Act 2:43-47 | RWP | e4.org | Came ( εγινετο ). Imperfect middle, kept on coming. Were done ( εγινετο ). Same tense. Awe kept on coming on all and signs and wonders kept on coming through the apostles. The two things went on παρ πασσυ , the more wonders the more fear.

‏ Acts 2:43-47

Came ( εγινετο ). Imperfect middle, kept on coming.

Were done ( εγινετο ). Same tense. Awe kept on coming on all and signs and wonders kept on coming through the apostles. The two things went on παρ πασσυ, the more wonders the more fear.

Were together ( ησαν επ το αυτο ). Some MSS. ησαν κα (were and). But they were together in the same place as in 2:1.

And had ( κα ειχον ). Imperfect active, kept on having, a habit in the present emergency.

Common ( κοινα ). It was not actual communism, but they held all their property ready for use for the common good as it was needed (4:32). This situation appears nowhere else except in Jerusalem and was evidently due to special conditions there which did not survive permanently. Later Paul will take a special collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem.

Sold ( επιπρασκον ). Imperfect active, a habit or custom from time to time. Old and common verb, πιπρασκω.

Parted ( διεμεριζον ). Imperfect again of διαμεριζω, old verb for dividing or distributing between ( δια ) people.

According as any man had need ( καθοτ αν τις χρειαν ειχεν ). Regular Greek idiom for comparative clause with αν and imperfect indicative corresponding precisely with the three preceding imperfects (Robertson, Grammar, p. 967).

With one accord in the temple ( ομοθυμαδον εν τω ιερω ). See on 1:14 for ομοθυμαδον. They were still worshipping in the temple for no breach had yet come between Christians and Jews. Daily they were here and daily breaking bread at home ( κατ' οικον ) which looks like the regular meal.

They did take their food ( μετελαμβανον τροφης ). Imperfect tense again and clearly referring to the regular meals at home. Does it refer also to the possible αγαπα or to the Lord's Supper afterwards as they had common meals "from house to house" ( κατ' οικον )? We know there were local churches in the homes where they had "worship rooms," the church in the house. At any rate it was "with singleness" ( αφελοτητ ) of heart. The word occurs only here in the N.T., though a late Koine word (papyri). It comes from αφελης, free from rock ( φελλευς is stony ground), smooth. The old form was αφελεια.

Having favor ( εχοντες χαριν ). Cf. Lu 2:52 of the Boy Jesus.

Added ( προσετιθε ). Imperfect active, kept on adding. If the Lord only always "added" those who join our churches. Note verse 41 where same verb is used of the 3,000.

To them ( επ το αυτο ). Literally, "together." Why not leave it so? "To the church" ( τη εκκλησια ) is not genuine. Codex Bezae has "in the church."

Those that were being saved ( τους σωζομενους ). Present passive participle. Probably for repetition like the imperfect προσετιθε. Better translate it "those saved from time to time." It was a continuous revival, day by day. Σωζω like σωτηρια is used for "save" in three senses (beginning, process, conclusion), but here repetition is clearly the point of the present tense.