Durham E-Theses Constructing One Another: Philodemus and Paul on Interdependence in Moral Formation ALLISON, JUSTIN,REID How to cite: ALLISON, JUSTIN,REID (2019) Constructing One Another: Philodemus and Paul on Interdependence in Moral Formation, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/12949/ Use policy This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 3.0 (CC BY-NC-ND) Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk CONSTRUCTING ONE ANOTHER: PHILODEMUS AND PAUL ON INTERDEPENDENCE IN MORAL FORMATION JUSTIN REID ALLISON SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGION DURHAM UNIVERSITY 2018 ABSTRACT In this thesis, I argue that one gains fresh perspective on Paul’s understanding of believers’ interdependence in ‘constructing’ each other in 1 Corinthians by comparison with Philodemus’ vision for interdependence in reciprocal ‘therapy’. Pauline construction and Philodemean therapy are analogous instances of interdependent moral formation, both in concept and practice. Beyond previous comparisons, however, such a pairing is only fruitful if it is methodologically reoriented to both similarities and differences. This reorientation requires expanding the comparison to include additional dimensions of both figures’ perspectives, namely, their socio-economic locations (including their views of economic interdependence) and their theologies. In the first half (chs. two to four), I examine Philodemus’ socio-economic location and theology in the course of describing interdependence in reciprocal moral therapy via frank criticism among friends (drawing from his treatise On Frank Criticism). In the second half (chs. five to seven), I examine Paul’s socio-economic location and theology in the course of describing interdependence in reciprocal construction among believers in 1 Cor 8n10 and 12n14. In the final chapter (ch. 8), I bring Paul and Philodemus into comparative perspective. I argue that, alongside their similarities (esp. in the practices of reciprocal formation), the two have qualitatively different understandings of moral formation and moral interdependence among community members. For Philodemus, one grows out of one’s need to receive formation from others into moral self-sufficiency. This trajectory correlates with the assumed economic self-sufficiency of Epicurean friends, and the moral self-sufficiency of the gods, which Epicureans can reach by means of perfected human character. For Paul, however, believers constantly depend on one another for moral formation, as they also do for economic support in their poverty. Paul cannot champion Philodemus’ moral self-sufficiency, because the moral life of a believer is one of interactive relationship with God, who continually reveals himself through other believers for their formation, yet always transcends all human moral character. DECLARATION This thesis is my own work, and no part of it has been previously submitted to Durham University or any other institution for a degree. STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without the author’s prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. ABBREVIATIONS Aside from those noted below, all abbreviations of ancient literature, academic journals, and monograph series follow the forms indicated in SBL Handbook of Style: For Biblical Studies and Related Disciplines, Second ed. (Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature, 2014). Vit. Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers Ep. Hdt. Epicurus, Letter to Herodotus (Diogenes Laertius, Vit. 10.34n83) Ep. Pyth. Epicurus, Letter to Pythocles (Diogenes Laertius, Vit. 10.83n116) Ep. Men. Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus (Diogenes Laertius, Vit. 10.121n135) KD Epicurus, Key Doctrines VS Epicurus, Vatican Sayings CONTENTS Abstract 2 Declaration 3 Statement of Copyright 4 Abbreviations 5 Contents 6 Dedication 9 Chapter One: Introduction 10 1.1. Central Claims 10 1.2. Context and Initial Justification 11 1.3. Malherbe and Glad on Reciprocal Psychagogy in Paul 14 1.4. Methodological Framework 20 1.4.1. General Methodological Reorientation 20 1.4.2. Particular Decisions 27 1.4.3. Limits of the Project 30 1.5. Thesis Overview 30 Chapter Two: Philodemus in Historical and Socio-Economic Perspectives 33 2.1. Historical Overview of Philodemus 34 2.2. The Socio-Economic Location of Philodemus and his Friends 37 2.2.1. Philodemus on the Bay of Naples 37 2.2.2. Orienting Evidence regarding Philodemus’ Leisure and Education 41 2.2.3. Philodemus’ Discussion of Wealth 44 2.2.4. Concluding analysis 54 2.3. Economic Interdependence among Friends 55 Chapter Three: Philodemus’ Theology of Moral Formation 57 3.1. Introduction to On Gods and On Piety 57 3.2. The Epicurean Gods and their Role in Moral Formation 60 3.2.1. Blessedness and Incorruptibility 61 3.2.2. Lack of Involvement in the Human World 62 3.2.3. Divine Friendship 67 3.2.4. Summary 69 3.3. Assimilation to the Gods 70 3.3.1. Becoming like the Gods, insofar as Mortals Can 70 3.3.2. Worship as a Means of Assimilation to the Gods 75 3.3.3. Summary 80 Excursus: Realist and Idealist Interpretations of Epicurean Gods 80 Chapter Four: Reciprocal Moral Formation in Philodemus 83 4.1. Introduction to On Frank Criticism (PHerc. 