Re: poor or beggar

From: Stephen C Carlson (scarlso1@osf1.gmu.edu)
Date: Wed Apr 24 1996 - 00:44:45 EDT


James H. Vellenga wrote:
>It occurs to me that if PTWCOI refers to itinerant missionaries,
>there might be references to such in the Didache, as a reasonably systematic
>compendium of early church practice. I don't have access to a copy,
>but is there anyone on the net who would like to check it out? Or
>if the Didache doesn't refer to such or to their support, would that
>be a strong suggestion that they were not a common practice?

BAGD list two instances.

Di5:2 ... OUK ELEOUNTES PTWXON ...
      "unmerciful to the poor" [ i.e, those of the way of death. ]

Di13:4 EAN DE MH EXHTE PROFHTHN, DOTE TOIS PTWXOIS.
       "But if you don't have a prophet, give to the poor."

The plainest reading of these passages is poor qua destitute, not as a
Christian group nor honorific title.

Stephen Carlson

-- 
Stephen C. Carlson, George Mason University School of Law, Patent Track, 4LE
scarlso1@osf1.gmu.edu              : Poetry speaks of aspirations, and songs
http://osf1.gmu.edu/~scarlso1/     : chant the words.  -- Shujing 2.35


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