Iȱ firstȱ analyzeȱ theȱ experiencesȱ describedȱ inȱ languageȱ mostȱ closelyȱ reȬ semblingȱtheȱlanguageȱofȱ2ȱCorȱ12:1–4—passagesȱdescribingȱotherȱ“viȬ sionsȱandȱrevelationsȱofȱtheȱLord.”ȱIȱthenȱmoveȱtoȱpassagesȱthatȱdiscussȱ otherȱexperiencesȱofȱrevelation.ȱInȱeachȱsubsection,ȱIȱtreatȱPaul’sȱexpeȬ riencesȱ beforeȱ movingȱ toȱ experiencesȱ sharedȱ byȱ theȱ largerȱ Christianȱ community.ȱȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
1ȱȱ SoȱalsoȱShantz,ȱPaulȱinȱEcstasy,ȱ200.ȱ
ȱ VisionsȱandȱRevelationsȱ 171ȱ
4.1.1.ȱVisionsȱandȱRevelationsȱofȱtheȱLordȱȱȱ 4.1.1.1.ȱFirstȱCorinthiansȱ9:1ȱ
1.ȱ Inȱ theȱ midstȱ ofȱ hisȱ discussionȱ ofȱ whetherȱ Christiansȱ canȱ eatȱ meatȱ sacrificedȱ toȱ idols,ȱ Paulȱ asksȱ theȱ Corinthiansȱ toȱ considerȱ hisȱ ownȱ acȬ tions.ȱDespiteȱhisȱapostolicȱauthority,ȱheȱhasȱgivenȱupȱcertainȱprivilegesȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ spreadȱ theȱ Gospel.ȱ Inȱ makingȱ thisȱ argument,ȱ Paulȱ firstȱ esȬ tablishesȱhisȱauthorityȱasȱanȱapostleȱthroughȱaȱseriesȱofȱrhetoricalȱquesȬ tions:ȱ“AmȱIȱnotȱfree?ȱAmȱIȱnotȱanȱapostle?ȱHaveȱIȱnotȱseenȱJesusȱourȱ Lord?ȱ Areȱ youȱ notȱ myȱ workȱ inȱ theȱ Lord?ȱ Ifȱ Iȱ amȱ notȱ anȱ apostleȱ toȱ others,ȱIȱamȱtoȱyou,ȱforȱyouȱareȱmyȱsealȱofȱapostleshipȱinȱtheȱLordȱ(Ou0k ei0mi\ e0leu&qeroj; ou)k ei0mi\ a)po&stoloj; ou)xi\ 0Ihsou~n to_n ku&rion h(mw~n e9o&raka; ou) to\ e1rgon mou u(mei=j e0ste e0n kuri/w|; ei0 a!lloij ou)k ei0mi a)po&stoloj, a)lla& ge u(mi=n ei0mi: h( ga\r sfragi/j mou th~j a)postolh~j u(mei=j e0ste e0n kuri/w|)”ȱ (9:1–2).ȱ Asȱ evidenceȱ ofȱ hisȱ freedomȱ andȱ apostleship,ȱ Paulȱcitesȱtwoȱfacts:ȱheȱhasȱseenȱtheȱLordȱandȱhasȱfoundedȱtheȱCorinȬ thianȱ community.ȱ Theȱ firstȱ fallsȱ intoȱ theȱ sameȱ categoryȱ asȱ hisȱ ascentȱ intoȱ heaven.ȱ Paulȱ claimsȱ toȱ haveȱ seenȱ aȱ Manȱ Whoȱ hadȱ beenȱ crucifiedȱ andȱ diedȱinȱJerusalem.ȱ Furthermore,ȱ heȱ describesȱ thisȱJesusȱ Whomȱ heȱ hasȱseenȱasȱ“ourȱLord.”ȱ
PaulȱdescribesȱhisȱencounterȱwithȱJesusȱquiteȱsimplyȱasȱ“seeing”—
itȱisȱaȱkindȱofȱvisionaryȱexperience.ȱPaulȱdoesȱnotȱelaborateȱfurther.ȱHeȱ usesȱtheȱperfectȱ(e9o&raka)ȱandȱtherebyȱsuggestsȱthatȱheȱrefersȱtoȱaȱsingleȱ eventȱ inȱ theȱ past,ȱ butȱ oneȱ thatȱ hasȱ hadȱ lastingȱ consequencesȱ forȱ him.2ȱ Hence,ȱevenȱthoughȱPaulȱdoesȱnotȱstateȱdefinitivelyȱthatȱheȱrefersȱtoȱhisȱ initialȱ encounterȱ withȱ theȱ Lord,ȱ heȱ probablyȱ does.ȱ Paulȱ hereȱ portraysȱ himselfȱasȱtheȱactiveȱsubjectȱofȱtheȱverb.ȱTheȱcontentȱofȱtheȱvisionȱwasȱ
“Jesus,”ȱandȱPaulȱexperiencedȱthisȱJesusȱasȱ“Lord,”ȱtheȱtermȱfavoredȱbyȱ theȱLXXȱforȱtheȱtheophaniesȱdiscussedȱinȱtheȱpreviousȱchapter.3ȱȱHence,ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
2ȱȱ SeeȱBrooksȱandȱWinbery,ȱSyntax,ȱ104.ȱ
3ȱȱ Seeȱ§3.1.ȱSeeȱesp.ȱIsaȱ6:1:ȱ“IȱsawȱtheȱLordȱseatedȱuponȱaȱhighȱthroneȱ(ei]don to_n ku&rion kaqh&menon e0pi\ qro&nou u(yhlou~);”ȱthoughȱEzekielȱsawȱ“visionsȱofȱGodȱ(o(ra&seij qeou~)”ȱ (1:1),ȱ heȱ ultimatelyȱ describesȱ seeingȱ theȱ likenessȱ ofȱ theȱ “gloryȱ ofȱ theȱ Lordȱ (do&chj kuri/ou)”ȱ (1:28);ȱ “Iȱ sawȱ theȱ Lordȱ Godȱ ofȱ Israelȱ seatedȱ uponȱ Hisȱ throneȱ (ei]don to_n ku&rion qeo_n Israhl kaqh_menon e0pi\ qro&nou au)tou~)”ȱ(1ȱKingsȱ22:19);ȱseeȱalsoȱExodȱ3:2–4,ȱ thoughȱtheȱwordȱ“Godȱ(qeo&j)”ȱisȱusedȱonceȱtheȱconversationȱbegins.ȱȱȱ
