So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
Parallel translations
- WEB As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
- KJV Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
- NKJV Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
- NASB And to the extent that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
- NLT So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The disciples resolved that each, according to ability, would send relief to the believers in Judea. Love prompts practical generosity across distance.
Overview
The Antioch Christians, largely Gentile, determined to aid their Jewish brothers and sisters in Judea facing famine. Giving 'as any had plenty' reflects proportionate, willing generosity. This relief embodies the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ and the practical love the gospel produces.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- 2 Cor 8:12–14For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
- Gal 2:10They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
- 2 Cor 8:2–4In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
- 1 Cor 16:1–2Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:
- Rom 15:25–27Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there.
- 2 Cor 9:1–2Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
- Heb 13:5–6Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
- 1 Cor 13:5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.
- Acts 2:44–45All the believers were together and had everything in common.
- Acts 11:26and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
- Acts 11:1The apostles and brothers throughout Judea soon heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
- Luke 12:29–33And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.
- Acts 4:34There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales,
- Neh 5:8and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say.
- Ezra 2:69According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments.
- 1 Pet 4:9–11Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
- Eccl 11:1–2Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 11:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.