The Hellenistic Moral Philosophy unit of the Society of Biblical Literature was formed with the goal of providing a forum for discussing ancient texts from the Hellenistic and Roman worlds and relating them to the study of the New Testament world (including early Jewish and early Christian materials outside the New Testament per se). In particular we wanted to stimulate new translation, editing, and research projects of otherwise inaccessible ancient texts that might have direct bearing on the study of the New Testament.

The unit has developed a distinctive place within the larger work of the SBL, both in North America and abroad, due to its efforts in creating opportunities for interdisciplinary work with Classicists and its commitment to working with ancient texts and literature that are too often overlooked in New Testament scholarship. The amount of published work that has come from the Group, whether already published or in progress, is testimony to the vitality of this field, the interest to broader areas of research, and the efficiency of our carefully articulated research agenda.