Acts 2:45
New International Version
They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

New Living Translation
They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

English Standard Version
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Berean Standard Bible
Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

Berean Literal Bible
And they were selling the possessions and the goods, and were dividing them to all, as anyone had need.

King James Bible
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

New King James Version
and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

New American Standard Bible
and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need.

NASB 1995
and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

NASB 1977
and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Legacy Standard Bible
and they began selling their property and possessions and were dividing them up with all, as anyone might have need.

Amplified Bible
And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need.

Christian Standard Bible
They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.

American Standard Version
and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.

Contemporary English Version
They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever was in need.

English Revised Version
and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
From time to time, they sold their property and other possessions and distributed the money to anyone who needed it.

Good News Translation
They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed.

International Standard Version
They made it their practice to sell their possessions and goods and to distribute the proceeds to anyone who was in need.

Majority Standard Bible
Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

NET Bible
and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need.

New Heart English Bible
They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.

Webster's Bible Translation
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Weymouth New Testament
They sold their lands and other property, and distributed the proceeds among all, according to every one's necessities.

World English Bible
They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they were selling the possessions and the goods, and were parting them to all, according as anyone had need.

Berean Literal Bible
And they were selling the possessions and the goods, and were dividing them to all, as anyone had need.

Young's Literal Translation
and the possessions and the goods they were selling, and were parting them to all, according as any one had need.

Smith's Literal Translation
And sold possessions and goods, and divided them to all, as any one had need.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Their possessions and goods they sold, and divided them to all, according as every one had need.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They were selling their possessions and belongings, and dividing them to all, just as any of them had need.

New American Bible
they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.

New Revised Standard Version
they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And those who had possessions sold them and divided to each man according to his need.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And those who had a possession were selling it and distributing to each man according to whatever was needed.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, as each had need.

Godbey New Testament
and they sold their possessions and personalities, and divided the same unto all, as each one had need.

Haweis New Testament
and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as every one had need.

Mace New Testament
so that they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the money to every one as his occasions required.

Weymouth New Testament
They sold their lands and other property, and distributed the proceeds among all, according to every one's necessities.

Worrell New Testament
and they were selling their possessions and goods, and were distributing them to all, according as any one had need.

Worsley New Testament
And they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed to all, according as any one had need.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fellowship of Believers
44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. 46With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,…

Cross References
Acts 4:32-35
The 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. / With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all. / There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, ...

Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

Matthew 19:21
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

2 Corinthians 8:13-15
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. / As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

1 John 3:17
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?

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. / Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. ...

Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Leviticus 25:35-37
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. / You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.

Ezekiel 18:7-8
He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men.


Treasury of Scripture

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

sold.

Acts 4:34-37
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, …

Acts 5:1,2
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, …

Acts 11:29
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

parted.

Psalm 112:9
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

Proverbs 11:24,25
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty…

Proverbs 19:17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

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Distributed Division Exchanging Goods Lands Money Necessities Need One's Parted Parting Possessions Proceeds Property Selling Sharing Sold
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Distributed Division Exchanging Goods Lands Money Necessities Need One's Parted Parting Possessions Proceeds Property Selling Sharing Sold
Acts 2
1. The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, and speaking various languages,
12. are admired by some, and derided by others;
14. whom Peter disproves;
37. he baptizes a great number who were converted;
41. who afterwards devoutly and charitably converse together;
43. the apostles working many miracles,
46. and God daily increasing his church.














Selling their possessions and goods
In the early church, believers demonstrated radical generosity by selling their possessions and goods. This act reflects the communal lifestyle of the early Christians, who prioritized the needs of the community over individual wealth. The practice of selling possessions is reminiscent of Jesus' teachings in the Gospels, such as in Matthew 19:21, where Jesus tells the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give to the poor. This action also echoes the Old Testament principles of caring for the needy, as seen in Deuteronomy 15:7-11. The early church's willingness to part with material goods underscores their commitment to living out the teachings of Christ and fostering a sense of unity and equality among believers.

they shared with anyone who was in need
The sharing of resources among the early Christians highlights the fulfillment of Jesus' command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31). This practice of sharing is a tangible expression of the love and compassion that characterized the early church. It also reflects the communal ethos found in the teachings of the apostles, such as in 1 John 3:17, which emphasizes the importance of helping those in need. The early church's actions serve as a model for Christian communities, demonstrating the importance of generosity and selflessness. This practice also foreshadows the eschatological vision of a restored community where there is no lack, as seen in prophetic passages like Isaiah 65:21-23. The early Christians' commitment to sharing with those in need illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel in creating a new kind of community centered on Christ-like love and service.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Early Church Believers
The early Christians who had just received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and were living in Jerusalem. They were characterized by their unity and communal lifestyle.

2. Jerusalem
The city where these events took place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the early church's formation.

3. Pentecost
The event preceding this verse, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the gospel in various languages.

4. Apostles
The leaders of the early church who were teaching and guiding the new believers in their faith and communal practices.

5. Community of Believers
The collective group of individuals who had come to faith in Jesus Christ and were living out their faith in practical ways, such as sharing possessions.
Teaching Points
Generosity as a Mark of True Faith
The early church's willingness to sell possessions and share with those in need demonstrates a profound level of generosity that should characterize all believers.

Community and Unity
Acts 2:45 highlights the importance of community and unity within the body of Christ, where believers support one another materially and spiritually.

Stewardship of Resources
This verse challenges Christians to view their possessions as tools for ministry and service, rather than personal gain.

Trust in God's Provision
By sharing their goods, the early Christians showed trust in God's provision, believing that He would meet their needs as they met the needs of others.

Practical Love and Compassion
The actions of the early church serve as a model for practical love and compassion, encouraging believers to actively seek ways to help those in need.(45) And sold their possessions and goods.--The verbs throughout this description are in the imperfect tense, as expressing the constant recurrence of the act. The Greek words for "possessions" and "goods" both mean "property," the former as a thing acquired, the latter as that which belongs to a man for the time being. Custom, however, had introduced a technical distinction, and "possessions" stands for real property, "goods" for personal. So in Acts 5:1; Acts 5:3; Acts 5:8, the former word is used interchangeably with that which is translated "field," and in the LXX. of Proverbs 23:10; Proverbs 31:16, is used both for "field" and "vineyard."

As every man had need.--The words imply at least the endeavour to discriminate. The money was not given literally to every one who applied for it, and so the way was prepared for more fixed and definite rules. . . .

Verse 45. - They sold for sold, A.V.; all for all men, A.V. ; according as any for as every, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Selling
ἐπίπρασκον (epipraskon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4097: A reduplicated and prolonged form of prao; contracted from perao; to traffic, i.e. Dispose of as merchandise or into slavery.

[their]
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative 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.

possessions
κτήματα (ktēmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2933: From ktaomai; an acquirement, i.e. Estate.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

goods,
ὑπάρξεις (hyparxeis)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5223: Goods, substance, property, possessions. From huparcho; existency or proprietorship, i.e. property, wealth.

they shared with
διεμέριζον (diemerizon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1266: To divide up into parts, break up; I distribute. From dia and merizo; to partition thoroughly.

anyone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

who was in
εἶχεν (eichen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

need.
χρείαν (chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.


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