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Perseverance in Gratitude: A…
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Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle "To the Hebrews" (edition 2000)

by David A. DeSilva

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1421191,119 (4.6)None
This commentary is the first to fully apply the resources of socio-rhetorical analysis to Hebrews. Insights into the cultural and social world of the audience are combined with analysis of the author's rhetorical strategy and ideology to create a rich, three-dimensional reading that helps unravel key issues in the interpretation of the epistle. David deSilva's reflections on application concluding each section also make his commentary valuable to seminarians and pastors seeking to make Hebrews relevant to today's world.… (more)
Member:chestinesims
Title:Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle "To the Hebrews"
Authors:David A. DeSilva
Info:Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (2000), Paperback, 584 pages
Collections:1 Thessalonians, Commentaries, Your library
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Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews by David A. DeSilva

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One of the era's premier commentaries on the letter to the Hebrews.

No one will consider the author's commentary to be "brief," as the Hebrews author asks his audience to bear with his "brief" exhortation. The commentary is wide-ranging but does focus on its theme: socio-rhetorical.

The "rhetorical" part features deSilva's continual reference to the various forms of rhetoric in use in the Greek world with ample quotations from Aristotle and others, all to display just how elevated the Hebrews author's Greek rhetoric proves to be.

The "socio" part involves well and deep researched understanding of the letter in a first century Greco-Roman milieu. deSilva provides plenty of evidence to buttress his major patron-client thesis, that the Hebrews author exhorts his audience to behave as if they were the clients of God the patron, replete with references from Seneca and others about the nature of the patron-client relationship. He is sensitive to the honor-shame dynamic in ancient society.

deSilva particularly excels at embracing the ambiguities inherent in the letter's situation: the author and audience know each other, but we do not know who they are in specifics. For instance, deSilva, of all the commentaries I read, brought out how the audience is expected to know and feel affinity for Timothy, and that is a major strike against the Jerusalem hypothesis, and much more in favor of Italy, Asia Minor, Greece, or somewhere else more firmly within the Pauline circle. And yet deSilva does well at not imposing a framework based on assumptions of audience and author, but allows the substance of the letter to inform its purpose: to encourage Christians who were starting to grow weary to persevere, always expressing gratitude to God for all He has done for them (and thus the title).

The author's exegesis is valuable. He is very much in conversation with the other commentators on Hebrews. His modern applications are uncomfortably apt.

It's a major endeavor to read and absorb this commentary, but it deserves its standing. If you are interested in Hebrews, or preaching/teaching through it, this is an essential read. ( )
  deusvitae | Mar 3, 2021 |
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This commentary is the first to fully apply the resources of socio-rhetorical analysis to Hebrews. Insights into the cultural and social world of the audience are combined with analysis of the author's rhetorical strategy and ideology to create a rich, three-dimensional reading that helps unravel key issues in the interpretation of the epistle. David deSilva's reflections on application concluding each section also make his commentary valuable to seminarians and pastors seeking to make Hebrews relevant to today's world.

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