Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes: Patronage, Honor, and Shame in the Biblical World

by E Randolph Richards

Charis and pistis frequently occur in Paul’s writings, where they are translated “grace” (charis) and “faith” (pistis). Paul commandeers the everyday terms Mediterranean people used to talk about patronage to help explain the new relationship believers have with God, through Jesus Christ. To explain the mysterious salvation of God, Paul portrays it as a relationship they understood. When Paul wants to describe the way God showed kindness and faithfulness to us by giving us his Son, he used charis, the way a patron generously chose to have favor on clients and bestow gifts on them. For example, Paul writes, “For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace [charis] and the gift that came by the grace [chariti] of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (Rom 5:15). When Paul thinks about the way God is faithful to his people and continues to care for and protect them, he picks up the word pistis to speak about “God’s faithfulness” (Rom 3:3; 1 Cor 1:9; 10:13).