What were several aspects of the Apostle Paul's writing style?

Answer 1

Stanley E. Porter (As It is Written: Studying Paul's Use of Scripture,Paul and His Bible) says that recent rhetorical studies of Paul's letters attribute to him the ability to use a number of the stylistic characteristics that were commonly taught in the Greek grammar school curriculum. The grammar schools were mid-level schools, beyond which the privileged might go on to the rhetorical school curriculum. Paul would have had a better education than most, and scholarship has recognised that Paul was one of the major letter writers of the ancient world. He knew the contemporary conventions of letter writing, but was also innovative in his use of this form.

Paul's work is full of citations, allusions and echoes to the Septuagint, the ancient Greek version of the Hebrew scriptures. This perhaps militates against him having been taught under Gamaliel, as stated in Acts of the Apostles, as Gamaliel would have insisted on use of the original Hebrew scriptures.

Paul occasionally also alluded to the works of Greek poets and philosophers, suggesting he expected his (Gentile) readers to know his references. References to Greek writers are perhaps more frequent in Titus and the Epistles to Timothy, but these are regarded as not written by Paul, but written using his name in the second century.

Answer 2

Several aspects of the Apostle Paul's writing style include his use of eloquent language and persuasive arguments to convey his message, his incorporation of personal anecdotes and experiences to connect with his audience, and his organization of his letters in a logical and structured manner to address specific theological or practical issues.