New International VersionAll the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
New Living TranslationAll the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.
English Standard VersionNow the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
Berean Standard BibleThe multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.
Berean Literal BibleNow the multitude of those having believed were one in heart and soul, and not one claimed anything of that which he possesses to be his own, but all things were theirs in common.
King James BibleAnd the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
New King James VersionNow the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
New American Standard BibleAnd the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
NASB 1995And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
NASB 1977And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, everything was common.
Amplified BibleNow the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one [of them] claimed that anything belonging to him was [exclusively] his own, but everything was common property and for the use of all.
Christian Standard BibleNow the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.
Holman Christian Standard BibleNow the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.
American Standard VersionAnd the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Contemporary English VersionThe group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other.
English Revised VersionAnd the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe whole group of believers lived in harmony. No one called any of his possessions his own. Instead, they shared everything.
Good News TranslationThe group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had.
International Standard VersionNow all the believers were one in heart and soul, and nobody called any of his possessions his own. Instead, they shared everything they owned.
NET BibleThe group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common.
New Heart English BibleAnd the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Weymouth New TestamentAmong all those who had embraced the faith there was but one heart and soul, so that none of them claimed any of his possessions as his own, but everything they had was common property; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of their possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.
World English BibleThe multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand of the multitude of those who believed, the heart and the soul were one, and not one was saying that anything of the things he had was his own, but all things were in common to them.
Berean Literal BibleNow the multitude of those having believed were one in heart and soul, and not one claimed anything of that which he possesses to be his own, but all things were theirs in common.
Young's Literal Translation and of the multitude of those who did believe the heart and the soul was one, and not one was saying that anything of the things he had was his own, but all things were to them in common.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the heart and soul of the multitude of them believing were one: and not one said any of the things being to him to be his own; but all were common to them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul: neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed, was his own; but all things were common unto them.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen the multitude of believers were of one heart and one soul. Neither did anyone say that any of the things that he possessed were his own, but all things were common to them.
New American BibleThe community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.
New Revised Standard VersionNow the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow the congregation of the believers were of one soul and of one mind; not one of them spoke of the property he possessed as his own; but everything they had was in common.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBut the crowds of people who believed had one soul and one mind and none of them was saying that the wealth which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd the multitude of believers were of one heart and of one soul; and no one said that any part of his possessions was his own; but they had all things in common.
Godbey New TestamentAnd of the multitude who believed there was one heart and soul, and no one was saying that any of those things which belonged to him were his own, but all things were common to them.
Haweis New TestamentAnd in the multitude of those that believed there was one heart and soul: and not one person said, that any part of his substance was his peculiar property; but all things were in common among them.
Mace New Testament
Now the whole body of believers were but one heart, and one soul: no one look'd upon what he possessed, as his own, but every thing was held in common.
Weymouth New Testament
Among all those who had embraced the faith there was but one heart and soul, so that none of them claimed any of his possessions as his own, but everything they had was common property;
Worrell New Testament
And the heart and soul of the multitude of those who believed were one; and not even one was saying that any of the things belonging to him was his own, but they had all things common.
Worsley New Testament
And the heart and soul of the multitude that believed was one: no one called any of his possessions his ownproperty, but they had allthings common.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Sharing among Believers31After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32Themultitudeofbelieverswasonein heartandsoul.Nooneclaimed thatanyofhispossessionswashis own,butthey sharedeverything they owned.33With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all.…
Cross References Acts 2:44-45All the believers were together and had everything in common. / Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
John 17:21-23that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. / I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— / I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.
1 John 1:3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
1 John 3:16-18By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. / If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
Philippians 2:1-2Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, / then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
2 Corinthians 8:12-15For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. / It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. / At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality. ...
Romans 15:5-6Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, / so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:3-6and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. / There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; / one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ...
Colossians 3:14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
Hebrews 13:16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:4-5Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. / For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.
Psalm 133:1A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
Deuteronomy 15:4-5There will be no poor among you, however, because the LORD will surely bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, / if only you obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commandments I am giving you today.
