Luke's portrayal of St. Paul as a man of high social status and moral virtue in the concluding chapters of Acts

Abstract

In this dissertation we attempt to show that Luke portrayed Paul as a man of high social status and moral virtue in the concluding chapters of Acts. Luke's purpose was to attract non-Christians to the faith by holding up Paul as an example of cosmopolitan Christianity.

In Chapter 1 the various positions that scholars have taken on the issue of the Lukan Paulusbild are surveyed. Most scholars believe that Paul serves a dual function for Luke. The first is to stress Christianity's continuity with Judaism. The second is to show that Christians are law abiding members of the Roman empire. It is agreed that, in Acts, Paul Is a loyal Jew. Yet Luke also crafted his portrait of Paul in order to highlight Paul's Illustrious Graeco-Roman credentials. Furthermore, Luke is not nearly as positive about the Roman authorities as most would contend. While many students of Luke-Acts believe that Acts was a pastoral work directed to a Christian community, we contend that Acts had an evangelistic purpose and was directed to non-Christians.

In Chapter 2 the terminology of social status is defined and the status characteristics which would have been significant to the first century Graeco-Roman world are identified. The important status attributes included good pedigree, citizenship, education, wealth, and moral virtue. In Chapter 3 Paul's biographical data, as presented by Luke in Acts, is investigated. It is improbable that Paul could have combined a strict Pharisaic upbringing with citizenships of Tarsus and Rome. Each one of these biographical claims is a mark of social distinction. Taken together the Paul of Acts becomes one of the elite of the first century world. In addition, Paul's wealth is implied, his education is alluded to, and his sophistication is demonstrated. Luke shaped a composite picture of Paul in order to stress his social credentials.

Chapter 4 presents a general discussion of Moral Virtue (äpctr). Philosophers, rhetoricians, poets, historians, and lawyers all assumed that virtuous conduct was the mark of an outstanding individual. In Acts, Luke is aware of and uses the common rhetorical devices of his day to emphasize Paul's virtuous character. Luke also attempts to demonstrate that Paul became a man of virtue at his conversion.

In Chapters 5 and 6a position is advanced that Luke's accounts of the trials and incarcerations of Paul are not factual reports in all their details. Yet, they do reflect the social expectations of the first century. Roman citizens did possess certain rights and privileges. However, the evidence suggests that privileges were more frequently expected by and given to those Romans of high social status.. These scenes in Acts are fashioned in order to show that Paul was not merely a rank-andfile Roman citizen. Paul, in the last eight chapters of Acts, requests an apology from over zealous magistrates, speaks boldly before governors and kings, and demands a trial In Rome. He is held under light house arrest. In short, the Paul of Acts would have been recognized by the general audience of the first century as a man of high social status and moral virtue.

In conclusion, Christianity is, to Luke, a mark of social distinction Drc, ARCT, Ofld Paul is the model to be imitated.