One of the characteristics of logoi sophōn (‘sayings of the wise’) is that they often are viewed less as the creation of individual figures than as the product of a cumulative tradition of learning. While this work is hardly to be compared to such logoi, it nevertheless shares the feature that much has been owed to many people during the process of its composition.

In its present form, this study represents a revision of my doctoral dissertation, submitted to the University of London in January 1986. That dissertation was begun under the helpful guidance of Professor Christopher Evans and his successor, Professor Graham Stanton. As both supervisor and editor, Professor Stanton has been a continual encouragement to me, for which I am deeply grateful. The completion of that dissertation extended into my appointments as temporary lecturer in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen and as lecturer at the University of St Andrews. Many of my colleagues at both of these universities have aided me in important ways of which they may be only slightly aware.

For perceptive criticisms and helpful suggestions during the period of revising the thesis for this monograph series, I owe particular thanks once again to Professor Stanton, and also to Professor David Catchpole, Professor J.L. Houlden and Dr Christopher Tuckett. While benefiting from their advice, I am of course solely responsible for the particular views which are expressed and for any deficiencies which may be found.