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How to understand what passes all understanding: using the documentary papyri to understand εἰρήνη in Paul

Abstract:
In popular culture, the Pauline texts referring to ‘peace’ are illustrated by serene and tranquil scenes. I shall argue that to Paul's first readers, ‘peace’ evoked rather different images – military victories, arrests of criminals and the unloading of corn. I argue this because of how εἰρήνη is normally used in documentary papyri, that is personal letters, administrative documents and other non-literary written material. I explain my method and then present the papyrological evidence, including references to the various ‘peace-officials’. I argue that εἰρήνη meant something like ‘good order’. I use this insight to interpret Rom 5.1 and Phil 4.7.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1017/s0028688520000260

Authors

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
HUMS
Department:
Theology Faculty
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Journal:
New Testament Studies More from this journal
Volume:
67
Issue:
2
Pages:
220-240
Publication date:
2021-03-04
Acceptance date:
2019-08-13
DOI:
EISSN:
1469-8145
ISSN:
0028-6885


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1176287
Local pid:
pubs:1176287
Deposit date:
2021-05-14
ARK identifier:

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