Introduction

      The focus of this article is to understand the eschatological approach of Albert Schweitzer and major concepts of Pauline eschatology in Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians and Romans, though the paper briefly deals the issue of consistency of Pauline eschatological thought and background of Paul’s eschatological thought.  

1. Meaning of Eschatology and Apocalyptic

The term eschatology derived from the Greek word e,'scata which means “last thing”. In the nineteenth century, the term used by German scholars to indicate the branch of theology that deals the last things such as heaven and hell and judgment and resurrection. Their emphasis was individual. Further, the twentieth century theologians broadened the meaning of the term by using it to deal with the destiny of the world in general, Israel as a nation, individuals and church.[1]   

The term apocalyptic derived from Greek word a,pokalu,ptein which means “to reveal” or “to unveil”. This term has three main uses: literary genre (apocalypse), a kind of eschatology (apocalyptic eschatology) and a historical religio-social movement (apocalypticism).[2] Firstly, Collins define apocalypse as “a genre of revelatory literature with a narrative framework, in which a revelation is mediated by an otherworldly being to a human recipient, disclosing a transcendent reality which is both temporal, insofar as it envisages eschatological salvation, and spatial insofar as it involves another, supernatural world.”[3]  This definition covers a large number of old Jewish, early Christian, Gnostic, Greek, Latin and Persian books which deals the present condition in the light of future. Secondly, apocalyptic eschatology deals with the eschatology that reflects on apocalyptic literature. Apocaypticism as a movement can be understood as a social spiritual movement of the minority group in the society who wishes to express their hope in an alternative universe in the context of persecution.[4]  

2. Background of the Pauline Eschatology[5]

Paul was a Pharisaic Jew born in a Hellenistic city. Thus, the probable background of his eschatology could be Judaism.[6] Following are the probable background of Pauline eschatology: 1.The eschatological concepts in the Old Testamental writings. 2. Eschatological concepts in apocalyptic writings such as 1 and 2 Enoch, Daniel, 2 Maccabees, Testament of Judah and Testament of Job. These writings are characterized with dualistic categories.3. The eschatological ideas in non-apocalyptic wrings of Palestine Judaism and Hellenistic Judaism such as writings of Philo, Wisdom of Solomon, The Psalms of Solomon and so on. One of the features of these writings is authors of these works adopted Hellenistic philosophical categories to express Jewish eschatological concepts. 4. There are scholars like H.A.A Kennedy, Otto Pfleiderer finds elements of Hellenism as the background for the several aspect of Pauline eschatological thought.

3. Issue of consistency in Paul’s Eschatological Thought[7]

There are two line of thought with respect of consistency: (a) Paul expected imminent parousia and he interpreted the future in terms of apocalyptic notions of the resurrection. But in his later writings, he became sensitive to delay of parousia and started to use Hellenistic anthropology to depict life after death.[8] Moreover, this view argues that Paul’s thinking developed, changed and progressed on view of the time of the end and his understanding on the nature of eschaton. This question of development involves the discussion of issue of the integrity of the Corinthian letters, issue of chronological order of the letters and issue of authorship of Pauline letters. Here it is noticeable that C. L Mearns’ argument about development of eschatological thought within the Paul’s earliest writings.[9] (b) It is, on the other hand, viewed that Paul’s understanding of eschatology has no major modification and it is coherent. He did not abandon his expectation of imminent parousia and he looked death as natural possibility at the any stage of life.[10]

4. Albert Schweitzer: Consistent Eschatology

J. Weiss acknowledged the importance of eschatology in New Testament in 1892.[11] Schweitzer took this insight further. Schweitzer perceived consistent application of the eschatology as a key of methodological approach to New Testament to interpret and understand biblical theology which could be unified the Christian thought until Greek theology.[12] This is known as consistent eschatology or thoroughgoing eschatology. For him, eschatology is the central theme of New Testament. His main thesis in his book The Quest of the Historical Jesus is that Jesus should be understood on the basis of eschatological concept of Jesus in the framework of Apocalyptic Judaism[13] rather than liberal scholars’ tendency to understand Jesus with their imagination as moral teacher who taught timeless truth. The same methodology is proposed to understand Pauline theology in his book Paul and His Interpreters. He analyzed various scholarly approaches to Paul and found out that their understanding of Paul was not derived from a single line of thought of Paul.[14] So he proposed eschatology as methodological key to understand Paul. In this book, he rejected the argument that Paul Hellenized Christianity by using Greek philosophy of mystery religion and he argues Paul’s doctrines are based on the Jewish primitive Christianity.[15] Thus, Paul’s system of thought is based on primitive eschatological premises of Christianity.[16] Further, he observes that Paul shares the eschatological world view of Jesus.[17] Thus, Schweitzer identified that commonality of Paul with early Christianity and the background of Judaism particularly Apocalyptic Judaism are two main helping devise to understand Paul. 

