2 Corinthians: A Social Identity Commentary

Philip F. Esler provides a comprehensive coverage of the issues in 2 Corinthians from the perspective of social identity, with a focus on Paul''s leadership.Esler enlists social identity theory-in critical dialogue with existing scholarship-to show how Paul sought to persuade the Corinthian Christ-followers to adopt certain views on four critical issues that had arisen in his relationship with them, with his discourse demonstrably reflecting the ancient Mediterranean culture they shared. Two introductory chapters set out those four issues, summarise the events reflected in 1 and 2 Corinthians, make an initial case for the integrity of the letter against partition theories, explain and defend the use of social identity theory in biblical interpretation, and describe the social identity approach to leadership. In the commentary, Esler explores how Paul re-establishes his leadership role by reconnecting with the Corinthians, urges their participation in the collection for Jerusalem, and defends his position against recently arrived opponents, all the while reinforcing his addressees'' social identity as Christ-followers. Prominent features of the commentary fostered by its social identity perspective include its cumulative case for the letter''s unity, for Paul''s opponents being similar to those in Galatia, and for the interweaving of social and theological dimensions in the text.>

Product details

• Authors: Philip Esler, Esler Philip
• Assisted by: Aaron Kuecker (Editor), J. Brian Tucker (Editor)
• Publisher: T. & T. Clark Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2022
• EAN: 9780567703330
• ISBN: 978-0-567-70333-0
• No. of pages: 440
• Series: T&t Clark Social Identity Comm; T&T Clark Social Identity Commentaries on the New Testament
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; RELIGION / Biblical Studies / General, Bibles, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / New Testament / Paul's Letters, New Testaments, Biblical Studies & Exegesis, Biblical exegesis & hermeneutics