A Text centred rhetorical analysis of Paul's Letter to Titus

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authority. Paradoxically, the false teachers are described as ajnupovtaktoi (1:10) while the children of elders-overseers must not manifest this characteristic (1:6). A compound noun, it has as its root the word uJpotavssw. The paranomasia serves to facilitate an implicit contrast between those who manifest submission and those who manifest rebellion. Thus, sound doctrine can only lead to uJpotavssw, while illegitimate ministry can only encourage behaviour that is ajnupovtakto~, which is behaviour that society in general would condemn. The next infinitive, peiqarcei`n, is another instance of paranomasia. The antonym, ajpeiqhv" (1:16) was used in the context of false teachers. Furthermore, the noun ajrchv occurring in the first part of the sentence is also present in the verb peiqarcevw. By using paranomasia, the author contrasts the dispositions of the false teachers and believers, perhaps with specific emphasis upon their relationship to authority. Whereas previously, the implicit contrasts were being drawn between legitimate teachers and illegitimate teachers, now it is illegitimate teachers and legitimate believers that are being contrasted. The separation between legitimate and illegitimate is thus being maintained. The expression, pro;" pa`n e[rgon ajgaqo;n eJtoivmou" ei\nai, but for the infinitive and the adjective, is an exact replication of a previous prepositional phrase: pro;" pa`n e[rgon ajgaqo;n ajdovkimoi (1:16). This is also an instance of implicit contrast, between the illegitimate teachers and the legitimate believers. Through implicit contrast, the difference between legitimate and illegitimate is highlighted and maintained. The apostle takes great pains to prevent any blurring of the boundaries between these two opposing sides. Thus, whereas illegitimate teaching renders the one group “worthless for any good work”, legitimate teaching makes believers “ready for every good work”. In verse 3 the verb blasfhmei`n is also a repetition from an earlier occurrence, blasfhmh`tai in 2:5. This repetition also constitutes paranomasia. Thus, two things ought not to be spoken evil of, namely God's word, and any other PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version www.pdffactory.com 121
person. Interestingly, both instances of this verb appear in close association with the verb uJpotavssw. Just as it would be wrong for unbelievers to speak evil of God's word, it would be equally wrong for believers to speak evil of any other person. In fact, evil speaking would put the believer on par with those who speak against the word of God. The adjective mhdeiv~ functions to accentuate the scope of this prohibition, making it applicable to all people – unbelievers and believers alike. The next two expressions, ajmavcoi ei\nai (to be uncontentious) and ejpieikaiv (kind, gentle, tolerant) emphasise the peaceable nature that ought to characterise the believer. It is reminiscent of two synonymous traits associated with elders-overseers in 1:7, namely, mh; ojrgivlo" (not quick tempered) and mh; plhvkth" (not pugnacious). The final characteristic, prau?th~, is emphasised through alliteration of the p- consonant: pa`san (ejndeiknumevnou") prau?thta pro;" pavnta" ajnqrwvpou". The participial clause states in a positive manner that which was stated negatively earlier, namely, mhdevna blasfhmei`n and ajmavcoi ei\nai. The repetition of the adjective pav~ reinforces the mandatory and uncompromising nature of these characteristics. This is further enhanced by the pairing of the antonyms, pav~ (all) and mhdeiv~ (none). Thus, any behaviour to the contrary is completely unjustifiable – “all gentleness” to “all people”, without exceptions. Conclusion In this section, the dominant rhetorical objective may summarised as an attempt to persuade the Cretans of the compulsory treatment of all unbelievers in a manner consistent with sound doctrine. Paul argues on the basis of the prior knowledge of or appealing to the memory of his audience to convince them to behave in a socially responsible manner towards authorities and society in general. Verses 1-2 comprise behaviour that the audience have known to be commendable; a societal ideal. Implicitly, this appeal seems to be motivated by a concern about the negative influence of illegitimate teaching and the resultant discrediting of the gospel or the Christian movement in PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version www.pdffactory.com 122
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A TEXT-CENTRED RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
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DECLARATION I declare that the diss
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SECTION 2 RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 2.1 R
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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 OVERVIEW
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The content of the authorship debat
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consistently identified as pioneer
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J. Quinn. Their list of scholars ad
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Uncharacteristic Pauline theology:
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etc. are not referring to actual pe
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History never lies” (Titus 1:2)?