Schweitzer applied his methodology to Paul in his work The mysticism of Paul the Apostle which brings out his idea of Christ mysticism or redemptive mysticism. The character of the doctrine of redemption, mystical doctrine of new creation and sacraments in Paul are conditioned with eschatology. With Christ event, redemption began to come in operation.[18] Consequently angels have no power over elect.[19] Further, he says “as is implied in the eschatological doctrine of redemption, Paul expects that in this Messianic time the whole of nature will pass through a transformation from mortality to immorality.”[20] Thus, according to Schweitzer, Paul understood redemption with present implication. Moreover, there were two streams of eschatological thought before Jesus and John the Baptist such as eschatology based on prophets and Daniel’s Son of Man and eschatology based on Apocalypse of Baruch and Ezra. Jesus carries the eschatological ideas of Daniel while Paul used ideas of the other one which also used by scribes.[21] Having followed the two fold eschatological view of scribes, Paul brought out idea of two resurrections: “first in which believers in Christ attain to a share in the Messianic Kingdom, and a second which all men who have ever lived upon earth, at the end of the Messianic Kingdom, appear for final judgment ….”[22] Messianic Kingdom dawn with the Christ event and the resurrection of Jesus manifested the resurrection power –the powers of the supernatural world – already at work in this world.[23]  Resurrection of the elect already started with Messianic event and they already came into a resurrection mode of existence (thus believers get an advantage of special mode of existence in comparison with others).[24] Thus, the supernatural and natural worlds are intermingled during the period between the Resurrection of Jesus and His coming again.[25] This creates the room for mysticism: mystical being in Christ and mystical doctrine of dying and raising again with Christ.

The relationship of eschatology with the doctrine of the Messiah brought the ideal concept of “Community of God” - predestined saints of God - in Paul.[26] This relationship between the elect and Christ and the relationship with one another among the elect gave room for Christ Mysticism – concept of fellowship with Messiah that would realize in this natural world.[27] The solidarity of the elect with Christ implies that “the elect are no longer natural men, but, like Christ himself, are already supernatural beings, only that in them this is not yet manifest.”[28] This concept of solidarity with Christ and one another lead one into mystical body of Christ. In another words, the corporeity between the elect and Christ brings the mystical body of Christ.  Further, he argues that the mystical body of Christ and concept of being in Christ are rooted in eschatology[29] and thereby he rejects any Hellenistic influence on Paul’s thought.[30] The being in Christ means union with Christ and being partakers in the Mystical body of Christ.[31] From this Pauline mysticism, three sins are recognized: un-chastity, circumcision after baptism and partaking in heathen sacrifice. One can have resurrection at the return of Christ if one can remove these sins through being in Christ. 

 Moreover, Paul’s views of sacraments, ethics, the law and justification were all a function of his eschatology. Eschatology is the foundation of ethics and dogma of Paul.[32]

Schweitzer could give serious note on Jewish apocalyptic literature in interpretation of Paul. However, he denied the role of Hellenistic world.  H. Ridderbos comments that “the use Schweitzer makes of various Jewish eschatological themes is also highly artificial, and the antithesis he constructs in this respect between Jesus and Paul certainly cannot be maintained.”[33]Hamilton contents with Schweitzer’s view on Paul’s creation of doctrine of two resurrections for lack of textual basis.[34] In his treatment of eschatology, Schweitzer is very selective in choosing the texts.

