The Usage Of Metaphors In Pauls Letters Religion Essay

The Usage Of Metaphors In capital of Minnesotas Letters Religion EssayReading through the garner of Saint capital of Minnesota it is clear that he is a overpower on using illustrations. Actu each(prenominal)y, one of his main ways to communicate is the using of fictionical imagery. Inspired by his religious genius, his biblical background and considering that he had a magnificent knowledge of the Hellenism, capital of Minnesota has all the ingredients to out notation a very persuasive speech. capital of Minnesotas garners were writ decennium in order to persuade his audience of the tidy truth of the gospel that he learned from Christ himself. As such capital of Minnesota is called to preach the crucified Christ in various sets of circumstances and in its galore(postnominal) ramifications. Any reader of his earns is delighted by the many images he usages to broadcast his message, which ar very helpful for the reader to be close of capital of Minnesota himself.1. Usage of metaphorical speech by the showtime ChristiansAs Francois Vouga states, in the early Christianity the pursuit for the truth closely the gospel had accredited a mass of ways to express the similar Creed in order to maintain a fundamental unity. Surely this plurality happened because the impossibility to reduce the God of the Nazargonne Christ to a singles person view or to ones single discourse1. This could be one of the reasons why that Paul was impelled to use an imagetic diction. largely address, in the Bible the metaphors are tropes of terminology which are largely used to communicate the knowledge and the message of God to his children. As so it is very great to bind over and over a deeper understanding of them. At same time each metaphor assumes various signifi hobofulces, in the wizard that they can be interpreted starting from different angles2. Even, the metaphors within themselves can multiply themselves those are the metaphors squared as Beverly Gaventa alik e(p)s to call them3. For instance, when Paul says like a take up nurturing their testify children (2, 7) he his multiplying automatically its moments. Latter on this work I pass on take a closer look to this example.2. How Paul uses metaphorWhen analyzing a metaphor it is a need to be aware of the context, mainly because the metaphors are always born on a specific environment and refer to it. At same time it is a requirement to pay heed to all hits power metaphors ask us change our minds4. Also the relationship surrounded by intimacy and metaphor is very important, e exceptionally in the paternal imagery that Paul uses5.Moreover, Paul in his garner uses many powerful images. It is very significant to work of Raymond collins called The Power of Images in Paul6. On this book Professor Collins takes up the seven earns of Paul and pulls up the metaphors and all the imagery language that Paul uses. Through this work Raymond Collins concludes that Paul uses the ordinary to calcul ate the extraordinary. Actually, it is correct to say that Paul is skillful on this matter and he uses a wide range of metaphors. Using many sources (for instance secular language religious language and biblical themes) Paul intents to speak to various audiences. Certainly Paul tries to persuade his addressees and also clarified them.It is also important that metaphors played an important role in Hellenistic rhetoric mainly because of their philosophical traditions. So, as roughly of listeners of Paul were Hellenistic he had to speak in their language. Also, he had to trust me to the same doctrine those who had Jewish faith. Meanwhile, being Jew Paul had to appropriate some of his language For Paul, a Jew addressing a Hellenistic audience, correct relationships with God and ones fictive kin can be summed up in the dyad faith and love. For believers lining the threatening eschaton, faith and love must be complemented by hope, the attitude that faith takes in the face of the futur e7.II ChapterIn the abet chapter, I result focus on Pauls itself, in his seven authentic (better, undisputed) letters8. Afterwards I will isolate some of the sentences w here(predicate) Paul uses the paternal metaphors, does how seemed from my reading of is letters to be the roughly important on this matter. Also, the order that I present them is according to my understanding of their strength as metaphors. So, after a brief knowledgeability to the letter itself I will do a simple lexical digest of the Greek linguistic communication. Doing so, going to a deeper understanding of those metaphors. From there I will draw some of the implications of such images in their contexts as well as in parallel with ripe psychology. first of all letter to the ThessaloniansIn the first letter to the Thessalonians Saint Paul is quite happy as he writes. This shows Pauls trust that the Thessalonians are following the clerics commandments. As many scholars say, this letter did not pretend to t ransmit a lot of theories, corrections or teachings. The main goal of Pauls letter was average to show a spiritual closeness to his participation, exhorting them to be faithful. About its rootage in beginning this letter aims to be a coauthored letter (1, 1) by Paul, Silas and Timothy (as it does the second letter to the Thessalonians 2 Thess 1, 1-2). The scholars accept this authorship as square(a) (especially concerning the first