Duling, Dennis C.2010-04-222010-04-222008Duling, D 2008, '“2 Corinthians 11:22: Historical context, rhetoric, and ethnicity”', HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 819-843. [http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/issue/archive]0259-9422 (print)2072-8050 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/13987In this article historical criticism, rhetorical criticism and ethnicity theory are combined to interpret Paul’s boasting about his ethnicity in 2 Corinthians 11:22. Partition theory helps to establish the historical/social context that 2 Corinthians 10-13 is a fragment of the “tearful letter,” which represented the low point (high conflict) of Paul’s relations with the Corinthians. Rhetoric – the theatrical “Fool’s Speech,” which contains irony, self-praise, and comparison – helps to understand Paul’s boastful argumentation in his selfdefence; and ethnicity theory helps to interpret Paul’s construction of his ethnic identity. Paul boasted of his ethnicity by taking up rhetorical comparison and self-praise. But he did so in the so-called “Fool’s Speech”, which is full of irony: his ethnic heritage was part of his argument that he was equal to that of his opponents, but – here is the chief irony – his ethnicity “in the flesh” ultimately meant nothing to him.enFaculty of Theology, University of Pretoria2 Corinthians 11:22Bible -- N.T. -- Corinthians, 2nd, XI, 22 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.Paul, the Apostle, Saint -- TeachingsEthnicity in the BibleBible -- Socio-rhetorical criticismSelf-perceptionBible -- HistoriographyArticle