Ancient Editors and Copyists and Modern Partition Theories: the Case of the Corinthian Correspondence

Abstract

Partition theories for the Pauline epistles have been proposed and discussed on broadly literary criteria. The article shows that ancient editorial methods were essen tially conservative, and suggests that this is because of the physical problems that were faced by editors and copyists employing rolls. Any partition theory pre supposes a redactor, who would have to perform certain physical tasks. On this basis it is suggested that partition theories should be in part evaluated according to the physical process which the hypothetical redactor would have to perform. Some parti tion theories proposed for the Corinthian correspondence are examined in this light. and it is suggested that since the complex theories proposed involve complex and difficult scribal tasks they are less tenable than theories which would involve a scribe in simple tasks. In any event, a complex and difficult scribal process must involve a compelling editorial justification, which is often not supplied by proponents of division hypotheses.