6:19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth 9 and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 6:20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
4:1 While Peter and John 22 were speaking to the people, the priests and the commander 23 of the temple guard 24 and the Sadducees 25 came up 26 to them,
6:1 Now in those 27 days, when the disciples were growing in number, 28 a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews 29 against the native Hebraic Jews, 30 because their widows 31 were being overlooked 32 in the daily distribution of food. 33
6:1 Now in those 34 days, when the disciples were growing in number, 35 a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews 36 against the native Hebraic Jews, 37 because their widows 38 were being overlooked 39 in the daily distribution of food. 40
1 sn The call to sell your possessions is a call to a lack of attachment to the earth and a generosity as a result.
2 tn Grk “give alms,” but this term is not in common use today.
3 tn Grk “in the heavens.”
4 tn Or “an unfailing treasure in heaven,” or “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven.”
5 tn The term σής (shs) refers to moths in general. It is specifically the larvae of moths that destroy clothing by eating holes in it (L&N 4.49; BDAG 922 s.v.). See Jas 5:2, which mentions “moth-eaten” clothing.
6 tn Grk “unrighteous mammon.” Mammon is the Aramaic term for wealth or possessions. The point is not that money is inherently evil, but that it is often misused so that it is a means of evil; see 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19. The call is to be generous and kind in its use. Zacchaeus becomes the example of this in Luke’s Gospel (19:1-10).
7 sn The passive refers to the welcome of heaven.
8 tn Grk “eternal tents” (as dwelling places).
9 tn The term σής (shs) refers to moths in general. It is specifically the larvae of moths that destroy clothing by eating holes in it (L&N 4.49; BDAG 922 s.v.). See Jas 5:2, which mentions “moth-eaten” clothing.
10 tn Grk “had.”
11 tn The imperfect verb has been translated as an ingressive (“began…”). Since in context this is a description of the beginning of the community of believers, it is more likely that these statements refer to the start of various activities and practices that the early church continued for some time.
12 tn It is possible that the first term for property (κτήματα, kthmata) refers to real estate (as later usage seems to indicate) while the second term (ὑπάρξεις, Juparxeis) refers to possessions in general, but it may also be that the two terms are used together for emphasis, simply indicating that all kinds of possessions were being sold. However, if the first term is more specifically a reference to real estate, it foreshadows the incident with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.
13 tn Grk “distributing them” (αὐτά, auta). The referent (the proceeds of the sales) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
14 tn Or “poor.”
15 tn Grk “houses, selling them were bringing.” The participle πωλοῦντες (pwlounte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
16 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
17 tn Grk “It” (or “They,” plural). The referent of the understood pronoun subject, the proceeds from the sales, of the verb διεδίδετο (diedideto) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
18 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. Note how the actions of Barnabas are in keeping with the meaning of his nickname. He stands in contrast to Ananias and Sapphira in 5:1-11.
19 tn Grk “selling a field that belonged to him, brought” The participle πωλήσας (pwlhsa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
20 tn Or “a farm.”
21 tn Normally a reference to actual coins (“currency”). See L&N 6.68.
22 tn Grk “While they”; the referents (Peter and John) have been specified in the translation for clarity.
23 tn Or “captain.”
24 tn Grk “the official of the temple,” a title for the commander of the Jewish soldiers guarding the temple (thus the translation, “the commander of the temple guard”). See L&N 37.91.
25 sn The Sadducees controlled the official political structures of Judaism at this time, being the majority members of the Sanhedrin. They were known as extremely strict on law and order issues (Josephus, J. W. 2.8.2 [2.119], 2.8.14 [2.164-166]; Ant. 13.5.9 [13.171-173], 13.10.6 [13.293-298], 18.1.2 [18.11], 18.1.4 [18.16-17], 20.9.1 [20.199]; Life 2 [10-11]). See also Matt 3:7; 16:1-12; 22:23-34; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38; Acts 5:17; 23:6-8.
26 tn Or “approached.” This verb often denotes a sudden appearing (BDAG 418 s.v. ἐφίστημι 1).
27 tn Grk “these.” The translation uses “those” for stylistic reasons.
28 tn Grk “were multiplying.”
29 tn Grk “the Hellenists,” but this descriptive term is largely unknown to the modern English reader. The translation “Greek-speaking Jews” attempts to convey something of who these were, but it was more than a matter of language spoken; it involved a degree of adoption of Greek culture as well.
30 tn Grk “against the Hebrews,” but as with “Hellenists” this needs further explanation for the modern reader.
31 sn The care of widows is a major biblical theme: Deut 10:18; 16:11, 14; 24:17, 19-21; 26:12-13; 27:19; Isa 1:17-23; Jer 7:6; Mal 3:5.
32 tn Or “neglected.”
33 tn Grk “in the daily serving.”
34 tn Grk “these.” The translation uses “those” for stylistic reasons.
35 tn Grk “were multiplying.”
36 tn Grk “the Hellenists,” but this descriptive term is largely unknown to the modern English reader. The translation “Greek-speaking Jews” attempts to convey something of who these were, but it was more than a matter of language spoken; it involved a degree of adoption of Greek culture as well.
37 tn Grk “against the Hebrews,” but as with “Hellenists” this needs further explanation for the modern reader.
38 sn The care of widows is a major biblical theme: Deut 10:18; 16:11, 14; 24:17, 19-21; 26:12-13; 27:19; Isa 1:17-23; Jer 7:6; Mal 3:5.
39 tn Or “neglected.”
40 tn Grk “in the daily serving.”