[B-Greek] APOSTOLOS in 1 Cor 12

CWestf5155 at aol.com CWestf5155 at aol.com
Tue Aug 31 14:35:12 EDT 2004


<<In a message dated 8/31/2004 10:19:57 AM Mountain Standard Time, 
iver_larsen at sil.org writes:
>
> However, I contest that Paul's application of the title
> APOSTOLOIS to these brothers is consistent with the term
> APOSTOLOS in I Cor. 12, 9, 15 etc. as well as 2 Cor 1:1.  And
> while I don't agree with you that it is idiosyncratic (there has
> been diversity on this passage--I'm taking it literally), it is
> not the consensus.

This is the claim that I would like to see evidence for, especially since it
goes against the consensus.

> APOSTOLOS has a full range of meaning.  Coincidentally, so does
> PROFHTHS.  I suggest that the term in 1 Cor 12 encompasses that
> range.  Not every APOSTOLOS has the same function (or field, in
> Pauliine terminology).  The two common elements appear to be
> commissioning (by primarily the Holy Spirit and secondarily the
> churches), and "sent" = the geographic crossing of boundaries
> between the local churches.  The authority of any apostle would
> be in direct proportion to the assigned field.

The common element to the two senses of APOSTOLOS is the sending or
commissioning which does imply a good deal of travel.

What distinguishes the two senses is partly who has commissioned them: 1)
the local church leadership or 2) God or Jesus either directly or through
divine intervention such as casting of lots or prophetic calling.

Another distinctive feature is their ministry/task and level of authority.

These distinctions are the ones that cause all versions to use the term
"apostle" for sense 1 and another term like representative/envoy for sense 2
(I agree with you against (N)RSV and NET that "messenger" misses the mark
for both senses.)

Iver Larsen>>

Iver,

I think I've made about as much as a case here on b-greek as I'm going to, 
but I agree that I should do an article or appendix on it.  I'll try to remember 
to send you a copy, and we could discuss further if you'd like.  But I am 
very close to other positions such as Schreiner, Fee and Thistleton (whom I'm 
probably very close to--see p. 672 of I Cor).  You and others have helped me by 
your discussion.

I agree with you too here.  "Delegate" was another term put forward that was 
very good, but any of these terms used alone probably define APOSTOLOS too 
narrowly, if the function for which they are commissioned is a variable.  

But I think particularly that dissassociating the application of the title to 
Paul from all other occurrences of APOSTOOS in his letters (or particularly 
within the same letter) is questionable as a starting point.  

Cindy Westfall
Adjunct Denver Seminary
Adjunct Mars Hill Graduate School



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