Retoryka Pawła w świetle Listów do Koryntian

Abstract

The article treats of Paul's possible knowledge of Greek and Roman rhetoric on the basis of the text of two epistles to the Corinthians. Thus, the fragments which relate to the Apostle's way of delivering his message as well as expressions and terms which might reveal his conceivable study of rhetoric were analysed (έν πειθίς, άπόδειξις, ίδιώτης τώ λόγω, ό λόγος έξουθενημένος). Finally, selected opinions (from the Fathers of the Church to the present ones) relating to Paul's possible knowledge of rhetoric, and consequently, the usefulness of its usage with regard to his epistles were supplied. There is no indication that Saul from Tarsus ever attended a rhetors' school or directly studied any rhetoric coursebook of his age. The ability to persuade, shown in his epistles, arises from his knowledge of Septuagint. It can be traced to a formation characteristic of a synagogue and can also be explained by a wide contact with Hellenistic culture, greatly imbued at that time with popularised rhetoric.