The Offering Of The Gentiles: Paul's Collection For Jerusalem In Its Chronological, Cultural, And Cultic Contexts

Synopsis

The Monetary Fund That The Apostle Paul Organized Among His Gentile Congregations For The Jewish-christian Community In Jerusalem Was Clearly An Important Endeavor To Paul; Discussion Of This Offering Occupies Several Prominent Passages In Paul's Epistles To The Romans And The Corinthians. In The Offering Of The Gentiles David Downs Carefully Investigates This Offering From Historical, Socio-cultural, And Theological Standpoints. Downs Begins By Piecing Together A Chronological Account Of Paul's Fund-raising Efforts On Behalf Of The Jerusalem Church, Based Primarily On Information From The Pauline Epistles. After Reconstructing This Complex Story, Downs Examines The Sociocultural Context Of The Collection, Focusing On Gift-giving Practices In The Ancient Mediterranean World Relating To Benefaction, Common Funds, And Care For The Poor. Finally, Downs Explores How Paul Framed This Contribution Rhetorically As A Religious Offering Consecrated To God.