1471) 83 4.2. Reciprocal Moral Formation as Shared Inquiry (συζη' τησις) 87 4.3. Core Evidence for the Communal Practice of Reciprocal Frank Criticism 90 4.4. The Conception and Practice of Reciprocal Frank Criticism 93 4.4.1. The Epicurean Framework of Moral Formation 94 4.4.2. Giving and Receiving Frank Criticism 95 4.4.3. The Reciprocity of Frank Criticism 102 4.4.4. Interdependence in Moral Formation 107 Chapter Five: Economic Interdependence among Believers 112 5.1. The Impoverished Socio-Economic Location of Paul and his Communities 113 5.2. Interdependent Economic Reciprocity among Poor Believers 115 5.3. Summary 119 Chapter Six: Reciprocal Construction in 1 Corinthians 8:1n11:1 120 6.1. The Subject and Situations of 1 Cor 8:1n11:1 121 6.1.1. The Knowers and the Weak 121 6.1.2.The Damage Caused to the Weak 123 6.2. Adaptation to the Weak 124 6.3. Constructing the Weak 127 6.3.1. Constructing the Weak by Curing their Weakness? 127 6.3.2. Constructing the Weak as Constructing Solidarity, not Moral Formation? 130 6.3.3. Constructing the Weak in their Weakness 131 6.4. The Weak’s Construction of the Knowers 133 6.5. Constructive Reciprocity and Interdependence 135 Chapter Seven: Reciprocal Construction in 1 Corinthians 12:1n14:40 138 7.1. Overview of 1 Corinthians 12n14 139 7.2. 1 Corinthians 12: Divine and Human Involvement in Construction 140 7.3. The Content and Character of Constructive Speech 142 7.3.1. Content of Constructive Speech 143 7.3.2. Character of Constructive Speech 147 7.3.2.1. 1 Corinthians 13:1n3 148 7.3.2.2. 1 Corinthians 13:8n13 149 7.3.2.3. 1 Corinthians 13:4n7 155 7.3.2.4. Summary 156 7.4. The Effects and Reception of Constructive Speech 156 7.4.1. The Effects of Constructive Speech 156 7.4.2. Reception of Construction 161 7.4.3. Further Protocol for Constructive Speech (1 Corinthians 14:26n40) 163 7.4.3.1. 1 Corinthians 14:27n33 163 7.4.3.2. 1 Corinthians 14:34n35 164 7.4.3.3. Summary 167 7.5. Interdependence in Moral Construction 167 7.5.1. Constructing Others 168 7.5.2. Receiving Construction 169 7.6. Summary 171 Chapter Eight: Paul and Philodemus in Comparative Perspective 172 8.1. Socio-Economic Interdependence 172 8.2. Theology of the Moral Life 173 8.3. Formative Practice 176 8.3.1. Giving 176 8.3.1.1. Qualifications 176 8.3.1.2. Adaptation 177 8.3.1.3. Love 178 8.3.2. Receiving 180 8.4. Interdependence in Moral Formation 181 8.5. Conclusion 184 8.6. Implications for Wider Research 186 Bibliography 190 τηñ, γνωστηñ, υ πο` θεουñ, εν ηð, ε νεργειñ τα` πα' ντα ο κυ' ριος, δι ηðς ζηñ, ουðτος ο λιγο' πιστος κατοπτριζο' µενος το` µυστη' ριον πεσω` ν ε πι` προ' σωπον, Ανδρει'α, . 10 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ‘Let all be done for construction’ (πα' ντα προ` ς οικοδοµη` ν γινε'σθω, 1 Cor 14:26). Paul thus summarizes his goal for all Corinthian believers’ speech and behaviour toward one another in gathered worship. As seen with special clarity in 1 Corinthians 12n14, reciprocal ‘construction’ (οικοδοµη' , οικοδοµε'ω) is fundamental to believers’ lives in community, for Paul (see also, e.g., 1 Thess 5:11; Rom 15:2). God gives all believers different gifts to be shared for others’ ‘benefit’ (το` συµφε'ρον, 12:7). Construction is central to this benefit, particularly through gifted speech (14:1n5, 12). No believer can claim not to stand in need of the benefit which others offer through their gifts (1 Cor 12:21), including the varieties of constructing speech discussed throughout 1 Cor 12n14. Not only does Paul envision believers’ sharing in reciprocal construction, but he also understands such sharing as a form of interdependence among believers. The present thesis is an investigation of this constructive interdependence. How is reciprocal construction conceived and practised such that believers need one another, according to Paul? What kind of interdependence does Paul envision for this construction, and why? Put succinctly, how and why do believers need one another for construction? 1.1. Central Claims In the present thesis I make two interwoven claims. First, I argue that one may give a fruitful answer to these questions by comparing Paul’s vision for reciprocal construction to that of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus.