A style study of the Apostle Paul’s communication with Festus and Agrippa: The use of literary Koine Greek in Acts 25:14–22; 26:1–29

Abstract

This article defines style, stylistics and literary koine Greek and analyses the literary koine Greek employed in Luke’s recording of the Apostle Paul’s court case at Caesarea in Acts 25:14– 22; 26:1–29. The principles and methodology in stylistics are explained and an overview of some of the style studies in the last 30 years is made. Paul demonstrates a literary style of Greek when speaking with Festus and Agrippa. Stylistics defines ‘style’ as the choices an author makes (whether conscious or subconscious) amongst linguistic possibilities (usually but not always a choice amongst grammatical possibilities). In grammatical studies, rhetoric is the manner of writing. Style study helps to observe the author’s emphasis, analogies and message, and helps with the appreciation of communication.

Keywords: style, stylistics, rhetorical criticism, literary criticism, figures of speech, imagery, genre, metaphor, literary koine, optative mood, Apostle Paul, Luke, Marcus Julius Agrippa II, Julia Berenice, Porcius Festus, Theophilus, Longinus, aesthetic effects