Paul and pain: Paul's emotional therapy in 2 corinthians 1.1-2.13; 7.5-16 in the context of ancient psychagogic literature

Paul's 'therapeutic epistle-in 2 Cor 1.1-2.13; 7.5-16 provides material for a comparative analysis of Paul's view of the emotions and emotional therapy in the context of ancient psychagogic literature. Paul's treatment of 'remorse-and 'repentance-demonstrates his familiarity with the discourse of the philosophers on the role of the passions in moral progress. Paul's account of 'pain-is shown to be anomalous in the context of ancient psychagogic literature shaped by a Stoicizing theory of the emotions. Paul emerges from this comparative analysis as the harbinger of change in the ancient theory of the emotions and the practice of emotional therapy.