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Re: Pauline Authorship of 1 Timothy
> One thing readily apparent from the recent debate on the Greek word
> ARSENOKOITHS is that is a very rare word and is first attested in
> Paul's 1 Corinthians.
>
> Now, this word also appears in one of the Pastorals (1 Timothy) whose
> Pauline authorship is in dispute. To what exent is this use of ARSENO-
> KOITHS helpful to the analysis of the authorship of 1 Timothy?
Stylistically, the use of ARSENOKOITHS in 1 Timothy points to (but does not
decides) its genuineness. These are stylistic similarities I can see:
- It is a rare and bland word not independently used by other Christian
writers until the 4th cen. [But cf. Sybilline Oracle's use of the verb
form.]
- It appears in a vice list. Romans 1 can also be read as a vice list.
- Its usage seems consistent with Paul's treatment of homosexuality: he does
not dwell on it, but mentions it for shock value almost gratuitously. [Cf.
1Co6:9, Rm1:26-27]
I know that this in no way explains the stylistic differences between the
Pastorals and the undisputed letters, but I think it does show that the
author of the Pastorals had to be, at a minimum, quite familiar with Paul's
terminology and overall treatment of homosexuality.
Stephen Carlson
--
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