This thesis examines the exegesis of I Corinthians 5:3-5 between the years of 200, when the text is first cited, and 451, by which time the text had been subjected to a variety of exegetical approaches and applied to a number of different situations. A chronological (rather than topical) approach has been adopted; each writer's overall use of the passage is studied, in hope that this will give better insight into his exegesis of the Corinthian text. Although penitential theology was beginning to develop, with one major penance allowed for grievous post-baptismal sin (an idea found in the <I>Shepherd </I>of Hermas), the earliest extant exegesis of I Corinthians 5:3-5 occurs in the works of Tertullian during his Montanist phase; he cites it to support his argument that certain grave sins are beyond remission by the Church. For Tertullian, the <I>interitum carnis</I> refers to irrevocable excommunication and possible death for a serious offender. The <I>spiritus</I> which is to be saved is that of the Church, since the offender's spirit cannot possibly be saved after a descent into serious sin. Later in the same century, Origen takes a different position; since Paul counselled the church at Corinth to forgive a penitent sinner (II Corinthians 2:5-11), this was presumably the same man who had so grievously sinned (I Corinthians 5). Therefore, all sins are remissible by the Church.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:666166 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | McDonald, B. A. |
| Publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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