Claude Perera, «Burn or boast? A Text Critical Analysis of 1 Cor 13:3.», Vol. 18 (2005) 111-128
The dearth of external evidence in addition to the support of arguments
from a transcriptional probability perspective eliminates the variants kauqh|=
and kauqh/setai in 1 Cor 13:3. Besides having a syntactic problem, the variant
kauqh/swmai is a theologically motivated scribal intervention. Historical
facts, hinder the candidature of kauqh/somai and a syntagmatic approach
does not favour either kauqh/somai or kauxh/swmai. In Paul boasting is ambivalent.
"To boast in the Lord" is something positive. Furthermore, Petzer
justifies kauxh/swmai from a structural point of view. On textual, grammatical
and historical grounds kauxh/swmai cannot be a later addition.
128 Claude Perera
Appendix 3
Parallelistic & Climactic Structure of 1 Cor 13:1-3
according to Petzer
Section I (1 Cor 13:1)
A a. E ν ταīς γλ σσαις Ï„ ν Î½Ï‘Ï Ï€Ï‰Î½ λαλ
Though I speak with the tongues of men
b. κα τ ν γγ λων,
and of angels,
B γά ην δ µ χω
but have not love
C γÎγονα χαλκ Ï‚ χ ν κϵβαλον λαλάζον.
I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Section II (1 Cor 13:2)
A a. κα ν χω Ïοφητείαν
And though I have [the gift of] prophecy
κα ε δ Ï„ µυστ Ïια άντα
and I may know all the mysteries
κα σαν Ï„ ν γν Ïιν
and all the knowledge
b. κα ν χω σαν Ï„ ν ίστιν Ïτε Ïη µεϑιστάναι
and though I have all the faith, so that I could remove mountains
B γά ην δ µ χω,
but have not love
C ο Ï‘Îν ε µι.
I am nothing.
Section III (1 Cor 13:3)
A a. κ ν ψωµ σω ντα Ï„ Ïχοντά µου
And thought I divide up all my possessions to feed the poor
b. κα ν αÏαδ Ï„ σ µά µου να (καυχ σωµαι, καυϑ -σοµαι,
σωµαι, σεται, καυϑ ),
and thought I give my body so that - (I may (boast / I will be burnt
/ I might be burnt / it will be burnt / it might be burnt),
B γά ην δ µ χω,
but have not love,
C ο δ ν φελο µαι.
I gain nothing.
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