Chapter 10 John Chrysostom’s Interpretation of 1 Cor 15:29 as an Invitation to Intersubjectivity

In: Fresh Perspectives on St John Chrysostom as an Exegete
Author:
J. David Stark
Search for other papers by J. David Stark in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Type:
Chapter
Pages:
221–243
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004708624_012

Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00
Add to Cart
Redeem Access Token

Abstract

Critical exegetes often judge 1 Cor 15:29 to be a probable reference to proxy baptism undertaken by the living for the benefit of the departed. For Chrysostom, this reading was aberrant, but even Pauline interpreters who agree with his assessment often dismiss Chrysostom’s preferred reading. Yet truly understanding Chrysostom’s interpretation of 1 Cor 15:29 in particular, and his hermeneutic in general, requires intersubjectivity. It requires asking how Chrysostom could be right and what the best ways are to translate his interpretative approach to modern, critical scholarship. Thus understood, Chrysostom offers an account of 1 Cor 15:29 that is still compelling to a degree that few other proposals in the centuries after him have been able to achieve.

  • Collapse
  • Expand
Series:  Biblical Exegesis from Eastern Orthodox Perspectives, Volume: 1
Cover Fresh Perspectives on St John Chrysostom as an Exegete
E-Book ISBN:
9789004708624
Publisher:
Brill
Print Publication Date:
19 Nov 2024
Front Matter
Introduction John Chrysostom and Biblical Exegesis from Orthodox Perspectives
Part 1 Backgrounds of Chrysostomic Exegesis
Part 2 Special Aspects of Chrysostomic Exegesis
Part 3 Receptions and Transformations
Back Matter

  • Asher, Jeffrey B. Polarity and Change in 1Corinthians 15: A Study of Metaphysics, Rhetoric, and Resurrection. HUT 42. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2000.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baker, William. “1Corinthians.” Pages 1–264 in 1Corinthians, 2Corinthians. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2009.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Barney, Kevin L. “Baptized for the Dead.” Pages 9–58 in “To Seek the Law of the Lord”: Essays in Honor of John W. Welch. Edited by Paul Y. Hoskisson and Daniel C. Peterson. Orem, UT: Interpreter, 2017.

  • Barney, Kevin L. “Baptized for the Dead.” Interpreter 39 (2020): 103–150.

  • Barrett, C.K. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. BNTC. London: Continuum, 1968.

  • Barrett, C.K. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. BNTS. London: Continuum, 1973.

  • Barrier, Jeremy W. The Acts of Paul and Thecla: A Critical Introduction and Commentary. WUNT II /270. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2009.

  • Blass, Friedrich, Albert Debrunner, and Robert Walter Funk. A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1961.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bockmuehl, Markus. The Epistle to the Philippians. BNTC. London: Continuum, 1997.

  • Chester, Stephen J. Conversion at Corinth: Perspectives on Conversion in Paul’s Theology and the Corinthian Church. SNTW. London: T&T Clark, 2005.

  • Ciampa, Roy E., and Brian S. Rosner. “1Corinthians.” Pages 695–752 in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Edited by Gregory K. Beale and Donald A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ciampa, Roy E., and Brian S. Rosner. The First Letter to the Corinthians. PilNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010.

  • Danker, Frederick W., Walter Bauer, William Arndt, and F. Wilbur Gingrich, eds. A Greek–English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Translated by F.W. Danker. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • DeMaris, Richard E. “Corinthian Religion and Baptism for the Dead (1Corinthians 15:29): Insights from Archaeology and Anthropology.” JBL 114 (1995): 661–682.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • DeMaris, Richard E. The New Testament in Its Ritual World. London: Routledge, 2008.

  • Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.

  • Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Rev. ed. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014.

  • Fee, Gordon D. Philippians. IVP New Testament Commentary 11. Westmont, IL: InterVarsity Press Academic, 1999.

  • Field, Frederick. Joannis Chrysostomi interpretatio omnium epistularum Paulinarum. Bibliotheca patrum ecclesiae catholicae qui ante orientis et occidentis schisma floruerunt. Oxford, 1845–1862.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fitzmyer, Joseph A. First Corinthians: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. AB 32. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Foschini, Bernard M. “‘Those Who Are Baptized for the Dead,’ 1Cor 15:29 (Third Article).” CBC 13 (1951): 46–78.

