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Paul's Paradigmatic 'I' and 1 Corinthians 6.12

The consensus view of the twice repeated 'All things are lawful for me' (πάντα μοί έξεστίν) in 1 Cor. 6.12 (cf. 10.23) is that Paul cites a Corinthian slogan, perhaps from their letter mentioned in 7.1. This paper traces the rise of the current unanimity, and argues that this concord is based on repetition and duration rather than force of argument. The reasons for the consensus are questioned, and an alternative is proposed that 6.12 is characteristic of Paul's persuasive style in 1 Corinthians. It is argued that 4.16-17 and 11.1 are key to understanding Paul's persuasive strategy in chs. 5-15. Examples are given of Paul's similar use of self-characterization elsewhere in 1 Corinthians (e.g., 4.6; 5.12; 7.7; 8.13-9:27; 10.29-11.1; 12.31-13.3, 11-12; 14.6, 11, 14, 15, 18-19). The conclusion is drawn that 6.12 may be understood as a typical use of Paul's paradigmatic 'I', congruent with his rhetorical strategy throughout 1 Corinthians.