Table Of ContentThe Interpersonal Metafunction in 1 Corinthians 1–4
Linguistic Biblical Studies
Series Editors
Stanley E. Porter
Jesús Peláez
Jonathan M. Watt
VOLUME 19
This series, Linguistic Biblical Studies, is dedicated to the development and promo-
tion of linguistically informed study of the Bible in its original languages. Biblical stud-
ies has greatly benefited from modern theoretical and applied linguistics, but stands
poised to benefit from further integration of the two fields of study. Most linguistics
has studied contemporary languages, and attempts to apply linguistic methods to
study of ancient languages requires systematic re-assessment of their approaches. This
series is designed to address such challenges, by providing a venue for linguistically
based analysis of the languages of the Bible. As a result, monograph-length studies and
collections of essays in the major areas of linguistics, such as syntax, semantics, prag-
matics, discourse analysis and text linguistics, corpus linguistics, cognitive linguistics,
comparative linguistics, and the like, will be encouraged, and any theoretical linguis-
tic approach will be considered, both formal and functional. Primary consideration
is given to the Greek of the New and Old Testaments and of other relevant ancient
authors, but studies in Hebrew, Coptic, and other related languages will be entertained
as appropriate.
The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/lbs
The Interpersonal
Metafunction
in 1 Corinthians 1–4
The Tenor of Toughness
By
James D. Dvorak
LEIDEN | BOSTON
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Dvorak, James D., author.
Title: The interpersonal metafunction in 1 Corinthians 1–4 : the tenor of
toughness / by James D. Dvorak.
Description: Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2021] | Series: Linguistic biblical
studies, 1877–7554 ; volume 19 | Includes bibliographical references and
index. | Summary: “In The Interpersonal Metafunction in 1 Corinthians
1–4, James D. Dvorak offers a linguistic-critical discourse analysis of
1 Cor 1–4 utilizing Appraisal Theory, a model rooted in the modern
sociolinguistic paradigm known as Systemic-Functional Linguistics. This
work is concerned primarily with the interpersonal meanings encoded in
the text and how they pertain to the act of resocialization. Dvorak pays
particular attention to the linguistics of appraisal in Paul’s language
to determine the values with which Paul expects believers in Christ to
align. This book will be of great value to biblical scholars and
students with interests in biblical Greek, functional linguistics,
appraisal theory, hermeneutics, exegesis, and 1 Corinthians”— Provided
by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021003367 (print) | LCCN 2021003368 (ebook) | ISBN
9789004453791 (hardback) | ISBN 9789004453814 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Corinthians, 1st, I–IV—Language, style. | Bible.
Corinthians, 1st, I–IV—Criticism, interpretation, etc. | Discourse
analysis. | Greek language, Biblical—Discourse analysis. |
Functionalism (Linguistics) | Systemic grammar.
Classification: LCC BS2675.52 .D86 2021 (print) | LCC BS2675.52 (ebook) |
DDC 227/.2066—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021003367
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021003368
Typeface for the Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic scripts: “Brill”. See and download: brill.com/brill-typeface.
issn 1877-7554
isbn 978-90-04-45379-1 (hardback)
isbn 978-90-04-45381-4 (e-book)
Copyright 2021 by James D. Dvorak. Published by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Brill Hes & De Graaf, Brill Nijhoff, Brill Rodopi,
Brill Sense, Hotei Publishing, mentis Verlag, Verlag Ferdinand Schöningh and Wilhelm Fink Verlag.
Koninklijke Brill NV reserves the right to protect this publication against unauthorized use. Requests for
re-use and/or translations must be addressed to Koninklijke Brill NV via brill.com or copyright.com.
This book is printed on acid-free paper and produced in a sustainable manner.
