Exegesis and method in Hilary of Poitiers

Abstract

The purpose of the thesis is to analyse Hilary's interpretation of the Bible, particularly in his strictly exegetical works, in order to clarify the relationship betucen his exegetical method and his systematic theology as a whole.

First the development of the commentary structure in the history of interpretation is traced, with particular reference "to matters of structure and interijretation relevant to Hilary's own work. There follows an analysis of the commentary on St. Matthew's Gospel, and of the central role of the interaction of literary structure and basic theological conception in the interpretation of the texts.

Attention then turns to the Be Trinitate, in which the interplay of exegesis and theology in the rather different relationship arising from more strictly systematic theology is examined. This study then serves as a guide to consideration of the relationship in Hilary's exegesis of the Psalms.

The results may be summarised as follows: beginning from the traditional western exegetical techniques in the work on 3t. Matthew, Hilary develops, with the aid of the theological concentration on the incarnation in the Be 'Trinitate, a greater versatility in the use of new techniques, some from the eastern tradition, the latest stages being exemplified in the work on the Psalms.

After the assessment of the various stages of development Use other side if necessary. an attempt is made to relate the problem of exegesis and method in Hilary to similar problems in contemporary theology, and to indicate areas in which the use of patristic texts nay assist the development of solutions to modern problems.