Thomas Blanton sheds light on the philosophy surrounding gift giving in Paul's letters and on modern theories of gift exchange through the lens of religion.

The exchange of gifts is a fundamental part of society and a foundational element in Greco-Roman religions. Combining theories of gift exchange, both modern and Greco-Roman, Thomas Blanton reveals how religious discourse--in the guise of "spiritual gifts" believed to come from Israel's god--is instrumental in the formation of sociopolitical hierarchies and the assignment of honor and prestige. Blanton uses an...