Act 4:32-37 | RWP | e4.org | Of one heart and soul ( καρδια κα ψυχη μια ). It is not possible to make sharp distinction between heart and soul here (see ), only that there was harmony in thought and affection. But the English translation is curiously unlike the Greek original. "There was one heart and soul (nominative case, not genitive as the English has it) in the multitude ( του πληθους , subjective genitive) of those who believed." Not one of them ( ουδε εις ). More emphatic than ουδεις , "not even one." Common ( κοινα ). In the use of their property, not in the possession as Luke proceeds to explain. The word κοινος is kin to συν (together with)= ξυν (Epic) and so ξυνοσ=κοινος . See this word already in . The idea of unclean ( ) is a later development from the original notion of common to all.

‏ Acts 4:32-37

Of one heart and soul ( καρδια κα ψυχη μια ). It is not possible to make sharp distinction between heart and soul here (see Mr 12:30), only that there was harmony in thought and affection. But the English translation is curiously unlike the Greek original. "There was one heart and soul (nominative case, not genitive as the English has it) in the multitude ( του πληθους, subjective genitive) of those who believed."

Not one of them ( ουδε εις ). More emphatic than ουδεις, "not even one."

Common ( κοινα ). In the use of their property, not in the possession as Luke proceeds to explain. The word κοινος is kin to συν (together with)= ξυν (Epic) and so ξυνοσ=κοινος. See this word already in 2:44. The idea of unclean (Ac 10:15) is a later development from the original notion of common to all.

Gave their witness ( απεδιδουν το μαρτυριον ). Imperfect active of αποδιδωμ, old verb to give back, to pay back a debt (Lu 7:42), but a late omega form instead of the usual απεδιδοσαν. They kept on giving their witness with power after the answer to their prayer (verse 31).

Of the resurrection ( της αναστασεως ). It was on this issue that the Sadducees had arrested them (4:1-3).

That lacked ( ενδεης ). Literally, in need, old adjective, here only in the N.T.

Were ( υπηρχον ). Imperfect active of υπαρχω, to exist.

Sold them and brought ( πωλουντες εφερον ). Present active participle and imperfect active indicative. Selling they brought from time to time, as there was occasion by reason of need. Hence the wants were kept supplied.

Laid them ( ετιθουν ). Imperfect active again, repetition, of τιθημ, late omega form for the usual ετιθεσαν.

Distribution was made ( διεδιδετο ). Imperfect passive of διαδιδωμ, late omega form for διεδιδοτο (the stem vowel ο displaced by ε ). Impersonal use of the verb here.

According as any one had need ( καθοτ αν τις χρειαν ειχεν ). Imperfect active of εχω with καθοτ and αν with the notion of customary repetition in a comparative clause (Robertson, Grammar, p. 967).

Barnabas ( Βαρναβας ). His name was Joseph (correct text, and not Jesus) and he is mentioned as one illustration of those in verse 34 who selling brought the money. The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas by which later he was known because of this noble deed. This fact argues that all did not actually sell, but were ready to do so if needed. Possibly Joseph had a larger estate than some others also. The meaning of the nickname is given by Luke as "son of consolation or exhortation" ( υιος παρακλησεως ). Doubtless his gifts as a preacher lay along this same line. Rackham thinks that the apostles gave him this name when he was recognized as a prophet. In Ac 11:23 the very word παρεκαλε (exhorted) is used of Barnabas up at Antioch. He is the type of preacher described by Paul in 1Co 14:3. Encouragement is the chief idea in παρακλησις though exhortation, comfort, consolation are used to render it (Ac 9:31; 13:15; 15:31). See also 16:9; 20:12. It is not necessary to think that the apostles coined the name Barnabas for Joseph which originally may have come from Βαρνεβους (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 308-10), son of Nebo, or even the Hebrew Bar Nebi (son of a prophet). But, whatever the origin, the popular use is given by Luke. He was even called apostle along with Paul (Ac 14:14) in the broad sense of that word.

Having a held ( υπαρχοντος αυτω αγρου ). Genitive absolute with present active participle of υπαρχω and dative of possession.

Sold it and brought ( πωλησας ηνεγκεν ). Aorist active participle of πωλεω and second aorist active indicative of φερω because a single definite instance. So also with εθηκεν (laid), first aorist active.