Texts in Conversation
Romans 15:27 presents Paul’s appeal to the Roman community to support his effort to raise money, arguing that those who have shared in its spiritual heritage owe material assistance in return. This language echoes the language in the Jesus tradition, such as Luke 16:11, where trustworthiness is measured in the handling of wealth.
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Romans 15:27
New Testament
24 when I go to Spain. For I hope to visit you when I pass through and that you will help me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do this, and indeed they are indebted to the Jerusalem saints. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore after I have completed this and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set out for Spain by way of you,
Date: 55-58 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Luke 16:11
New Testament
9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon31, so that when it runs out, you will be welcomed into the eternal homes. 10 “The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches? 12 And if you haven’t been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Date: 75-85 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... the 'property of unrighteousness' in Essene terminology refers to all property that is owned by those who are not members of the sect. This assumption is confirmed by the agreement between verses 11 and 12: the property belongs to 'another'. Having expressed a general principle in verse 10, Jesus then goes on to oppose the extreme sectarian attitude and asks his followers to remain trustworthy with the 'property of unrighteousness,' with the resources belonging to non-followers. Only thus will they be able to gain friends. The affinity between Luke 16:10-12 and the passage found in the Greek Two Ways 4:8 (and Romans 15:25-27) is obvious as illustrated by the following comparison ..."
Sandt, Hubertus W., and David Flusser
The Didache: Its Jewish Sources and Its Place in Early Judaism and Christianity
(p. 189) Royal Van Gorcum, 2002
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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