5. Eschatological Thought of Paul

5.1 First Thessalonians 4:13-18

Paul’s first letter might be written in ca.50 CE. Macedonia became a Roman province in 143 BCE and Thessalonica was made a capital city and centre of administration, which also had free status, that is, ruled by its own politarchs. The city developed several ways to honour Roman benefactors in order to continuously receive their benefaction. To this, the Roman benefactors often honoured alongside their gods.[35] This became a cause to develop a civic cult. Further, city had cult of Dionysus mysteries. Moreover, it can be explained Paul’s eschatology in Thessalonian writings against the royal theology of the divinity of the emperor. It is believed that Jews made riot in the city (Acts 17:5) against Paul’s preaching by accusing and politicizing falsely him that Paul promotes people against the emperor who was benefactor of the city. In this regard, Christians persecuted and some even died in the persecution.[36] Karl P. Donfried noticed that “Thessalonian Christians had suffering and death, probably as a result of an ad hoc persecution that resulted from the perceived threat posed by this community to the existing religious/civic cults of the city.”[37] In addition to this, the persecution might have occurred because of the ideological clash between the Christianity and emperor cult.[38]  Furthermore, it is understood that Thessalonians had some unexpected death of believers which became a cause of confusion in relation to their understanding of death and Parousia, that is, those who died might have disadvantage because they died before parousia.

First Thessalonians 4:13-18 deals eschatology. Paul used the word koimwmevnwn (asleep) in 1Thes. 4:13 to refer the dead one. It is a common usage in antiquity and Judaism. F.F Bruce viewed that “Christians took it up as a congenial mode of expression, death being viewed by them as a sleep from which one would awake to resurrection life.”[39] However, the contemporary non Christians hardly had such hope. But for Christians have a hope of resurrection with respect to death. Such hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus. Moreover, the pre-Pauline formula ‘we believe that Jesus died ad rose again’ implies that the resurrection of Jesus is the basis for the belief that Christian will be united with Christ at parusia of Jesus[40] (1Thes. 1:9; 4:14). Here, Jesus death interpreted soteriologically, that is, one who gives life (Confer 1Thes. 1:9). This hope will share by those who have ejn Cristw`/ (1Thes. 4: 16) experience and “those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1Thes. 4:14) that leads believers to join with Christ at Parousia. Both phrases indicate a relationship of believers with Christ when they died, which is essential for their resurrection[41] The Christological references in 1Thes. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15,16,17; 5:2 indicates Parousia.[42] This hope will enable the believers to endure in the midst of persecution and a solid basis against their grief concerning the death of believers.
The term parousiva is used in 1Thes. 4:15.[43] The term uses in Greek context to indicate the coming of a deity to help people in need and ceremonial arrival of a king or a high official with honours.[44] In New Testament, it denotes the future coming of Christ.[45] 1Thes. 4:15 implies imminent return of Christ and Paul might have expected to be alive. In 1Thes. 4:15–17, parousia associated with few aspects: Firstly, parousia of Christ happens with cry of command, voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. Scholars interpret these in connection with resurrection in the light of ideas such as theophany, arrival of Hellenistic king and apocalyptic features.[46] These denote the divine initiatives in the event of parousia.  Secondly, at parousia, dead believers may resurrect and believers who are alive may catch away in the cloud. It is noticeable that Paul talks about succession of the resurrection, that is, dead first and then alive; the nature of the event associated with alive indicated with the word aJrpavzein suggests violence, haste, suddenness and power[47] and simultaneous rapture of resurrected ones and alive ones. Best views that Paul might not have thought about the resurrection of body or he might not refer it here.[48] Thirdly, believers will have an eschatological meeting of with Christ in the air and later they will be with him always. Thus, the living ones, dead ones who resurrected and Christ will meet together. It implies the community dimension.

Paul also connects parousia with sanctification (1Thes. 4:3,7; 5:23) and he also encourages believers for being blameless (1Thes. 3:13; 5:23). Thus, here ethics and parousia are connected together.

5.2 First Corinthians Chapter 15

Though several scholars generally agree the issue of resurrection in Corinthian church, there is no unanimity among scholars about the nature of denial of resurrection. The scholars’ arguments about the reason to deny the resurrection by Corinthians can be summarized as follows: 1.They did not believe in life after death. 2. Many believed that resurrection already happened which might have developed on the ground of theology of baptism, gnostic influence or mystery religion. 3. They were incapable to accept the somatic character of the resurrection. 4. Paul misunderstood the Corinthians.[49]

Paul includes the pre-Pauline creed in 1Cor. 15:3-4 to attest the resurrection of Christ. He gives the list of witnesses who attested the bodily resurrection of Jesus (1Cor. 15:5-8). Further, in 1Cor. 15:4-8, Paul emphasized the physicality of Jesus’ resurrection. Thus, Paul established the fact of the resurrection of Christ on the basis of traditional creed in Cor. 15:1-11 as a basis of his argument for the resurrection of the dead in following section.