172ȱ ReligiousȱExperienceȱinȱPaul’sȱLettersȱ
althoughȱ oneȱ cannotȱ assumeȱ thatȱ Paulȱ hadȱ aȱ throneȱ vision,4ȱ whenȱ heȱ sawȱJesusȱheȱrecognizedȱHimȱasȱdivine.5ȱ
Theȱvisionȱisȱassociatedȱwithȱfreedomȱ(e0leuqeri/a),ȱbeingȱanȱapostleȱ (beingȱ sent;ȱ a)po&stoloj),6ȱ andȱ authorityȱ (e0cousi/a).7ȱ Alongȱ withȱ hisȱ viȬ sionȱofȱtheȱLordȱcomesȱenormousȱauthorityȱasȱanȱapostle.ȱFurthermore,ȱ implicitȱinȱPaul’sȱargumentȱisȱtheȱassumptionȱthatȱnotȱeveryoneȱunderȬ goesȱ thisȱ experience;ȱ itȱ servesȱ toȱ establishȱ hisȱ distinctȱ positionȱ asȱ anȱ apostle.ȱAtȱtheȱsameȱtime,ȱasȱoneȱsentȱwithȱaȱspecialȱcommission,ȱheȱisȱ underȱobligationȱtoȱtheȱOneȱWhoȱhasȱsentȱhim.ȱ
2.ȱ Paul’sȱ briefȱ statementȱ allowsȱ forȱ noȱ definitiveȱ statementȱ asȱ toȱ howȱ thisȱ visionaryȱ experienceȱ tookȱ place.ȱ Takenȱatȱfaceȱ valueȱ theȱ lanȬ guageȱ evokesȱ aȱ scenarioȱ likeȱ theȱ OTȱ theophanies.ȱ Paul,ȱ inȱ theȱ normalȱ courseȱofȱlife,ȱsuddenlyȱ“sees”ȱwithinȱmundaneȱrealityȱaȱmanifestationȱ ofȱtheȱdivineȱworld.8ȱȱ
3.ȱ Paulȱ goesȱ onȱ toȱ explainȱ thatȱ despiteȱ hisȱ apostolicȱ authority,ȱ heȱ hasȱgivenȱupȱhisȱrightsȱtoȱbeȱpaidȱforȱhisȱministryȱandȱtoȱcarryȱaȱwifeȱ withȱhimȱ(9:4–7).ȱPaulȱsurrendersȱtheȱauthorityȱthatȱmightȱbeȱdueȱhimȱ givenȱhisȱvisionaryȱexperienceȱandȱstatusȱasȱanȱapostle.ȱAsȱPaulȱdevelȬ opsȱ hisȱ discussion,ȱ boastingȱ ofȱ hisȱ willingnessȱ toȱ beȱ allȱ thingsȱ toȱ allȱ peopleȱ inȱ orderȱ spreadȱ theȱ Gospelȱ (9:19–23),ȱ heȱ drawsȱ aȱ comparisonȱ betweenȱsuchȱstrivingȱandȱthatȱexertedȱbyȱathletes.9ȱHeȱconcludesȱthisȱ simileȱ byȱ stating:ȱ “Iȱ beatȱ myȱ bodyȱ andȱ enslaveȱ it,ȱ lestȱ afterȱ havingȱ preachedȱtoȱothersȱIȱmyselfȱbeȱunprovedȱ(u(pwpia&zw mou to_ sw~ma kai\
doulagwgw~, mh& pwj a!lloij khru&caj au)to_j a)do&kimoj ge/nwmai)”ȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
4ȱȱ Heininger,ȱPaulusȱalsȱVisionär,ȱ187–88;ȱHansȬChristophȱMeier,ȱMystikȱbeiȱPaulus:ȱZurȱ Phänomenologieȱ religiöserȱ Erfahrungȱ imȱ Neuenȱ Testamentȱ (Texteȱ undȱ Arbeitenȱ zumȱ neutestamentlichenȱZeitalterȱ26;ȱTübingen:ȱFranckeȱVerlag,ȱ1998),ȱ57–63.ȱ
5ȱȱ Heininger,ȱPaulusȱalsȱVisionär,ȱ188–89,ȱobservesȱthatȱ“Lord”ȱwasȱaȱcommonȱtitleȱforȱ JesusȱthatȱPaulȱwouldȱhaveȱinheritedȱthroughȱtheȱChristianȱcommunityȱthatȱalreadyȱ existed.ȱMoreover,ȱsinceȱPaulȱdoesȱnotȱexplicitlyȱstateȱtheȱcontentsȱofȱhisȱvision,ȱhisȱ useȱofȱthisȱtitleȱhereȱmayȱrelateȱtoȱtheȱbroaderȱcontextȱofȱtheȱdiscussion—especiallyȱ toȱtheȱlordshipȱofȱChristȱasȱopposedȱtoȱidolsȱandȱdemons.ȱHowever,ȱsinceȱPaulȱusesȱ thisȱ titleȱ inȱ theȱ veryȱ sentenceȱ inȱ whichȱ heȱ mentionsȱ hisȱ vision,ȱ andȱ sinceȱ “Lord”ȱ isȱ suchȱaȱcommonȱtitleȱinȱOTȱvisions,ȱheȱprobablyȱalludesȱtoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱheȱnotȱonlyȱ sawȱChristȱbutȱexperiencedȱChristȱasȱdivine.ȱ
6ȱȱ Compareȱ§3.1ȱabove,ȱesp.ȱ§3.1.1,ȱ§3.1.3–4;ȱasȱwellȱasȱ§3.3.1–2.ȱ
