SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:44
Y todos los que creían estaban juntos; y tenían todas las cosas comunes;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 2:44
Verse 44. And, all that believed] oi pisteuontev, The believers, i.e. those who conscientiously credited the doctrine concerning the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and had, in consequence, received redemption in his blood. Were together] epi to auto. "These words signify either, in one time, chap. iii. 1; or in one place, ver. 1; or in one thing. The last of these three senses seems to be the most proper here; for it is not probable that the believers, who were then 3000 in number, chap. ii. 41, besides the 120 spoken of chap. i. 15, were used all to meet at one time, or in one place, in Jerusalem." See Bp. Pearce.
And had all things common] Perhaps this has not been well understood.
At all the public religious feasts in Jerusalem, there was a sort of community of goods. No man at such times hired houses or beds in Jerusalem; all were lent gratis by the owners: Yoma, fol. 12. Megill. fol. 26.
The same may be well supposed of their ovens, cauldrons, tables, spits, and other utensils. Also, provisions of water were made for them at the public expense; Shekalim, cap. 9. See Lightfoot here. Therefore a sort of community of goods was no strange thing at Jerusalem, at such times as these. It appears, however, that this community of goods was carried farther; for we are informed, ver. 45, that they sold their possessions and their goods, and parted them to all, as every man had need. But, this probably means that, as in consequence of this remarkable outpouring of the Spirit of God; and their conversion, they were detained longer at Jerusalem than they had originally intended, they formed a kind of community for the time being, that none might suffer want on the present occasion; as no doubt the unbelieving Jews, who were mockers, ver. 13, would treat these new converts with the most marked disapprobation.
That an absolute community of goods never obtained in the Church at Jerusalem, unless for a very short time, is evident from the apostolical precept, 1 Cor. xvi. 1, &c., by which collections were ordered to be made for the poor; but, if there had been a community of goods in the Church, there could have been no ground for such recommendations as these, as there could have been no such distinction as rich and poor, if every one, on entering the Church, gave up all his goods to a common stock. Besides, while this sort of community lasted at Jerusalem, it does not appear to have been imperious upon any; persons might or might not thus dispose of their goods, as we learn front the case of Ananias, chap. v. 4. Nor does it appear that what was done at Jerusalem at this time obtained in any other branch of the Christian Church; and in this, and in the fifth chap., where it is mentioned, it is neither praised nor blamed. We may therefore safely infer, it was something that was done at this time, on this occasion, through some local necessity, which the circumstances of the infant Church at Jerusalem might render expedient for that place and on that occasion only.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 44. And all that believed were together , etc.] Not in one place, for no one house could hold them all, their number was now so large; but they “agreed together”, as the Arabic version renders it: all these believers were of one mind and judgment, as to doctrines, they agreed in their sentiments and principles of religion; and they were of one heart and soul, were cordially affected to each other, and mutually were assisting to one another in temporals, as well as in spirituals: and had all things common : that is, their worldly goods, their possessions and estates; no man called anything peculiarly his own; and whatever he had, his brother was welcome to, and might as freely take, and use it, as if it was his own.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 42-47 - In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, or the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted is the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appointed us to meet him, and has promised to meet us. The greatness of the event raised them above the world, an the Holy Ghost filled them with such love, as made every one to be to another as to himself, and so made all things common, not by destroying property, but doing away selfishness, and causing charity. And God wh moved them to it, knew that they were quickly to be driven from their possessions in Judea. The Lord, from day to day, inclined the hearts of more to embrace the gospel; not merely professors, but such as wer actually brought into a state of acceptance with God, being mad partakers of regenerating grace. Those whom God has designed for eternal salvation, shall be effectually brought to Christ, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of his glory __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
παντες 3956 A-NPM δε 1161 CONJ οι 3588 T-NPM πιστευοντες 4100 5723 V-PAP-NPM ησαν 2258 5713 V-IXI-3P επι 1909 PREP το 3588 T-ASN αυτο 846 P-ASN και 2532 CONJ ειχον 2192 5707 V-IAI-3P απαντα 537 A-APN κοινα 2839 A-APN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
44. Common (koina). Compare fellowship, ver. 42.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:44 {Were together} (esan epi to auto). Some MSS. esan kai (were and). But they were together in the same place as in #2:1. {And had} (kai eicon). Imperfect active, kept on having, a habit in the present emergency. {Common} (koina). 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.
