text-centred rhetorical analysis of 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

Abstract

This article analyses 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 from a rhetorical perspective. Instead of the typical approach which is used to analyse the letter in terms of ancient rhetorical theory, this article explains Paul’s rhetorical strategy found in the text itself; it is therefore called a text-centred rhetorical analysis which follows a minimum theoretical approach. Accordingly, the overall rhetorical strategy is identified in both pericopes. A discussion of the dominant and supportive arguments and rhetorical techniques follows the identification. This article illustrates how Paul adapts the ancient letter style to achieve his rhetorical objectives. It remains critically important to note that his pastoral concern confirms the favourable relationship that the congregation continued to have with God the Father, with Jesus the Lord and with the missionaries.

Paul’s self-presentation and his opinion on the art of persuasion in 1 Corinthians

“…Some scholars, however, criticise the use of the classical rhetorical method of interpretation, as there is always the danger of reading the use of ancient rhetorical persuasion strategies into the text. Tolmie (2005), Genade (2007), Snyman (2009b), and Prinsloo (2022 identified the need of a text-centred analysis when interpreting Paul's rhetoric, in order to construct the persuasive strategy of the author from the text itself. This article attempts to determine:…”