7ȱȱ Seeȱesp.ȱ9:3–4ȱandȱtheȱrepetitionȱofȱ“doȱweȱnotȱhaveȱauthorityȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ?”;ȱseeȱalsoȱ9:12,ȱ18.ȱ 8ȱȱ CompareȱJohnȱ20:18ȱ(e9w&raka to_n ku&rion),ȱ25ȱ(e9wra&kamen to_n ku&rion);ȱseeȱalsoȱ20:20,ȱ
29.ȱ
9ȱȱ Seeȱ Victorȱ C.ȱ Pfitzner,ȱ Paulȱ andȱ theȱ Agonȱ Motif:ȱ Traditionalȱ Athleticȱ Imageryȱ inȱ theȱ PaulineȱLiteratureȱ(NovTSupȱ16;ȱLeiden:ȱBrill,ȱ1967);ȱseeȱesp.ȱ82–98.ȱ
ȱ VisionsȱandȱRevelationsȱ 173ȱ
(9:27).10ȱ Paul’sȱ practicesȱ helpȱ keepȱ hisȱ bodyȱ inȱ check,ȱ lestȱ itȱ interfereȱ withȱ “winningȱ theȱ race.”ȱ Enduringȱ deprivationsȱ servesȱ theȱ practicalȱ endȱofȱspreadingȱtheȱGospel,ȱbutȱinȱ9:27,ȱPaulȱallowsȱforȱtheȱpossibilityȱ thatȱ heȱ mightȱ beȱ foundȱ “unproven”ȱ evenȱ thoughȱ heȱ hasȱ preachedȱ theȱ Gospel.ȱȱThisȱpassageȱisȱaȱpivotalȱpointȱofȱPaul’sȱargument,ȱforȱheȱthenȱ beginsȱtoȱdescribeȱtheȱdisastrousȱconsequencesȱofȱIsrael’sȱsinsȱofȱforniȬ cationȱ andȱ idolatry,ȱ despiteȱ theirȱ initialȱ deliverance.ȱ Thus,ȱ Paulȱ conȬ nectsȱbothȱtheȱnecessityȱofȱsurrenderingȱrightsȱforȱtheȱbenefitsȱofȱothersȱ andȱtheȱimperativeȱtoȱavoidȱsin—especiallyȱidolatry—withȱbodilyȱdisȬ ciplineȱandȱrestraint.ȱȱȱ
Paul’sȱ ownȱ willingnessȱ toȱ giveȱ upȱ theȱ accoutrementsȱ ofȱ apostolicȱ authorityȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ spreadȱ theȱ Gospelȱ imitatesȱ Christ’sȱ action.ȱ Forȱ example,ȱPaulȱclaims,ȱ“Forȱbeingȱfreeȱfromȱallȱthings,ȱIȱhaveȱmadeȱmyȬ selfȱaȱslaveȱtoȱall,ȱthatȱIȱmightȱgainȱtheȱmore”ȱ(9:19).ȱSimilarly,ȱinȱPhilȱ 2:6,ȱ Paulȱ describesȱ Christȱ asȱ “beingȱ inȱ theȱ formȱ ofȱ God,”ȱ andȱ yetȱ “heȱ emptiedȱhimself,ȱtakingȱtheȱformȱofȱslave”ȱ(Philȱ2:7).ȱSoȱitȱisȱwithȱPaul.ȱ PaulȱhasȱseenȱJesusȱtheȱLord,ȱheȱisȱanȱapostle,ȱandȱheȱisȱfree.ȱSinceȱPaulȱ hasȱ suchȱ authorityȱ inȱ spiritualȱ mattersȱ (ta_ pneumatika&),ȱ heȱ alsoȱ hasȱ rightsȱtoȱfleshlyȱthingsȱ(ta_ sarkika&),ȱsuchȱasȱpaymentȱforȱhisȱpreaching,ȱ whichȱ areȱ ofȱ farȱ lessȱ intrinsicȱ valueȱ (1ȱ Corȱ 9:11).ȱ However,ȱ heȱ surrenȬ dersȱ theseȱ fleshlyȱ things.ȱ Thus,ȱ inȱ 1ȱ Corȱ 9,ȱ theȱ patternȱ AĺBȱ emerges,ȱ butȱinȱthisȱcase,ȱBȱisȱnotȱgivenȱaȱsupernaturalȱorigin,ȱnorȱdoesȱitȱyieldȱ supernaturalȱresults.ȱIndeed,ȱtheȱkindȱofȱsufferingȱheȱdealsȱwithȱinȱthisȱ passageȱ isȱ voluntary,ȱ justȱ asȱ theȱ Corinthians’ȱ decisionsȱ regardingȱ idolȱ meatȱshouldȱbeȱvoluntary.ȱ
4.ȱ Althoughȱ Paul’sȱ statusȱ asȱ anȱ apostleȱ distinguishesȱ himȱ fromȱ membersȱ ofȱ theȱ Corinthianȱ community,ȱ theȱ overallȱ tenorȱ ofȱ hisȱ examȬ pleȱ isȱ somethingȱ toȱ beȱ imitated.ȱ ȱ Indeed,ȱ Paul’sȱ “apology”ȱ inȱ 1ȱ Corȱ 9ȱ servesȱprimarilyȱtoȱencourageȱ“theȱstrong”ȱtoȱgiveȱupȱtheirȱrightȱtoȱeatȱ idolȱmeatȱwhenȱsuchȱactionȱisȱforȱtheȱbenefitȱofȱothers.ȱAsȱheȱconcludesȱ theȱ discussion,ȱ Paulȱ insists,ȱ “Beȱ imitatorsȱ ofȱ me,ȱ justȱ asȱ Iȱ alsoȱ amȱ ofȱ Christ”ȱ(11:1).ȱȱȱ
4.1.1.2.ȱFirstȱCorinthiansȱ15:8–11ȱ
1.ȱLaterȱinȱ1ȱCorinthians,ȱPaulȱagainȱspeaksȱofȱencounteringȱChrist.ȱAsȱ inȱ1ȱCorȱ9:1,ȱheȱspeaksȱinȱtheȱfirstȬpersonȱsingular,ȱandȱheȱportraysȱtheȱ encounterȱasȱaȱvisualȱexperience.ȱInȱthisȱpassage,ȱhowever,ȱPaulȱspeaksȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
