Paul and Epictetus on Law: A Comparison

Paul's relationship with covenantal nomism has long been the subject of lively discussion. In this book Niko Huttunen presents a challenging new path to complement the general scholarly picture of Paul's teaching on law. Acknowledging that Stoicism permeated Paul's intellectual milieu, Huttunen compares Paul's sayings of law with those of Epictetus drawing comparisons as a result of careful methodological considerations.

Pauline law is generally focused upon Paul's sayings on and relationship with the Torah. It is Huttunen's contention that Paul's ideas on law have clearer affinities with Stoic ideas than with the Torah. Throughout the course of the book Huttunen displays Paul's interpretation of the Torah with Stoic methods (1 Cor. 7-9), asserts that in some passages (Rom. 1-2 and Rom. 7) Paul's thinking is Stoic, not Platonic and demonstrates that Paul's famous "I"-passage (Rom. 7.7-25) owes much to Stoic anthropology and psychology. Where the latter is concerned Huttunen suggests that Epictetus' use of the first person presents a good analogy for Paul's employment of "I" as a rhetorical device. In further passages (e.g. Rom. 13-15) the comparison with Epictetus opens a window into ancient intellectual thinking in general. Epictetus' ideas of moral progress present an analogy both to the "works of law" and to Paul's moral exhortation. There are also similarities between Paul's figure of Christ and Epictetus' figure of Heracles. The comparison suggests further comparisons between Paul's treatment of law and other philosophers and schools.

• Table of contents
• 1. On Applying the Stoic Perspective to Paul and Law
• 1.1. An Alternative Approach to an Old Problem
• 1.2. Sources and Earlier Studies
• 1.3. Methodological Considerations                                                                             
• 2. Law and the Core of Epictetus' Philosophy
• 2.1. Epictetus' Stoic Theory of Value 
• 2.2. Paul's Christian Stoicism in 1 Corinthians 7 and 9                                      
• 3. Fundamentals of Law
• 3.1. God and Nature in Epictetus
• 3.2. Paul on God, Law, and Nature in Romans 1 and 2                                    
• 4. The Strong and the Weak
• 4.1. Epictetus' Law on the Weaker and the Stronger
• 4.2. Paul: Love Between the Weak and the Strong                                                       
• 5. Difficulties With Law
• 5.1. Views on Marriage in Epictetus and in Paul
• 5.2. Epictetus and Paul on Divine Law and State Law                                      
• 6. The Anthropology and Psychology of Transgression
• 6.1. Moral Contradictions and Anthropological Dichotomy in Epictetus
• 6.2. Contradictions of the "I": Stoicism and Romans 7                                      
• 7. Fulfilling the Law
• 7.1. Epictetus: Progress After Examples                                                                       
• 7.2. Paul: Deeds and Christ                              
• 8. Conclusions                                                                                                             
• 9. Bibliography
• 9.1. Sources
• 9.2. Literature   
  
  
  • Table of contents
  • Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
    • Review of Literature
    • Methodological Issues
    • Outline of the Project
  • Chapter 2. GENTILE RULERS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND SECOND TEMPLE LITERATURE
    • Introduction
    • Purpose and Scope of This Chapter
    • Definition of Gentile Ruler
    • Portrayals of Gentile Rulers in the Old Testament
    • Portrayals of Genitle Rulers in Second Temple Jewish Literature
    • Summary: Jewish Portrayals of Gentile Rulers
  • Chapter 3. THE IMPERIAL AND COSMIC CONTEXTS OF LUKE-ACTS
    • Introduction
    • The Imperial Framework of Luke-Acts
    • The Cosmic Framework of Luke-Acts
    • Summary: Luke-Acts in the Roman Imperial Context
  • Chapter 4. THE LUKAN PORTRAYAL OF ROMAN PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS
    • Introduction
    • Pontius Pilate in the Lukan Passion Narrative
    • Roman Provincial Governors in Paul's Missionary Journeys
    • Roman Authorities in Paul's Trial
    • Excursus: Nero in the Shadow of the Narrative of Acts
    • Summary: Luke's Portrayals of Roman Provincial Governors
  • Chapter 5. THE LUKAN PORTRAYALS OF THE HERODIAN DYNASTY
    • Introduction
    • Herod Antipas
    • Agrippa I
    • Agrippa II
    • Summary: Luke's Portrayals of the Herodian Dynasty
  • Chapter 6. CONCLUSION
    • Summary of the Study Implications for Lukan Studies