An Apostle in Battle: Paul and Spiritual Warfare in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

by Lisa M Bowens

Overview

In this close reading of 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Lisa M. Bowens provides a detailed historical-critical exegesis and comparative analysis to establish that Paul links his ascent in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 where he foregrounds a cosmic battle around the mind and the knowledge of God. In 10:3-6, the apostle presents a trilateral framework of cosmology, epistemology, and theological anthropology, which converge in his heavenly journey. Lisa M. Bowens examines a variety of Jewish and Greco-Roman texts and calls attention to the persistence and importance of martial imagery in chapters 10-13 of Second Corinthians, including in Paul's ascent narrative. Moreover, prayers of deliverance from evil forces become more prevalent around the first century, and this work situates Paul's request in 2 Corinthians 12:8 within this genre.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783161548604
Publisher:	Mohr Siebeck
Publication date:	04/01/2017
Series:	Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe , #433
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	6.06(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface vii

List of Abbreviations xiii

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

1.1 Proem 1

1.2 Snapshot of 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 and Its Context 2

1.3 Paul's Himmelsreise in Recent Interpretations 3

1.3.1 Garland, Murphy O'Connor, and Schweitzer 3

1.3.2 Baur, Plummer, and Windisch 6

1.3.3 Schmithals and Reitzenstein 8

1.3.4 Käsemann and Betz 10

1.3.5 Lincoln and Tabor 16

1.3.6 Gooder and Wallace 19

1.4 An Epigrammatic Survey of Early Christian Interpreters 24

1.4.1 Paul's Ascent in the Writings of the Church Fathers 24

1.4.2 Cosmological Affinities Between Paul and the Early Church Fathers 30

1.5 Argument of this Study 33

1.5.1 A Fresh Approach: Paul's Cosmic Battle Imagery 33

1.5.2 Definition of Terms 35

1.5.2.1 Cosmic, Cosmological, and Apocalyptic 35

1.5.2.2 Epistemology and Theological Anthropology 37

1.5.3 Methodology 38

1.5.3.1 A Word Regarding Paul's Opponents 41

1.6 Summary 43

Chapter 2 Paul's Cultural Encyclopedia: Martial Language and the Cosmological, Epistemological, and Anthropological Nexus 45

2.1 Introduction 45

2.2 Prelude to War: The Apostle's Appeal to the Meekness and Gentleness of Christ (10:1-2) 46

2.3 The Significance of the Military Imagery 50

2.3.1 Paul's Use of χατα σαρχα in 2 Corinthians 52

2.3.2 Paul's Military Language in 10-13 59

2.3.3 Summary of Military Imagery 69

2.4 Arena of Warfare: The Mind and Knowledge of God 10:4-6 70

2.4.1 Noema (Nοημα) 73

2.4.2 Additional Epistemological Terms in 2 Corinthians 10-13 77

2.4.3 Paul's Use of Genesis 1-3 and Traditions Surrounding Genesis 1-3 79

2.5 The War Scroll 84

2.6 1QS Treatise of the Two Spirits 3.13-4.26 88

2.7 Excursus: An Additional Word on the War Scroll, The Treatise of the Two Spirits, and Paul 96

2.8 1QH^a and the Aramaic Levi Document 97

2.8.1 Community Hymns 98

2.8.2 The Aramaic Levi Document 102

2.8.3 Paul, 1QH^a (Community Hymns), and the Aramaic Levi Document 105

2.8.4 Teacher Hymns 107

2.8.5 Paul and the Teacher Hymns 112

2.9 Summary and Concluding Thoughts 120

Chapter 3 2 Corinthians 12:1-10: An In-Depth Assessment 123

3.1 Introduction 123

3.2 Interpreting the Passage - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 124

3.2.1 Textual Analysis 12:1-4 130

3.2.2 Textual Analysis 12:5-6 144

3.2.3 Textual Analysis 12:7 148

3.2.3.1 Paul's Depiction of Satan 165

3.2.3.2 Yperairomai (Γπεραιρωμαι): An Alternative Interpretation 175

3.2.3.3 Opposition to Earthly Descents and Heavenly Ascents 181

3.2.3.3.1 Daniel 181

3.2.3.3.2 Apocalypse of Abraham 183

3.2.3.3.3 Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah 185

3.2.3.3.4 Rabbinic and Hekhalot Literature 187

3.2.3.3.5 Summary of 12:1-7 189

3.2.4 Textual Analysis 12:8-10 191

3.2.4.1 Paul's Prayer 191

3.2.4.2 God's Response 199

3.2.4.3 Paul's Boasting and Contentment in Weaknesses 201

3.2.4.4 Summary and Conclusion of 12:8-10 203

3.3 Paul's Heavenly Journey: Real, Literary, or Both? 204

3.4 Bringing it All Together: Paul's Ascent, the War Scroll, the Treatise of the Two Spirits, 1QH^a, and Prayers of Deliverance 207

3.5 Excursus: Mithras Liturgy 210

3.6 Snapshots of Chapter 13:13:1-4, 13 213

3.7 Paul Presents His Life as an Example 216

3.8 Summary and Concluding Thoughts 220

Chapter 4 Conclusions 223

Bibliography 229

Index of Ancient Sources 243

Index of Modern Authors 256

Index of Subjects 259