10ȱȱ u(pwpia&zwȱcouldȱbeȱusedȱespeciallyȱofȱinsultingȱabuse;ȱseeȱDiogenesȱLaertius,ȱLivesȱ 6.89ȱ(fig.ȱofȱtheȱmoon,ȱPlutarch,ȱFac.ȱ5ȱ[921F]).ȱ
174ȱ ReligiousȱExperienceȱinȱPaul’sȱLettersȱ
inȱtheȱpassiveȱvoice.ȱHeȱseeksȱtoȱdefendȱtheȱrealityȱofȱtheȱgeneralȱresurȬ rection,ȱ andȱ toȱ thisȱ endȱ firstȱ assuresȱ theȱ Corinthiansȱ ofȱ Christ’sȱ resurȬ rection.ȱ Paulȱ recountsȱ theȱ traditionsȱ heȱ received,ȱ “thatȱ Christȱ diedȱ forȱ ourȱ sinsȱ accordingȱ toȱ theȱ Scriptures,ȱ thatȱ Heȱ wasȱ buriedȱ andȱ thatȱ heȱ wasȱ raisedȱ onȱ theȱ thirdȱ dayȱ accordingȱ toȱ theȱ Scriptures,ȱ andȱ thatȱ Heȱ wasȱ seenȱ byȱ Cephasȱ (o#ti w!fqh Khfa~|)ȱ thenȱ byȱ theȱ twelve”ȱ (15:3b–5).11ȱ Paulȱ continuesȱ andȱ namesȱ othersȱ toȱ whomȱ Christȱ appearedȱ andȱ thenȱ concludesȱ theȱ list:ȱ“Lastȱ ofȱ all,ȱasȱ toȱ oneȱ miscarried,ȱ Heȱ wasȱseenȱ alsoȱ byȱmeȱ(w!fqh ka)moi/)”ȱ(15:8).12ȱTheȱprecedingȱversesȱthusȱmakeȱclearȱthatȱ Paul,ȱlikeȱtheȱothersȱheȱlistsȱasȱwitnesses,ȱhasȱseenȱtheȱrisenȱChrist,ȱwhoȱ enduredȱdeathȱandȱburialȱforȱtheȱsakeȱofȱothers’ȱsins.ȱȱȱ
2.ȱAsȱwithȱ1ȱCorȱ9:1,ȱnoȱdefinitiveȱstatementȱasȱtoȱhowȱPaulȱunderȬ standsȱtheȱexperienceȱtoȱhaveȱhappenedȱcanȱbeȱmade.ȱTheȱformulationȱ w!fqhȱ plusȱ theȱ dativeȱ isȱ frequentlyȱ usedȱ inȱ OTȱ theophanies,ȱ someȱ ofȱ whichȱ occurȱatȱ night,ȱ othersȱ amidstȱ theȱ wakingȱ worldȱ ofȱ dailyȱactiveȬ ty.13ȱSinceȱthisȱformulationȱcanȱmeanȱ“appearȱto,”ȱitȱcouldȱsuggestȱthatȱ ChristȱisȱtheȱactiveȱsubjectȱWhoȱpurposelyȱappearsȱtoȱPaul.14ȱ
3.ȱPaulȱagainȱassociatesȱhisȱencounterȱwithȱChristȱwithȱhisȱapostleȬ shipȱ butȱ toȱ differentȱ effect.ȱ Inȱ thisȱ passage,ȱ Paulȱ emphasizesȱ hisȱ unȬ worthinessȱratherȱthanȱhisȱauthority:ȱ“ForȱIȱamȱtheȱleastȱofȱtheȱapostles;ȱ Iȱamȱnotȱworthyȱtoȱbeȱcalledȱ‘apostle,’ȱbecauseȱIȱpersecutedȱtheȱChurchȱ ofȱGod;ȱbutȱbyȱtheȱgiftȱofȱGodȱIȱamȱwhatȱIȱam,ȱandȱHisȱgiftȱtoȱmeȱwasȱ notȱempty,ȱbutȱIȱlaboredȱmoreȱthanȱallȱofȱthem,ȱandȱnotȱIȱbutȱtheȱgiftȱofȱ Godȱ whichȱ isȱ withȱ me”ȱ (15:9–10).15ȱ Paulȱ insistsȱ thatȱ heȱ wasȱ unworthyȱ dueȱtoȱhisȱpersecutionȱofȱtheȱChurch;ȱheȱevenȱcallsȱhimselfȱaȱ“miscarȬ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
11ȱȱ CompareȱLukeȱ24:34.ȱ
12ȱȱ Compareȱ LXXȱ ofȱ Exodȱ 4:5:ȱ Godȱ enablesȱ Mosesȱ toȱ performȱ signsȱ inȱ orderȱ thatȱ theȱ Israelitesȱ“mayȱbelieveȱyou,ȱthatȱtheȱLordȱGodȱofȱtheirȱfathersȱhasȱbeenȱseenȱbyȱyouȱ (pisteu&swsi/n soi o#ti w}ptai/ soi ku&rioj o( qeo_j tw~n pate/rwn).”ȱ
13ȱȱ Raymondȱ F.ȱ Collins,ȱ Firstȱ Corinthiansȱ (SPȱ 7;ȱ Collegeville,ȱ Minn.:ȱ Liturgicalȱ Press,ȱ 1999),ȱ531–32.ȱȱSeeȱGenȱ12:7;ȱ26:24;ȱ35:9;ȱ48:3;ȱLevȱ9:23;ȱNumȱ14:10;ȱ16:19;ȱ1ȱKingsȱ3:5;ȱ 9:2;ȱ2ȱChronȱ1:7;ȱ3:1;ȱ7:12;ȱseeȱalsoȱExodȱ4:5;ȱ6:3;ȱ16:10;ȱNumȱ17:7;ȱ20:6.ȱ
14ȱȱ SoȱHeininger,ȱPaulusȱalsȱVisionär,ȱ193–94.ȱ
