The Divine Comedy at Corinth: Paul, Menander and the Rhetori...

This study explores the influence of Greek New Comedy, particularly the works of Menander, on Paul's rhetorical strategies in 1 Corinthians 5–15. It posits that Paul's citation of Menander's Thais in 1 Corinthians 15:33 is not merely a rhetorical flourish but part of a broader engagement with come... Read more

This study explores the influence of Greek New Comedy, particularly the works of Menander, on Paul's rhetorical strategies in 1 Corinthians 5–15. It posits that Paul's citation of Menander's Thais in 1 Corinthians 15:33 is not merely a rhetorical flourish but part of a broader engagement with comedic motifs to address theological issues. By drawing parallels between Paul's epistolary rhetoric and the structure of Greek household comedies, the analysis suggests that Paul employs a hybrid of tragic and comic elements to frame the resurrection narrative and promote ecclesial reconciliation. Show less