Assuming I got that the right way around (not rob Paul to pay Peter) where does that phrase come from? It sounds like it has a religious context but frankly I have no idea.
Just curious.
http://www.bartleby.com/81/14383.html
Yahoo to the rescue!
E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul.
On December 17th, 1550, the abbey church of St. Peter, Westminster, was advanced to the dignity of a cathedral by letters patent; but ten years later it was joined to the diocese of London again, and many of its estates appropriated to the repairs of St. Paul’s Cathedral. (Winkle: Cathedrals.) 1
“Tanquam siquis crucifigeret Paulum ut redimeret Petrum.” (Twelfth century.)
“It was not desirable to rob St. Peter’s altar in order to build one to St. Paul.”—Viglius: Com. Dec. Denarii, i. 9 (1569).
I knew it was something like that.
And all this time I thought it was about cutting production of Mounds bars to make more Almond Joys.
I thought it was the way that Mary kept that singing group’s financial accounts balanced.