Abstract

JOUBERT, Stephan J.. 'Walking the talk': Paul's authority in motion in 2 Corinthians 10-13. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2015, vol.49, n.2, pp.1-7. ISSN 2305-0853.  https://doi.org/10.4102/IDS.V49I2.1899.

One's gait or incessus served as a prominent visual indicator of moral character and status in ancient Graeco-Roman societies. Nobles, aristocrats and slaves walked differently. Linking on to this 'common-sense knowledge', Paul's opponents in 2 Corinthians 10-13 shamed him publicly due to his inability to do the 'leadership walk' amongst the Corinthians. Whilst rhetorically engaging with these stereotypes, the apostle simultaneously deconstructs them with regard to the deep structure of the text. A new form of spiritual authority, which is also embodied in the weakness of Christ on the cross, surfaces in Paul's own bodily humiliations and apparent powerlessness.

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