members; Christianity was consolidated and assumed closer contact with the world. The Shepherd of Hermas sheds light on these processes. Its author considers himself one of the common people, as especially his metaphorical language indicates;155 but even he himself had been mixed up in shady transactions (Herm. vis. 2.3; Herm. mand. 3.3). However, it is primarily the rich who must be apostrophized with all the seriousness of the prophetic call to repentence (Herm. vis. 3.9.4ff). The words are reminiscent