The Believers Share Possessions
Acts 4:32-37
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Acts.4.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Του: ART,gen,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- πληθους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πιστευσαντων: PART,aor,act,gen,pl,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- καρδια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ψυχη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μια: NUM,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- εις: PREP
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- υπαρχοντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,n
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ιδιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αλλ᾽ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- κοινα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Acts 2:44-45 (verbal): Direct parallel in language and practice: the believers are together and 'had all things in common' (πάντα κοινά), selling possessions and distributing to each as any had need.
- 1 John 3:17 (thematic): Same ethical impulse: Christians who possess goods are called to respond to brothers in need rather than claim possessions as exclusively their own.
- 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 (thematic): Paul frames giving as creating equality among believers so that 'the one who had much did not have more,' echoing the early church's communal sharing to meet needs.
- Luke 12:33 (thematic): Jesus' instruction to sell possessions and give to the poor resonates with the Acts community's practice of relinquishing private ownership for the sake of others.
- Hebrews 13:16 (thematic): The exhortation to 'do good and share' parallels the Acts depiction of material sharing as an essential mark of faithful community.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the whole company of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they held everything in common.
- Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul. No one claimed any of his possessions as his own, but they shared everything in common.
Acts.4.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- δυναμει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μεγαλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- απεδιδουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μαρτυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αποστολοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αναστασεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τε: CONJ
- μεγαλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 2:32 (verbal): Peter explicitly testifies that God raised Jesus, and the apostles’ witness to the resurrection is the same claim celebrated in Acts 4:33.
- Acts 1:8 (thematic): Jesus’ commission (‘you will receive power and be my witnesses’) links the themes of ‘power’ and apostolic witness found in Acts 4:33.
- Luke 24:46-49 (allusion): Jesus instructs the disciples that repentance and forgiveness are to be proclaimed in his name and promises the Spirit’s power to be witnesses—paralleling the resurrection testimony and divine empowering in Acts 4:33.
- Romans 1:4 (thematic): Paul states that Jesus was declared Son of God with power by his resurrection—the theological basis for the apostles’ testimony referenced in Acts 4:33.
- Acts 4:31 (verbal): Immediate context: the believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak God’s word with boldness, directly reflecting the ‘great power’ and the effect of grace upon them mentioned in Acts 4:33.
Alternative generated candidates
- And with great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
- And with great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
Acts.4.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- γαρ: PART
- ενδεης: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτοις·οσοι: PRON,dat,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- κτητορες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- χωριων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οικιων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- υπηρχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- πωλουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εφερον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- τιμας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πιπρασκομενων: VERB,pres,mid,part,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 2:44-45 (thematic): Earliest Jerusalem community likewise had everything in common and sold possessions to distribute to anyone in need—same communal practice as Acts 4:34.
- Acts 4:32-35 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding and following verses describe the unity, sale of property (e.g., Barnabas), and distribution of proceeds—Acts 4:34 is part of this same narrative unit.
- Luke 12:33 (verbal): Jesus' teaching to 'sell your possessions and give alms' parallels the verbal and ethical imperative behind selling property to assist the poor reflected in Acts 4:34.
- 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 (thematic): Paul exhorts mutual aid so 'no one should have relief while another has need,' and appeals to sharing/equality—theological parallel to the redistributive intent of selling possessions in Acts 4:34.
Alternative generated candidates
- For there was not a needy person among them; for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds
- For there was not a needy person among them; for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.
Acts.4.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ετιθουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- παρα: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποστολων·διεδιδετο: NOUN,gen,pl,m + VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εκαστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- καθοτι: CONJ
- αν: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- χρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ειχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 2:44-45 (verbal): Early Jerusalem community sold possessions and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet, distributing to each as any had need—language and practice closely parallel.
- Acts 4:34 (structural): Immediate context: repeats that no needy person was among them because those who owned lands or houses sold them and brought proceeds to the apostles’ feet, explaining why distributions met needs.
- 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (structural): Paul gives practical instructions for a regular collection for the saints so that resources are gathered and later distributed to needy believers—parallels the organized provision for those in need.
- 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 (thematic): Paul appeals to sharing and equality—those with abundance should supply others' needs so there is balance—reflects the same concern that resources be distributed according to need.
- Luke 12:33 (thematic): Jesus’ exhortation to sell possessions and give to the poor echoes the ethic behind selling goods and distributing proceeds to meet the needs of the community.
Alternative generated candidates
- and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they were distributed to each as anyone had need.
- They laid the money at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Acts.4.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ιωσηφ: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- επικληθεις: PART,aor,pass,nom,sg,m
- Βαρναβας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μεθερμηνευομενον: PART,pres,pas,nom,sg,n
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Λευιτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Κυπριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- γενει: NOUN,dat,sg,nt
Parallels
- Acts 9:27 (verbal): Barnabas appears by name taking Paul (Saul) to the apostles—same person and active role among the apostles introduced in Acts 4:36.
- Acts 11:22-26 (structural): Narrative continuation of Barnabas's ministry: he is sent to Antioch, encourages the new believers and seeks out Saul to help teach there—illustrates his role as 'son of encouragement' and his leadership.
- Acts 11:24 (thematic): A character portrait: Barnabas is described as 'a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith,' which thematically supports the meaning of his name and his reputation among the apostles.
- Acts 13:2-3 (structural): Barnabas and Saul are set apart by the Holy Spirit for missionary work from the Antioch church—further evidence of Barnabas's prominent missionary/apostolic function introduced in Acts 4:36.
- Galatians 2:9 (verbal): Paul's letter names Barnabas alongside Paul as recognized by the Jerusalem leaders (James, Cephas, John) as 'pillars'—corroborates Barnabas's standing among the apostles mentioned in Acts 4:36.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Joseph, a Levite, who was also surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Consolation), a native of the island of Cyprus,
- Now Joseph, a Levite, a native of the island of Cyprus, whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (that is, Son of Encouragement),
Acts.4.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υπαρχοντος: PART,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- αγρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πωλησας: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- ηνεγκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- χρημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- εθηκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- παρα: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 4:34-35 (verbal): Same scene of communal sharing: believers sold property and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet; Acts 4:37 is an individual example within this description.
- Acts 2:44-45 (thematic): Early Jerusalem church practice of selling possessions and distributing proceeds to those in need, providing the broader context for Barnabas's act.
- Acts 5:1-11 (thematic): Ananias and Sapphira also sold property and brought part of the proceeds to the apostles, providing a striking contrast in motive and outcome to Barnabas's generous action.
- Mark 10:21 (cf. Matt 19:21; Luke 18:22) (thematic): Jesus' call to the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give to the poor echoes the ideal of sacrificial giving and relinquishing property for the sake of the kingdom.
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (thematic): Paul praises the Macedonian churches' sacrificial generosity—giving beyond their means and first to the Lord—paralleling the spirit of voluntary, wholehearted offerings like Barnabas's.
Alternative generated candidates
- sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
- had a field; and he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but they had all things in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds
and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they were distributed to each as any had need. Now Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which is, by interpretation, Son of Encouragement),
sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.