II Corinthians vi. 14–vii. 1 and Food offered to Idols

Abstract

The problems surrounding the integrity of II Corinthians vi. 14–vii. I are well known. In the first place, verses vi. 11–13 and vii. 2–4 flow together rather easily as a single piece of personal appeal. ‘My heart is opened wide toward you…In a like reciprocation, I speak as to children, you also open wide (your hearts toward me)…Make room for me.’ The parenesis of vi. 14–vii. I abruptly breaks this flow of thought. Moreover, vi. 14–vii. I is a self-contained unit, which begins with a concrete prohibition supported by five balanced rhetorical questions, which in turn is supported by a catena of Old Testament passages, and concludes with a general parenesis. Nothing within this passage seems even remotely related, either in language or concept, to the personal appeal within which it is embedded.

Group Formative Processes in 2 Cor 6:14–7:1

“…12 Furthermore, all other occasions of some form of εἰδώλα in Paul (of which 16 occurrences are found in 1 Cor 13 ) refer to literal idols (Webb 1992b, p. 39). Therefore, in 2 Cor 6:16, the word probably refers to literal idols as well (Fee 1977).…”

Covenant: The Key to Paul’s Conflict with Corinth

“…This has been done effectively by G. D. Fee, who has shown that the function of 6:14-7:1 is to warn the Corinthians that they cannot continue to participate in banquets held in pagan temples. 29 Continued attendance at such banquets involves an exposure to idolatry and a tacit acknowledgment of other allegiances, both of which are incompatible with fidelity to the sovereign God. The passage develops Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 10: 14-22.…”

“…Paul's oblique reference was sufficient to place the issue delicately, but clearly, before his readers. to demonstrate an acceptable repentance or to experience the curse sanctions of the covenant(27)(28)(29)(30).16 The bearer of this 'painful letter' was Titus, whom Paul dispatched to Corinth with the instruction to report to him at Troas as soon as the response of the congregation was known. When Paul arrived in Troas and failed to find his associate, he became so disquieted he could not remain in the city (2 Cor.…”