Matthew R. Malcolm

The first letter to the Corinthians is one of the most discussed biblical books in New Testament scholarship today. Despite this, there has been no consensus on its arrangement and central theme, in particular why the topic of the resurrection was left until the end of the letter, and what its theological significance would have been to the Corinthian church. Matthew R. Malcolm analyses this rhetoric of 'reversal', examines the unity of the epistle, and addresses key problems behind particular chapters. He argues that while Jewish and Greco-Roman resources contribute significantly to the overall arrangement of the letter, Paul writes as one whose identity and rhetorical resources of structure and imagery have been transformed by his preaching, or kerygma, of Christ. The study will be of interest to students of New Testament studies, Pauline theology and early Christianity.

How should we expect multiple interpretations of the Bible to be kept in check? Each of the contributors, experts in the field, considers one parameter of responsibility, which may act as a constraint on the validity of competing biblical interpretations. Stanley E. Porter considers theological resposibility; Walter Moberly on ecclesial reponsibility; Richard S. Briggs on scriptural responsibility; Matthew R Malcolm on kerygmatic responsibility; James D. G. Dunn on historical reponsibility; Robert C. Morgan on critical; Tom Greggs on relational responsibility and Anthony C Thiselton considers the topic as a whole. What emereges is a plurivocal but concordant projection of fruitful ways forward for biblical interpretation.

The first letter to the Corinthians is one of the most discussed biblical books in New Testament scholarship today. Despite this, there has been no consensus on its arrangement and central theme, in particular why the topic of the resurrection was left until the end of the letter, and what its theological significance would have been to the Corinthian church. Matthew R. Malcolm analyses this rhetoric of 'reversal', examines the unity of the epistle, and addresses key problems behind particular chapters. He argues that while Jewish and Greco-Roman resources contribute significantly to the overall arrangement of the letter, Paul writes as one whose identity and rhetorical resources of structure and imagery have been transformed by his preaching, or kerygma, of Christ. The study will be of interest to students of New Testament studies, Pauline theology and early Christianity.