Cambridge University Press Paul as an Administrator of God in 1 Corinthians: 152 (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, Series Number 152)

This book looks in detail at Paul's description of apostles in 1 Corinthians 4 and 9 as divinely appointed administrators (oikonomoi) and considers what this tells us about the nature of his own apostolic authority. John Goodrich investigates the origin of this metaphor in light of ancient regal, municipal and private administration, initially examining the numerous domains in which oikonomoi were appointed in the Graeco-Roman world, before situating the image in the private commercial context of Roman Corinth. Examining the social and structural connotations attached to private commercial administration, Goodrich contemplates what Paul's metaphor indicates about apostleship in general terms as well as how he uses the image to defend his apostolic rights. He also analyses the purpose and limits of Paul's authority - how it is constructed, asserted and contested - by examining when and how Paul uses and refuses to exercise the rights inherent in his position. Review 'Goodrich provides a careful and balanced study of the administrator metaphor, which then provides deeper insight into two Pauline passages in 1 Corinthians … This is an interesting study with some helpful exegetical consequences.' The Expository Times Book Description Elucidates the nature of Paul's authority by investigating the metaphorical portrayal of apostles in 1 Corinthians as divinely appointed administrators. About the Author John Goodrich is Assistant Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. He has published articles in New Testament Studies, the Journal for the Study of the New Testament and the Journal of Biblical Literature.