The first Christians were members of households, possibly associations and certaiinly cities in the first-century Graeco-Roman World before they embrace the preaching of the gospel. This first of six volumes study maps out the roles and obligations of Christians as benefactors and citizens in their society. The scholarly insight is enhanced though the selective use of important ancient literary and nonliterary sources. Contrary to the popular perception that early Christians withdrew from society and sought to maintain a low profile, this study explores the complexities of the positive commitments made by Christians in Gentile regions of the Roman Empire.
