The Offering of the Gentiles: Paul's Collection for Jerusalem in Its Chronological, Cultural, and Cultic Contexts

by Associate Professor of New Testament Studies David J Downs

Money mattered to the apostle Paul. One economic endeavor of signal importance for Paul was the monetary fund that he organized among the largely Gentile congregations of his mission for the Jewish-Christian community in Jerusalem.David J. Downs investigates this offering from a variety of angles. He begins with an attempt to piece together a relative chronological account, based primarily on information from Paul's epistles, of the apostle's fundraising efforts on behalf of the Jerusalem church. After reconstructing this complex story, Downs examines the socio-cultural context of the collection, focusing on analogous forms of giving among ancient pagan and Jewish voluntary associations, including practices of benefaction, common funds, care for the poor, and translocal economic links among these associations. With this chronological and socio-cultural context in mind, the author then explores Paul's use of several cultic metaphors to frame the contribution as a religious offering consecrated to God. Drawing on recent work in the field of metaphor theory, Downs contends that Paul metaphorically frames his readers' responsive participation in the collection as an act of cultic worship, thus underscoring the point that the fulfillment of mutual obligations within the community of believers results in praise, not human benefactors, but to God, the one from whom all benefactions come. This rhetorical strategy suggests that even the very human action of raising money for those in material need originates in the grace ( charis ) of God and will eventuate in thanksgiving ( charis ) to God (2 Cor 9:14-15).

Genres: Religion, Biblical Studies

204 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2008

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I do not agree with several of Down’s assumptions and conclusions, this study of one of Paul’s greatest ministry achievements (the Gentile offering for the saints in Jerusalem) is very helpful. Downs often seems to speculate and stretch to prove his thesis, but he provides many insights for approaching the passages in 1Corinthians 16, 2Corinthians 8-9, and Romans 15 regarding “the offering of the Gentiles.”

Pastor-teachers who preach on giving from Corinthians would do well to work there way through this book (Collection is worship). And students of missions would be wise to read it as well and learn more about the Gentile offering as it relates to partnering and giving to global outreach (Collection is harvest), though Downs does not develop this aspect in relation to Romans 15 as much as he could.

[Christian Wermeskerch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found a more compelling argument in his summary of previous discussions, but his chronological reconstruction of the collection was key.

[Chris Holmes]

Downs calls attention to a persistent, though not well-recognized, theme in Paul's letters: his collection for poor Christians in Jerusalem. Great read.