Treasury of Scripture And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. the multitude. Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. ought. Acts 2:44-46 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; … 1 Chronicles 29:14-16 But whoam I, and whatis my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all thingscome of thee, and of thine own have we given thee… Luke 16:10-12 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much… Jump to Previous AughtBelievedClaimedCommonCompanyCongregationEmbracedFaithHeartMindMultitudeOughtPossessedPossessionsPropertySoulJump to Next AughtBelievedClaimedCommonCompanyCongregationEmbracedFaithHeartMindMultitudeOughtPossessedPossessionsPropertySoulActs 4 1.The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon,3.imprison him and John.5.After, upon examination8.Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus,11.and that only by the same Jesus we must be eternally saved,13.they threaten him and John to preach no more in that name,23.whereupon the church flees to prayer.31.And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifies that he heard their prayer;34.confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity.The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul.This phrase highlights the unity among the early Christians, reflecting the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:21. The "heart and soul" indicates a deep, spiritual connection, transcending mere agreement or cooperation. This unity was essential for the early church's growth and mission, as it demonstrated the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The phrase also echoes the communal aspects of Jewish life, where community and shared identity were central. The early church's unity served as a powerful witness to the surrounding culture, which was often divided by class, ethnicity, and religion. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
This reflects the radical generosity and selflessness that characterized the early Christian community. It is reminiscent of the communal living described inActs 2:44-45, where believers sold their possessions to meet each other's needs. This attitude contrasts sharply with the prevailing Greco-Roman culture, which valued personal wealth and status. The believers' willingness to relinquish personal ownership underscores their commitment to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). This practice also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who gave up His divine privileges for humanity's sake (Philippians 2:6-8). but they shared everything they owned.
The sharing of possessions among the believers is a practical expression of their unity and love for one another. This communal lifestyle is not mandated as a requirement for all Christians but is presented as an example of the Spirit-led generosity that should characterize the church. It reflects the early church's understanding of stewardship, where material goods are seen as resources to be used for the common good and the advancement of God's kingdom. This practice also fulfills the Old Testament principle of caring for the poor and needy, as seen inDeuteronomy 15:7-11. The sharing of possessions is a tangible demonstration of the believers' faith and trust in God's provision, as well as their commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus in a countercultural way. Persons / Places / Events 1. The BelieversThe early Christian community in Jerusalem, consisting of those who had accepted the message of Jesus Christ and were living in unity. 2. JerusalemThe city where the early church was growing and where the apostles were teaching and performing miracles. 3. ApostlesThe leaders of the early church, including Peter and John, who were instrumental in spreading the gospel and guiding the believers. 4. Sharing of PossessionsA significant event where the believers practiced communal living, reflecting their unity and commitment to one another. 5. Unity of Heart and SoulA description of the deep spiritual and emotional connection among the believers, emphasizing their collective purpose and love. Teaching Points Unity in the Body of ChristThe early church exemplified a profound unity that transcended individual desires. Believers today are called to seek unity in their communities, prioritizing collective well-being over personal gain. Generosity and StewardshipThe sharing of possessions among the early believers serves as a model for generosity. Christians are encouraged to view their resources as tools for blessing others and advancing God's kingdom. Heart and Soul CommitmentThe phrase "one in heart and soul" indicates a deep commitment to one another. Believers are challenged to cultivate relationships that reflect this level of dedication and love. Counter-Cultural LivingThe early church's communal lifestyle was counter-cultural. Modern Christians are invited to live in ways that reflect God's values, even when they differ from societal norms. Practical Love in ActionThe actions of the early believers demonstrate love in practical terms. Christians are encouraged to find tangible ways to support and care for one another in their communities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 4:32?
2.How can we emulate the "one heart and soul" unity in our church today?
3.What does Acts 4:32 teach about the importance of communal sharing?
4.How does Acts 4:32 connect to Jesus' teachings on loving your neighbor?
5.In what ways can we prioritize spiritual unity over material possessions?
6.How can Acts 4:32 inspire us to support fellow believers in need?
7.How does Acts 4:32 challenge the concept of personal ownership in a Christian community?
8.What historical evidence supports the communal living described in Acts 4:32?
9.How does Acts 4:32 align with or differ from modern Christian practices?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 4?
11.What defines Christian Socialism?
12.What is the meaning of brotherly kindness?
13.What defines Christian Socialism?
14.Acts 5:1–11: How can two people suddenly die for lying, and is there any historical or medical evidence supporting such an event?What Does Acts 4:32 Mean The multitude of believersLuke paints a picture of a rapidly expanding church. Back inActs 2:41, about three thousand were added in a single day, andActs 2:47 says “the Lord added to their number daily.” ByActs 4, the crowd has swelled into a “multitude.” • This growth fulfills Jesus’ promise inActs 1:8 that His witnesses would reach “the ends of the earth.” • It also echoesIsaiah 60:22—“the least of you will become a thousand.” • The phrase reminds us that the church is not a small, elite group; God’s salvation is spreading far and wide.
