CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

This study entails a literary analysis of occurrences of and related terms in the Pauline letters, in an effort to establish the meaning and connotations of these terms in relation to the various contexts in which they occur, as well as their functions in Paul’s rhetoric. The terms are analysed within demarcated literary units in the authentic Pauline letters, with a view to establishing the semantic content of the terms as emerging from textual and contextual variables. The study shows that Paul, influenced by Jeremiah 9:22-23, distinguishes between negative/“worldly ” and positive/“godly ” The former is based on reasons of superior origin or personal abilities and achievements (associated with terms such as and ), while the latter depends on God’s actions (associated with %& % $ and'). Paul uses the distinction in various rhetorical situations to defend himself and his apostoli