This book focuses on the controversy recorded in 1 Corinthians 15 regarding the denial of the resurrection of the dead. Many attempts and proposals have been made to understand the background of Paul's opponents. By focusing on the possible impact of Stoicism, Albert V. Garcilazo argues that the internal evidence of the letter indicates that some of the Corinthians had adopted a realized eschatology as well as an antisomatic view of the resurrection, which in turn prompted them to reject the future resurrection of the dead. Garcilazo suggests that the higher status members of the congregation were influenced by the cosmological, anthropological, and ethical teachings of the Stoa, especially the tenets of the Roman Stoics. He demonstrates this possibility by first considering the similarities between the doctrines of the Corinthian dissenters and the teachings of the Stoic philosophers, particularly the teachings of Seneca. Following a brief overview of Stoicism, the author concentrates on some of the theological issues revealed in the letter and examines how other scholars have interpreted 1 Corinthians 15. Finally, he provides a detailed analysis of 1 Corinthians 15:12-49. In short, Garcilazo argues that the philosophy of the Stoics seemingly contributed to the resurrection controversy recorded in 1 Corinthians 15. This book focuses on the controversy recorded in 1 Corinthians 15 regarding the denial of the resurrection of the dead. Many attempts and proposals have been made to understand the background of Paul¿s opponents. By focusing on the possible impact of Stoicism, Albert V. Garcilazo argues that the internal evidence of the letter indicates that some of the Corinthians had adopted a realized eschatology as well as an antisomatic view of the resurrection, which in turn prompted them to reject the future resurrection of the dead. Garcilazo suggests that the higher status members of the congregation were influenced by the cosmological, anthropological, and ethical teachings of the Stoa, especially the tenets of the Roman Stoics. He demonstrates this possibility by first considering the similarities between the doctrines of the Corinthian dissenters and the teachings of the Stoic philosophers, particularly the teachings of Seneca. Following a brief overview of Stoicism, the author concentrates on some of the theological issues revealed in the letter and examines how other scholars have interpreted 1 Corinthians 15. Finally, he provides a detailed analysis of 1 Corinthians 15:12-49. In short, Garcilazo argues that the philosophy of the Stoics seemingly contributed to the resurrection controversy recorded in 1 Corinthians 15. Editor's Preface xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction 1(10) 1 Corinthians and the Possible Influence of Stoicism 11(68) Overview of Stoicism 15(11) The Early Stoa 15(5) The Middle Stoa 20(2) The Later Stoa 22(4) 1 Corinthians and the Influence of Stoic Ethics 26(24) The Stoic Concept of Wisdom 32(4) The Stoic Concept of Freedom 36(9) The Stoic Concept of Self-Sufficiency 45(5) 1 Corinthians and the Influence of Stoic Anthropology 50(14) The Dualistic Anthropology of the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6:12--20 51(4) The Dualistic Anthropology of Seneca 55(7) The Dualistic Anthropology of the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15 62(2) 1 Corinthians and the Influence of Stoic Cosmology 64(13) The Dualistic Cosmology of the Corinthians 64(1) The Dualistic Cosmology of the Roman Stoics 65(2) The Dualistic Cosmology of the Middle Stoics 67(5) Other Stoic Concepts and Terminology 72(5) Conclusion 77(2) The Denial of the Resurrection of the Dead in 1 Corinthians 15: A History of Interpretation 79(48) Historical Criticism 81(7) Johannes Weiss 82(1) Robertson and Plummer 83(2) Hans Lietzmann 85(1) E.-B. Allo 86(2) Karl Barth 88(4) Rudolf Bultmann and His Followers 92(5) Rudolf Bultmann 92(2) Hans Conzelmann 94(1) Walter Schmithals 95(2) The Biblical Theology Movement 97(5) Oscar Cullmann 97(2) Murray J. Harris 99(1) Friedrich Lang 100(2) Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation 102(9) Dale B. Martin 102(4) Ben Witherington III 106(3) Wolfgang Schrage 109(2) Historical Exegesis 111(12) James Moffatt 111(3) C. K. Barrett 114(1) Jean Hering 115(1) F. F. Bruce 116(1) Gordon D. Fee 117(3) Richard B. Hays 120(1) Anthony C. Thiselton 121(2) Conclusion and Appraisal 123(4) The Resurrection of the Dead: An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 15:12--49 127(52) The Issue of the Future Resurrection of the Dead (1 Cor. 15:12--34) 130(30) Translation of the Text 130(4) Analysis of the Text 134(26) The Issue of the Resurrection Body (1 Cor. 15:35--49) 160(16) Translation of the Text 160(1) Analysis of the Text 161(15) Conclusion 176(3) Summary and Conclusion 179(4) Appendix: The Jewish Concept of Resurrection 183(46) Bibliography 229(12) Index of Selected Names and Subjects 241(4) Index of Scripture, Apocrypha, and Other Ancient Sources 245