Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 2:45

"and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need." — Acts 2:45 (ASV)

And sold. That is, they sold as much as was necessary to obtain the means of providing for the needs of each other.

Possessions. Property, particularly real estate. This word kthmata refers, properly, to their fixed property, as lands, houses, vineyards, etc. The word rendered goods, uparxeiv, refers to their personal or movable property.

And parted them to all. They distributed them to supply the needs of their poorer fellow believers, according to their necessities.

As every man had need. This expression limits and fixes the meaning of what is said before. The passage does not mean that they sold all their possessions, or that they relinquished their title to all their property; but that they so far regarded all as common as to be willing to part with it IF it was necessary to supply the needs of the others. Hence the property was laid at the disposal of the apostles, and they were desired to distribute it freely to meet the needs of the poor (Acts 4:34–35). This was an important incident in the early propagation of religion; and it may suggest many useful reflections.

1. We see the effect of religion. The love of property is one of the strongest affections that people have. There is nothing that will overcome it but religion. And it will; and one of the first effects of the gospel was to loosen the hold of Christians on property.

2. It is the duty of the church to provide for the needs of its poor and needy members. There can be no doubt that property should now be regarded as so far common as that the needs of the poor should be supplied by those who are rich. .

3. If it is asked why the early disciples showed this readiness to part with their property in this manner, it may be answered that:

   1. The apostles had done it before them. The Savior's family had all things common.
   2. It was the nature of religion to do it.
   3. The circumstances of the persons assembled on this occasion were such as to require it. Many of them were from distant regions, and probably many of them were of the poorer class of the people in Jerusalem.

   In this they showed what should be done on behalf of the poor in the church at all times.

4. If it is asked whether this was done commonly among the early Christians, it may be answered that there is no evidence that it was. It is mentioned here, and in Acts 4:32-37; 5:1-4. It does not appear that it was done even by all who were afterwards converted in Judea; and there is no evidence that it was done in Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, Rome, etc. That the effect of religion was to make people liberal, and willing to provide for the poor, there can be no doubt. See 2 Corinthians 8:19; 9:2; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Galatians 2:10.

   But there is no proof that it was common to part with their possessions and to lay them at the feet of the apostles. Religion does not evidently contemplate that people should break up all the arrangements in society; but it contemplates that those who have property should be ready and willing to part with it for the help of the poor and needy.

5. If it is asked whether all the arrangements of property should be broken up now, and believers have all things in common, we are prepared to answer—No. For the following reasons:

   1. First, this was an extraordinary case.
   2. Second, it was not even enjoined by the apostles on them.
   3. Third, it was practised nowhere else.
   4. Fourth, it would be impracticable. No community where all things were in common has long prospered. It has been attempted often, by pagans, by infidels, and by fanatic sects of Christians. It soon ends in anarchy, and licentiousness, idleness, and profligacy; or the more cunning secure the mass of property and control the whole. Until all people are made alike, there could be no hope of such a community; and if there could be, it would not be desirable. God evidently intended that people should be excited to industry by the hope of gain; and then He demands that their gains should be devoted to his service.

   Still, this was a noble instance of Christian generosity and shows the power of religion in loosening the hold that people commonly have on the world. It also rebukes those professors of religion—of whom, alas! there are many—who give nothing to benefit either the souls or bodies of their fellow human beings.

Note: goods (or "Substance"); parted them (2 Corinthians 9:1, 9; 1 John 3:17).