Gnosticism in Corinth: An Investigation of the Letters to the Corinthians

by Walter Schmithals

Who were the actual opponents of Paul in Corinth? Schmithals argues that their heretical theology was a genuine Christian Gnosticism which originated in Palestine. He bases his thesis on his careful literary analysis of I & II Corinthians
"Schmithals holds the position that the opponents were genuine Gnostics of Palestinian origin who boasted of pneumatic-ecstatic experiences of all kinds. He argues for a "one front battle" with Paul facing the same Gnostic opposition throughout the Corinthian correspondence. Such opponents would have charged that Paul wasn't a Pneumatic (at least on their level) & therefore not an apostle. Paul defends himself against such a charge both in 1 Cor. 14 & 2 Cor. 12. In both cases he doesn't reject such experiences; indeed, he must show he has them "more than you all" (1 Cor. 14:18) & in "abundance" (2 Cor. 12:1, 7). Schmithals, however, holds that he depreciates them as expressions of individual or "personal religion," fundamentally different in character from his Damascus revelation & of no value to the community as a whole. Thus, in 2 Cor. 12:1-10, he is unwillingly pressed to meet his opponents on their own ground, "foolishly" boasting of an abundance of visions & revelations."--J.D. Tabor (edited)

Genres: Religion

412 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Erik Graff]

I obtained this book from the Grinnell College library while researching a thesis on the scholarly debates concerning the origins of gnosticism. It was by far the most technical of the scores of books I studied, quite a demanding read which occupied much of my Christmas vacation.

Schmithals, a scholar's scholar, wrote the original study as his doctoral dissertation. By the time it came out in English it had been much expanded and elaborated. His thesis represents the extreme wing of the gnostic origins argument which would place the beginnings of the movement as prior to the origins of Christianity.

[K B]

Well done in scholastic endeavor -- well documented and appendices given with good reason. Caution to future readers: know your Greek or have a lexicon handy!