Was one in heart and soulUnity wasn’t theoretical; it was felt and lived. • Jesus had prayed for this oneness inJohn 17:20-23. Now, that prayer is coming true. •Ephesians 4:3-6 urges believers to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit,” and here that effort is visible. •Philippians 2:1-2 calls for believers to be “of the same mind, having the same love.” The early church models exactly that. Their shared heart speaks to common affection—loving the same Lord and one another. Shared soul points to common purpose—advancing the gospel together. Such unity is supernatural, a work of the Spirit who baptized them into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13).
No one claimed that any of his possessions was his ownThis attitude flows from recognizing God’s ultimate ownership: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). •Acts 2:44-45 had already shown believers selling property to meet needs. •1 John 3:17 presses the same heart: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need yet has no pity on him, how can the love of God abide in him?” • Nothing here is forced; the verbs are voluntary. Love, not law, motivates open-handedness (2 Corinthians 9:7). These believers still possessed houses and land (Acts 12:12; 21:8), but they refused to cling to them as ultimate.
But they shared everything they ownedLuke shifts from attitude to action. Their unity spilled into practical generosity. •Acts 4:34-35 immediately notes that “there was not a needy one among them,” as proceeds were laid at the apostles’ feet for distribution. •2 Corinthians 8:3-5 describes similar grace in Macedonia: they “gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us.” •Hebrews 13:16 reminds, “Do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Bullet-point snapshot of how sharing looked: – Voluntary sales of assets when needs arose. – Central collection to ensure fair distribution. – An ongoing rhythm, not a one-time event. – Tangible testimony that Christ’s love conquers selfishness (John 13:35).
summaryActs 4:32 shows a Spirit-filled community marked by growth, deep unity, surrendered ownership, and joyful generosity. Heart and soul beat as one, possessions become tools for blessing, and the watching world sees the gospel lived out in real time. (32) And the multitude of themthat believed.--Literally, And the heart and the soul of the multitude of those that believed were one. Of the two words used to describe the unity of the Church, "heart" represented, as in Hebrew usage, rather the intellectual side of character ( Mark 2:6; Mark 2:8; Mark 11:23; Luke 2:35; Luke 3:15; Luke 6:45, et al.) ,and "soul," the emotional ( Luke 2:35; Luke 12:22; John 12:27, et al.) . As with most like words, however, they often overlap each other, and are used together to express the totality of character without minute analysis. The description stands parallel with that of Acts 2:42-47, as though the historian delighted to dwell on the continuance, as long as it lasted, of that ideal of a common life of equality and fraternity after which philosophers had yearned, in which the rights of property, though not abolished, were, by the spontaneous action of its owners, made subservient to the law of love, and benevolence was free and full, without the "nicely calculated less or more" of a later and less happy time. The very form of expression implies that the community of goods was not compulsory. The goods still belonged to men, but they did not speak of them as their own. They had learned, as from our Lord's teaching ( Luke 16:10-14), to think of themselves, not as possessors, but as stewards. . . . Verse 32.- Soul for of one soul, A.V.; and not one of them said for neither said any of them, A.V. The great increase in the number of believers had been recorded in ver. 4. And the state of public feeling alluded to in ver. 21 makes it likely that yet more may have been converted to the faith. This was very important, no doubt; but it was scarcely less so that this great multitude were one in heart and soul, closely united in the bonds of Christian fellowship and love.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek TheΤοῦ(Tou)Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.congregationπλήθους(plēthous)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4128:A multitude, crowd, great number, assemblage. From pletho; a fulness, i.e. A large number, throng, populace.ofτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.believersπιστευσάντων(pisteusantōn)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4100:From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.wasἦν(ēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.oneμία(mia)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520:One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.[in] heartκαρδία(kardia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588:Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.soul.ψυχὴ(psychē)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590:From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.Noοὐδὲ(oude)Adverb
Strong's 3761:Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.oneεἷς(heis)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520:One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.claimed thatἔλεγεν(elegen)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.anyτι(ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.ofτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.hisαὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.possessionsὑπαρχόντων(hyparchontōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 5225:To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).wasεἶναι(einai)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.his own,ἴδιον(idion)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2398:Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.butἀλλ’(all’)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.they sharedἦν(ēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.everything they owned.πάντα(panta)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.
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NT Apostles: Acts 4:32 The multitude of those who believed were (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
