Tongue-tied and Taunted: Paul, Poor Rhetoric and Paltry Leadership in 2 Corinthians 5.13

Abstract

There has been wide speculation regarding the meaning of two Greek words in 2 Cor. 5.13: ἐξίστημι and σωφρονέω. Interpreters of this verse have struggled to assess these terms in their literary and historical contexts. While the majority of commentators view these terms as referring to Paul’s ecstatic experiences, others have interpreted the verse as referring to Paul’s erratic behavior. A third group of scholars have tried to demonstrate that Paul is in fact responding to accusations that he lacked rhetorical sophistication. Building on the work of scholars belonging to the third category, I propose in this article that Paul is not only being accused of poor rhetorical skills, he is also being accused of all the connotations of a weak and inarticulate leader. By examining ἐξίστημι and σωφρονέω in their rhetorical contexts I will demonstrate that these two terms are often used in descriptions of ineffectual and unqualified civic leaders. Thus, Paul has been accused of lacking all the necessary qualities of a successful leader in the ancient world.