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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 4:32-37

We have a general idea given us in these verses, and it is a very beautiful one, of the spirit and state of this truly primitive church; it is conspectus saeculi?a view of that age of infancy and innocence. I. The disciples loved one another dearly. Behold, how good and how pleasant it was to see how the multitude of those that believed were of one heart, and of one soul (Acts 4:32), and there was no such thing as discord nor division among them. Observe here, 1. There were multitudes that... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 4:32-37

4:32-37 The heart and soul of the crowd who had believed was one; and no one used to say that any of his possessions was his own, but they had all things in common. And the apostles kept on bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and great grace was on them all. Nor was anyone in need amongst them, for all who were owners of lands and houses made a habit of selling them and of bringing the proceeds of what they sold and of placing them at the apostles' feet, It... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 4:35

And laid them down at the apostles' feet ,.... Showing great veneration and respect to the apostles, and a sort of neglect and contempt of their worldly substance; and signifying that they entirely delivered them to the apostles, and subjected them to their disposal: and distribution was made unto every man, according as he had need ; though they had all things in common, yet there was an order observed; a man might not go to the common stock and take out of it what he would; but as all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:35

Laid ...down at the apostles' feet - To show how cordially and entirely they parted with them. And they entrusted the management of the whole to those men to whom they found God had entrusted the gifts of his Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-37

The resource of the devout, etc. Released from the restraint of law, the apostles returned to "their own company," and there they related what they had passed through. We may be sure that the whole of that community of brethren entered, with deep and strong sympathy, into the feelings of their two leaders; they all felt that a very critical hour had come to that new cause which they represented. Under these circumstances they bethought themselves of— I. THE RESOURCE OF THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32-35

The host of God drawing together in readiness for action. I. A COMMON SPIRIT in the believing multitude. 1. The spirit of faith. 2. Of self-sacrifice. 3. Of fellowship. 4. Of service. They were of one heart and soul to speak and work for the new kingdom. II. A COMMUNITY OF LIFE AND PROPERTY . The simple and natural expression of the common spirit. Not the modern communism, or anything like it, for that is man's experiment to better himself; but the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32-35

A novel unanimity. It is safe to say that this verse marks one of the world's largest moral strides of progress. It is a landmark in itself, of widest significance. It is a moral landmark of deepest and most grateful omen. Travel through the whole history of the Old Testament, and you come to no spot that can show a sight like this. The nearest approach to it some finger-post prophetic, prophetic of nothing else than this. From this landmark the world has confessedly traveled on again... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32-37

Church unity. We speak in these dark days of unity in Christ, of brotherly love, of the communion of saints. But what do we see when we look around at the multitude of them that believe? We see some forty or fifty denominations of Christians, all keeping apart from one another, not willing to meet together, to pray together, or to receive the Holy Communion together. These different bodies are constantly at different degrees of strife with each other; sometimes waging actual war one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32-37

A glimpse of ideal social life. Of life, that is, in the idea of the God of love. Such glimpses are given doubtless to stimulate our faith and our aspiration; and withdrawn because struggle, not perfect attainment, is the condition of actual life. I. SOCIAL UNITY . It rested on a common faith, a common ideal, a common sentiment. Union with God is the only basis of human social union. Here, from the depths of the spirit-life, this principle was for a brief space brought to light.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:35

Laid them for laid them downs A.V. ; unto each … as any one for unto every man … as he, A.V., a change without an improvement. Laid them at the apostles' feet . A significant token of the place occupied by the apostles (as later by the bishops of the Church) as the trustees and dispensers of the Church's funds as well as of the Church's doctrines. Compare " Ante pedes praetoris in fore expensum est auri pondo centum " (Cie. pp. Flacco, quoted by Alford). We have, too, here an... read more

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