  • Foschini, Bernard M. “‘Those Who Are Baptized for the Dead,’ 1Cor 15:29 (Fourth Article).” CBC 13 (1951): 172–198.

  • Furnish, Victor Paul. IICorinthians: Translated with Introduction, Notes and Commentary. AB 32A. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gadamer, Hans-Georg. “The Universality of the Hermeneutical Problem.” Pages 3–17 in Philosophical Hermeneutics. Translated by David E. Ligne. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1977.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gadamer, Hans-Georg. Truth and Method. Translated by Joel Weinsheimer and Donald G. Marshall. 2nd ed. Bloomsbury Revelations. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2013.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Garland, David E. 1Corinthians. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003.

  • Geerard, Maurice, ed. Clavis Patrum Graecorum. 5 vols. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 1974.

  • Hansen, G. Walter. The Letter to the Philippians. PilNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.

  • Harris, Murray J. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.

  • Hull, Michael F. Baptism on Account of the Dead (1Cor 15:29): An Act of Faith in the Resurrection. AcBib 22. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2005.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Johnson, Alan F. 1Corinthians. IVP New Testament Commentary 7. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

  • Keener, Craig S. 1–2Corinthians. NCBiC. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

  • Keener, Craig S. New Testament. 2nd ed. IVP Bible Background Commentary 2. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014.

  • Kelly, J.N.D. Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom, Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1995.

  • Kruse, Colin G. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary. TNTC 7. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.

  • Lewis, C.S. “Bulverism.” Pages 271–277 in God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics. Edited by Walter Hooper. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lincicum, David. “Thecla’s Auto-Immersion (APTh 4.2–14 [3.27–39]): A Baptism for the Dead?” Apocrypha 21 (2011): 203–213.

  • Matera, Frank J. IICorinthians: A Commentary. New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003.

  • Meyer, Heinrich August Wilhelm. Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Epistles to the Corinthians. Edited by William P. Dickson. Translated by David D. Bannerman and David Hunter. 2 vols. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1879.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Minor, Mitzi L. 2Corinthians. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2009.

  • Morris, Leon. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary. 2nd ed. TNTC 7. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Murphy-O’Connor, Jerome. “‘Baptized for the Dead’ (1Cor 15:29): A Corinthian Slogan?” Pages 242–256 in Keys to First Corinthians: Revisiting the Major Issues. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nash, Robert Scott. 1Corinthians. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2009.

  • O’Neill, J.C. “1Corinthians 15:29.” Expository Times 91 (1979): 310–311.

  • Patrick, James E. “Living Rewards for Dead Apostles: ‘Baptised for the Dead’ in 1Corinthians 15.29.” NTS 52 (2006): 71–85.

  • Paulsen, David L., Judson Burton, Kendel J. Christensen, and Martin Pulido. “Redemption of the Dead: Continuing Revelation after Joseph Smith.” Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 20 (2011): 52–69.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Paulsen, David L., Kendel J. Christensen, and Martin Pulido. “Redeeming the Dead: Tender Mercies, Turning of Hearts, and Restoration of Authority.” Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 20 (2011): 28–51.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Paulsen, David L., Roger D. Cook, and Kendel J. Christensen. “The Harrowing of Hell: Salvation for the Dead in Early Christianity.” Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 19 (2010): 56–77.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Paulsen, David L., Roger D. Cook, and Brock M. Mason. “Theological Underpinnings of Baptism for the Dead.” BYU Studies Quarterly 55 (2016): 101–116.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Paulsen, David L., and Brock M. Mason. “Baptism for the Dead in Early Christianity.” Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 19 (2010): 22–49.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Porter, Stanley E. Idioms of the Greek New Testament. 2nd ed. Biblical Languages: Greek 2. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic, 1999.

  • Porter, Stanley E. et al., The OpenText.org Syntactically Analyzed Greek New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2006.

  • Pratt, Richard L., Jr. I and IICorinthians. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2000.

  • Reaume, John D. “Another Look at 1Corinthians 15:29, ‘Baptized for the Dead.’” BS 152 (1995): 457–475.