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meaning as determined by historical
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other to explain what these critics
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1.1.2.4 Conclusion The various theo
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Excursus: Cumulative-complimentary
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Lumping or clustering apparent oppo
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these letters on a more individual
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Furthermore, the name Jesus Christ
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C. 1. qeou` and swthvr depend on do
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accentuate the unmistakable role of
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order to prove issues of authorship
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Miller (1997:124) is particularly u
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Next, Van Neste goes on to show how
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There have been some recent excepti
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The first part of the analysis is e
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offer any translations in this rega
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novel. To the best of my knowledge,
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ather than as a supplement to the T
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Accordingly, the research hypothesi
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•Step 3: Where deemed necessary,
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The rhetorical situation correspond
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Titus' primary assignment is to app
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Throughout the letter, Paul shares
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equally negative conduct (1:16). In
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2.2.1.1 Emphasising the legitimacy
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strategically throughout this secti
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This section is suffused with the r
Page 73 and 74: and trustworthiness. This choice of
Page 75 and 76: “By whose authority are you imple
Page 77 and 78: “shared knowledge”. The qualiti
Page 79 and 80: espectively within the same sentenc
Page 81 and 82: dichotomy at the front end of this
Page 83 and 84: church. Implicit contrasting is als
Page 85 and 86: aijscrokerdhv", and these false tea
Page 87 and 88: The second part of verse 13 contain
Page 89 and 90: different groups. He relentlessly p
Page 91 and 92: implicit contrasting. The negative
Page 93 and 94: marker is the use of the plural of
Page 95 and 96: instruction in this regard. “Heal
Page 97 and 98: almost desirable. Thus, legitimate
Page 99 and 100: The subject is the older women. Thi
Page 101 and 102: negatively upon the oJ lovgo" tou`
Page 103 and 104: 2.2.5.6 The behaviour of slaves In
Page 105 and 106: or originating from God (tou' … q
Page 107 and 108: to God and this paves the way for t
Page 109 and 110: This explains the use of inclusive
Page 111 and 112: Furthermore, through the direct rep
Page 113 and 114: what grace is instructing the belie
Page 115 and 116: Paul demonstrates that he is himsel
Page 117 and 118: The section closes with the apostle
Page 119 and 120: Another technique is personificatio
Page 121 and 122: the apostle adopts to persuade his
Page 123: Most commentators treat ejxousivai
Page 127 and 128: 2.2.8 Titus 3:3: Evoking disgust wi
Page 129 and 130: purpose while Mounce (2000:446) bel
Page 131 and 132: negative. Paranomasia and the metap
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Page 135 and 136: as traditional, with verse 3 as an
Page 137 and 138: aptism effected by the Holy Spirit
Page 139 and 140: exclusively or that this constitute
Page 141 and 142: through self-vilification in the op
Page 143 and 144: crhstovth" and filanqrwpiva of God
Page 145 and 146: ejpoihvsamen hJmei`" (works) ajlla;
Page 147 and 148: these titles. The future appearance
Page 149 and 150: The certainty and completeness of t
Page 151 and 152: The next two words in v. 7 are exam
Page 153 and 154: their salvation by God. The divine
Page 155 and 156: discourse. In this regard, consider
Page 157 and 158: two groups is accentuated and the d
Page 159 and 160: Verse 9 opens with the adversative
Page 161 and 162: awareness of the insidiousness of f
Page 163 and 164: This is a very tight unit, carefull
Page 165 and 166: turn, requires the presence of soun
Page 167 and 168: closing greeting to the Cretans inv
Page 169 and 170: SECTION 3 CONCLUSION In Section 1,
Page 171 and 172: 7: Titus 3:1-2: Persuading the Cret
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In unit 7 (3:1-2), the relationship
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The second objective is to highligh
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These four objectives may be summar
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expected manner can look forward to
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f. Arguments based on the use of vi
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m. Example. For example, in 3:4-7 G
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ehaviour expected of older men. In
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Aageson, J. W. (1997).
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Everts, J. M. (1993). Hope Dictiona
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Lea, D. and H. P. Griffin (1992). 1
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Sumney, J. L. (1996). “A Reading
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ABSTRACT This study has been conduc
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In Section 3 the results of the stu
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amanuensishipotese en die allonieme
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KEY TERMS 1. Pastoral Letters 2. Rh
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A Text centred rhetorical analysis of Paul's Letter to Titus

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