Original Research
Kleipotte wat maklik breek ? ’n Herverstaan van 2 Korintiërs 4:7
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 42, No 2 | a267 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v42i2.267
| © 2008 W. C. Vergeer
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 July 2008 | Published: 27 July 2008
Submitted: 27 July 2008 | Published: 27 July 2008
About the author(s)
W. C. Vergeer, Skool vir Bybelwetenskappe & Antieke Tale, Potchefstroomkampus, Noordwes-Universiteit, South AfricaFull Text:
PDF (294KB)Abstract
Clay pots that break easily ? A reinterpretation of 2 Corinthians 4:7
Translations of and commentaries on the Bible see the image of clay pots Paul uses in 2 Corinthians 4:7 as a derogatory self- characterisation which is used to depict the fragility, ordinari- ness, cheapness or expendability of those that serve in the mi- nistry. It is generally held that the brittleness of the clay pots in a paradoxical way underlines the “all-surpassing power of God”. In this article the thought structure, syntactical, grammatical and socio-historic basis for this understanding of 2 Corinthians 4:7 is researched and (re)interpreted. The results suggest that the metaphor of clay pots should be understood in a complemen- tary rather than a paradoxical way.
Translations of and commentaries on the Bible see the image of clay pots Paul uses in 2 Corinthians 4:7 as a derogatory self- characterisation which is used to depict the fragility, ordinari- ness, cheapness or expendability of those that serve in the mi- nistry. It is generally held that the brittleness of the clay pots in a paradoxical way underlines the “all-surpassing power of God”. In this article the thought structure, syntactical, grammatical and socio-historic basis for this understanding of 2 Corinthians 4:7 is researched and (re)interpreted. The results suggest that the metaphor of clay pots should be understood in a complemen- tary rather than a paradoxical way.
Keywords
2 Corinthians; Clay Pots; Corinth; Socio-Historic Exegesis; Treasure In The Clay Pot
Metrics
Total abstract views: 3368Total article views: 4510