In the context of the Bible, the term "patron" refers to an individual who provides support, protection, or sponsorship to another person or group. This concept is closely related to the idea of patronage, a social system prevalent in the ancient world, including the Greco-Roman society in which the New Testament was written. Patronage involved a reciprocal relationship between a patron, who offered resources or influence, and a client, who provided loyalty and services in return.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "patron" is not directly used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in various relationships and social structures. For example, the relationship between Boaz and Ruth in the Book of Ruth illustrates a form of patronage. Boaz acts as a benefactor to Ruth, providing her with protection and sustenance, which ultimately leads to her redemption and marriage (Ruth 2:8-12).

Another example is found in the relationship between King David and his mighty men. David, as a leader and king, acted as a patron to his warriors, offering them positions of honor and responsibility in exchange for their loyalty and service (1 Samuel 22:1-2).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of patronage is more explicitly observed, particularly within the early Christian communities. The Apostle Paul frequently benefited from the support of patrons during his missionary journeys. One notable example is Phoebe, mentioned in Romans 16:1-2 : "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her with anything she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me." Phoebe is described as a "servant" or "deacon" of the church, and her role as a benefactor to Paul and others highlights the importance of patrons in the spread of the Gospel.

Lydia, a seller of purple goods in Philippi, is another example of a patron in the early church. After her conversion, she offered her home as a meeting place for believers, providing hospitality and support to Paul and his companions (Acts 16:14-15).

Theological Implications

The concept of patronage in the Bible underscores the importance of community and mutual support within the body of Christ. It reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals use their resources and influence to further God's kingdom and support fellow believers. This system of patronage also highlights the interconnectedness of the early church, where relationships were built on trust, loyalty, and shared faith.

Furthermore, the role of patrons in the early church serves as a model for Christian generosity and hospitality. Believers are encouraged to use their gifts and resources to support the work of the church and to care for one another, as seen in passages like 1 Peter 4:9-10 : "Show hospitality to one another without complaining. As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another."

In summary, while the term "patron" may not be explicitly used in the biblical text, the concept is woven throughout the narrative of Scripture, illustrating the vital role of support and sponsorship in the life of God's people.1. (n.) One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender.

2. (n.) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him.

3. (n.) A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself.

4. (n.) An advocate or pleader.

5. (n.) One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.

6. (n.) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.

7. (n.) A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint.

8. (n.) See Padrone, 2.

9. (v. t.) To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor.

10. (a.) Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary.

440. Eloni -- a descendant of Elon
... Elonites. Or rather (shortened) oeloniy {ay-lo-nee'}; patron from 'Allown; an Elonite
or descendant (collectively) of Elon -- Elonites. see HEBREW 'Allown. ...
/hebrew/440.htm - 6k

5625. Sardi -- descendant of Sered
... of Sered NASB Word Usage Seredites (1). Sardites. Patron from Cered; a Seredite
(collectively) or descendants of Sered -- Sardites. see HEBREW Cered. ...
/hebrew/5625.htm - 6k

1145. Ben-yemini -- a descendant of Benjamin
... 20:1) simply Yminiy {yem-ee-nee'}; a Jeminite; (plural Bniy Ymiyniy {ben- ay'
yem-ee-nee'}; patron from Binyamiyn; a Benjaminite, or descendent of Benjamin ...
/hebrew/1145.htm - 6k

3761. Karmeli -- inhab. of Carmel
... Carmelite. Patron from Karmel; a Karmelite or inhabitant of Karmel (the town) --
Carmelite. see HEBREW Karmel. 3760, 3761. Karmeli. 3762 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3761.htm - 6k

Glorious Patron
... No. 101 Glorious Patron. SAINTS, St. John Baptist De La Salle Glorious
Patron. Sr. Mercedes J. Lewis Browne. 1. Glorious Patron! ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 101 glorious patron.htm

Seek Ye a Patron to Defend?
... No. 98 Seek ye a Patron to defend? SAINTS, St. Peter Seek ye a Patron to defend?
Si vis Patronum quaerere. Translated by Father Caswall Nicola A. Montani. ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 98 seek ye a.htm

The Great Debt She Owed to Our Lord for his Mercy to Her. She ...
... Joseph for Her Patron. ... I have been given to understand since that they were unseemly
and superstitious; and I took for my patron and lord the glorious St. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter vi the great debt.htm

List of Characters and Places
... Bast,"Bahst, the cat-headed goddess, patron deity of Bubastis. ...
Ptah,"P-tah', the patron deity of Memphis. Punt,"Poont, Arabia. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/list of characters and places.htm

The Parts of the World in which the Apostles Preached
... His traditional activity in Scythia has made him the patron saint of Russia.
He is also called the patron saint of Greece, where ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter i the parts of the.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, Where the Miracle of the ...
... 5. A great Patron have we found, Brethren. ... Whosoever depend upon any man as
patron, are his dependents; we are the members of our Patron. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxx on the words.htm

Of Agreement as to Tithe, Composition, Notice, &C.
... A real composition is, when an agreement is made between the owner of the lands
and the Parson or Vicar, with the consent of the Ordinary or Patron, that such ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/2 of agreement as to.htm

Going Home
... The practice, now common, was new then, of alloting to each in the community as
special patron some particular saint whose feast occurred during the month. ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter xiv going home.htm

The Tangled Web
... He was Flavius Josephus, one time patriot and enemy of Rome, but now secure under
Titus' patronage, abettor of his patron against his fellow-countrymen. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvii the tangled web.htm

Introductory Notice to Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria.
... 313-326.] The records of the Ante-Nicene period, so far as Alexandria is concerned,
are complete in this great primate, the friend and patron of Athanasius, and ...
/.../introductory notice to alexander bishop.htm

Patron (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (n.) One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer;
a promoter; as, a patron of art. ... called also patron saint. ...
/p/patron.htm - 7k

Asnapper (1 Occurrence)
... He was "luxurious, ambitious, and cruel, but a magnificent patron of literature."
He formed at Nineveh a library of clay tablets, numbering about 10,000. ...
/a/asnapper.htm - 7k

Shishak (6 Occurrences)
... 2. Patron of Jeroboam: He had not long been seated on the throne when Jeroboam the
son of Nebat, of the tribe of Ephraim, whom Solomon had promoted but ...
/s/shishak.htm - 13k

Greece (15 Occurrences)
... as her special pride; each family worships gods which are all but akin to the family;
in the gymnasium, Apollo or Hermes is represented as the patron and ideal ...
/g/greece.htm - 59k

Erech (2 Occurrences)
... 3. Its Patron-Deities and Their Temples: Two great deities, Ishtar and Nanaa, were
worshipped in this city, the temple of the former being E-anna, "the house ...
/e/erech.htm - 13k

Ancient (64 Occurrences)
... as her special pride; each family worships gods which are all but akin to the family;
in the gymnasium, Apollo or Hermes is represented as the patron and ideal ...
/a/ancient.htm - 98k

Ptolemy
... endowed the Museum and Alexandrian Library in which his father had taken much interest;
in general he followed his father's example as a liberal patron of art ...
/p/ptolemy.htm - 17k

Angel (209 Occurrences)
... the children of thy people," and, more briefly, "your prince" (Daniel 10:13; Daniel
12:1; Daniel 10:21); Michael is therefore regarded as the patron-angel of ...
/a/angel.htm - 78k

Pattern (28 Occurrences)

/p/pattern.htm - 19k

Usurp (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To seize, and hold by force, or without right; as, to usurp a throne; to
usurp power; to usurp the right of a patron is to oust or dispossess him. ...
/u/usurp.htm - 7k

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