(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2016) Punt, J.
In the past, attention for the social position or standing of the early Jesus followers
was overrun by concerns for the theological and religious dimensions of those
communities. The role of the Roman Empire and the impact of its military forces on
the lives of people have generated even less attention. Paul’s use of military images
in the context of the Roman Empire underlines the prevalence and influence of the
military, and provides an important perspective for understanding first-century
social location.