Xarij In Ancient Rome

group of people. We think of it as doing a favor for another. Xarij when rendered by God is often called unmerited divine favor. Xarij is not solely a religious word or a secular word but rather it crosses the boundaries of both. Aristotle used Xarij as “Grace may be defined as helpfulness toward a person in need great or small, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but solely for the benefit of the person helped” Throughout Rome many inscriptions bearing the names of the givers of beneficium emphasizing the patronus, goodwill toward the city and what the beneficium was can be found on stone inscriptions. Throughout history grace has been given unexpectedly.
A thankful heart that has received beneficium or gratia may never know the reason for receiving it but the fact remains that the xarij was given and nothing was expected in return. Gratia differs from beneficium in that it represents an attitude more so than an action. It literally meets the definition of ‘Goodwill’. In Greek the word used for thankfulness euxapistia seems to be closely related to gratia. Gratia was especially appropriate in the patronage relationship for the cliens to show their dependence as opposed …show more content…
Usually these are slaves that have been freeborn and went into the service of a master because of a debt and later were able to purchase their freedom. A douloj decided to stay with his master because of the position this would bring him. This would require him to be marked out, usually with a notch being cut from an ear. There are other words translated “servant or slave”, but a douloj was at the top of the servant pool. Another word to be aware of is diakonoj, which is just a servant, or slave. The word is not found in Acts where the institution of a deacon is found. For more information on the words used for servants see “The Companion Bible” Appendix 190.dd