Acts 11 29

Acts 11:29 kjv

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

Acts 11:29 nkjv

Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.

Acts 11:29 niv

The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.

Acts 11:29 esv

So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

Acts 11:29 nlt

So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could.

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 29 Meaning

Acts 11:29 describes a pivotal moment in the early church where the disciples in Antioch, following a prophecy of famine, decided to collectively organize and send financial assistance to their fellow believers living in Judea. This act exemplifies early Christian solidarity, practical love, and proportional giving, responding directly to a predicted need.

Acts 11 29 Context

Chapter 11 of Acts follows the pivotal account of Peter preaching to Cornelius and the Holy Spirit falling upon Gentiles, confirming their inclusion in the early church. Upon Peter's return to Jerusalem, he defends his actions, leading to the broader acceptance of Gentile conversion. The narrative then shifts to the growth of the church in Antioch, a significant Hellenistic city. Barnabas is sent there and, seeing the work, brings Saul (Paul) to teach. Amidst this vibrant growth, the prophet Agabus arrives and, moved by the Spirit, foretells a great famine that would spread over the entire Roman world. Acts 11:29 is the direct and immediate response of the Antiochian Christian community to this prophecy, demonstrating their proactive compassion and inter-church unity. Historically, a severe famine did occur during the reign of Emperor Claudius, particularly affecting Judea around AD 46-48, affirming Agabus's prophetic accuracy.

Acts 11 29 Word analysis

• Then (δὲ, de): This connective particle indicates a transition or consequence, suggesting that the action taken by the disciples was a direct response to Agabus's prophecy. It signals a move from hearing the prophecy to acting upon it.
• the disciples (οἱ μαθηταὶ, hoi mathētai): Refers to the collective body of believers in the church at Antioch, not just a select group of leaders. It underscores a community-wide initiative, involving ordinary members.
• every man (ἕκαστος, hekastos): Emphasizes individual participation and responsibility within the larger communal effort. Each member was called to contribute.
• according to his ability (καθὼς ηὐπορεῖτό τις, kathōs ēuporeito tis):
  • The Greek verb euporeo (εὐπορέω) literally means "to have good means," "to prosper," or "to be well-off." It derives from eu (good) and poros (a way, passage, means).
  • This phrase establishes the principle of proportional giving—each person contributing what they could afford, based on their individual resources and prosperity, rather than a fixed sum. It is a benchmark of generosity reflecting financial capacity.
• determined (ὥρισαν, hōrisan):
  • The Greek verb horizō (ὁρίζω) means "to mark out boundaries," "to determine," "to appoint," or "to decide." It implies a clear, deliberate, and intentional resolution.
  • This was a considered, organized plan, not a spontaneous, unstructured offering. The church formally resolved to undertake this action.
• to send relief (εἰς διακονίαν, eis diakonian):
  • The Greek noun diakonia (διακονία) is multifaceted, encompassing "service," "ministry," "aid," or "provision." It refers to the practical act of helping or administering.
  • It highlights that their aid was an act of compassionate service, much like the work of deacons. It wasn't merely a donation but a ministering to a need.
• unto the brethren (τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς, tois adelphois): Identifies the recipients as fellow believers, emphasizing the spiritual familial bond and unity of the global church, transcending geographical and cultural divisions. It signals Christian brotherhood as the motivating factor.
• which dwelt in Judea (τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ, tois katoikousin en tē Ioudaia):
  • Clearly specifies the target beneficiaries—the Christians residing in the region of Judea, fulfilling the specific scope of Agabus's prophecy. This localized reference gives concrete direction to their generosity.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Then the disciples, every man: This grouping highlights the collective and yet individualized nature of the church's response. The church body as a whole made the decision, and each individual member contributed personally.
• according to his ability, determined: Connects the principle of proportional giving with the deliberate and organized nature of the church's charitable work. Their decision was not arbitrary but thoughtfully weighed against individual capacity.
• to send relief unto the brethren: This phrase articulates the purpose and the beneficiaries. The 'relief' (diakonia) signifies active, caring service, directed towards those recognized as part of their spiritual family.
• which dwelt in Judea: Pinpoints the geographical location of the need, linking their charitable act directly to the prophetic warning. It underscores the practical response to a specific, predicted distress in a particular community.

Acts 11 29 Bonus section

• Reversal of the Flow of Blessings: Historically, Jerusalem had been the source of the gospel and initial aid to burgeoning churches (like Barnabas sent to Antioch in Acts 11:22). Here, the flow reverses: the Gentile-heavy church in Antioch sends aid to the Jewish believers in Judea. This act prefigures Paul's later extensive efforts to collect offerings from Gentile churches for the "poor among the saints in Jerusalem" (Rom 15:26; 1 Cor 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8-9), which served to foster unity between Jewish and Gentile believers and acknowledge the spiritual debt of Gentiles to Jerusalem.
• Organized Church Philanthropy: The word "determined" (horizō) is crucial, implying a formal decision and an organized approach to charity. This wasn't a spontaneous, one-off collection but a planned and structured initiative by the entire church. This highlights early examples of sophisticated church administration and stewardship in response to human need.
• The Nature of Prophecy: Agabus's prophecy wasn't just a divinely revealed prediction for information's sake; it served as a catalyst for action, prompting the church to respond with compassion and practical aid, illustrating prophecy's practical application in the life of the church.
• Leadership and Trust: The following verse (Acts 11:30) reveals that Barnabas and Saul were chosen to carry this relief to the elders in Judea, underscoring the trust placed in these leaders and demonstrating a practical aspect of apostolic ministry: oversight and execution of charitable works.

Acts 11 29 Commentary

Acts 11:29 powerfully encapsulates the essence of the early Christian community's active faith and inter-church solidarity. Following Agabus's prophetic warning of an impending famine, the believers in Antioch didn't just passively receive the information; they proactively "determined to send relief." This was a significant gesture, as Antioch was a relatively young church, predominantly Gentile, now aiding the established, mostly Jewish church in Judea. It showcases the breaking down of cultural barriers and the triumph of Christ's new humanity. The principle of "every man according to his ability" sets a timeless precedent for generous, proportionate giving—not compulsory, but based on individual capacity, reflecting a willing heart. This collective and organized act of charity demonstrated practical love (1 Jn 3:17), the unity of the Spirit, and obedience to the Lord's teaching on caring for the poor and one another (Mt 25:40; Gal 6:10). It highlights that prophecy should lead to practical, compassionate action.Example: A church learning of a natural disaster affecting a sister congregation in another country might organize a similar collection based on what each member can afford, and then send it through trusted channels.