Acts 4:32

The unity of the believers extended beyond spiritual matters to physical, material matters (cf. Matthew 22:37-39). They owned personal possessions, but they did not consider them private possessions. Rather they viewed their belongings as common (Gr. koina, cf. koinonia, "fellowship") property. Customarily they shared what they had with one another (cf. Acts 2:44; Acts 2:46; Deuteronomy 15:4). Their unity manifested itself in a sense of responsibility for one another. Love, not law, compelled them to share (cf. 1 John 3:17-18).

"Their generosity sprang not from coercive legislation (as modern Socialists and Marxists demand) but from a true union of hearts made possible by regeneration." [Note: Kent, p. 50. Cf. Witherington, p. 206.]

The economic situation in Jerusalem was deteriorating at this time due to famine and political unrest. [Note: Jeremias, Jerusalem in . . ., pp. 121-22.] Employment opportunities were declining, and unsaved Jews were beginning to put economic and social pressure on the Christians.