SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:2
y defraud del precio, sabindolo tambin su mujer; y trayendo una parte, la puso a los pies de los apstoles.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 5:2
Verse 2. Kept back part of the price] Ananias and Sapphira were evidently persons who professed faith in Christ with the rest of the disciples. While all were making sacrifices for the present necessity, they came forward among the rest, pretending to bring all the money they had got for a possession, kthma, (of what kind we know not,) which they had sold. A part of this price, however, they kept back, not being willing to trust entirely to the bounty of Providence, as the others did; thinking probably, that, as the whole was their own, they had a right to do with it as they pleased. And so they had: they were under no necessity to sell their possession; but the act of selling it for the ostensible purpose of bringing it into the common stock, left them no farther control over it, nor property in it; and their pretense, that the money which they brought was the whole produce of the sale, was a direct lie in itself, and an attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, under whose influence they pretended to act. This constituted the iniquity of their sin.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. And kept back part of the price , etc.] At which the possession was sold; he reserved it for his own use, after he had given out that he sold it for the service of the church: his wife also being privy to it ; to this private reserve: and brought a certain part ; whether the greater part, or an equal part, half of it, or a lesser part; some little part of it, so the phrase seems to signify, is not certain: and laid it at the apostles feet ; as the rest did, thereby to make a show of charity, and cover the deceit.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was, that they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, when they were not true disciples Hypocrites may deny themselves, may forego their worldly advantage i one instance, with a prospect of finding their account in somethin else. They were covetous of the wealth of the world, and distrustful of God and his providence. They thought they might serve both God an mammon. They thought to deceive the apostles. The Spirit of God in Peter discerned the principle of unbelief reigning in the heart of Ananias. But whatever Satan might suggest, he could not have filled the heart of Ananias with this wickedness had he not been consenting. The falsehood was an attempt to deceive the Spirit of truth, who s manifestly spoke and acted by the apostles. The crime of Ananias wa not his retaining part of the price of the land; he might have kept it all, had he pleased; but his endeavouring to impose upon the apostle with an awful lie, from a desire to make a vain show, joined with covetousness. But if we think to put a cheat upon God, we shall put fatal cheat upon our own souls. How sad to see those relations wh should quicken one another to that which is good, hardening one anothe in that which is evil! And this punishment was in reality mercy to vas numbers. It would cause strict self-examination, prayer, and dread of hypocrisy, covetousness, and vain-glory, and it should still do so. I would prevent the increase of false professors. Let us learn hence ho hateful falsehood is to the God of truth, and not only shun a direc lie, but all advantages from the use of doubtful expressions, an double meaning in our speech.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ενοσφισατο 3557 5668 V-AMI-3S απο 575 PREP της 3588 T-GSF τιμης 5092 N-GSF συνειδυιας 4894 5761 V-RAP-GSF και 2532 CONJ της 3588 T-GSF γυναικος 1135 N-GSF αυτου 846 P-GSM και 2532 CONJ ενεγκας 5342 5660 V-AAP-NSM μερος 3313 N-ASN τι 5100 X-ASN παρα 3844 PREP τους 3588 T-APM ποδας 4228 N-APM των 3588 T-GPM αποστολων 652 N-GPM εθηκεν 5087 5656 V-AAI-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. Kept back (enosfisato). Only here, ver. 3, and Tit. ii. 10, where it is rendered purloining. From nosfi, aloof, apart. The verb means to set apart for one's self; hence to appropriate wrongfully.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:2 {Kept back} (enosfisato). First aorist middle indicative of nosfizw, old verb from nosfi, afar, apart, and so to set apart, to separate for oneself, but only here, verse #3; Tit 2:10 in the N.T. {His wife also being privy to it} (suneiduies kai tes gunaikos). Genitive absolute with second perfect participle of sunoida, to know together with one, "his wife also knowing it together with him." {Brought a certain part} (enegkas meros ti). Aorist active participle of ferw, for a definite act. The praise of Joseph was too much for Ananias, but he was not willing to turn over all. He wanted praise for giving all and yet he took care of himself by keeping some. Thus he started the Ananias Club that gave a new meaning to his lovely name (God is gracious).
