Paul as an Administrator of God in 1 Corinthians

Elucidates the nature of Paul's authority by investigating the metaphorical portrayal of apostles in 1 Corinthians as divinely appointed administrators.

Interprets the often overlooked metaphor of apostles as divinely appointed administrators (oikonomoi) and assesses the complicated and multifaceted nature of authority in Paul. This study will appeal to academic researchers and graduate students of New Testament studies, Pauline theology and those interested in the Graeco-Roman context of early Christianity.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.