Thessalonians). Apparently this correspondence with the Thessalonians were started long after the departure of Paul and his companions from Thessalonica to Athens certainly Paul himself was hoping to come back only was hindered (2, 18), simply he managed to send Timothy back. So legitimately this letters (and perhaps also the second letter also) was written after Timothys return with good news from Thessalonica concerning the stability of the community there (3, 6)9. So from Athens, a little after the year 50, Paul is exulting full of happiness with the good news the Timothy brought, presentation at same time his interest for his fellow military missionaries10.Together with Ugo Vanni I agree that there are three different parts on this letter. First off, there is an autobiographical part. On this one he speaks about himself as so as he recalls some aspects of the community. For instance he says We cared so a good deal for you that we were pleased to share with you not tho the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. (2, 8). For sure, Paul wrought this letter still a few months after the orderation of this community, so it is interesting to see how he indicates amend away those highest ideals of Christian faith. The second part Paul exhorts and beg offs what it authority to be a Christian11.It is also important to note that the first letter to the Thessalonians was very close to the preaching of Paul himself because the community was skilful in the beginning when Paul wrote to them. It also signifies that Paul was doing his first experiments on letter writing. despite their brevity and their relative lack of significantly developed theological themes compared to the otherwise letters in the Pauline corpus, the 2 letters to the Thessalonians Christians have become the object of much recent examination, particularly in the areas of rhetorical criticism, sociological analysis and the early development of Pauline theology12.In the beginning of this letter Paul presents himself as a role model of sincerity and integrity for his co-workers. Paul believes that a sincere faith is the key to his success as an apostle. So also, the ministers of the Word should transmit by their own lives the Word that they preach. This office, an incarnate Word. It is fair to say, like in all Pauls letters, that also here he claims the primacy of Jesus for all his work. He, Jesus, is that consecutive center and to which all the communities should gravitate13.1. Paul as a nurse le xical analysis1 Tess 2, 7() , ()but we were gentle among you, ,14like a nurse keeping warm her littlechildren15Chose key words analysis transaction with other Pauline passages and biblical textsPaul wants to be considered in the role of father and mother, founding his authority in Jesus16. Actually, it is in this context that Paul calls himself a nurse. In Greek the word does not mean a biological mother but an adoptive mother. So this word is full of symbolic meaning. This term refers to one adoptive mother, a nurse. As such, the word gives us a sense of motherhood, and, even though it is not a biological mother, it is a mother who nurses her own children ( )17.Going deeper in the analysis, it is possible to conclude that Saint Paul shows that, in reality, those children are not his own but Christs children. If that is true, it is also true that he loves them just as if they were his own. Consequently, this metaphor is full of tender care. It is important also to take a look on the verb that expresses the action of nursing . Literally, this verb means to keep warm, like a bird keeping warm her eggs. As Raymond Collins claims, the images used by St. Paul are powerful, In this case he says that the word (children) used by Paul describes his coworkers. He also notes that there are some doubts about this word some scholars argue that the word here should be (gentiles). He doesnt agree with that position like most scholars, saying that this word fits better with all the metaphor it even helps to intensify it. The word can even be translated as babies, so it goes along well with the word nurse, expressing the closeness and the deep knowledge shared by Paul and the Thessalonians18.2. Rhetoric of unornamented metaphor in the context place setting itselfParenetic perspectiveAffective perspectiveTheological perspectiveApocalyptical perspective other(a) sources (ancient world use of this imagery)Thus, when Paul was in Athens, he remembered the Thessal onians and was afraid that their faith might weaken. As a result he sent them an affectionate message. As Jerome Murphy-OConnor asserts, Paul had a special concern for newly Christians that they left behind at Tessalonika. Of course they were under attack, as Paul itself was. But the physical persecution was just a part of the worry the true danger was more subtle as Paul knew the Thessalonians were easily convinced or other doctrines. Paul feared that they would spread because of disillusionment, followed by a shame so great as to make them renounce their new faith. If the believers in Thessalonica would come to feel cheated, surely all would be lost19.3. Before the modern psychologyFirst letter to the CorinthiansAs its founder, Paul feels the responsibility to take care, at least through letter writing, of all his communities. The first (and the second) letter to the Corinthians are documents that express that concern of Paul for the