“An idol is nothing in the world” --- Paul

[robert j]

Paul's letters contain many references to outside opposition. For the congregations in Macedonia and Corinth, Paul identified the Gentile members as former idol worshipers.

I suspect the persecutions, opposition, and resistance that Paul and his Gentile converts faced in Macedonia were from neighbors or local merchants who profited from the local Hellenistic gods. I rather suspect the economic threat was the primary concern in Paul’s time, but perhaps the threat to the greater societal good was also a source of discord in Paul’s time if Paul’s followers refused to participate in honoring the local gods.

It would be safe to assume a wide commercial infrastructure developed to serve the visitors to the popular local temples including craftsmen and merchants selling idol figures and votive offerings, food vendors, hostelries, prostitutes, priests and priestesses, and beggars. Many people would object to Paul’s threat to their livelihood.

Paul was clear about the value of the Hellenist religions, and the resistance he encountered ---

"… an idol is nothing in the world…" (1 Cor. 8:4).

“… how you turned to god from idols, to serve the living and true god …" (1 Thess. 1:9).

"… we told you beforehand that we were about to suffer affliction, and it happened as you know." (1 Thess. 3:4).

"But having suffered before and having been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we spoke boldly by our god to speak the gospel of god to you amid much conflict." (1 Thess. 2:2).

These conflicts were an occupational hazard that Paul seemed to take in stride --- even as a source of pride. It was the cost of doing business in the Hellenist cities where Paul found Gentiles that were open to his spiritual message.

In contrast, I believe Paul’s brief warning against those who might promote circumcision of the flesh in Philippians 3:2-6 was merely preventative medicine --- an inoculation for his supportive Philippians in the wake of Paul’s problems with the Galatians.

robert j.

[Secret Alias]

Why if you thinks Acts is fiction do you believe all this nonsense about Paul being in this or that Greek province?