num_pages: 412
description: Who were the actual opponents of Paul in Corinth? Schmithals argues that their heretical theology was a genuine Christian Gnosticism which originated in Palestine. He bases his thesis on his careful literary analysis of I &amp; II Corinthians "Schmithals holds the position that the opponents were genuine Gnostics of Palestinian origin who boasted of pneumatic-ecstatic experiences of all kinds. He argues for a "one front battle" with Paul facing the same Gnostic opposition throughout the Corinthian correspondence. Such opponents would have charged that Paul wasn't a Pneumatic (at least on their level) &amp; therefore not an apostle. Paul defends himself against such a charge both in 1 Cor. 14 &amp; 2 Cor. 12. In both cases he doesn't reject such experiences; indeed, he must show he has them "more than you all" (1 Cor. 14:18) &amp; in "abundance" (2 Cor. 12:1, 7). Schmithals, however, holds that he depreciates them as expressions of individual or "personal religion," fundamentally different in character from his Damascus revelation &amp; of no value to the community as a whole. Thus, in 2 Cor. 12:1-10, he is unwillingly pressed to meet his opponents on their own ground, "foolishly" boasting of an abundance of visions &amp; revelations."--J.D. Tabor (edited)
language: English
title: Gnosticism in Corinth: An Investigation of the Letters to the Corinthians
titlecomplete: Gnosticism in Corinth: An Investigation of the Letters to the Corinthians
characters: Paul of Tarsus
ratings_count: 5
publisher: Abingdon Press (Nashville, TN)