The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity EpistlesThis volume completes Ben Witherington's contributions to the set of Eerdmans socio-rhetorical commentaries on the New Testament. In addition to the usual features of these commentaries, Witherington offers an innovative way of looking at Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon as interrelated documents written at different levels of moral discourse. Colossians is first-order moral discourse (the opening gambit), Ephesians is second-order moral discourse (what one says after the opening salvo to the same audience), and Philemon is third-order moral discourse (what one says to a personal friend or intimate). Witherington successfully analyzes these documents as examples of Asiatic rhetoric, explaining the differences in style from earlier Pauline documents. He further shows that Paul is deliberately engaging in the transformation of existing social institutions. As always, Witherington's work is scholarly and engaging. With detailed "Closer Look" sections, The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians is perfect for the libraries of clergy, biblical scholars, and seminaries. |
Contents
| 37 | |
The Epistolary Prescript vv 13 | 53 |
ThanksgivingExordiumARefresher Course vv 47 | 62 |
Peroratio Summing Up and Touching the Heart | 82 |
Epistolary Conclusion vv 2324 | 91 |
The Authorship of Colossians | 100 |
The False TeachingPhilosophy in Colossae | 107 |
The Occasion of Colossians | 113 |
Peroratio Prayer and Wisdom 4 26 | 197 |
Bridging the Horizons Colossians | 208 |
Homilies in the New Testament Era | 215 |
Pseudonymity? | 223 |
Thanksgiving PrayerCaptatio Benevolentiae 1 1523 | 238 |
Narratio Gentiles Then and | 250 |
Concluding Prayer and Doxology 3 1 1421 | 270 |
Exhortatio Reminder of Community Values | 279 |
Narratio The Pattern of Christ 1 1520 | 128 |
PropositioPartitio 1 2123 | 137 |
Probatio Argument Two The Bone of Contention 2 63 4 | 151 |
Probatio Argument Three The Necessity of Virtue 3 54 1 | 174 |
Peroratio Standing notwithstanding the Opposition 6 1020 | 344 |
Epistolary Postscript The End of the Matter 6 2124 | 356 |
| 366 | |
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The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio ... Ben Witherington Limited preview - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
according Acts addressed already appeal argument Asiatic attempt audience become beginning behavior believers Best body called character Christ Christian church clear clearly Colossae Colossians Colossians and Philemon comes course dealing discourse discussion document early Ephesians epideictic eschatology especially Ethics evidence example exhortation fact faith Father follows Gentiles give given God’s gospel grace Grand Rapids Greek head helpful Holy household human husband involved Jesus Jewish language later Lincoln living Lord material matter means mentioned nature noted O’Brien Onesimus particular Paul Paul’s Letters Pauline perhaps person Philemon phrase possible powers praise prayer present Press probably reference relationship rhetoric Roman rules salvation says seems seen sense situation slave social sort speaks Spirit style suggests term Theology things tion University wisdom worship