Beker suggests that the main arguments of 1Cor. 15:12-19 are as follows: 1.The resurrection of Christ is from the realm of dead bodies implies the resurrection of dead ones. 2. If there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not raised. 3. If there is no resurrection, then there is no gospel or faith.[50] Conzelmann comments that “the resurrection of Christ can not be isolated. It is believed only when it is grasped as a saving act.”[51] It is the stereological dimension of the resurrection. Berker thinks that resurrection of Christ is not complete in its full sense, though it is once for all and the completeness connected with the resurrection of the dead ones.[52] Thus, like in I Thessalonians, here the resurrection of Christ is the basis for the future resurrection of believers who died in Christ. 

Paul uses the metaphor ‘first fruits’ for resurrection of Christ (1Cor. 15:20,23). It indicates that the relationship Christ’ resurrection in relation with the resurrection of the dead. In 1Cor. 15:20-23, Christ stands for resurrection and Adam stands for death. Here Adam represents collective humankind.[53] Further, J. D. G. Dunn points out the two application of Adam Christology in 1Cor. 15:20-23: firstly, the resurrection of Jesus is general pattern for other resurrection of the dead ones; and secondly, God’s original plan for humans has fulfilled by risen Christ and in that Christ will subjugate all things under his feet (1Cor. 15:27).[54] These two applications further indicate future resurrection of believers and subjugation of all authority and power including death by Christ in future.

Paul talks about the nature of the resurrected body in 1Cor. 15:35-58. From the analogy of seed (1 Cor. 15: 36-38), Fee derives meaning that “Paul’s concern is with death as the precondition of life, not in the sense that all must die but in the sense that the seed itself demonstrates that out of death a new expression of life springs forth.”[55]  It is noticeable here that the possible transformation and new life that can happen in resurrection even the case of death happened to one. On the basis on this analogy and the resurrection of Jesus, Sanders assumes that there will be continuity of present with respect to resurrected body.[56]  Further, the resurrected body will be given by God (1Cor. 15:38).

In 1Cor.15: 39-41, Paul’s use of sa,rx-sw/ma-do,xa shows, according to Conzelmann, that resurrection is ontologically possible.[57] This is supported by Paul’s understanding of different kinds of flesh and body in earthly and heavenly realm and glory of such existence is different from one another. Further, Conzelmann and Lietzmann understood sa,rx as substance which constitutes earthly creatures, sw/ma as form and do,xa as substance of light which constitute heavenly beings.[58] In fact, several scholars like Kummel understood these categories indicate different body.[59] It is clear from these terms in 1 Cor. 15: 39-41 that there is difference between earthly and heavenly bodies which is especially connected with resurrection. This fact is supported by the implication of celestial images in 1 Cor. 15: 42-44. The earthly body characterized with corruption, weakness and dishonour, whereas resurrection body will be characterized with incorruptibility, glory and power. As a conclusion in verse 44, Paul differentiates clearly between earthly body and spiritual body (sw/ma pneumatiko,n). The adjectival use of pneumatiko,n here understood by scholars mainly as substance of heavenly body (substantial or material sense) and as governing spirit (ethical or functional sense).[60] However, when one consider the verse in the context of this pericope, sw/ma pneumatiko,n  may understood as resurrection mode existence. This thesis further elaborated by Adam-Christ typology (representative in character) which implies that the spiritual body is higher than the earthly body.[61] The first Adam is a living being, physical and made of earth, where as the last Adam is life giving spirit, spiritual, and from heaven (1 Cor. 15:45-47). The former are those who are of the earth with earthly image, whereas the later are those who are of heaven with heavenly image (1 Cor. 15:48-49). This Adam-Christ thesis may imply that resurrection body will be in the pattern of Second Adam. This resurrection body can be achieved only by the transformation of dead and living ones from perishable or mortal status to imperishable or immorality status which coincides with the victory over death and thereby sin (1 Cor. 15:50-56).
5.3 Romans 8:19,23

The noun ajpokaradokiva in verse 19, according to D.G.J.Dunn, implies a sense of eschatological tension- “a straining forward for an eagerly (or anxiously) awaited event.”[62] ktivsi" may include the non human material world.[63] This implies the creation is being under frustration and corruption or decay because of Adamic sin. So it eagerly waits for revelation of sons of God. According to D.G.J.Dunn, the word ajpokavluyi" denotes “eschatological unveiling from heaven”[64] (confer 2 Thes.2:8). This verse implies the solidarity of human with entire creation in the eschatological redemption. Ka?semann views that Paul here explains the eschatological freedom as salvation with cosmic scope from an anthropological point of view.[65]  Thus, it implies that ecological dimension of eschatological redemption which mutually correlated with human redemption.  

