Dr Engberg-Pedersen shows how a range of problems encountered in twentieth-century interpretation may be overcome by reading the epistles in the light of ancient Stoic ethics. He discusses literary, conceptual and theological issues: for example, the unity of the letters; the relationship in the Pauline letters between theology and ethics; the logical character and shape of Pauline exhortation; the meaning of righteousness from faith; Paul's handling of the Jewish law. The author illuminates the whole world of the Stoics, and argues that scholars must move beyond the traditional Judaism/Hellenism divide to reach a comprehensive and accurate reading of Paul's letters.
