Acts 4:32
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.
Original Language Analysis
Τοῦ
G3588
Τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλήθους
the multitude
G4128
πλήθους
the multitude
Strong's:
G4128
Word #:
3 of 27
a fulness, i.e., a large number, throng, populace
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστευσάντων
of them that believed
G4100
πιστευσάντων
of them that believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
5 of 27
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδία
of one heart
G2588
καρδία
of one heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
8 of 27
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴ
soul
G5590
ψυχὴ
soul
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
11 of 27
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπαρχόντων
of the things which he possessed
G5224
ὑπαρχόντων
of the things which he possessed
Strong's:
G5224
Word #:
18 of 27
things extant or in hand, i.e., property or possessions
αὐτῷ
G846
αὐτῷ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἔλεγεν
said
G3004
ἔλεγεν
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἴδιον
his own
G2398
ἴδιον
his own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
21 of 27
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
αὐτοῖς
G846
αὐτοῖς
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.1 Peter 3:8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:2 Corinthians 13:11Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.Jeremiah 32:39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:Acts 2:1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.Acts 1:14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.John 17:11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.2 Chronicles 30:12Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.Philippians 1:27Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;Romans 12:5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Historical Context
This summary describes the Jerusalem church in its earliest phase (AD 30-31), before persecution scattered believers. Acts records this as descriptive of early practice, not prescriptive for all times, as evidenced by Paul's later instructions assuming private property.
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians today balance personal ownership with sacrificial generosity?
- What does true spiritual unity look like in contemporary church community?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The early church's radical economic sharing ('had all things common') exemplified Spirit-produced unity and love. The phrase 'of one heart and of one soul' indicates spiritual unity preceding and enabling material generosity. This voluntary communalism arose from transformed hearts, not external compulsion.