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Novum Testamentum XXIX, 4 (1987) A CO NCILIATORY PRINCIPLE I N 1 CO R. 4:6 by L. L. WELBORN McCormick Theological Seminary Few achievements of the scholarship of the past century compare with Heinrici’s proof of the existence of discrete analogies between Greco-Roman religious associations and the earliest Gentile- Christian churches.1 The surprisi ng concurrence of characteristic expressions in Paul’s epistles and in the cultic inscriptions led Heinrici to the conclusion that these were kindred forms of life.2 His investigations cast light, in particular, upon the troubled history of the Corinthian community, whose conflicts, errors, and enthusiasms demonstrate its proximity to the Roman world.3 Nor did Heinrici’s comparative approach fail to illuminate the thought of Paul himself; for without minimizing the apostle’s originality, it is nevertheless clear that the manner in which he expresses himself often reflects the influence of the rhetorical and political conven- tions of a Greek city in the imperial period.4 H einrici faced opposi- tion at the time from theologians who sought to maintain the priority o f the Old Testam ent and Christian experience in the inter- pretation o f Paul’s ep istles,5 as well as from philolo gians wh o * I wish to express my thanks to Hans Dieter Betz and Robert M. G rant, m y teachers at the Unive rsity of Chica go, and to Earle Hilgert and Margaret M . Mit- chell, my colleagues at McCormick Seminary, for helpful criticisms of this essay. 1 See the evaluation of Heinrici’s work in Hans Dieter Betz, “ He llenism us,” T R E (forthcoming), sections III.2.3. and III.2.4; see also Adolf Deissma nn, “ Die Sprache der griechischen Bibel,” Th R 5 (1902) 58-69. 2 C. F. Georg Heinrici, “ Zur Geschichte der Anfänge Paulinischer Gemeinden,” Z w T h 1 (18 77 ) 119 ff.; idem, Da s zwe ite Sen dsch reibe n des Apo stel Paulus an die Korinther (Berlin: Hertz, 1887) esp. 552-604. 3 C. F. Georg Heinrici, De r erst e Br ief an die Kori nthe r , KEK 5 (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1896) passim. 4 C. F. Georg Hein rici, Di e For schu ngen über die paulin ische Briefe , ihr gegenwärtiger Stan d und ihre Aufgaben (Giessen: Keller, 1887); idem, Der z we ite Br ie f an die Kori nther, KEK 6 (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1900) esp. the Anha ng, “ Zum Hellenismus des Paulus” 436-58. 5 C. Hols ten, Da s Evangeli um des Pau lus I. De r B rie f an die Geme inden Galatiens und der erste Brief an die Gemeinde in Korinth (Berlin, 1880); T. C. Edwards, A Commentary
