1 Cor 9,5: The Women of the Apostles 355 Günther Zuntz chooses “women” as the correct reading because of its geographical dispersion before the main text types emerged: “It is original, the crude expression suits Paul’s polemical fervour and was bound to provoke the various softening substitutes which the other witnesses transmit” (20). Clearly some of the old Latin witnesses such as Tertullian indicate that there were old variations. Contra Zuntz, when one carefully analyzes the interpretation of the text in individuals such as Aphrahaat it is not at all clear that “women” was a “crude expression” (21). Aphrahaat (IV C.E.), the ascetic Persian sage, in a discussion of monks, refers to the celibate example of John the Baptist and Elijah. He then mentions the Apostle (Paul) and Barnabas and quotes 1 Cor 9,5 with the reading “women” instead of “sister woman”. He adds a phrase that apparently ascribes the view to Paul that “it was not righteous” (to take women around) (22). The reading “women” morphed easily into the interpretation “servant women” (in the singular serviens matrona). “Sister woman” seems a far more problematic text for the interpreter, and most likely was Paul’s expression. III. The Women as Assistants in Mission Clement provided a very specific function for the women whom the apostles took with them. In a passage against those who reject marriage, Clement states that Peter was married and that he (along with the Philip of Acts — an apostle also in Clement’s view) “made children”. After quoting 1 Cor 9,5, he notes of the other apostles that they devoted themselves without distraction to the proclamation and led around their women (ta;" gunai'ka") not as wives (gametav") but as sisters to be fellow ministers (sundiakovnou") to household managing women (ta;" oikourou" gunaika"). Through these women the teaching j ; ' of the Lord was introduced into the women’s quarters (th;n gunaikwni'tin) without slander (23). That he understands the women to (20) ZUNTZ, The Text, 138. BAUER, “Uxores”, 95 agrees with the reading. (21) For a similar judgment cf J. KREMER, Der Erste Brief an die Korinther (RNT; Regensburg 1997) 185. (22) Aphrahaat, Dem. 6.5 (PO I/1; 264,22–265,2 PARISOT). (23) Clem. Alex., Str. 3.6.52.5-53.3 (GCS Clemens Alexandrinus II; 220,15- 24 STÄHLIN – FRÜCHTEL). Cp. oijkourouv" in 4.20.128.1 (304,30 ST./FR.) and the trans. in G. BRAY (1-2 Corinthians [Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture 7; Downers Grove 1999] 80): “wives … as Christian sisters rather than as spouses” (from FC 85, 289).