Power in Weakness: Conflict and Rhetoric in Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians (New Testament in Context S.) - Softcover

Wan, Sze-Kar

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563383152 ISBN 13: 9781563383151

Publisher: Trinity Press International, 2000

Synopsis

This most recent addition to the popular Trinity New Testament in Context (NTC) commentary series, edited by J. Andrew Overman and Howard Clark Kee, focuses on the apostle Paul's refusal to match strength for strength with his detractors. Instead, Paul stresses that authentic Christian ministry is characterized by weakness and suffering, specifically the weakness and paradigmatic sufferings endured by the crucified Jesus.

While not a rhetorical analysis of 2 Corinthians, this book nevertheless attends to Paul's rhetorical skills in resolving the Corinthian controversies. It attempts to show that Paul's theological formulations are best understood as products of rhetorical responses to controversial issues of authority and social location.

The preponderance of disputed arguments and narratives in 2 Corinthians renders this letter highly unusual in the Pauline corpus and one of the most challenging for the biblical detective to unravel. Sze-kar Wan, therefore, has written a commentary that helps readers look closely at the texts relevant to the problem of dislocation, providing directional pointers that enable readers, on their own, to develop these pointers to their logical conclusions.

Sze-kar Wan is Associate Professor of New Testament at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Massachussets.

For: Clergy; college, university, and seminary students; scholars; general readers

About this title

Review:

"The clarity of this scholar's writing contributes greatly to the book. The consistently careful exposition offers an excellent introduction to many of the difficult issues any reader of 2 Corinthians must confront." Florence Morgan Gillman, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 64, 2002--Sanford Lakoff

"It is an excellent book for anyone needing an introductory guide to Second Corinthians. It is focused, well-written, and contains the kind of quality content not always found in commentaries for the non-professional." Eugene Hensell, St.--Sanford Lakoff "Review of Biblical Literature "

"Wan's work is highly accessible and will prove useful for students and pastors wrestling with both the historical and contemporary implications of 2 Corinthians. The introductory chapter is particularly well conceived, the sociohistorical insights (e.g., patronage system) are nuanced and helpful, and theological issues are given consistent attention." Michael D. Barram, Interpretation, October 2002.--Sanford Lakoff

Synopsis:

This text is an analysis of Paul's second letter to the Corinithians which focuses on his use of rhetorical skills in attempting to resolve controversies.

About this edition

• Publisher: Trinity Press International
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1563383152
• ISBN 13: 9781563383151
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 184