Description
New Testament scholars have long questioned 1 Peter’s structural and content unity. Furthermore, scholars divide over the existence of the so-called imperatival participle, both in general and within Peter’s first epistle. Ervin Starwalt utilizes a full top-down and bottom-up discourse analysis methodology to provide a solution to both problems.
Starwalt first demonstrates the coherence of the overall discourse, which involves Peter slowly constructing his argument around the need for humility and good behavior amidst current and upcoming trials. This discourse analysis then provides the framework for discussing the supposed imperatival participles in 2:18–3:9. Considerations of discourse processing, as well as Peter’s careful use of language, lead Starwalt to argue that there is no imperatival participle in 1 Peter. Thematically, the entire discourse points to Peter’s loving yet stern reminder of suffering’s normalcy, even as God’s children.
Table of Contents
Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background to the Problem
1.2 The Problem
1.3 Background of the Text
1.4 Methodology
1.4.1 Textual Basis
1.4.2 Preliminary Analyses
1.4.3 Primary Analyses
1.5 Literature Review
1.5.1 Understanding the Text’s Structure
1.5.2 Theories on the Imperatival Participle
1.5.3 Linguistic Theory
1.6 Contribution of the Study
Chapter 2: Structural Analysis of 1 Peter
2.1 Introduction
2.2. Formulaic Introductory Greeting: 1:1–2
2.3 Body-Introduction: 1:3–2:10
2.3.1 Prologue: 1:3–12
2.3.2 Introduction: 1:13–2:10
2.4 Body-Middle
2.4.1 Overview of 2:11–3:12
2.4.2 Initial Generic Commands: 2:11–12
2.4.3 Specific Commands: 2:13–17
2.4.4 Specific-Thesis 1: Slaves Submit: 2:18–25
2.4.5 Specific-Thesis 2: Wives Submit: 3:1–6
2.4.6 Specific-Thesis 3: Husbands Honor: 3:7
2.4.7 Specific-Thesis 4: Everybody: 3:8–12
2.4.8 Overview of 3:13–4:11
2.4.9 Not Fear, but Consecration: 3:13–3:22
2.4.10 Think Like Christ: 4:1–6
2.4.11 Be Sober-Minded: 4:7–11
2.5 Body-Close: 4:12–5:11
2.5.1 Commit Yourself to God in Suffering: 4:12–19
2.5.2 Leaders and Followers Act in Humility: 5:1–5
2.5.3 Rely on God and Be Ready: 5:6–11
2.6 Formulaic Close: 5:12–14
2.7 Summary of the Letter
Chapter 3: Imperatival Use of the Participle
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Structure and Participles in 2:11–3:12
3.3 Why Participles?
3.4 Response to Achtemeier: Are the Participles Really Commands?
Chapter 4: Summary and Conclusions
4.1 Summary
4.1.1 Summary of the Structure
4.1.2 Summary of the Imperatival Participle
4.2 Implications
4.3 Limitations of the Present Research
4.4 Suggestions for Further Research
Appendix: Semantic Outline (Tree) of 1 Peter
Bibliography
About the Author
Ervin Ray Starwalt (PhD, University of Texas at Arlington) is Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics at Dallas International University.
