What is the meaning of Acts 5:1? Now a man named Ananias • The Spirit-inspired record pinpoints a real individual, reminding us that God deals with actual people in real history (cf. Acts 5:5; 1 Corinthians 10:11). • By naming him first, Scripture foreshadows personal accountability; no one can hide behind the crowd (see Joshua 7:1 for another named offender). • The contrast with Barnabas, whose name was just highlighted for genuine generosity (Acts 4:36-37), invites us to weigh our own motives whenever we give. together with his wife Sapphira • Husband and wife stand side-by-side, illustrating the powerful unity that marriage brings—for good or for ill (Genesis 2:24; Acts 5:9). • Their joint decision shows how shared compromise can multiply sin’s impact, echoing the pattern of Adam and Eve agreeing in disobedience (Genesis 3:6). • Scripture later honors couples who walk faithfully together (Priscilla and Aquila, Acts 18:26), underscoring that oneness is meant for righteousness, not deceit. also sold a piece of property • The word “also” links their sale to the wave of Spirit-prompted generosity in the previous chapter (Acts 4:34-35), signaling that outwardly they seemed to match the others. • Selling land was voluntary, never coerced (Peter confirms this in Acts 5:4), so any gift had to flow from a willing heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). • What follows reveals that God weighs not only the action but the intention behind it (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 6:2). • Their story warns that imitation without sincerity invites judgment, unlike the wholehearted sharing encouraged among believers (1 John 3:17). summary Acts 5:1 introduces a husband and wife who outwardly align with the church’s generosity yet harbor hidden motives. By naming them and noting their joint sale, Scripture sets the stage for a lesson on personal responsibility, marital unity, and the necessity of authentic, Spirit-led giving. God values truthful hearts above impressive appearances, and this single verse begins a narrative that will underscore the seriousness of pretending in matters of faith. |
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