Grace and Reciprocal Support among the Poors

Abstract

The article offers a study on grace and mutual generosity among the poor in the Pauline Letters. He uses the word “gift” in a very broad sense, which not only covers the material, but also all forms of benefit, favour and service, including, according to Paul, prayer. It was not “charity” or “philanthropy” in the modern sense, that is, unilateral donations from the rich to the poor, from the top down. Among the early Christians, the donors were not “patrons” in the old sense of the word, nor “benefactors”, in their ancient or modern meaning. They were part of the magnificent network of mutual generosity that encompassed donors and recipients.