Act 11:29-30 | RWP | e4.org | Every man according to his ability ( καθως ευπορειτο τις ). Imperfect middle of ευπορεω , to be well off (from ευπορος ), old verb, but here alone in the N.T., "as any one was well off." The sentence is a bit tangled in the Greek from Luke's rush of ideas. Literally, "Of the disciples, as any one was able (or well off), they determined ( ωρισαν , marked off the horizon) each of them to send relief ( εις διακονιαν , for ministry) to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea." The worst of the famine came A.D. 45. The warning by Agabus stirred the brethren in Antioch to send the collection on ahead.

‏ Acts 11:29-30

Every man according to his ability ( καθως ευπορειτο τις ). Imperfect middle of ευπορεω, to be well off (from ευπορος ), old verb, but here alone in the N.T., "as any one was well off." The sentence is a bit tangled in the Greek from Luke's rush of ideas. Literally, "Of the disciples, as any one was able (or well off), they determined ( ωρισαν, marked off the horizon) each of them to send relief ( εις διακονιαν, for ministry) to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea." The worst of the famine came A.D. 45. The warning by Agabus stirred the brethren in Antioch to send the collection on ahead.

Sending ( αποστειλαντες ). First aorist active participle of αποστελλω, coincident action with εποιησαν (did).

To the elders ( προς τους πρεσβυτερους ). The first use of that term for the Christian preachers. In 20:17, 28 "elders" and "bishops" are used interchangeably as in Tit 1:5, 7. The term probably arose gradually and holds a position in the church similar to the same term in the synagogue. The apostles were apparently absent from Jerusalem at this time and they were no longer concerned with serving tables. In 21:18 Paul presented the later collection also to the elders. Since Peter and James (till his death) were in Jerusalem during the persecution in chapter 12 it is probable that the visit of Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem came really after that persecution for Peter left Jerusalem (12:17). The elders here mentioned may include the preachers in Judea also outside of Jerusalem (26:20).