Ethics vs. Law: St. Paul, the Fathers of the Church and the “Cheerful Giver” in Roman Law

Abstract

The present study deals with a segment from the history of the eternal problem, Ethics and Law, and their interrelation. It investigates the origin and evolution of a moral idea—the meaning of goodwill in action, and especially in giving. Some of the greatest and most noble minds of all times have cooperated in this evolution—Aristotle, St. Paul, and St. John Chrysostom. Emperor Justinian undertook later the attempt to anchor this moral claim in law. The attempt failed. The failure unveils the border line between ethics and law.