephesus. While such mental images seem comical at first, especially given his short stature in an ancient context, the reality is that Paul portrays his ministry as a violent agonistic competition.
Publisher
Oxford University PressOxford
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