Then, &c . Literally But as any one (Greek. tis) of the disciples prospered (Greek. euporeomai. Only here), they determined, each one of them. determined . Greek horizo. See note on Acts 2:23 . send . Greek. pempo. App-174 . relief = for (Greek. eis. App-104 .) ministration. Greek. diakonia. App-190 . dwelt . See note on Acts 2:5 . read more
And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judaea: which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.To send relief ... What a commendable thing it was that the Gentile converts to Christianity, so long hated and despised by Jews, should have responded so nobly to the distress of their fellow Christians in Jerusalem and environs. Every Christian participated "according to his ability" in making up... read more
Acts 11:29. Then the disciples, every man, &c.— It had been a custom for the Jews and proselytes, in their several dispersions, to send presents to Judea, and especially to Jerusalem; and the Jews in Judea seem to have expected it, as in some sort their due; particularly we find that Helena, queen of the Adiabenes, and her son Izates, who had lately become proselytes to the Jewish religion, were very generous to the poor at Jerusalem in this ensuing famine; for the queen went to see the... read more
29. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief, &c.—This was the pure prompting of Christian love, which shone so bright in those earliest days of the Gospel. read more
3. The initiatives of the Antioch church 11:19-30The scene now shifts to Antioch of Syria. It was a very significant town because from there the church launched its major missionary offensives to the uttermost parts of the earth. Luke recorded events in the early history of this church because of its significant initiatives. The disciples in Antioch reached out to Gentiles with spiritual aid, and they reached out to their Jewish brethren in Jerusalem with material aid."With the ratification by... read more
The material initiative of the Antioch church 11:27-30 read more
The Christians in Antioch demonstrated love for and unity with their brethren in Jerusalem by sending them some relief money. Luke previously documented the love and generosity of the Jerusalem Christians for one another (Acts 2:42; Acts 4:32-35). Now he revealed that the Antioch Christians even surpassed them by sharing what they had with another congregation. The giving was voluntary and according to the ability that each Christian possessed (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7). read more
11:29 minister (c-27) Lit. 'for service,' as Matthew 4:11 . read more
The First Gentile Church1-18. The baptism of Cornelius discussed and approved at Jerusalem. Those Christians who maintained the need of observing the Ceremonial Law did not attack the baptism itself because, although they disliked it, our Lord’s command to baptise all nations was too definite to be questioned. They attacked, therefore, St. Peter’s undoubted breach of Jewish law and custom: ’Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them’ (Acts 11:3). What they apparently desired... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 11:27-30
Fellowship between churches (11:27-30)Towards the end of Barnabas and Saul’s year in Antioch, some prophets from Jerusalem visited the Antioch church. One of them warned of a coming famine that would bring much suffering to the believers in Jerusalem. The Antioch believers (who were Gentiles) demonstrated the meaning of true fellowship by sacrificing their own money and goods to help their troubled Jewish brothers (27-29). The offering was taken to Jerusalem by Barnabas, Saul and Titus (30;... read more