Become Such as I Am: St. Paul in The Acts of the Apostles

Abstract

Paul is accorded unique status within The Acts of the Apostles, a status that differs from what appears as Paul's own self-evaluation as found in parts of his letters. There has been much scholarly discussion as to the methodology that the author Luke has used to accomplish this transformation of Paul. This article attempts to provide an answer to the latter issue, the methodology. After an examination of the cultural concepts of honor and shame in the late first-century world, the article applies these insights to Luke's treatment of Paul. It is the thesis of the article that, unlike the methods assumed by other modern commentators, Luke appropriates the supremely important values of honor and shame from his social world in order to enhance and legitimate the position of Paul, especially before the Jewish Christian community for whom Luke writes.