Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Parallel translations
- WEB As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
- BSB So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
- 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 there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
- Gal 2:10Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
- 2 Cor 8:2–4How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
- 1 Cor 16:1–2Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
- Rom 15:25–27But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
- 2 Cor 9:1–2For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
- Heb 13:5–6Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
- 1 Cor 13:5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
- Acts 2:44–45And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
- Acts 11:26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
- Acts 11:1And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
- Luke 12:29–33And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
- Acts 4:34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
- Neh 5:8And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
- Ezra 2:69They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
- 1 Pet 4:9–11Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
- Eccl 11:1–2Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.