community at Corinth and all the communities in the region of Achaia. On first Corinthians especially Paul applies his theological convictions, mainly Christology and Eschatology, when facing practical issues in the church.The authorship of this letter is generally accepted as authentic is accepted to be Pauls letter (together with Second Corinthians). The foundation of the Church in Corinth (attested by Act 18) took place amongst the years 49-51 as part of Pauls second missionary journey. After Paul left, the Corinthians had some problems, mainly concerning ethical exclusions. So Paul, as the scholars agree, wrote a letter to them (which was lost) correcting them and giving them some specific advices. From there the Corinthians wrote back saying that they didnt understand or they didnt agree with Paul (also, was lost). So, the canonical first Corinthians followed, answering this letter from the Corinthians (cf. 1 Cor 1, 11 5, 1 16, 15-18). Paul was, probably staying in Ephesus trying making arrangements to go to Corinth when he wrote this letter. In the meantime he sent Timothy to learn the Corinthians on his behalf (1 Cor 16, 10-11 Acts 19, 22). This appended between the autumn of 52 and the spring of 55. The visit of Timothy, and the sad news brought by him triggered a throeful visit of Paul to Corinth (cf. 2 Cor 2, 1 2, 5-8 7, 8-13 11, 4). Then Paul wrote a second letter, which was to be at least a third following the studying line of some scholars, called by many as the tearful letter which he mentions on the second canonical letter (2 Cor 7, 6-13)20.Concerning to the general structure of First Corinthians it is right to say that it has five main parts. The first part is a salutation (1, 1-3) in witch are two situations that should be note fist, it is a interchangeable authorship Paul () and our brother Sosthenes (even thou afterwards it appears mainly the pronoun I) secondly this letter is addressed to the Corinthians together with all those who are calling upon the name of our Lord Jesus Chris t in every place. The second part is a opening thanksgiving in which Paul, despite of the problems of the community, thanks God for them The problems in Corinth are not due to their spiritual gifts per se, but to their attitude toward and use of them (cf. 12-14). From 1, 10 to 6, 20 is the third part on which Paul responds to the reports that he received about Corinth and also tries to clear Corinthians misunderstanding of his earlier correspondence. The fourth section of this letter responds to the letter from Corinth, dealing with specific issues like marriage (cf. 7, 1-40), victuals an idols (cf. 8, 1-11, 1) on the chapter ten Paul shows what are to be the consequences of their sinful acts, calling them to be instead imitators of him. Between chapters 12 and 14 Paul turns his attention to what means to behave christly in worship. Finally Paul closes this part calling to mind the cross of Christ on which he had grounded his letter (cf. 1, 18-25), drawing from there the consequenc es to the Christians, particularly regarding to the resurrection (cf. 15, 1-16, 12). The letter is completed with some concluding remarks, whit a closing sequence of admonitions (especially the need for perseverance in ones faith as it works itself out in love) and greetings from Paul and those with him in Asia (cf. 16, 13-24)21.Taking a closer look to the third chapter of first Corinthians, there is a metaphor that, over again, shows the deep affection that Paul has for his communities. Despite the immense sin of the recipients, Paul is still showing a tender care in his letter. Actually, this metaphor seems like a strategy to get their attention and to make them listen to something important. Even though Paul was saying that the Corinthians are babies in Christ ( ) and he fed them with milk () (1Cor 3, 1-2), it also points out what is ill-timed among them. He reminds the ministers that they are to be humble (1Cor 3, 5) reaffirms the equality among all the members of the communi ty (1Cor 3, 6-10) reminds them that they are built upon the same foundation (1Cor 3, 11-15) they are the Temple and in them the tactile sensation of God is indwelling (1Cor 3, 16-17) As so, at the conclusion of the chapter he alerts each member to not fall on merely human assessments (ministers specially) and manipulative attitudes (1Cor 3, 18-23)22.1. Paul feeds his babies in Christ (1 Cor 3, 1-2- lexical analysis), , - - , . , . ,Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were not yet able to receive it. In fact, you are still not ableChose key words analysisRelations with other Pauline passages and biblical textsIn 1Cor 3 Paul has a corrective tone, even though it is still very affectionate. at that place can be find the maternal imagery once again, but this time it assumes a different approach. The newness lies in the action of cater with milk, a nd calling the community babies/children ().Actually here is notorious the difference from 1Tess 2 because Paul juxtaposes metaphors of mother and father to express his relationship with the community at Corinth23. It is a clear that this well-known(prenominal) metaphor starts right away with the word brothers (). But instantaneously he changes his discourse, calling these brothers little children, the ones who should see Paul as someone capable of feeding them spiritually. He does not feed them with solid food because they were