15ȱȱ Iȱ haveȱ translatedȱ xa&rijȱ withȱ “gift”ȱ forȱ severalȱ reasons.ȱ “Grace”ȱ hasȱ becomeȱ aȱ theologicallyȱloadedȱword,ȱandȱitȱhasȱtherebyȱcomeȱtoȱdenoteȱaȱtheologicalȱconceptȱ orȱanȱexpressionȱmerelyȱofȱGod’sȱfavorȱandȱgraciousȱforgiveness.ȱInȱthisȱpassage,ȱasȱ inȱ manyȱ others,ȱ xa&rijȱ takesȱ onȱ theȱ meaningȱ ofȱ theȱ divineȱ energyȱ thatȱ empowersȱ Paulȱ andȱ hisȱ ministry.ȱ Thisȱ energyȱ isȱ aȱ giftȱ fromȱ God,ȱ andȱ theȱ termȱ xa&rijȱ denotesȱ firstȱandȱforemostȱtheȱnatureȱofȱthisȱenergyȱasȱaȱdivineȱgift;ȱitȱdenotesȱthisȱsenseȱofȱ giftȱ moreȱ thanȱ theȱ specialȱ statusȱ ofȱ theȱ receiverȱasȱ oneȱ “favored”ȱ orȱ“graced.”ȱ FurȬ thermore,ȱ thisȱ translationȱ makesȱ clearȱ theȱ intimateȱ connectionȱ betweenȱ xa&rijȱ andȱ theȱ“giftsȱ(xari/smata)”ȱwhichȱtheȱSpiritȱmanifestsȱamongȱChristians.ȱMyȱinterpretaȬ tionȱofȱxa&rijȱwillȱbeȱsubstantiatedȱbothȱbyȱotherȱpassagesȱexplicatedȱinȱthisȱchapterȱ andȱbyȱmyȱexegesisȱofȱ2ȱCorȱ12:9ȱinȱtheȱfollowingȱchapter.ȱȱ
ȱ VisionsȱandȱRevelationsȱ 175ȱ
riage”ȱ(15:8).ȱThoughȱunworthy,ȱheȱencountersȱChristȱandȱbecomesȱanȱ apostle.ȱThus,ȱheȱdescribesȱthisȱdramaticȱshiftȱasȱtheȱworkȱofȱGod’sȱgiftȱ toȱhim.ȱ“Giftȱ(xa&rij)”ȱisȱnotȱsimplyȱtheȱgraciousȱdecisionȱtoȱallowȱPaulȱ toȱseeȱChristȱandȱbecomeȱanȱapostleȱbutȱaȱkindȱofȱdivine,ȱempoweringȱ energyȱthatȱsustainsȱPaulȱandȱallowsȱhimȱtoȱlaborȱasȱanȱapostle.ȱThus,ȱ Paulȱ experiencesȱ evenȱ hisȱ ownȱ apostolicȱ laborsȱasȱmadeȱ possibleȱ onlyȱ byȱGod’sȱenergyȱworkingȱwithȱhim.ȱTheȱgiftȱoriginatesȱwithȱPaul’sȱviȬ sion,ȱ whichȱ radicallyȱ reorientsȱ hisȱ prioritiesȱ andȱ resultsȱ inȱ aȱ senseȱ ofȱ unworthiness.ȱTheȱgiftȱandȱPaul’sȱlaborȱgoȱhandȱinȱhand.ȱȱPaul’sȱlaborȱ preventsȱ theȱ giftȱ fromȱ beingȱ ineffective,ȱ butȱ theȱ giftȱ enablesȱ theseȱ laȬ bors.ȱȱ
Inȱ1ȱCorȱ15:8–10,ȱPaulȱeffacesȱhimselfȱonlyȱwithȱregardȱtoȱhisȱformerȱ life,ȱthoughȱheȱthinksȱthatȱthisȱformerȱlifeȱmadeȱhim,ȱafterȱhisȱencounterȱ withȱ Christ,ȱ theȱ leastȱ ofȱ theȱ apostles.ȱ Thisȱ experienceȱ ofȱ unworthinessȱ inȱ turnȱ producesȱ Paul’sȱ zealousȱ apostleship,ȱ whichȱ Paulȱ describesȱ asȱ
“labor,”ȱ aȱ wordȱ suggestingȱ theȱ bodilyȱ toilȱ thatȱ preachingȱ theȱ Gospelȱ requires.16ȱ Thus,ȱ inȱ thisȱ passage,ȱ theȱ patternȱ AĺB=Cȱ emerges.ȱ Theȱ viȬ sionȱ leadsȱ toȱ bothȱ unworthinessȱ andȱ grace;ȱ theȱ senseȱ ofȱ unworthinessȱ producesȱlaborȱPaulȱinterpretsȱasȱbeing,ȱinȱreality,ȱGod’sȱgraceȱatȱworkȱ andȱnotȱhisȱownȱworkȱatȱall.ȱ
4.ȱ Paulȱ againȱ associatesȱ theȱ appearanceȱ ofȱ Christȱ withȱ hisȱ specialȱ statusȱasȱanȱapostleȱandȱalsoȱrefersȱtoȱitȱtoȱvalidateȱhisȱteachingsȱonȱtheȱ Resurrection.17ȱInȱthisȱpassage,ȱmoreover,ȱPaulȱincludesȱhimselfȱamongȱ aȱhostȱofȱpersonsȱtoȱwhomȱChristȱhasȱappeared:ȱ“Therefore,ȱwhetherȱIȱ orȱthey,ȱsoȱweȱpreachȱandȱsoȱyouȱbelieved”ȱ(1ȱCorȱ15:11).ȱȱ
ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
16ȱȱ Seeȱ esp.ȱ 1ȱ Corȱ 4:12;ȱ forȱ kopia&wȱ asȱ bodilyȱ toil,ȱ seeȱ Mattȱ 6:28;ȱ 11:28;ȱ Lukeȱ 5:5;ȱ 12:27;ȱ Johnȱ4:38;ȱActsȱ20:35;ȱEphȱ4:28;ȱColȱ1:29;ȱ2ȱTimȱ2:6;ȱcompareȱreferencesȱtoȱworkȱforȱ Christ:ȱRomȱ16:6,ȱ12;ȱ1ȱCorȱ16:16;ȱGalȱ4:11;ȱPhilȱ2:16;ȱ1ȱThessȱ5:12;ȱ1ȱTimȱ4:10;ȱ5:17.ȱ 17ȱȱ Josephȱ Plevnik,ȱ “Paul’sȱ Appealȱ toȱ hisȱ Damascusȱ Experienceȱ andȱ 1ȱ Corȱ 15:5–7:ȱ Areȱ
