For Your Sake He Became Poor

Ideology and Practice of Gift Exchange between Early Christian Groups
1. Auflage 2021
ISBN: 978-3-11-072388-5
Verlag: De Gruyter

Buch, Englisch, 420 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 230 mm, Gewicht: 738 g

Reihe: Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft : [...], Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft

The Pauline collection for the poor in Jerusalem is the most famous example of financial support for geographically distant groups in early Christianity. Recent assessments of the Pauline collection have focused on patronage to explain the social relations between Jerusalem and the Pauline groups and the strategies adopted by Paul. Through a comparison with the Greco-Roman world and a close reading of the texts, this study challenges the recent approach and proposes that other factors shaped Paul’s stance. Paul was interested in reassuring the Corinthians about the financial outcome of the collection and dispelling doubts that he might take advantage of them. The collection was an action modeled on divine generosity and an exchange within a reciprocal relationship between Christian groups.
This study also surveys intergroup support between Christian groups in the first three centuries CE. This practice involved churches from most of the Mediterranean Basin and was known even outside of Christian circles. Transfers of money were organized according to a consistent pattern modeled on local charitable practices. The Pauline collection had similar characteristics and can be seen as part of this widespread economic practice.

Zielgruppe

Scholars in Biblical studies; New Testament; Early Church; Church / Theolog/-innen, Forschende zu Bibelwissenschaft, Kirchengeschicht

Autoren/Hrsg.

Massinelli, Georges

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Bibelwissenschaften Neues Testament: Exegese, Geschichte

Über Autor(innen)

Georges Massinelli, Pontifical-Universität Antonianum Rom und Theologisches Institut von Assisi, Italien.

Georges Massinelli, Pontifical-Universität Antonianum Rom und Theologisches Institut von Assisi, Italien.