A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:1-11
The aim of this article is to analyse Philippians 1:1-11 from a rhetorical perspective that differs from the typical approach of researchers, who tend to force ancient rhetorical categories on a letter. The analysis is done in terms of what is called a “grounded theoretical approach”. This approach...
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University of the Free State
2004-12-01
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| Series: | Acta Theologica |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/1647 |
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| author | A. H. Snyman |
| author_facet | A. H. Snyman |
| author_sort | A. H. Snyman |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The aim of this article is to analyse Philippians 1:1-11 from a rhetorical perspective that differs from the typical approach of researchers, who tend to force ancient rhetorical categories on a letter. The analysis is done in terms of what is called a “grounded theoretical approach”. This approach is briefly summarised, followed by a systematic analysis of Paul’s basic rhetorical strategy, as well as of all the supportive rhetorical techniques, in these eleven verses. It will be argued that these verses are not to be regarded as the exordium of the letter, preparing the audience for the “real” arguments later on in the probatio (2:1-3:21). They are part of Paul’s rhetorical strategy in the letter, constructed from the text itself and aimed at persuading his fellow-Christians to persevere in proclaiming and living the gospel that they received at the founding of the church in Philippi. The conclusion is that such a text-centred approach (where the focus shifts from the formal to the functional) provides a better understanding of Paul’s rhetorical strategy in Philippians 1:1-11 than a typical rhetorical analysis, according to which this section forms part of the exordium of the letter.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-43a3e4055d5449718776b379e1038ad8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1015-8758 2309-9089 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2004-12-01 |
| publisher | University of the Free State |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Theologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-43a3e4055d5449718776b379e1038ad82025-02-11T12:30:50ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Theologica1015-87582309-90892004-12-0124210.38140/at.v24i2.1647A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:1-11A. H. Snyman0University of the Free State The aim of this article is to analyse Philippians 1:1-11 from a rhetorical perspective that differs from the typical approach of researchers, who tend to force ancient rhetorical categories on a letter. The analysis is done in terms of what is called a “grounded theoretical approach”. This approach is briefly summarised, followed by a systematic analysis of Paul’s basic rhetorical strategy, as well as of all the supportive rhetorical techniques, in these eleven verses. It will be argued that these verses are not to be regarded as the exordium of the letter, preparing the audience for the “real” arguments later on in the probatio (2:1-3:21). They are part of Paul’s rhetorical strategy in the letter, constructed from the text itself and aimed at persuading his fellow-Christians to persevere in proclaiming and living the gospel that they received at the founding of the church in Philippi. The conclusion is that such a text-centred approach (where the focus shifts from the formal to the functional) provides a better understanding of Paul’s rhetorical strategy in Philippians 1:1-11 than a typical rhetorical analysis, according to which this section forms part of the exordium of the letter. https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/1647Rhetorical criticismFunctional approachPhil. 1:1-11Pauliniese literatuurRetoriese analiseFunksionele benadering |
| spellingShingle | A. H. Snyman A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:1-11 Acta Theologica Rhetorical criticism Functional approach Phil. 1:1-11 Pauliniese literatuur Retoriese analise Funksionele benadering |
| title | A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:1-11 |
| title_full | A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:1-11 |
| title_fullStr | A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:1-11 |
| title_full_unstemmed | A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:1-11 |
| title_short | A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:1-11 |
| title_sort | rhetorical analysis of philippians 1 1 11 |
| topic | Rhetorical criticism Functional approach Phil. 1:1-11 Pauliniese literatuur Retoriese analise Funksionele benadering |
| url | https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/1647 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ahsnyman arhetoricalanalysisofphilippians1111 AT ahsnyman rhetoricalanalysisofphilippians1111 |