Laura Tack, «A Face Reflecting Glory. 2 Cor 3,18 in its Literary Context (2 Cor 3,1 – 4,15).» biblica, Vol. 96 (2015) 85-112 page 104

Vol 96 (2015)

Laura Tack, «A Face Reflecting Glory. 2 Cor 3,18 in its Literary Context (2 Cor 3,1 – 4,15).», Vol. 96 (2015) 85-112

This contribution investigates the translation of the hapax legomenon katoptrizo/menoi in 2 Cor 3,18; in addition to philological and religionhistorical arguments, in particular the article takes into account the broader literary context (2 Corinthians 3–4). The main theme of that context, embodied proclamation, turns out to be an important justification of the translation “to reflect as a mirror”. Especially the link between 2 Cor 3,18 and the whole of 2 Corinthians 4, which describes Paul’s somatic identification with and manifestation of Christ, results in understanding 2 Cor 3,18 as describing the unveiled face that reflects the divine glory as a mirror.

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05_Tack_copiaaaaa_85-112 28/04/15 12:35 Pagina 104 104 LAURA TACK III. Looking Ahead: 2 Cor 3,18 as a Preview of 2 Corinthians 4 On the basis of an exegesis of 2 Corinthians 4, this last part of our study introduces additional arguments for the translation “to reflect as a mirror”. These arguments clarify at the same time why a transformation through mirror vision is not intended by Paul, and how Paul, alternatively, does in fact connect the mirror imagery to the central theme of transformation in 2 Cor 3,18. Moreover, the arguments explain in which way not only Paul but all Christians are involved in this transformation process. The importance of 2 Corinthians 4 for the understanding of 2 Cor 3,18 is neglected in past research, although 2 Cor 4,1-6 is generally considered as the conclusion of the first part of Paul’s apology (2 Cor 2,14 – 4,6). According to J. Lambrecht, 2 Cor 4,1-6 forms an inclusio with 2 Cor 2,14 – 3,6, since in these verses Paul once again recommends himself to the Corinthians (sunista,nw v. 2) 67. In this article, however, we also discuss 2 Cor 4,7-18. In our opinion 2 Cor 4,1-6 constitutes the bridge between 2 Cor 3,18, which mentions the facial manifestation of divine glory of all Christians, and 2 Cor 4,7- 15, which deals with the bodily manifestation of Christ’s resurrected life. Although 2 Cor 4,16-18 marks a new part, it nonetheless also brings the foregoing text unit to a close by indicating how the mani- festation of God’s glory and Christ’s life has to be perceived. Before we bring the other parts of 2 Corinthians 4 into the discus- sion (vv. 7-15 and vv. 16-18), we will first concentrate on 2 Cor 4,1- 6 that is closest to 2 Cor 3,18 as regards content. This text unit elaborates two central themes of 2 Corinthians 3. On the one hand, it brings the do,xa-theme to its culmination 68, and, on the other hand, it concludes the theme of the shining face 69. Next there are a couple of cross-references between 4,3 and 3,13-16 (kalu,ptw / ka,lumma), 4,4 and 3,14 (no,hma), and between 4,6 and 3,2-3.15 (kardi,a) 70 that all reinforce the connection between 2 Corinthians 3 and 2 Cor 4,1-6. 67 J. LAMBRECHT, “Structure and Line of Thought in 2 Cor 2,14 – 4,6”, Bib 64 (1983) 243-254. 68 G. DAUTZENBERG, “Überlegungen zur Exegese und Theologie von 2 Kor 4,1-6”, Bib 82 (2001) 325-344, 326; SCHWINDT, Gesichte, 242. 69 M.M. GRUBER, Herrlichkeit in Schwachheit. Eine Auslegung der Apologie des Zweiten Korintherbriefs 2 Kor 2,14 – 6,13 (FzB 89; Würzburg 1998) 298. 70 KUSCHNERUS, Gemeinde, 205-206.