Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Acts 11:29 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 11:29	King James	Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief, &c.--This was the pure prompting of Christian love, which shone so bright in those earliest days of the Gospel.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief, &c.--This was the pure prompting of Christian love, which shone so bright in those earliest days of the Gospel.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Then the disciples - The Christians at Antioch. According to his ability - According as they had prospered. It does not imply that they were rich, but that they rendered such aid as they could afford. Determined to send relief - This arose not merely from their general sense of obligation to aid the poor, but they felt themselves particularly bound to assist their Jewish brethren. The obligation to relieve the temporal needs of those from whom important spiritual mercies are received is repeatedly enforced in the New Testament. Compare Rom 15:25-27; Co1 16:1-2; Co2 9:1-2; Gal 2:10.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Then the disciples - The Christians at Antioch.

According to his ability - According as they had prospered. It does not imply that they were rich, but that they rendered such aid as they could afford.

Determined to send relief - This arose not merely from their general sense of obligation to aid the poor, but they felt themselves particularly bound to assist their Jewish brethren. The obligation to relieve the temporal needs of those from whom important spiritual mercies are received is repeatedly enforced in the New Testament. Compare Rom 15:25-27; Co1 16:1-2; Co2 9:1-2; Gal 2:10.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
According to his ability (καθὼς ηὐπορεῖτό τις) Lit., according as any one of them was prospered. The verb is from εὔπορος, easy to pass or travel through ; and the idea of prosperity is therefore conveyed under the figure of an easy and favorable journey. The same idea appears in our farewell; fare meaning originally to travel. Hence, to bid one farewell is to wish him a prosperous journey. Compare God-speed. So the idea here might be rendered, as each one fared well. To send relief (εἰς διακονίαν πέμψαι) Lit., to send for ministry.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

According to his ability (καθὼς ηὐπορεῖτό τις)

Lit., according as any one of them was prospered. The verb is from εὔπορος, easy to pass or travel through ; and the idea of prosperity is therefore conveyed under the figure of an easy and favorable journey. The same idea appears in our farewell; fare meaning originally to travel. Hence, to bid one farewell is to wish him a prosperous journey. Compare God-speed. So the idea here might be rendered, as each one fared well.

To send relief (εἰς διακονίαν πέμψαι)

Lit., to send for ministry.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Then - Understanding the distress they would otherwise be in on that account, the disciples determined to send relief to the brethren in Judea - Who herein received a manifest proof of the reality of their conversion.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Then - Understanding the distress they would otherwise be in on that account, the disciples determined to send relief to the brethren in Judea - Who herein received a manifest proof of the reality of their conversion.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Then the disciples - determined to send relief - These were probably Gentile converts; and as they considered themselves receiving the spiritual blessings, which they now so happily enjoyed, through the means of the Christians in Judea, they resolved to communicate to them a portion of their temporal goods; and every man did this according to his ability, i.e. he gave a certain proportion of the property with which the providence of God had entrusted him. The community of goods had for some time ceased.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Then the disciples - determined to send relief - These were probably Gentile converts; and as they considered themselves receiving the spiritual blessings, which they now so happily enjoyed, through the means of the Christians in Judea, they resolved to communicate to them a portion of their temporal goods; and every man did this according to his ability, i.e. he gave a certain proportion of the property with which the providence of God had entrusted him. The community of goods had for some time ceased.

Top