Recent studies on almsgiving by biblical scholars have tended to overemphasize the financial imagery early and late antique Christians employed to discuss how almsgiving remitted post-baptismal sin. On the other hand, scholars who have specifically addressed John Chrysostom's view of almsgiving have tended to place too much stress on his efforts at social reform. This dissertation seeks to correct both these overly emphasized representations by calling attention to the many other metaphors used by John and other early Christians to discuss almsgiving's sin-erasing capacity and by uncovering other motivations behind John's promotion of almsgiving than the alleviation of poverty.

The opening chapters of this dissertation demonstrate the unique and far-reaching claims John made concerning almsgiving's ability to atone for post-baptismal sin as well as the many other benefits he maintained this act bestowed on both the donor and others. Following a discussion of these unparalleled claims and benefits, the author identifies several factors that led John to emphasize almsgiving over other virtues and ascetic practices and to make stronger statements than many of his Christian contemporaries concerning almsgiving's effectiveness in dealing with sin. Although almsgiving is central in the Hebrew scriptures, Septuagint, and New Testament and had already been acclaimed by earlier Christians, in John's mind, almsgiving solved several other problems. It provided a substitute for harsher penitential practices in other regions throughout the Empire. As it was a practice incumbent on everyone, it promoted unity and served as an equal opportunity for growth in virtue for the married and celibates and the rich and poor within his congregations. Finally, it helped to solidify John's own reputation as a powerful priest and bishop who acted as patron of the poor and who could successfully compete with leaders of other religious groups.