Remember the Poor: Paul, Poverty, and the Greco-Roman World

Combining historical, exegetical, and theological interests, Bruce Longenecker here dispels the widespread notion that Paul had little or no concern for the poor.Longnecker’s analysis of Greco-Roman poverty provides the backdrop for a compelling presentation of the importance of care for the poor within Paul’s theology and the Jesus-groups he had established. Along the way, Longenecker calls into question a variety of interpretive paradigms — such as Steven J. Friesen’s 2004 poverty scale — and offers a fresh vision in which Paul’s theological resources are shown to be both historically significant and theologically challenging. Many scholars engaged in exploring the economic dimensions of early Christianity simply don't bother with Paul, mistakenly believing that he had little regard for the poor and that his theological deliberations therefore have little relevance to studies of wealth and poverty in the Greco-Roman world. In Remember the Poor Bruce Longenecker counters this view, arguing persuasively that care for the impoverished was integral to Paul's gospel and standard practice in the Jesus-groups that he founded.Longenecker sets out a robust economy scale for urban Greco-Roman society, using his in-depth analysis of poverty in the first century as the backdrop for a compelling presentation integrating economics, history, exegesis, and theology. Calling into question a number of established interpretive paradigms, Longenecker offers here a fresh vision in which Paul's convictions regarding care for the poor are shown to be historically significant and theologically challenging.