immature in terms of faith.It is also very interesting that Paul uses a contrast between milk () and solid food(). Various scholars have intended to give a meaning to this contrast. For example Raymond Collins claims that given that Paul does not propose two types of membership in the church or two levels of preaching and acceptance of the gospel message, any pursuit of specific references for milk and solid food seems to be inconsistent with his thought. I t is also right that Paul does not say that he has provided solid food to anyone. Surely the pursuit for specific references for milk and solid food is not what should be done mainly because it deprives Pauls metaphor of its rhetorical force. It is simple for us to get the sense of the contrast between milk and solid food it fits with Pauls metaphorical description of the Corinthians as mere infants. Proclaiming themselves to be fully mature, they are really like infants who can only drink milk, incapable as they are of eating solid food24. Even the phrase construction has some implications for our interpretation Paul uses the phrase have given to drink milk this use of the past perfect tense shows the maternal affection with witch Paul nourished them. Raymond Collins also explains that, in another way, Paul intended to describe himself as a servant of Jesus, and so is a keeper of his little brothers25.Note compare to 1 Cor 4,14-15 (Im not writing this to shame you, but to discoura ge you as my dear children. For you can have ten thousand instructors in Christ, but you cant have many fathers. Now I have fathered you in Christ Jesus through the gospel.) 1Cor 15, 8 (Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.)2. Rhetoric of excess metaphor in the contextContext itselfParenetic perspectiveAffective perspectiveTheological perspectiveApocalyptical perspectiveOther sources (ancient world use of this imagery)3. Before the modern psychologyLetter to the Galatians on that point were some problems among the Galatians, so Paul in writing them rehearses a number of perspectives with the goal of strengthening those Christians, who were influenced by Judaizing Christians. On this letter Paul shows some rabidity about this going to the extreme of calling the Galatians foolish Galatians (3, 1). Hence, freedom and unity in Christ are central themes of Pauls letter to the Galatians.About the authorship all the scholars (except a few radical critics) accept that Paul wrote this letter and it is considered as a standard example of Pauls style and theology. The proximity of themes between the letter to the Galatians, second Corinthians and Romans (particularly connected by the controversy over the role of the Jewish Law in Gentile churches) may perhaps point out that these tree letters were written during the same time. If that is true, is also true that it doesnt help much on defining an exact year when this letter was written. It is still a fascinating historic puzzle, but the outcome does not have much effect on the interpretation of the major themes of the letter. Despite all the controversies it is at least generally accepted that this letter was written after the so-called second missionary journey (after Acts 18, 22), sometime between 53 and 5726. Following Murphy-OConnor, Paul wrote this letter on the first year that he has staying at Ephesus (between 52 and 53)27.On its constitution this letter shows some influence of the a reg ular appearance of an ancient letter form. As Betz does, the letter can be grouped as follows Epistolary Prescript (1, 1-5) Exordium (introduction, 1, 6-11) Narratio (narration, 1, 12-2, 14) Propositio (proposition, 2, 15-21) Probatio (confirmation, 3, 1-4, 31) Exortatio (5, 1-6, 10) Peroratio (epistolary postscript or conclusion, 6, 11-18)28. In a simpler way, as G. W. Hansen does, this letter can be divide in four sections salutation (1, 1-5) rebuke (1, 13-4, 11) request section (4, 12-6, 10) and subscription (6, 11-18). On the salutation Paul stats clearly that he is an apostle (so he is speaking with authority), calling to mind already the unavoidable reality that as to follow Christians at all times with all its mystery the Cross. After that Paul starts to criticise the Galatians using not just his own live as an argument (cf. 1, 13-2, 21) but also the scripture (3, 6-21). Than Paul turns from rebuke to request become as I am (4, 12) is the starting statement of a section wher e Paul uses again his own live (4, 12-20) and an allegory from the scripture (4, 21-31) to ask the Galatians not just to understand him but also to change their lives. Ending the letter Paul does it as was common in Hellenistic letters he summarizes all the contents and, also, shows how confident he is on the conversion of the Galatians.Particularly in Gal 4, Paul writes about Galatians first experience of Christianity and all its main roots the newness of the Gospel overcomes all of the Law (vv. 1-7) their conversion to Christ was a joyful choice (vv. 17-18) the community has a close relationship with Paul and they participate in his mission (vv. 12-16) there is negativity in those who wanted to pervert Pauls preaching (vv. 17-18). In verses 19 and 20, the ones important here, Paul shows his affection for the community. Finally, this chapter ends with a biblical argumentation which intends to explain that the primacy of Christ above the Law is already contained in the same