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Paul's Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary
Paul's Letter to the Philippians A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Author:Ben, III Witherington Interprets Paul?s letter in light of its rhetorical content and cultural context. — Paul?s short, affectionate letter to the Philippians has been much belabored of late by biblical scholars keen to analyze it in light of Greco-Roman letter-writing conventions. Yet Ben Witherington argues that Philippians shouldn?t be read as a letter at all but, ... more »rather, as a masterful piece of long-distance oratory ? an extension of Paul?s oral speech, dictated to a scribe and meant to be read aloud to its recipients.
With this in mind, Witherington analyzes Philippians in light of Greco-Roman rhetorical conventions, identifying Paul?s purpose, highlighting his main points and his persuasive strategies, and considering how his audience ? denizens of a society of limited literacy yet saturated in highly skilled oral rhetoric ? would have heard and received Paul?s message.« less