Boletín de Filología Neotestamentaria 181 20 (2000) 281-289. This study of the argument of Gal highlights the division between the 1:1-3:19 (main interest: to prove God’s faithfulness) and 3:19-25 (main interest: the Law is not essential to God’s plan), but points that this fact is consistent with the faithfulness of God. 54. KLOPPENBORG VERBIN, J.S., “Patronage Avoidance in James”, HervTS 55 (1999) 755-794. Jas 2:1-13 uses the rhetorical device of ‘elaboration of a theme’ as described in Ps.-Cicero’s Rhetorica ad Herennium 2.18. 28. Its theme is not the partiality of the rich versus the poor, but is directed against the practice of patron- age as demeaning friendship towards the client. It contrasts this practice with the true friendship from God. 55. MADEEN, L., Rhetorical Argumentation in Paul’s Letter to the Ro- mans. Diss., Rome, Pont. Univ. Gregoriana, 1999, 197 pp. Prom. J.N. Aletti. See DissAbstInt, Ceurop. Abst. of 125 pp. = nº 4587. 56. O’MAHONY, K.J., “The Rhetoric of Benefaction”, PrIrB 22 (1999) 9- 40. The a. considers 2Cor 8-9 as a unity and defends the following rhetorical outline: exordium (8:1-6); propositio (8:7[8]); confirma- tio (8:9-15; 8:16-24; 9:1-5; 9:6-10); peroratio (9:11-15). 57. ROMANELLO, S., Una legge buona ma impotente. Analisi retorico- letteraria di Rm 7,7-25 nel suo contesto (Supplementi a la rivista Biblica 35). Bologna (Dehoniane) 1999, 342 pp. This book first offers an introduction to the forms and methods of analyzing Paul’s letters with especial attention to rhetorical analysis. Then it argues that Rom 7:7-25 is not a defense of the law, but a rhetorical concessio in which the salvific impotence of the Law is reiterated (‘The Law is good, but impotent’, according to the title). 58. SILVA DE, D.A., Perseverance in Gratitude. A Socio-Rhetorical Com- mentary on the Epistle “to the Hebrews”. Grand Rapids (Eerd- manns) 2000, 560 pp. This commentary intends to highlight the Hebrews’ rhetorical argumentation and devices and the social consequences for the readers of accepting the author’s ideology. 59. SULLIVAN, D.L. - C. ANIBLE, “The Epideictic Dimension of Galatians as Formative Rhetoric: The Inscription of Early Christian Community”, Rhetorica 18 (2000) 117-145. The authors survey recent rhetorical studies on the NT and then use the modern epideictic theory to explain how the rhetoric can be formative, in this case of the emerging Galatian Christian community: this rhetoric helps to establish the authority of the rhetor (Paul), the inscription of social hierarchies, and the prescription of a com- mon doctrine.