Contents
Acknowledgements vii
List of Figures and Tables viii
Abbreviations ix
1 The Interpersonal Metafunction and Interpersonal Discourse
Analysis 1
1 Introduction 1
2 Theory: Key Tenets and Presuppositions 8
2.1 Language as Social Semiotic 8
2.2 Stratification 12
2.3 Metafunction, Register, and Genre 13
2.4 Ideology 35
2.5 Text 40
3 Conclusion 44
2 “What’s Your Take?” A Model for the Analysis of Intersubjective Stance
in Written Discourse 45
1 Introduction 45
2 Modeling appraisal 47
2.1 The System of attitude 47
2.2 The System of engagement 67
2.3 The System of GRADUATION 82
3 Analytical Procedure 90
3 “Tell Us How You Really Feel, Paul!” (Part 1)
An Appraisal Analysis of 1 Cor 1:1–2:16 94
1 Introduction 94
2 To Corinth with Love: The Letter Opening and Thanksgiving
(1 Cor 1:1–9) 94
2.1 The Letter Opening (1 Cor 1:1–3) 94
2.2 Thanksgiving (1 Cor 1:4–9) 101
3 Is Christ Divided? The Problem of Coteries in Corinth
(1 Cor 1:10–4:21) (Part i) 107
3.1 Σχίσματα and Ἔριδες: Symptoms of a Deeper Problem
(1 Cor 1:10–17) 108
3.2 The Great Reversal i: The “Foolishness” of the Cross Supplants the
“Wisdom” of the World (1 Cor 1:18–25) 117
vi Contents
3.3 The Great Reversal ii: The Undeserving Receive What They Do Not
Deserve (1 Cor 1:26–31) 127
3.4 The Great Reversal iii: Power Is Delivered through Weakness
(1 Cor 2:1–5) 133
3.5 Wisdom from Above (1 Cor 2:6–16) 136
4 Conclusion 145
4 “Tell Us How You Really Feel, Paul!” (Part 2)
An Appraisal Analysis of 1 Cor 3:1–4:21 148
1 Is Christ Divided? The Problem of Coteries in Corinth
(1 Cor 1:10–4:21) (Part 2) 148
1.1 “Your Actions Prove Otherwise” (1 Cor 3:1–4) 148
1.2 The Great Reversal (Reprise) (1 Cor 3:5–9) 155
1.3 Consider Carefully How You Build (1 Cor 3:10–17) 161
1.4 “All Things Belong to the Wise” (1 Cor 3:18–23) 167
1.5 “Only My Master Judges Me” (1 Cor 4:1–5) 171
1.6 True Humility Exemplified by the Apostles (1 Cor 4:6–13) 175
1.7 Maintain the Family’s Honor by Imitating Me (1 Cor 4:14–21) 184
2 Conclusion 190
5 Conclusion 195
Appendix: Survey of the Literature on the Study of 1 Corinthians 199
Bibliography 213
Name Index 237
Scripture Index 241
Acknowledgements
This book is a revised version of my Ph.D. dissertation, which I wrote under the
mentorship of Dr. Stanley E. Porter and Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall at McMaster
Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada. I successfully defended the disserta-
tion in the spring of 2012. I wish to thank Stanley E. Porter, Jesús Peláez, and
Jonathan M. Watt for inviting me to submit my research to such an erudite
series as LBS.
It is impossible in this limited space to thank everyone who helped this
work come to be; so many of my family and friends prayed on my behalf, en-
couraged me, and, in those moments when I was nearly consumed by doubt,
gave me the “pep talks” I needed to see the project to its completion. Yet, there
are a number of people who, because of their intimate involvement with this
project, I must thank here.
I offer my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Stanley E. Porter, my doctoral supervi-
sor, mentor, and friend during my studies at McMaster Divinity College. His
mastery and passion for Biblical Greek and Linguistics, his expert teaching, his
emphasis on excellence in scholarship, and his graciousness made my learn-
ing experience both worthwhile and extremely fulfilling. Dr. Cynthia Long
Westfall, also at McMaster Divinity College (and the second reader on my dis-
sertation committee) played a pivotal role in helping me complete this project.
Her expertise in Greek and Linguistics as well as her keen biblical-theological
insights made my work better. I am very grateful to her for giving me excel-
lent advice leading up to my defense. I also wish to thank Dr. Mark J. Boda,
Dr. Michael P. Knowles, Dr. Gordon L. Heath, and Dr. Lois K. Fuller Dow.
I absolutely could not have completed this task without the unwavering
support of my family. My parents, Phil and Ellen, have been a constant source
of love, support, and encouragement for all of my endeavors, especially this
one. My brother, Jeff, and my sister, Susan, made sure that I worked hard but
also took time to have some fun. My in-laws, Bob and Janet, Travis and Kelly,
and Kelsey and Lisa often rearranged their families’ lives to accommodate my
writing schedule. I am, however, most grateful to my immediate family. My
daughter and son, Sydney and Hagan, showed amazing flexibility, patience,
and grace through the whole experience of moving from Oklahoma to Ontario
and back, as well as during my intense times of research and writing (which re-
quired me to “hide”). Finally and most importantly, I am forever grateful to my
lovely and loving wife, Celeste Joy, who held our family together—indeed, held
me together—from the beginning of this journey to its end. I cannot thank you
enough, Celeste. I love you so very much!
