Actes 4:32

Louis Segond

La multitude de ceux qui avaient cru n'était qu'un coeur et qu'une âme. Nul ne disait que ses biens lui appartinssent en propre, mais tout était commun entre eux.

Parallel Translations

La Bible David Martin (1744)
Or la multitude de ceux qui croyaient, n'était qu'un cœur et qu'une âme; et nul ne disait d'aucune des choses qu'il possédait, qu'elle fût à lui; mais toutes choses étaient communes entre eux.

La Bible Ostervald (1996)
Or, la multitude de ceux qui avaient cru n'était qu'un cœur et qu'une âme; et personne ne disait que rien de ce qu'il possédait fût à lui; mais toutes choses étaient communes entre eux.

Darby's French Translation
Et la multitude de ceux qui avaient cru était un coeur et une âme; et nul ne disait d'aucune des choses qu'il possédait, qu'elle fût à lui; mais toutes choses étaient communes entre eux.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the multitude: Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1, Acts 5:12, 2 Chronicles 30:12, Jeremiah 32:39, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 11:20, John 17:11, John 17:21-23, Romans 12:5, Romans 15:5, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Ephesians 4:2-6, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 2:1, Philippians 2:2, 1 Peter 3:8

ought: Acts 2:44-46, 1 Chronicles 29:14-16, Luke 16:10-12, 1 Peter 4:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:29 - coupled Leviticus 25:6 - General Deuteronomy 15:11 - Thou shalt 2 Samuel 19:14 - even 1 Chronicles 12:17 - knit 2 Chronicles 5:13 - as one Ezra 3:1 - as one Job 31:17 - have Psalms 72:7 - In his days Song of Solomon 7:9 - the best Isaiah 35:2 - the excellency Isaiah 52:8 - see Matthew 13:44 - for joy Matthew 19:21 - go Matthew 25:35 - I was an John 4:38 - sent John 13:35 - General Romans 12:10 - kindly Romans 12:16 - of the Ephesians 4:13 - we all Colossians 2:2 - being Colossians 2:19 - knit 1 Thessalonians 4:9 - touching Hebrews 13:1 - General

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the multitude of them that believed,.... The Gospel, and in Christ, the substance of it; and a multitude they were, for they were now about eight thousand persons. And though their number was so great, they

were of one heart and of one soul; there was an entire consent and agreement in doctrine, in matters of faith they were all of one mind and judgment, and there was a perfect harmony in their practice, they all performed the same duties, and observed the same commands and ordinances; and all pursued the same interest, and had the same ends and views; and there was a strict union of their affections to each other; their souls were knit to one another; so that there was, but as it were, one soul in this large body of Christians. Aristotle, being asked what a friend was, answered, one soul dwelling in two bodies p: and so the Jews say, it is fit and proper that lovers or friends should be בלב אחד כאיש אחד, "of one heart, as one man" q; and such friends and hearty lovers were these.

Neither said any of them, that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; though he had a peculiar right unto them, yet he did not claim that right, nor insist on it, nor so much as speak of it, nor make use of his substance as if it was his own, reserving it for himself, or even disposing of it himself; but exposed it to the free use of the whole body, to enjoy it equally with himself:

but they had all things common; which was what they were not obliged to, but it was a free and voluntary action of their own, and so is not binding on others; nor indeed is their practice to be imitated, in the direct manner in which they did it, for their case was peculiar. They were not only every day liable to persecutions and to have their possessions seized, and their goods confiscated; but they also knew, that in process of time, Jerusalem would be destroyed, and they could not tell how soon; and therefore judged it right to sell off their possessions, and throw the money into one common stock, for their mutual support, and for the carrying on the common cause of Christ.

p Diog. Laert. in vit. Aristot. l, 5. 313. q Tzeror Hammor, fol. 21. 3. & 162. 4.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And the multitude - The number of believers at this time had become large. In Acts 4:4, it is said that it was five thousand, and the number was constantly increasing.

One heart - This expression denotes “tender union.” They felt alike, or were attached to the same things, and this preserved them from jars and dissensions.

One soul - This phrase also denotes “close and tender union.” No expression could denote it more strikingly than to say of friends they have one soul. Plutarch cites an ancient verse in his life of Cato of Utica with this very expression - “Two friends, one soul” (Grotius). Thus, Diogenes Laertius also (5, Acts 1:11) says respecting Aristotle, that “being asked what was a friend, answered that it was one soul dwelling in two bodies” (Kuinoel). The Hebrews spake of two friends as being “one man.” There can be no more striking demonstration of union and love than to say of more than five thousand suddenly drawn together that they had one soul! And this union they evinced in every way possible - in their conduct, in their prayers, and in their property. How different would have been the aspect of the church if the union had continued to the present time!

Neither said ... - That is, I they did not regard it as their own, but to be used for the benefit of the whole society. See the notes on Acts 2:44.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 32. The multitude of them that believed — The whole 5000, mentioned Acts 4:4, and probably many others, who had been converted by the ministry of the other apostles since that time.

Were of one heart and of one soul — Were in a state of the most perfect friendship and affection. In all the 5000 there appeared to be but one heart and one soul; so perfectly did they agree in all their views, religious opinions, and holy affections. Some MSS. add, και ουκ ην διακρισις εν αυτοις ουδεμια, and there was no kind of difference or dissension among them. This remarkable reading is found in the Codex Bezae, another of great authority, E, two others, Ambrose, Bede, Cyprian, and Zeno. Diogenes Laertius relates of Aristotle, ερωτηθεις, τι εστι φιλος; being asked, What is a FRIEND? εφη, μια ψυχη δυο σωμασιν ενοικουσα answered, ONE soul dwelling in TWO bodies. This saying has been justly celebrated: but what would this wonderful philosopher have thought and said, had he seen these disciples of Jesus, and friends of mankind: one soul dwelling in 5000 bodies!

They had all things common. — Acts 2:44, where this subject is examined. Acts 4:34.