theyȱLegitimations?”ȱTJTȱ4ȱ(1988):ȱ101–11,ȱarguesȱthatȱbothȱ1ȱCorȱ9:1ȱandȱ15:8ȱserveȱ firstȱandȱforemostȱtoȱsupportȱPaul’sȱgospel,ȱnotȱhisȱauthority.ȱPeterȱvonȱderȱOstenȬ Sacken,ȱ “Dieȱ Apologieȱ desȱ paulinischenȱ Apostolatsȱ inȱ 1ȱ Korȱ 15:1–11,”ȱ ZNWȱ 64ȱ (1973):ȱ245–62,ȱclaimsȱthatȱ1ȱCorȱ15:8ȱservesȱtoȱlegitimateȱPaul’sȱroleȱasȱaȱfaithfulȱinȬ terpreterȱofȱtheȱGospel.ȱWhileȱIȱagreeȱthatȱundueȱemphasisȱhasȱbeenȱplacedȱonȱPaul’sȱ visionsȱasȱattemptsȱtoȱdefendȱhisȱapostolicȱauthority,ȱitȱremainsȱclearȱthatȱPaulȱdoesȱ closelyȱ associateȱ hisȱ apostolicȱ ministryȱ withȱ thisȱ experience,ȱ andȱ thatȱ isȱ theȱ onlyȱ pointȱIȱwishȱtoȱmakeȱhere.ȱȱ
176ȱ ReligiousȱExperienceȱinȱPaul’sȱLettersȱ
4.1.1.3.ȱGalatiansȱ1:11–17ȱ
1.ȱPaulȱtellsȱofȱanȱencounterȱwithȱChristȱagainȱinȱGalatiansȱ1:11–17:ȱ“Forȱ Iȱmakeȱknownȱtoȱyou,ȱbrothers,ȱtheȱGospelȱwhichȱwasȱpreachedȱbyȱme,ȱ thatȱ itȱ isȱ notȱ accordingȱ toȱ aȱ humanȱ being;ȱ forȱ neitherȱ didȱ Iȱ receiveȱ itȱ fromȱaȱhumanȱbeingȱnorȱwasȱIȱtaughtȱ[it],ȱbutȱ[Iȱreceivedȱit]ȱthroughȱaȱ revelationȱofȱJesusȱChristȱ(di’ a)pokalu&yewj Ihsou~ Xristou~)”ȱ(1:11–12).ȱ Then,ȱinȱversesȱ15–17,ȱheȱclaimsȱthatȱGodȱ“wasȱwellȬpleasedȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtoȱreȬ vealȱ Hisȱ sonȱ inȱ meȱ (a)pokalu&yai to_n ui9o_n au)tou~ e0n e0moi/)”ȱ (1:15,ȱ 16).ȱȱ Again,ȱ Paulȱ givesȱ noȱ detailsȱ asȱ toȱ theȱ contentsȱ ofȱ theȱ revelation;ȱ heȱ statesȱ onlyȱ thatȱ itsȱ contentȱ includedȱ Jesusȱ Christ,18ȱ andȱ Paulȱ acknowlȬ edgesȱthisȱJesusȱasȱChristȱ(1:12)ȱandȱGod’sȱSonȱ(1:16).ȱȱȱ
Sinceȱ Paulȱ stressesȱ thatȱ thisȱ revelationȱ enabledȱ himȱ toȱ transformȱ fromȱpersecutorȱtoȱapostleȱwithoutȱconsultationȱ“withȱfleshȱandȱblood”ȱ (1:16),ȱandȱsinceȱPaulȱseeksȱtoȱdefendȱthisȱGospelȱinȱGalatians,ȱdebatesȱ haveȱarisenȱasȱtoȱhowȱmuchȱofȱtheȱcontentȱofȱPaul’sȱgospelȱheȱlearnedȱ directlyȱthroughȱtheȱDamascusȱexperienceȱandȱhowȱmuchȱwasȱaȱmatterȱ ofȱlearningȱtoȱinterpretȱhisȱexperienceȱthroughȱexistingȱChristianȱtradiȬ tion.19ȱ Whileȱ oneȱ cannotȱ ruleȱ outȱ theȱ possibilityȱ thatȱ theȱ revelationȱ inȬ cludedȱdiscursiveȱcontent,ȱPaulȱneverȱmakesȱthisȱfactȱexplicit.ȱȱRather,ȱ heȱsimplyȱclaimsȱtheȱexperience.ȱ
2.ȱPaulȱdepictsȱthisȱexperienceȱdifferentlyȱthanȱheȱdoesȱinȱ1ȱCorȱ9:1ȱ andȱ 15:8.20ȱ Theȱ phraseȱ e0n e0moi/ȱ indicatesȱ thatȱ theȱ revelationȱ wasȱ interȬ nal.21ȱ Theȱ languageȱ ofȱ “revelation”ȱ drawsȱ onȱ theȱ Jewishȱ traditionȱ ofȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
18ȱȱ AlthoughȱtechnicallyȱtheȱgenitiveȱIhsou~ Xristou~ȱwhichȱfollowsȱdi’ a)pokalu&yewjȱinȱ verseȱ12ȱcouldȱbeȱambiguous,ȱtheȱuseȱofȱto_n ui9o&nȱinȱverseȱ16ȱasȱtheȱobjectȱofȱtheȱinȬ finitiveȱa)pokalu&yaiȱmakesȱclearȱthatȱJesusȱwasȱtheȱcontentȱofȱtheȱrevelation.ȱIndeed,ȱ inȱversesȱ15–17,ȱGodȱisȱtheȱactiveȱsubjectȱandȱsourceȱofȱtheȱrevelation,ȱnotȱChrist.ȱȱ 19ȱȱ Forȱ examples,ȱ compareȱ andȱ contrastȱ Kim,ȱ Origins,ȱ whoȱ insistsȱ thatȱ manyȱ ofȱ Paul’sȱ
mostȱ importantȱ teachingsȱ wereȱ revealedȱ atȱ theȱ Damascusȱ experience,ȱ withȱ Segal,ȱ PaulȱtheȱConvert,ȱwhoȱarguesȱthatȱPaulȱwouldȱhaveȱbeenȱtaughtȱhowȱtoȱinterpretȱhisȱ experience.ȱBothȱscholars,ȱhowever,ȱacknowledgeȱtheȱimportanceȱofȱvisionaryȱexpeȬ rienceȱforȱPaul.ȱȱ
