The Departure of an Apostle

Paul's Death Anticipated and Remembered

by Alexander N. Kirk

Book cover: The Departure of an Apostle

Extent: 318 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 406

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(November 2015)

ISBN: 9783161543111

Price: $143.00

In stock

What was Paul’s attitude toward his own death? How did he act and what did he say and write in view of it? What hopes did he hold for himself beyond death? Alexander N. Kirk explores these questions through a close reading of four Pauline letters that look ahead to Paul’s death and other relevant texts in the first two generations after Paul’s death (AD 70-160).


What was Paul’s attitude toward his own death? How did he act and what did he say and write in view of it? What hopes did he hold for himself beyond death? Alexander N. Kirk explores these questions through a close reading of four Pauline letters that look ahead to Paul’s death and other relevant texts in the first two generations after Paul’s death (AD 70-160). The author studies portraits of the departed Paul in Acts, 1 Clement, the letters of Ignatius, Polycarp’s letter To the Philippians, and the Martyrdom of Paul. He also examines portraits of the departing Paul in 1 and 2 Corinthians, Philippians, and 2 Timothy, arguing that Paul’s death did not primarily present an existential challenge, but a pastoral one. Although touching upon several areas of recent scholarly interest, Alexander N. Kirk sets forth a new research question and fresh interpretations of early Christian and Pauline texts.

  • By (author) Alexander N Kirk