Mother Paul’s care for his Corinthian children: A text-centered analysis of 1 Cor. 3:1–4 metaphor

Abstract

This article addresses the misinterpretation of the apostle Paul as solely a patriarchal figure. While critiques often focus on his alleged adherence to patriarchal norms, this study identifies a gap in exploring his broader social and rhetorical roles, particularly in nurturing in 1 Corinthians 3:1–4. The objective is to demonstrate that Paul functions more as an anti-patriarchal nurturing parent than as a traditional patriarchal adherent, offering fresh insights into his rhetorical practices. Employing the text-generated persuasion-interpretation (TGPI) method, this study conducts a detailed exegesis of 1 Corinthians 3:1–4, revealing that Paul’s rhetoric aligns more closely with maternal nurturing than with patriarchal normativity. This reinterpretation challenges established perceptions of his writings and underscores the significance of maternal roles in early Christian contexts. Ultimately, this study suggests that Paul’s engagement with the Corinthian church was characterised by a nurturing approach, enriching our understanding of his teachings and their social implications while advocating for equality within the community.

Contribution: This article presents a novel rhetorical interpretation of the apostle Paul using the TGPI method, a previously untried approach for interpreting 1 Corinthians 3:1–4. It highlights Paul’s adaptability and nurturing role, challenging established perceptions of his adherence to societal-patriarchal norms. By exploring maternal metaphor in the New Testament, the study enriches our understanding of Paul’s intentions towards the Corinthian church and contributes to discussions of an anti-patriarchal Paul who, like Jesus, subverted the Greco-Roman hierarchical system that reinforced patriarchal structures.