And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
Parallel translations
- WEB The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
- KJV And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
- BSB The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.
- NKJV Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
- NLT All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.
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 believers were united in heart and soul, holding their possessions in common. Their spiritual unity overflowed into generous sharing.
Overview
The unity of the church, being 'of one heart and soul,' expressed itself in radical generosity, with no one clinging to private ownership. This was voluntary sharing born of love, not enforced communism. Such oneness reflects the fruit of the Spirit poured out among them. It pictures the gospel's power to create a community where love for God and neighbor transforms even how believers hold their goods.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- 1 Cor 1:10Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
- Eph 4:2–6with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love;
- 1 Pet 3:8Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tender hearted, courteous,
- John 17:21–23that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
- Phil 2:1–2If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
- 1 Cor 12:12–14For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
- 2 Cor 13:11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
- Acts 2:44–46All who believed were together, and had all things in common.
- Rom 15:5–6Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus,
- Jer 32:39and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their good, and of their children after them:
- Acts 2:1Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.
- Ezek 11:19–20I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh;
- Phil 1:27Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;
- Acts 1:14All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
- John 17:11I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
- 2 Chr 30:12Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by Yahweh’s word.
- Rom 12:5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
- Acts 5:12By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
- 1 Pet 4:11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- Luke 16:10–12He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
- 1 Chr 29:14–16But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
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Original language
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