  • Robertson, A.T., and Alfred Plummer. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. 2nd ed. ICC. 1914; repr., Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1929.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schenck, Kenneth. 1 & 2Corinthians: A Commentary for Bible Students. Wesleyan Bible Commentary. Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2006.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schnabel, Eckhard J. Der erste Brief des Paulus an die Korinther. Historisch-theologische Auslegung. Wuppertal: Brockhaus, 2006.

  • Schneemelcher, Wilhelm, and Rodolphe Kasser. “Acts of Paul.” Pages 213–270 in Writings Relating to the Apostles: Apocalypses and Related Subjects. Vol. 1 of New Testament Apocrypha. Edited by W. Schneemelcher. Translated by Robert M. Wilson. 2nd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1992.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schneider, Bernardin. “The Corporate Meaning and Background of 1Cor 15:45b—‘O ESCHATOS ADAM EIS PNEUMA ZŌIOPOIOUN.” CBQ 29 (1967): 450–467.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schrage, Wolfgang. 1Kor 15,1–16,24. EKK VII.4. Zürich: Benziger, 2001.

  • Seifrid, Mark A. The Second Letter to the Corinthians. PilNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014.

  • Smyth, Herbert Weir. Greek Grammar. Edited by Gordon M. Messing. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2002.

  • Stark, David J. “Baptism on Behalf of the Dead at Corinth—and in the Pentateuch?” Pages 161–186 in Scripture, Texts, and Tracings in 1Corinthians. Edited by L.L. Belleville and B.J. Oropeza. Scripture and Paul. Lanham, MD: Lexington, 2019.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stark, David J. “Problems and Prospects with Romans 1:13–14 and the Letter’s Implication of a Gentile Audience.” TynB 73 (2022): 45–69.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stark, David J. “Traditional Conflict Management: How Early Interpreters Address Paul’s Reference to Those Baptized for the Dead (1Corinthians 15:29).” Religions 14 (2023): 1–14.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stowers, Stanley K. The Diatribe and Paul’s Letter to the Romans. SBLDS 57. Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 1981.

  • Taylor, Nicholas. “Baptism for the Dead (1Cor 15:29)?” Neot 36 (2002): 111–120.

  • Taylor, Nicholas. Paul on Baptism: Theology, Mission and Ministry in Context. London: SCM, 2016; repr., Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2017.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

  • Thompson, K.C. “ICorinthians 15, 29 and Baptism for the Dead.” Pages 647–659 in New Testament Scriptures. TUGAL Berlin: Academy, 1964.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thrall, Margaret. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. 2nd ed. ICC. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 2004.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Trumbower, Jeffrey A. Rescue for the Dead: The Posthumous Salvation of Non-Christians in Early Christianity. OSHT. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Turner, Nigel. Syntax. Vol. 3 of A Grammar of New Testament Greek. Edited by James Hope Moulton. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1908–1976.

  • Tvedtnes, John A. “The Quick and the Dead.” Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies Review 19 (2007): 215–237.

  • Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.

  • de Wet, Chris L. “John Chrysostom’s Exegesis on the Resurrection in 1Corinthians 15.” Neot 45 (2011): 92–114.

  • White, Joel R. “‘Baptized on Account of the Dead’: The Meaning of 1Corinthians 15:29 in Its Context.” JBL 116 (1997): 487–499.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • White, Joel R. “Recent Challenges to the communis opinio on 1Corinthians 15.29.” CurBR 10 (2012): 379–395.

  • Winter, Bruce W. After Paul Left Corinth. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.

  • Wright, N.T. The Resurrection of the Son of God. Christian Origins and the Question of God 3. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2003.

  • Zeller, Dieter. “Die Taufe für die Toten (1Kor 15, 29): Ein Fall von ‘Volksfrömmigkeit’?” Pages 393–406 in Volksglaube im antiken Christentum. Edited by H. Grieser and A. Merkt. Darmstadt: WBG, 2009.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Zeller, Dieter. “Gibt es religionsgeschichtliche Parallelen zur Taufe für die Toten (1Kor 15,29)?” ZNW 98 (2007): 68–76.

Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 46 46 25
Full Text Views 1 1 1
PDF Views & Downloads 1 1 1