Paul, Pistis, and Divine Powers

Abstract

Chapter 6 explores how Paul relates this array of divine abilities to the ethic of pistis, or faithfulness. In essence, Paul suggests that divinatory and wonderworking powers are extended in proportion to gentile faithfulness; he does not say that such gifts are offered “in exchange for,” but rather, “in proportion to” faithfulness. The reciprocal relationship between pistis and his divinatory powers hinges on the mechanism of empowerment—the pneuma of Christ. The chapter departs from the task of comparison, as we lack sufficient ancient data with which we may compare Paul’s construction of the pistis–pneuma–gift relationship (as Paul provides almost our only first-person account of the inner working of his type of religious specialist in the early Roman Empire, we are sorely lacking another figure with whom we may compare him on this level of detail). The chapter explores forms of reciprocity thought to be critical to religions in the ancient Mediterranean, and challenges scholarship that reduces ancient religiosity to do ut des [I give so that you will give].