This essay suggests that the central element of the factionalism and strife evident in 1 Corinthians 1-4 is the lust for honor by members of the early Christ-movement at Corinth. While the last few decades have seen a proliferation of social-scientific approaches to biblical interpretation, many demonstrating the centrality of issues of honor and shame, the letter of 1 Corinthians has remained largely untouched by issues related to honor. Yet it presents a unique exposé of numerous and vital aspects of social life in the Greco-Roman world. By analyzing the issues of factionalism and rhetoric within the social context of the time, and doing so within the framework of the central import of honor, it is hoped that the essay provides an appropriate and compelling framework within which to view this section of Paul’s letter.
Adams, E./Horrell, D. G., eds. 2004. Christianity at Corinth: The Quest for the Pauline Church. Louisville, KY/ London, UK: Westminster John Knox Press.
2.
Barrett, C.K.1982. Essays On Paul. London, UK: SPCK. 1971. A Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians (2nd ed.). London, UK: A & C Black.
3.
Barton, C.2001. Roman Honor: The Fire in the Bones. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
4.
Chow, J.1992. Patronage and Power. Sheffield, UK: Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 75.
5.
Engberg-Pedersen, T.1987. "The Gospel and Social Practice according to 1 Corinthians ." New Testament Studies33: 557-84.
6.
Fee, G.1987. The First Epistle To The Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
7.
Finney, M.2004. Conflict in Corinth: The Appropriateness of Honor-Shame as the Primary Social Context. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, University of St Andrews.
8.
Habinek, T.2005. Ancient Rhetoric and Oratory. Oxford , UK: Blackwell.
9.
Hays, R.1997. First Corinthians. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press.
10.
Hengel, M.1991. The Pre-Christian Paul. London, UK: SCM.
Joshel, S.1992. Work, Identity and Legal Status atRome: A Study Of The Occupational Inscriptions. Noman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
13.
Ker, D.P.2000. "Paul and Apollos-Colleagues or Rivals?" Journal for the Study of the New Testament77: 75-97.
14.
Kinneavy, J.1987. Greek Rhetorical Origins Of Christian Faith: An Inquiry . Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
15.
Lampe, P.1990. "Theological Wisdom and the "Word about the Cross:" The Rhetorical Scheme in 1 Corinthians 1-4." Interpretation44: 117-31.
16.
Lendon, J.1997. Empire Of Honor: The Art of Government in the Ancient World. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press .
17.
Litfin, D.1994. St Paul’s Theology of Proclamation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
18.
Loeb Classical Library.1911-present. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
19.
MacMullen, R.1974. Roman Social Relations, 50 BC to AD 284. New Haven, CT/London, UK: Yale University Press.
20.
Malina, B., & J. Neyrey.1996. Portraits of Paul: An Archaeology of Ancient Personality. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
21.
Malina, B., & J. Pilch.2006. Social-Science Commentary on the Letters of Paul. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
22.
Marshall, P.1987. Enmity in Corinth. Tübingen, Germany: J. C. B. Mohr.
23.
Meeks, W.1983. The First Urban Christians. New Haven, CT/ London, UK: Yale University Press.
24.
Mitchell, M.1991. Paul and the Rhetoric of Reconciliation. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
25.
Painter, J.1982. "Paul and the Pneumatikoi at Corinth." Pp. 237-50 in Paul and Paulinism: Essays in Honor of C. K. Barrett, edited by M. Hooker & S. Wilson.London, UK: SPCK.
26.
Pickett, R.2005. "Conflicts at Corinth." Pp. 113-37 in A People’s History of Christianity, vol. 1, Christian Origins, edited by. R. Horsley). Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
27.
Pogoloff, S.1992. Logos and Sophia: The Rhetorical Situation of 1 Corinthians . Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press.
28.
Polaski, S.1999. Paul and the Discourse of Power. Sheffield , UK: Sheffield Academic Press.
29.
Schrage, W.1991. Der Erste Brief an die Korinther. Evangelisch-Katholisher Kommentar zum Neuen Testament 7/4. Zurich, Germany: Benziger/Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener.
30.
Simon, M.1979. "From Greek Hairesis to Christian Heresy." Pp. 101-16 in Early Christian Literature And The Classical Intellectual Tradition, edited by W. Schoedel & R. Wilken.Paris, France: Éditions Beauchesne.
31.
Theissen, G.1982. The Social Setting of Pauline Christianity. Edinburgh, UK: T & T Clark.
32.
Watson, D.F.2006. The Rhetoric of the New Testament: A Bibliographical Survey . Arbroath, UK: Deo Publishing.
33.
Welborn, L.L.1987. "On the Discord in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 1-4 and Ancient Politics." Journal of Biblical Literature106/1: 85-111.
34.
Winter, B.2002a. After Paul Left Corinth. Grand Rapids, MI/ Cambridge, UK: Eerdmans .
35.
Winter, B.2002b. Philo and Paul among the Sophists. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, MI/Cambridge, UK: Eerdmans.
