Acts 4:32

Conditions Among the Early Believers

4:32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, 1  and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. 2 

Acts 4:34-35

4:34 For there was no one needy 3  among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling 4  them 5  and bringing the proceeds from the sales 4:35 and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds 6  were distributed to each, as anyone had need.

1 tn Grk “soul.”

2 tn Grk “but all things were to them in common.”

sn Everything was held in common. The remark is not a reflection of political philosophy, but of the extent of their spontaneous commitment to one another. Such a response does not have the function of a command, but is reflective of an attitude that Luke commends as evidence of their identification with one another.

3 tn Or “poor.”

4 tn Grk “houses, selling them were bringing.” The participle πωλοῦντες (pwlounte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

5 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

6 tn Grk “It” (or “They,” plural). The referent of the understood pronoun subject, the proceeds from the sales, of the verb διεδίδετο (diedideto) has been specified in the translation for clarity.