Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Sapphira is a notable figure in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. She is best known for her involvement in a significant event in the early Christian church that underscores the importance of honesty and integrity within the community of believers.Biblical Account Sapphira, along with her husband Ananias, is mentioned in Acts 5:1-11. The couple was part of the early Christian community in Jerusalem, a group characterized by their communal living and sharing of resources. Members of this community would sell their possessions and lay the proceeds at the apostles' feet to be distributed according to need. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property, but they conspired to keep back part of the proceeds for themselves while pretending to donate the entire amount to the apostles. This act of deceit was not merely a lie to the apostles but was considered a lie to the Holy Spirit and to God. The Berean Standard Bible recounts the event as follows: "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.'" (Acts 5:3-4). Upon hearing Peter's words, Ananias fell down and died. Later, Sapphira entered, unaware of her husband's fate. Peter questioned her about the sale price, and she confirmed the false amount. Peter then said, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." (Acts 5:9). Immediately, she fell at his feet and died. Theological Significance The account of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin, particularly deceit within the church. Their account illustrates the holiness and purity expected in the body of Christ and the severe consequences of hypocrisy and dishonesty. This event also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the early church. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not just against the community but against the Spirit of God, emphasizing the divine presence and authority within the church. Moral and Ethical Lessons From a moral and ethical standpoint, the account of Sapphira and Ananias teaches the importance of truthfulness and integrity. It warns against the temptation to seek personal gain or recognition through deceitful means. The narrative encourages believers to live transparently and honestly before God and others, fostering a community built on trust and sincerity. Cultural and Historical Context In the cultural and historical context of the early church, communal living and sharing of resources were vital for the survival and growth of the Christian community. The actions of Ananias and Sapphira threatened the unity and trust that were essential for this fledgling movement. Their account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of undermining communal values for personal benefit. Sapphira's account, though brief, leaves a lasting impact on the understanding of Christian ethics and the nature of the early church. Her life and actions are a testament to the call for holiness and the serious nature of sin in the eyes of God. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary SapphiraSmith's Bible Dictionary Sapphira[ANANIAS] ATS Bible Dictionary SapphiraSee ANANIAS1 Easton's Bible Dictionary Beautiful, the wife of Ananias (q.v.). She was a partner in his guilt and also in his punishment (Acts 5:1-11). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SAPPHIRAsa-fi'-ra (shappira'; Aramaic for either "beautiful" or "sapphire"; Sappheira): Wife of Ananias (Acts 5:1-10). Greek 4551. Sapphire -- Sapphira, a Christian woman ... Sapphira, a Christian woman. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Sapphire Phonetic Spelling: (sap-fi'-ray) Short Definition: Sapphira Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4551.htm - 6k 367. Ananias -- Ananias, the name of three Israelites Library Ananias and Sapphira Ananias and Sapphira. Of the Deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, and Judas, which they ... A Warning against Hypocrisy Of the Persons by Whom, and the Uses for Which, Ecclesiastical ... The Women of the Apostolic Age Acts V The Wheat and the Tares The Parables Exemplified in the Early History of the Church. Of the Origin of the Sarabaites and their Mode of Life. Thesaurus Sapphira (1 Occurrence)...SAPPHIRA. sa-fi'-ra (shappira'; Aramaic for either "beautiful" or "sapphire"; Sappheira): Wife of Ananias (Acts 5:1-10). ...Sapphira (1 Occurrence). ... /s/sapphira.htm - 7k Ananias (11 Occurrences) Covetousness (22 Occurrences) Sapphi'ra (1 Occurrence) Lying (203 Occurrences) Goods (231 Occurrences) Discomfiture (6 Occurrences) Community (77 Occurrences) Possession (251 Occurrences) Agree (24 Occurrences) Resources Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira for lying? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Ananias in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Is it ever right to lie? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sapphira (1 Occurrence)Acts 5:1 Subtopics Sapphira: Falsehood and Death of Related Terms |
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