20ȱȱ SoȱdifferentȱareȱtheȱportrayalsȱasȱtoȱleadȱAlfredȱWikenhauser,ȱDieȱChristusmystikȱdesȱ ApostelsȱPaulusȱ(2ndȱrev.ȱandȱenl.ȱ ed.;ȱ Freiburg:ȱVerlagȱHerder,ȱ1956),ȱ89–90,ȱtoȱsugȬ gestȱthatȱtwoȱdifferentȱexperiencesȱareȱinȱview.ȱForȱothersȱsuchȱasȱAshton,ȱReligionȱofȱ Paul,ȱGalȱ1:11–17ȱbecomesȱtheȱcontrollingȱpassageȱthroughȱwhichȱtheȱothersȱareȱinȬ terpreted.ȱȱ
21ȱȱ Notȱ onlyȱ isȱ theȱ translationȱ “inȱ me”ȱ theȱ mostȱ naturalȱ andȱ literalȱ translation,ȱ butȱ itȱ
“correspondsȱtoȱGalȱ2:20ȱ(‘Christȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱlivesȱinȱme’)ȱandȱ4:6ȱ(‘GodȱhasȱsentȱtheȱSpiritȱofȱ hisȱ Sonȱ intoȱ ourȱ hearts’)”ȱ (Hansȱ Dieterȱ Betz,ȱ Galatiansȱ [Hermeneia;ȱ Philadelphia:ȱ Fortressȱ Press,ȱ 1979],ȱ 71,ȱ thoughȱ Betzȱ cautionsȱ againstȱ assumingȱ Paulȱ wouldȱ haveȱ drawnȱ aȱ clearȬcutȱ distinctionȱ betweenȱ “internal”ȱ andȱ “external”ȱ visions).ȱ Seeȱ alsoȱ Ashton,ȱReligionȱofȱPaul,ȱ230,ȱ83;ȱWikenhauser,ȱChristusmystik,ȱ89.ȱ
ȱ VisionsȱandȱRevelationsȱ 177ȱ
Godȱ revealingȱ secretsȱ otherwiseȱ hiddenȱ fromȱ normalȱ humanȱ percepȬ tion.22ȱ Theseȱ secretsȱ canȱ beȱ revealedȱ inȱ dreams,ȱ heavenlyȱ journeys,ȱ orȱ visions,ȱandȱtheȱapocalypticȱtextsȱtypicallyȱincludeȱbothȱvisionaryȱandȱ auditoryȱelements.ȱInȱthisȱpassage,ȱPaulȱsaysȱnothingȱofȱaȱvision,ȱbutȱheȱ doesȱ useȱ auditoryȱ language,ȱ forȱ heȱ describesȱ himselfȱ asȱ “calledȱ (kale/saj)”ȱ(1:15).23ȱȱ
3.ȱ Nothingȱ inȱ Paul’sȱ accountȱ parallelsȱ theȱ “B”ȱ andȱ “C”ȱ ofȱ 2ȱ Corȱ 12:1–10.ȱ Inȱ Galȱ 1:11–17,ȱ theȱ distinguishingȱ featureȱ ofȱ theȱ revelationȱ isȱ theȱdecisiveȱactionȱtoȱwhichȱitȱled.ȱIndeed,ȱasȱevidenceȱforȱtheȱgenuineȬ nessȱofȱhisȱrevelatoryȱexperience,ȱPaulȱremindsȱtheȱGalatiansȱofȱhowȱheȱ wasȱformerlyȱzealousȱforȱ“theȱtraditionsȱofȱ[his]ȱfathers”ȱandȱhadȱperȬ secutedȱtheȱChurchȱ(1:13–14).ȱHeȱfurtherȱinsistsȱthatȱuponȱreceivingȱtheȱ revelation,ȱ whichȱ heȱ alsoȱ associatesȱ withȱ hisȱ missionȱ toȱ preachȱ toȱ theȱ Gentilesȱ(1:16b),ȱheȱ“departedȱtoȱArabiaȱandȱagainȱreturnedȱtoȱDamasȬ cus”ȱ(1:17b).ȱThus,ȱwhateverȱtheȱrevelationȱitselfȱmayȱhaveȱentailed,ȱitȱ certainlyȱcausedȱaȱdramaticȱturnȬaroundȱinȱPaul’sȱlife—heȱceasedȱperȬ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ
22ȱȱ Severalȱ interpretersȱ haveȱ soughtȱ toȱ denyȱ thisȱ contextȱ forȱ interpretingȱ a)poka&luyijȱ andȱa)pokalu&ptwȱandȱtherebyȱtoȱdenyȱthatȱextraordinaryȱreligiousȱexperienceȱstandsȱ behindȱ theseȱ references.ȱ Dieterȱ Lührmann,ȱ Dasȱ Offenbarungsverständnisȱ beiȱ Paulusȱ undȱ inȱ paulinischenȱ Gemeindenȱ (WMANTȱ 16;ȱ NeukirchenȬVluyn:ȱ Neukirchenerȱ VerȬ lag,ȱ1965),ȱ73–81,ȱesp.ȱ80,ȱinterpretsȱ“revelation”ȱterminologyȱinȱGalȱ1:12ȱandȱ1:16ȱinȱ lightȱ ofȱ Galȱ 3:23ȱ (“untilȱ theȱ faithȱ thatȱ wasȱ comingȱ wasȱ toȱ beȱ revealedȱ [ei0j th_n me/llousan pi/stin a)pokalufqh~nai]”)ȱandȱmaintainsȱ“revelation”ȱrefersȱtoȱtheȱmeanȬ ingȱofȱtheȱChristȬeventȱwhichȱopensȱforȱtheȱbeliever,ȱthroughȱtheȱmediationȱofȱGodȱ (thisȱmeaningȱstandsȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱaȱ“vision”ȱ[suchȱasȱinȱ2ȱCorȱ12:1,ȱ7]ȱorȱȱ“concreteȱ instruction”ȱ [seeȱ ibid.,ȱ 75]).