Acts 5:1
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Original Language Analysis
ὀνόματι
named
G3686
ὀνόματι
named
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
5 of 12
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
6 of 12
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 12
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
Historical Context
Names are ironic: Ananias means 'Yahweh is gracious' and Sapphira means 'beautiful' - yet their deeds were neither gracious nor beautiful. This occurred during the early church's radical generosity period when many sold possessions. Their deception attempted to gain reputation for sacrifice without actual cost.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might you be tempted to fake spiritual commitment for others' approval?
- How does this passage reveal that God values authenticity over impressive appearances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The conjunction 'But' (Greek 'de') signals dramatic contrast with Barnabas's genuine sacrifice (Acts 4:36-37). Ananias and Sapphira's story functions as warning against hypocrisy in Christian community. Their sin wasn't failing to give all but pretending they had. The Greek 'aner tis' (a certain man) introduces them as representative examples - every generation faces this temptation to counterfeit spirituality for reputation. This narrative establishes that God sees hearts, not merely actions.