Moo thinks the first fruits in verse 23 “alludes to both the beginning of a process and the unbreakable connection between its beginning and the end.”[66] The phrase applied to Spirit to indicate the eschatological redemption work which has begun and it will culminate in parousia.  In this line Dunn also thinks almost same about the ‘first fruits’. According to Dunn, the phrase ‘first fruits’ implies that the gift of the Spirit that already works in the believer and its final product is resurrection—sw`ma pneumatikovn.[67] In other words Spirit starts to work in humans as part of a larger process and which ends in resurrection.[68] It clearly indicates already and not yet tension. The term “redemption” denotes “not yet” completed the process of redemption and it will complete with bodily resurrection (confer 1Cor. 15:44-46). Further, this period is characterized with groaning within humans which denotes the frustration of humans in eschatological tension and also echoes the groaning of creation.[69] Further, Dunn reflects “The groaning is a sign of the Spirit’s presence (v 26), the Spirit of God drawing the believer into harmony with the deeper rhythms of a creation longing for its own eschatological fruition.”[70] It again indicates the human role in the redemption of the creation. Moreover, believers already received spirit of adoption (Rom. 8:15) and verse 23 implies that the future culmination of adoption will be at parousia when believers receive their resurrection body. It denotes the already and not yet eschatological tension. In sum, humans and cosmos waits for their eschatological redemption as culmination of their redemption which already has begun and thus they are in eschatological already-not yet tension where Spirit is active in them.  

Conclusion

(a)Paul found his foundation of eschatology on Christology. (b) Resurrection of believers finds its basis on the resurrection of Jesus. (c) There is realized eschatology and futuristic eschatology in Pauline thought. (d) Pauline eschatology mainly was influenced by Jewish background. (e) Paul’s eschatology is inclusive, that is, it includes cosmic and anthropological dimensions and which are interconnected. (f) Paul acknowledges the role of Spirit in the eschatological tension and redemptive work. (g) Resurrection means transformation which enables mortal humans to become immortal. The resurrection body will be different from earthly body but there might be continuity between earthly and resurrection body. (h) Parousia is the culmination of hope of believers with cosmic scope. This eschatological hope has social implication to believers’ life. (i) Albert Schweitzer contributed the eschatological approach as a devise to understand Pauline eschatology, though his method is not absolutely perfect. Moreover, Pauline eschatology is not issue free in current scholarship since several issues like consistency of Pauline eschatological thought are under the debate and discussion.