ȱ Howȱ forcedȱ andȱ narrowȱ hisȱ interpretationȱ isȱ becomesȱ clearȱwhenȱheȱdeniesȱanyȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱtheȱuseȱofȱ“revelation”ȱinȱGalȱ1:12–16ȱ andȱ itsȱ useȱ inȱ 2:2;ȱ accordingȱ toȱ Lührmann,ȱ “theȱ absenceȱ ofȱ theȱ Christologicalȱ relaȬ tionship”ȱ inȱ theȱ latterȱ usageȱ preventsȱ anyȱ assertionȱ ofȱ similarityȱ betweenȱ theȱ two.ȱ Similarly,ȱJ.ȱLouisȱMartyn,ȱGalatians:ȱAȱNewȱTranslationȱwithȱIntroductionȱandȱCommenȬ taryȱ (ABȱ 33A;ȱ Newȱ York:ȱ Doubleday,ȱ 1997),ȱ interpretsȱ Galȱ 1:12–16ȱ inȱ lightȱ ofȱ 3:23ȱ (seeȱesp.ȱ99);ȱheȱinterpretsȱtheȱrevelationȱasȱanȱ“event”ȱthatȱ“happened”ȱtoȱPaulȱ(150,ȱ 158)ȱ andȱ associatesȱ “apocalypse”ȱ withȱ God’sȱ “invasion”ȱ ofȱ theȱ worldȱ (25,ȱ 158).ȱ Martynȱskirtsȱtheȱissueȱofȱhow,ȱexactly,ȱtheȱgospelȱ“happened”ȱtoȱPaulȱwithoutȱanyȱ formȱofȱvisionaryȱorȱsubjectiveȱexperience.ȱThisȱtrajectoryȱofȱinterpretationȱreliesȱnotȱ onlyȱ onȱ disassociatingȱ Galȱ 1:12–16ȱ fromȱ 2:2ȱ butȱ especiallyȱ fromȱ 2ȱ Corȱ 12:1,ȱ whereȱ
22ȱȱ Severalȱ interpretersȱ haveȱ soughtȱ toȱ denyȱ thisȱ contextȱ forȱ interpretingȱ a)poka&luyijȱ andȱa)pokalu&ptwȱandȱtherebyȱtoȱdenyȱthatȱextraordinaryȱreligiousȱexperienceȱstandsȱ behindȱ theseȱ references.ȱ Dieterȱ Lührmann,ȱ Dasȱ Offenbarungsverständnisȱ beiȱ Paulusȱ undȱ inȱ paulinischenȱ Gemeindenȱ (WMANTȱ 16;ȱ NeukirchenȬVluyn:ȱ Neukirchenerȱ VerȬ lag,ȱ1965),ȱ73–81,ȱesp.ȱ80,ȱinterpretsȱ“revelation”ȱterminologyȱinȱGalȱ1:12ȱandȱ1:16ȱinȱ lightȱ ofȱ Galȱ 3:23ȱ (“untilȱ theȱ faithȱ thatȱ wasȱ comingȱ wasȱ toȱ beȱ revealedȱ [ei0j th_n me/llousan pi/stin a)pokalufqh~nai]”)ȱandȱmaintainsȱ“revelation”ȱrefersȱtoȱtheȱmeanȬ ingȱofȱtheȱChristȬeventȱwhichȱopensȱforȱtheȱbeliever,ȱthroughȱtheȱmediationȱofȱGodȱ (thisȱmeaningȱstandsȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱaȱ“vision”ȱ[suchȱasȱinȱ2ȱCorȱ12:1,ȱ7]ȱorȱȱ“concreteȱ instruction”ȱ [seeȱ ibid.,ȱ 75]).ȱ Howȱ forcedȱ andȱ narrowȱ hisȱ interpretationȱ isȱ becomesȱ clearȱwhenȱheȱdeniesȱanyȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱtheȱuseȱofȱ“revelation”ȱinȱGalȱ1:12–16ȱ andȱ itsȱ useȱ inȱ 2:2;ȱ accordingȱ toȱ Lührmann,ȱ “theȱ absenceȱ ofȱ theȱ Christologicalȱ relaȬ tionship”ȱ inȱ theȱ latterȱ usageȱ preventsȱ anyȱ assertionȱ ofȱ similarityȱ betweenȱ theȱ two.ȱ Similarly,ȱJ.ȱLouisȱMartyn,ȱGalatians:ȱAȱNewȱTranslationȱwithȱIntroductionȱandȱCommenȬ taryȱ (ABȱ 33A;ȱ Newȱ York:ȱ Doubleday,ȱ 1997),ȱ interpretsȱ Galȱ 1:12–16ȱ inȱ lightȱ ofȱ 3:23ȱ (seeȱesp.ȱ99);ȱheȱinterpretsȱtheȱrevelationȱasȱanȱ“event”ȱthatȱ“happened”ȱtoȱPaulȱ(150,ȱ 158)ȱ andȱ associatesȱ “apocalypse”ȱ withȱ God’sȱ “invasion”ȱ ofȱ theȱ worldȱ (25,ȱ 158).ȱ Martynȱskirtsȱtheȱissueȱofȱhow,ȱexactly,ȱtheȱgospelȱ“happened”ȱtoȱPaulȱwithoutȱanyȱ formȱofȱvisionaryȱorȱsubjectiveȱexperience.ȱThisȱtrajectoryȱofȱinterpretationȱreliesȱnotȱ onlyȱ onȱ disassociatingȱ Galȱ 1:12–16ȱ fromȱ 2:2ȱ butȱ especiallyȱ fromȱ 2ȱ Corȱ 12:1,ȱ whereȱ