Practices of Cursing in the Letters of Paul

Filip Sylwestrowicz shows how Paul wielded curses – anathemas, the handing over to Satan, the refusal to curse persecutors – as instruments of pastoral care: a means to extend his reach when absent from his churches, to safeguard his gospel, and to shape cruciform communities.

Filip Sylwestrowicz examines how the apostle Paul employed practices of cursing in his pastoral ministry. He offers three case studies of cursing in antiquity that establish a comparative framework for an analysis of the Pauline letters. These case studies include curse tablets (defixiones), epitaph curses, and curses in rites of initiation and expulsion preserved in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Together, they help to identify various functions of cursing practices, such as marking the boundaries of communities, enhancing agency, and protecting material and immaterial objects. Against this background, the author analyses several passages in Paul’s letters in which he refers to practices of cursing. In the course of the analysis, similarities and differences between Paul’s use of curses and other ancient cursing practices are identified. The author concludes that Paul employed curses to enhance his agency when he was absent and unable to address the problems of his churches in person. He also used them to protect his gospel and to enforce cruciform conduct among Christ-followers. At the same time, Paul subordinated the use of curses to his overriding goal of conforming believers in Christ. For example, he urges Christ-followers to refrain from cursing their persecutors, since such curses would function as acts of vengeance and would be incongruous with the call to follow Christ.

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Definitions of Cursing and Blessing
1.2 Why Did People Curse and Bless?
1.3 History of Research on Cursing and Blessing in Paul
1.4 Approach and Method
Chapter 2: The Practice of Anathema
2.1 The Term Ἀνάθεμα
2.3 "Jesus Is Accursed" in 1 Cor 12:3
2.4 Paul's Imprecation in 1 Cor 16:22
2.5 Hypothetical Anathema in Rom 9:3
2.6 Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 3: The Practice of Handing Over to Satan
3.1 Background of the "Handing Over" Language
3.2 Handing Over to Satan in 1 Cor 5:5
3.3 Handing Over to Satan in 1 Tim 1:20
3.4 Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 4: The Practice of Blessing Enemies
4.1 Blessing Persecutors in Rom 12:14
4.2 Blessing Revilers in 1 Cor 4:12
4.3. Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 5: Summary and Conclusions

• By (author) Filip Sylwestrowicz