Joop F.M. Smit, «Epideictic Rhetoric in Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 1–4», Vol. 84 (2003) 183-201
In the discussion as to whether Paul uses Classical rhetoric First Corinthians 1–4 plays a key-role. In this article an overview is given of the main characteristics of the epideictic genre and in the light of this it is argued that in 1 Cor 1–4 Paul presents the four types of this genre: a paradoxical encomium in 1,18-31; an honorable encomium in 2,6-16; an ambivalent encomium in 3,5-23 and a dishonorable encomium in 4,6-13. In this manner he gives a deliberate proof of his rhetorical ability so as to restore his image, damaged by the impressive performance of Apollos who visited the city after him and apparently took the prize. So, after all, there seems to be Classical rhetoric in Paul.
In the light of this analysis Paul’s terminology deserves special attention. His choice of words reminds one of the genre and stylistic devices he applies. "To make grow" (au)ca/nw) in vv. 6.7 is close to "enlargement, augmentation" (au!chsij), the technique applied preeminently in epideictic rhetoric. "To build on, to build up" (e)poikodome/w) in vv. 10.12.14 evokes "accumulation, climax" (e)poikodo/mhsij)33, a stylistic figure which Paul repeatedly uses here. The opposition between "gold, silver, precious stones" and "wood, hay, straw" in v. 1234 may be a reminder of the ornate style with brilliant stylistic devices, known as "ornamentation" (ko/smoj, ornatus)35 and of the plain style without ornament, known as "dry" (chro/j, aridus)36. Finally, "praise" (e!painoj) in 1 Cor 4,5 is remarkable because Paul has said already twice that each worker will receive wages from God (1 Cor 3,8.14) so that a repetition of this term lies more at hand. This choice of terms could mean that Paul is well aware of his application of the epideictic genre and perhaps even that he intends to make the Corinthians aware of this.
Within Paul’s argument the ambivalent encomium has a clear function. The appearance of Apollos, who arrived in the city after Paul, has led the Corinthians to estimate Paul’s preceding appearance as inferior in quality. The ranking, set up in 3,5-23, is intended to correct this view. On the basis of this order, Paul denies the Corinthians the right to judge him. The Corinthians, themselves inferior to Christ and God, have no right whatsoever to pronounce judgement on Paul and Apollos, who are in the service of Christ and God. By right this judgement only belongs to Christ and God at the time appointed by them (4,1-5).
4. First Corinthians 4,6-13
This passage deals with the relation of ‘you’, the Corinthians, to ‘us’, the apostles. The intention clearly is to ridicule the swollen pride (v. 6) and the overestimation of themselves (v. 7), which the