Acts 4 32

Acts 4:32 kjv

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.

Acts 4:32 nkjv

Now 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.

Acts 4:32 niv

All 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.

Acts 4:32 esv

Now 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.

Acts 4:32 nlt

All 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.

Acts 4 verses

Acts 4 32 Meaning

Acts 4:32 describes the remarkable unity and selflessness of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. It emphasizes a profound spiritual oneness ("one heart and of one soul") among the believers, which directly manifested in their practical approach to material possessions. They held such little personal attachment to their belongings that none claimed anything they possessed as exclusively "his own." Instead, all resources were made available for common use, ensuring that the needs of everyone in the community were met, exemplifying a radical form of communal love and support.

Acts 4 32 Context

Acts 4:32 is situated after a significant period of growth and spiritual boldness in the early church. Chapters 2-4 describe the Pentecost event, the rapid expansion of the community, and the Apostles' preaching, miracles, and subsequent arrests and threats from the Sanhedrin. Specifically, in chapter 4, Peter and John, after healing a lame man, bravely testify to Jesus' resurrection before the Jewish leaders (Acts 4:1-22). Despite commands not to preach, they respond by declaring their obedience to God (Acts 4:19-20). Upon their release, they return to the community, who collectively pray for boldness (Acts 4:23-31). This powerful prayer results in the place being shaken and the believers being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking the word with boldness. Acts 4:32 then highlights the internal consequence and outward manifestation of this deep spiritual experience and unity, contrasting it with the hostile external environment. The church, united in spirit and purpose, shared their lives and possessions, an authentic expression of their faith in the resurrected Christ amidst persecution.

Historically, this communal practice developed spontaneously from their newfound spiritual unity and love for one another, not as a legalistic requirement. It provided essential social and economic support for new believers, especially those who were persecuted or ostracized, allowing them to remain dedicated to fellowship and teaching. This pattern of sharing provided a counter-cultural testimony, distinct from the individualistic and often stratified society of the Roman world, where private wealth and status were highly prized.

Acts 4 32 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction, but here it marks a consequence or direct outgrowth of the prayer and filling of the Spirit mentioned in Acts 4:31. It signifies a logical progression.
• the multitude (τὸ πλῆθος - to plēthos): Refers to a large crowd or a great number. It emphasizes the substantial size of the believing community at this early stage in Jerusalem, indicating that this practice was widespread, not limited to a select few.
• of them that believed (τῶν πιστευόντων - tōn pisteuontōn): A participle denoting those "who were believing" or "continuously believing." It highlights faith as the defining characteristic and ongoing commitment of this community. Their unity stemmed from a shared, active faith.
• were of one heart (μία καρδία - mia kardia): "Heart" (kardia) in biblical thought represents the innermost being, encompassing intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. To be of "one heart" implies perfect alignment in their affections, intentions, and understanding. It signifies a profound emotional and volitional unity.
• and of one soul (καὶ μία ψυχὴ - kai mia psychē): "Soul" (psychē) refers to the life principle, the self, one's individual existence, feelings, and desires. To be of "one soul" speaks to a complete convergence of purpose, desires, and identity. Together, "one heart and one soul" is an idiom denoting the deepest level of internal, spiritual, and emotional unity. It’s more than just agreement; it’s a shared essence.
• neither said any of them (οὐδὲ εἶπεν οὐδεὶς - oude eipen oudeis): A strong double negative in Greek, emphasizing that not even a single individual claimed this. It speaks to a unanimous, conscious decision or attitude among them.
• that ought of the things which he possessed (ἀπὸ τῶν ὑπαρχόντων αὐτῷ - apo tōn hyparchontōn autō): "Things possessed" (hyparchonta) refers to actual movable and immovable property or resources. The phrase means "of the things belonging to him."
• was his own (ἴδιον - idion): "Own" (idion) denotes something peculiar, private, or exclusively belonging to oneself. The statement implies that while they might have technically retained ownership (as seen in Acts 5 with Ananias and Sapphira), their attitude was one of complete non-attachment to private claims over what they had. It wasn't about ownership itself, but the assertion of private rights to the exclusion of others.
• but they had all things common (ἀλλ' ἦν αὐτοῖς ἅπαντα κοινά - all' ēn autois hapanta koina): "All things" (hapanta) signifies every possession. "Common" (koina) means shared, communal, jointly held. This phrase emphasizes the practical manifestation of their spiritual unity and selfless attitude: their resources were made available to everyone in the community. This is the root of koinonia, shared life and fellowship.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "multitude...believed were of one heart and of one soul": This group highlights that their spiritual state—being deeply united in heart and soul, flowing from their shared belief in Christ—was not limited to a few, but characterized the vast number of believers. This deep internal unity (spirit and desire) was the root cause of their practical actions.
• "neither said any of them that ought...was his own; but they had all things common": This powerful contrast demonstrates the transition from an internal attitude ("not his own") to an external action ("had all things common"). It defines biblical communal sharing not as enforced redistribution but as a voluntary, loving renunciation of possessiveness, leading to a system of mutual benefit. This was a free act of charity, generosity, and love for one another, where meeting needs superseded individual retention of surplus.

Acts 4 32 Bonus section

The communal sharing described in Acts 4:32 (and earlier in Acts 2:44-45) was primarily focused on distributing according to need, not on establishing universal economic equality by dissolving all private property. While private ownership claims were relaxed, the goal was not to make everyone materially identical but to ensure "there was not a needy person among them" (Acts 4:34). The voluntary nature of this arrangement is key; it was an overflow of Christian love, not a mandate for forced collectivism. Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 were judged not for withholding property, but for lying about the amount of their donation while claiming full contribution, demonstrating that retaining property was permissible, but deceit was not. This distinctive pattern sets Christian communalism apart from modern secular forms of communism or socialism, as its motivation is divine love and Spirit-led generosity within a believing community, not an socio-economic ideology enforced by a political entity.

Acts 4 32 Commentary

Acts 4:32 provides a vivid snapshot of the early church, showcasing their extraordinary unity and selflessness, driven by their vibrant faith and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. The phrase "one heart and of one soul" is profound; it signifies not merely agreement on doctrine, but a complete alignment of affections, desires, and wills. Their internal spiritual oneness was so strong that it rendered private claims over material possessions obsolete. It wasn't an imposed rule, nor did it necessarily mean individual ownership ceased entirely, but rather that the attachment to and assertion of "my own" vanished. Instead, everything was shared, not as communism (which is often state-enforced, atheistic, and focuses on economic equality through redistribution), but as an organic outpouring of Christ-like love and mutual responsibility (Christian community/communalism), ensuring that no one among them was in need (as further detailed in Acts 4:34). This radical sharing was a visible testament to their belief in the resurrection and their fervent love for God and each other, standing in stark contrast to the individualistic and materialistic values of the wider world. It stands as an enduring model of selfless community for believers across all generations, not necessarily in its literal economic application for all contexts, but in its underlying spirit of unity, love, and sacrificial generosity.

• Practical Usage Example: A Christian community organizing a pantry where members can freely take items as needed, or a specific fund to assist members facing unexpected financial hardship, relying on voluntary contributions from those with surplus.