The Super Foul Apostles: Sexual Impropriety, Disgust, and Stinky Affective Histories in 2 Cor. 11:2–4

This article explores the affective textures of Paul’s construction of his apostolic “opponents” in the paternal and erotic metaphor of 2 Corinthians 11:2–4. Building on insights from affect theory and studies in the cultural history of emotions, I examine the ways that Paul’s polemic thrives on a r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biblical interpretation
Main Author: Gunderson, Jaimie (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2022
In: Biblical interpretation
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Corinthians 2. / Emotion / Affectivity
IxTheo Classification:HC New Testament
ZD Psychology
Further subjects:B 2 Corinthians
B odor
B Embodiment
B Affect
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Summary:This article explores the affective textures of Paul’s construction of his apostolic “opponents” in the paternal and erotic metaphor of 2 Corinthians 11:2–4. Building on insights from affect theory and studies in the cultural history of emotions, I examine the ways that Paul’s polemic thrives on a representation of reality predicated on affective and sensory stimuli, namely the odor of disgust. I suggest that Paul maligns the bodies of the other apostles as grotesque and morally repugnant, indexing them in a disgust-centered physiology overflowing with olfactory associations prevalent across the ancient world. Moving beyond a language-bound analysis of Paul’s polemic, this study demonstrates that Paul’s letters are potent with affect and visceral immediacy.
ISSN:1568-5152
Contains:Enthalten in: Biblical interpretation
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15685152-03050003