Figures and Tables
Figures
1 Stratification of social activity, discourse, and grammar 13
2 Stratification of context and language 14
3 Stratification including register 24
4 Dimensions of variation in field 25
5 Dimensions of variation in tenor 27
6 Dimensions of variation in mode 28
7 Stratification including genre 33
8 A basic overview of the appraisal network 47
9 The Attitude system network 67
10 An overview of Engagement 69
11 The system of Engagement 82
12 Preliminary network of graduation 83
13 The system of graduation 91
Tables
1 Particulate structure (experiential meaning) 16
2 Prime and Subsequent analysis of clauses from 1 Cor 3:18 17
3 Halliday’s and Martin’s views of register compared 23
4 affect—(un)happiness 56
5 affect—(in)security 56
6 affect—(dis)satisfaction 58
7 judgment—social esteem 60
8 judgment—social sanction 60
9 Examples of appreciation 62
10 Examples of isolating intensification 87
11 Attitudinal lexis with tentative clines of intensification 88
12 deny–counter pairs in 1 Cor 1:26–28 131
13 Attitudinal analysis of 1 Cor 4:9–13 178
14 Concede (concur) + counter pairs in 1 Cor 4:10 182
15 Concede (concur) + counter Pairs in 1 Cor 4:12c–13 183
Abbreviations
AB Anchor Bible
ABD Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols. Edited by David Noel Freedman. New
York: Doubleday, 1992
ANLEX Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller. Analytical Lexicon of
the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000
AYB Anchor Yale Bible
BAGD Bauer, Walter, William F. Arndt, F. Wilbur Gingrich, and
Frederick W. Danker. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and
Other Early Christian Literature. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago,
1979
BAGL Biblical and Ancient Greek Linguistics
BBR Bulletin of Biblical Research
BDAG Danker, Frederick W., Walter Bauer, William F. Arndt, and F. Wilbur
Gingrich. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early
Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2000
BDF Blass, Friedrich, Albert Debrunner, and Robert W. Funk. A Greek
Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1961
BECNT Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
BETL Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium
BibInt Biblical Interpretation
BJRL Bulletin of the John Rylands Library
BLG Biblical Languages: Greek
BNTC Black’s New Testament Commentary
BT Bible Translator
BZNW Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft
CBET Contributions to Biblical Exegesis and Theology
CBQ Catholic Biblical Quarterly
CBR Currents in Biblical Research
CPNIVC The College Press NIV Commentary
ConcC Concordia Commentary
CTJ Calvin Theological Journal
CTL Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics
CurTM Currents in Theology and Mission
CWMAKH Collected Works of M. A. K. Halliday
DASK Duisburger Arbeiten zur Sprach- und Kulturwissenschaft
x Abbreviations
DNTB Dictionary of New Testament Background. Edited by Craig A. Evans and
Stanley E. Porter. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2000
DPL Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Edited by Gerald F. Hawthorne and
Ralph P. Martin. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993
ECC Eerdmans Critical Commentary
EDNT Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Edited by Horst Balz and
Gerhard Schneider. ET. 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990–1993
EGGNT Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament
EKKNT Evangelisch-Katholischer Kommentar zum Neuen Testament
EQ Evangelical Quarterly
FF Foundations & Facets
FFF Foundations and Facets Forum
FN Filología Neotestamentaria
GBS Guides to Biblical Scholarship
GTA Göttinger theologischer Arbeiten
HBSV Handbook of Biblical Social Values. Edited by John J. Pilch and Bruce J.
Malina. Matrix: The Bible in Mediterranean Context 10. Eugene, OR: Wipf
and Stock, 2016
HNTC Harper’s New Testament Commentaries
HTS Harvard Theological Studies
IAL Issues in Applied Linguistics
ICC International Critical Commentary
IESS International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences. Edited by David L. Sills and
Robert K. Merton. New York: Macmillan, 1968–
IFG3 M. A. K. Halliday and C. M. I. M. Matthiessen. An Introduction to
Functional Grammar. London: Arnold, 2004
Int Interpretation
JAAR Journal of the American Academy of Religion
JBL Journal of Biblical Literature
JEAP Journal of English for Academic Purposes
JETS Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
JGRChJ Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism
JLIABG Journal of the Linguistics Institute of Ancient and Biblical Greek
JPL Journal of Philosophic Logic
JSNT Journal for the Study of the New Testament
JSNTSup Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series
JSOTSup Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series
JTS Journal of Theological Studies
KEK Kritisch-exegetischer Kommentar über das Neue Testament
LBRS Lexham Bible Reference Series
