Quoting Corinthians

Imagine reading a letter where the writer is engaged in a heated debate with someone and repeatedly cites their positions, but never uses quotation marks to indicate that he is quoting them. This is precisely what we find in 1 Corinthians! Paul frequently quotes certain factions within the church and then proceeds to correct their faulty thinking; but he rarely explicitly tells us that he is quoting them. This poses a significant challenge for interpreters of this letter. How do we know when Paul is stating his own position rather than quoting a Corinthian position that he actually rejects? Quoting Corinthians sets forth a step-by-step process for evaluating potential quotations in the New Testament and then applies that process to eleven passages in 1 Corinthians where quotations may occur. As the first book-length attempt to establish more objective criteria for identifying quotations, Quoting Corinthians is a valuable resource for students and scholars alike who are seeking to rightly interpret the New Testament.Modern interpreters recognize that Paul cites the Corinthians' own words in trying to conform their thinking and behavior to the wisdom of the cross, but no consensus exists about which texts repeat Corinthian slogans. Watson and Culy develop and apply a clear set of criteria to help modern readers identify these quotations and to read the text as the Corinthians would have understood it . . . This slender volume is brimming with insights and serves as an excellent introduction to the entire letter.--David Garland, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor UniversityWatson and Culy have written a very interesting and timely volume on 1 Corinthians that advances our understanding of both how quotations were indicated and functioned in the ancient world and how Paul and the Corinthians were dealing with issues of ancient and contemporary relevance. This is a volume that will be attractive to New Testament scholars and to those simply interested in the issues discussed.--Stanley E. Porter, President, Dean, and Professor of New Testament, McMaster Divinity CollegeEdward W. Watson serves as Professor of Biblical Literature at Oral Roberts University. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the New Testament for the Modern English Version Bible (MEV), and the author of Paul, His Roman Audience, and the Adopted People of God as well as numerous articles.Martin M. Culy is Director of Cypress Hills Ministries and former Professor of New Testament and Greek at Briercrest Seminary. He is founding editor of the Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament (BHGNT), and the author or co-author of eight books, including Echoes of Friendship in the Gospel of John, The Book of Revelation: The Rest of the Story, and the volumes on Luke, Acts, and 1, 2, 3 John in the BHGNT series.