Liberating Words: Paul's Use of Rhetorical Maxims in 1 Corinthians 1-10

All cultures and all religious movements have their own traditional sayings, and most have a collection of religious maxims as well. This book shows how maxim usage is valuable in determining by whom, for whom, and how maxims are used to provide internal ordering, stability, and a general staple of teaching material for religious movements.
In particular, readers are invited to consider the full and proper context that stands behind the social interaction of Paul and the believing community in Corinth. The author argues that this context is incomplete without a recognition of the rhetorical conventions of maxim usage in Paul's world. Understanding Paul's use of maxim argumentation as, in part, a response to the maxim argumentation of some Corinthians opens a window on 1 Corinthians 1-10 that has not been previously explored.

Rollin A. Ramsaran teaches New Testament at Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, TN.