‘Father’ Imagery In 2 Corinthians 1-9 And Jewish Paternal Tradition -- By: Anthony A. Myrick

Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 47:1 (NA 1996)
Article: ‘Father’ Imagery In 2 Corinthians 1-9 And Jewish Paternal Tradition
Author: Anthony A. Myrick


‘Father’ Imagery In 2 Corinthians 1-9
And Jewish Paternal Tradition

Anthony A. Myrick

Summary

The metaphor of ‘father’ played a significant role in the pastoral practice of Paul. There is evidence that a major line of Paul’s use of paternal imagery can be reliably traced back into the Old Testament and early Jewish tradition, namely the correction of his converts in 2 Corinthians 1-9. This finding suggests that Paul appears to owe much more to his ancient Jewish environment for his use of the paternal metaphor than has often been assumed, and sheds light on the nature and importance of Paul’s fatherly correction in his pastoral care of the Corinthian community.

I. Introduction

From where did Paul derive his understanding and use of his fatherly role for his pastoral practice? Ernest Best is pessimistic in answer to this question and concludes: ‘It is impossible… to determine from where Paul derived the image [of fatherhood] in relation to himself’.1 In contrast, A.J. Malherbe is more optimistic, and advocates the background of the moral philosophers in the Greco-Roman world as the proper antecedent for understanding his familial role of father, as well as nurse in 1 Thessalonians.2 Different still is E.M. Lassen’s of

imperial propaganda in Greco-Roman tradition to shed light on Paul’s use of the father concept in 1 Corinthians 4:14-21.3

Lacking in all this is any consideration of the Old Testament and Jewish paternal tradition as a potential source or influence on Paul’s use of the metaphor ‘father’. That this Jewish background exerted some influence on Paul is nonetheless likely, in view of two initial factors: (1) Scripture and Jewish traditions seem to have played a significant role in shaping Paul’s thinking in general,4 and (2) the ‘father’ metaphor seems to have had some currency already in early Christianity, such as in Hebrews 12:5-6, where the metaphor is supported by a Scriptural citation. Our short study, therefore, will analyse the possibility that Paul may have been dependent upon Scriptural and early Jewish sources for his understanding and administering of fatherly correction or discipline in his pastoral work.5 Looking particularly at You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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