Law.1. Paul has labor pains lexical analysis , - -My children, again I am in the pains of childbirth for you until Christ is formed in you.Chose key words analysisRelations with other Pauline passages and biblical textsFocusing on the verses 19 and 20 the verb (that translated means having labor pains) calls the attention right away. The use of this verb presumes a double significance in one way it expresses force in the sense that Paul has difficulty giving birth to his spiritual sons into a perfect life of faith in another way, Paul recognizes the frailty of those little ones, meaning that they dont yet have spiritual strength to resist the attacks coming from outside thinkers. Paul shows, at the same time, that the ones at the head of a community should have a diligent presence in their communities, considering the little ones as a priority.The fact stated by Paul is also important that this birth only progresses as the community lets Christs body take shape among them. They s till have to grow spiritually as individuals and as a community. The adverb , meaning once again also worthy of note. It tells us that this suffering is not the first time for Paul. Christ must be formed in the Galatians once more, i.e., the Galatians must be conformed to the crucified Christ (219-20)29.2. Rhetoric of excess metaphor in the contextContext itselfParenetic perspectiveAffective perspectiveTheological perspectiveApocalyptical perspectiveOther sources (ancient world use of this imagery)Raymond Collins argues that, by writing this two these two short verses, Paul transmits what a mother would feel about her own children just before his exposition of the Sarah-Hagar allegory, Paul writes to the Galatians as a frustrated mother might do My little children (teknamou), for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth (odino) until Christ is formed in you, I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you (419-20)30. As Collins continues, even though the internal image is still current, he says that the meaning in this context is quite different from that of the other metaphor found in the letter to the Thessalonians in 1Tess 2, 7-8 Paul uses this metaphor to show the affection he had for them while he was with the community in Gal 4, 9, on the other hand, the image of mother that he applies to himself is used to speak about the sufferings caused by the community. This image gets stronger if placed together the two ideas transmitted by Paul in one way, Paul feels again labor pains ( ) in another way, he continues to be puzzled until Christ is formed ( ) in them.See also Gal 1, 15-16 (But when God, who from my mothers womb set me apart and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me, so that I could preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not presently consult with anyone.)3. Before the modern psychologyLetter to the RomansThe letter to the Romans as J. Dunn explains his bold least controversial of the m ajor New Testament letters and the most important. Actually this text is a well-developed theological statement by a Christian theologian and one which has had incalculable influence on the framing of Christian theology ever since. About the author is accepted (as it has been accepted through the centuries) that the letter to the Romans was written by Paul. Most of the scholars would point its date somewhere between the year 55 and 57, probably when Paul stayed at Corinth for three months. Surely Paul had to calm down and concentrate himself as to write this marble tour of work31.About the recipients should be noted that some manuscripts omitted the word Rome, so is needed to search deeper for who were to be the recipients. As Paul himself states some of the recipients would be Jews as known there was a large Jew community in Rome in the first century (between 40,000 and 50,000). It is also known, from the letter to Galatians, that there were some Christians over there bringing the Gospel to the circumcised (Gal 2, 9). Actually those Christians had a fruitful ground among the Gentiles proselytes and God-fears who were attached to many Diaspora synagogues as the book of Acts points out. So not just for Jews but also for Gentiles to Jew, but also to Gentile (Rom 1, 16 2, 9-10 3, 9 3, 29 9, 24 10, 12). Actually Paul writes not only addressing special groups of people but seeing the larger social context. Actually Jews, Christians and Gentiles attached to Judaism were largely influenced by Roman culture. Also there were among them some issues to resolve, at the least because they didnt have a central spiritual at authority in Rome.About the purposes of this letter can be said that they are drawn from the context that was just described. For sure one of the goals of Pauls letter was to provide a support base for his project mission to Spain (cf. Rom 15, 24-28). Also Paul had an apologetic purpose because he entangle himself and his understanding of the gospel und er attack and needing to be justified. So this letter is an apology of the Gospel and also self apology, since his whole lifes work was bound up with the gospel preached. Altogether with his purpose the letter shows a pastoral reason mainly because Paul was writing to heal potential or real divisions among churches in Rome.Attempting to have a general understanding of the argument of the letter it can be divided it in seven parts. Firstly an introduction in wh