Introduction: the problem of Paul's letters and epistolary speeches

Many interpreters, such as Jan Lambrecht (1989), Dennis L. Stamps (1992, 1995; cf. 1999), Classen (1992), Jeffrey T. Reed (1993), Stanley E. Porter (1997a, 1997b, 1999), Anderson (1996, 1999), and Philip H. Kern (1998), question the applicability of ancient rhetoric to Paul's epistles and typically favor modern universal rhetoric or discourse theory (cf. Black, 1989, 1990).

These interpreters have raised many significant questions and arguments. First, Paul did not use rhetorical terminology in the technical senses that truly corresponded to rhetorical meanings (Anderson, 1996, pp. 122–23, 253–55 contra Fairweather, 1994; cf. Black, 1990, pp. 63–64, who questions Betz, 1985). Second, the choice of rhetorical species for individual letters is difficult to determine and therefore unhelpful, since scholarly opinions conflict (e.g., for Galatians see Kern, 1998, pp. 120–66). Third, a foreign structure is imposed on the letters with considerable variation from one rhetorical critic to the next (Porter, 1997b, pp. 539–61; Kern, 1998, pp. 90–119). Fourth, Paul's letters do not correspond to the appropriate venue associated with the respective species, e.g., the courtroom or assembly (Kern, 1998, pp. 16, 18, 29–33, 204–208). Fifth, the rhetorical handbooks are used almost exclusively as a basis for analysis of Paul's letters, when in fact, there were other rhetorics circulating, such as philosophical rhetoric, epistolary rhetoric, diatribe, synagogue homily, and common conversation (Kern, 1998, pp. 12–30; cf. Winter, 1997, p. 240). Sixth, the existence of an “apologetic letter” genre is questioned (Kern, 1998, p. 33; cf. Hansen, 1989, pp. 25–27).