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[1] R.E Brown, J. A Fitzmyer and R. E Murphy, eds., The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (Bangalore: Theological Pubication in India, 2005), 1360.
[2] S. Sobanaraj, Diversity in Paul’s Eschatology (Delhi: ISPCK, 2007), 15.
[3] D. C. Allison, “Apocalyptic,” Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, edited by Green, Joel G.; McKnight, Scot; Marshall, I. Howard (Downer’s Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press 1998),17.
[4] Sobanaraj, op. cit.,17.
[5] Having considered the scope of this paper, here the paper gives only a very brief outline of the probable background.
[6]H.J. Schoeps explains the influence of Judaism in Paul’s eschatology. See   H.J. Schoeps, Paul, translated by Harlod Knight (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1959), 88-125.
[7] The scope here is only to bring attention to the issues not a detailed discussion. For detailed discussion, see, William Baird, “Pauline Eschatology in Hermeneutical Perspective,” New Testament Studies 17/3(April, 1971):314-327.
[8] Ibid., 314.
[9] L. Joseph Kreitzer, Jesus and God in Paul’s Eschatology (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1987), 177.
[10] Paul Woodbridge, “Did Paul Change his Mind?,” Themelios28/3(Summer,2003):17.
[11] Richard N Longencker, “The Nature of Paul’s Early Eschatology,” New Testament Studies 31/1(January, 1985):85.
[12] Neil Q. Hamilton, The Holy Spirit and Eschatology in Paul (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd Ltd, 1957), 44.
[13] Albert Schweitzer, The Quest of Historical Jesus (London: Adam and Charles Black, 1910), 58.
[14] Hamilton, op.cit., 43.
[15]Albert Schweitzer, Paul and his Interpreters (London: Adam and Charles Black, 1912), 240.
[16] Ibid .,241,249.
[17] Albert Schweitzer, The mysticism of Paul the Apostle (London: Adam and Charles Black, 1953), 113.
[18] Schweitzer, The mysticism…,66.
[19] Ibid.,67.
[20] Ibid.,66.
[21] Ibid.82,90.
[22] Ibid.,93.
[23] Ibid.,99.
[24] Ibid.,100.
[25] Ibid.,99.
[26] Ibid.,104.
[27] Ibid.,105.
[28] Ibid.,110.
[29] Ibid.,118.
[30] Ibid.,140.
[31] Ibid.,123.
[32] Schweitzer, Paul and his…58.
[33]H Ridderbos, Paul: An Outline of His Theology, translated by J.R. De Wittt(London:SPCK,1982),31, cited by Sobanaraj, op. cit.,33.
[34] Hamilton, op. cit.,47.
[35] Karl P. Donfried, The Theology of I Thessalonians in New Testament Theology, edited by James D.G. Dunn (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,1993),17.
[36] Ibid.,19.
[37] Ibid.,62.
[38] Sobanaraj, op.cit.,136.
[39] F.F. Bruce, Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 5: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, (Texas: Word Books Publisher,1998),96.
[40] Donfried,op.cit.,37.
[41] Bruce,op.cit.,97-98.
[42] Donfried,op.cit.,45.
[43] Several scholars like E. P Sanders think that 1 Thes. 4:15–17 is a modified version of early tradition by Paul. See E. P Sanders, Paul (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991), 27.
[44] Sobanaraj, op.cit.,145.
[45] Donald Guthrie, New Testament Theology (Published in India by Secundrabad: OM Books, 2003, First published by IVP in UK in 1961), 803.
[46] Ernest Best, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians (London: Adam and Charles Black, 1972), 197; Sobanaraj, op.cit.,149; Reymond F . Collins The First Letter to the Thessalonians in  The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, edited by R.E Brown, J. A Fitzmyer and R. E Murphy (Bangalore: Theological Publication in India, 2005), 776.
[47] A.L Moore,ed., The Century Bible(London: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd,1969),71; Best, op.cit.,198.
[48] Best, op.cit.,197.
[49] Murray J. Harris, Raised Immortal (Michigan: William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1983), 115-116; Sobanaraj, op.cit.,184; C.K. Barrett, A Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians(London: Adam and Charles Black,1968),347-348.
[50] J. Christiaan Beker, The Triumph of God, translated by Loren T. Stuckenbruck (Minneapolis: Fortress Press,1990),72.
[51] Hans Conzelmann, 1 Corinthians, translated by James W. Dunkly(Pliladelphia: Fortress Press,1975),265.
[52]Beker, op.cit, 73.
[53] F.F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Corinthians (London: Oliphants, 1971), 146.
[54]J. D. G. Dunn, 1 Corinthians (Sheffield :Sheffield Academic Press Ltd.1995),88.
[55] Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians New International Commentary of New Testament(Grand Rapids:Eerdmans,1987),781, cited by Sobanaraj, op.cit.,225.
[56] Sanders,op.cit,29.
[57] Conzelmann,op.cit,281.
[58] Ibid.,282.
[59] Ibid.
[60] Harris., op.cit.,120.
[61] Udo Schnelle, Apostle Paul His Life and Theology, translated by Eegne Boring (Michigan: Baker Academics,2005),583.
[62] James D.G.Dunn, Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 38a: Romans 1-8, (Texas: Word Books Publisher, 1998),469.
[63] Ernst Ka?semann, Commentary on Romans, translated by Geofferey W. Bromiley (Michigan: William B Eerdmans Publishing Compqany,1980)233.
[64] D.G.Dunn,op.cit.,470.
[65] Ka?semann,op.cit.,233.
[66] Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to Romans (Michigan: William B Eerdmans Publishing Compqany, 1996),   519-520.
[67] Dunn, op.cit.,473.
[68] Ibid.
[69] Ibid.,490.
[70] Ibid.