A Spiritual Economy: Gift Exchange in the Letters of Paul of Tarsus (Synkrisis)

Utilizing theories of gift exchange from Seneca to Marcel Mauss and beyond, Thomas Blanton explains the operation of the gift economy at work in the letters of Paul of Tarsus. The work shows how Paul adapted discourses and practices of gift exchange to motivate the transmission of goods and services based on an ethic of reciprocity. Cover -- Half-title -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- ONE: Introduction -- TWO: Symbolic Goods as Media of Exchange in Paul's Gift Economy -- THREE: The Benefactor's Account Book: The Rhetoric of Gift Reciprocation According to Seneca and Paul -- FOUR: Gift or Commodity? On the Classification of Paul's Unremunerated Labor -- FIVE: Classification and Social Relations: The Dark Side of the Gift -- SIX: The Gift of Status -- SEVEEN: Spiritual Gifts and Status Inversion -- EIGHT: Summary and Conclusions -- Appendix: Letters and Events Significantly Shaping Paul's Relations with the Corinthian Assembly: A Relative Chronology -- List of Abbreviations -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index of Subjects -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- W -- Index of Modern Authors -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- V -- W -- Index of Biblical and Early Jewish Sources -- Index of Greek and Roman Sources Thomas Blanton sheds light on the philosophy surrounding gift giving in Paul’s letters and on modern theories of gift exchange through the lens of religion.

The exchange of gifts is a fundamental part of society and a foundational element in Greco-Roman religions. Combining theories of gift exchange, both modern and Greco-Roman, Thomas Blanton reveals how religious discourse—in the guise of “spiritual gifts” believed to come from Israel’s god—is instrumental in the formation of sociopolitical hierarchies and the assignment of honor and prestige. Blanton uses an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates religion, classics, sociology, and anthropology to investigate the economy of gift exchange shown in Paul’s letters. Thomas Blanton sheds light on the philosophy surrounding gift giving in Paulâ€TMs letters and on modern theories of gift exchange through the lens of religion. The exchange of gifts is a fundamental part of society and a foundational element in Greco-Roman religions. Combining theories of gift exchange, both modern and Greco-Roman, Thomas Blanton reveals how religious discourse—in the guise of “spiritual giftsâ€? believed to come from Israelâ€TMs god—is instrumental in the formation of sociopolitical hierarchies and the assignment of honor and prestige. Blanton uses an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates religion, classics, sociology, and anthropology to investigate the economy of gift exchange shown in Paulâ€TMs letters. Symbolic Goods As Media Of Exchange In Paul's Gift Economy -- The Benefactor's Account Book : The Rhetoric Of Gift Reciprocation According To Seneca And Paul -- Gift Or Commodity? On The Classification Of Paul's Unremunerated Labor -- Classification And Social Relations : The Dark Side Of The Gifts -- The Gift Of Status -- Spiritual Gifts And Status Inversion. Thomas R. Blanton, Iv. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 191-211) And Index.