It seems that the Green Collection, in addition to the manuscript of Hebrews noted previously on this blog, is also in possession of a fragment of 1 Corinthians. According to a report on the Bethel web-site (found by a friendly sleuth), this is 'a small fragment (ca. 1-3/4" w. x 2-3/4" h.) ... (which) preserves portions of 1 Corinthians 8.10-9.3 & 9.27-10.6' [PMH: this would make it a small portion of quite a big page]. Apparently a second-century date is being proposed, as it was for the Hebrews manuscript. [PMH: hmmm. I think I'll wait for the photos.]
The bare bones of the story are confirmed on another web-page which also confirms the rumour that the Green collection has also purchased the Bodmer Psalms Codex (see here).
I wonder what the hold-up is on making these fragments public? If they are this small, they will no doubt have very little value to the reconstruction of the New Testament text. So why not put them online for all to see?
ReplyDeleteBut if a second century date is correct, then this would be the oldest witness to this epistle, again, assuming it is truly older than P46.
ReplyDeleteI would think that they have been assigned to particular scholars who have signed up to the Green Scholarly Initiative, and it will be up to those scholars to oganise proper publication. To do that well takes a bit of time and care, and claims on dating need some collaboration and consultation. Once it is all written up it might still take a year working towards publication.
ReplyDeleteI would take the second century date as nothing more than a PR claim at this stage. Curious as to where these bits are from and their provenance - I presume they have been legally acquired.
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