The Super Foul Apostles: Sexual Impropriety, Disgust, and Stinky Affective Histories in 2 Cor. 11:2–4

Abstract

This article explores the affective textures of Paul’s construction of his apostolic “opponents” in the paternal and erotic metaphor of 2 Corinthians 11:2–4. Building on insights from affect theory and studies in the cultural history of emotions, I examine the ways that Paul’s polemic thrives on a representation of reality predicated on affective and sensory stimuli, namely the odor of disgust. I suggest that Paul maligns the bodies of the other apostles as grotesque and morally repugnant, indexing them in a disgust-centered physiology overflowing with olfactory associations prevalent across the ancient world. Moving beyond a language-bound analysis of Paul’s polemic, this study demonstrates that Paul’s letters are potent with affect and visceral immediacy.