DiscipleDeck
Get started
Bible Commentary

Acts 4:33

The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:33

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

"Great grace."

This expression may refer to the measure of Divine favor resting upon the early disciples; or to the favor which they found among men, who could not fail to see and admire the spirit of "self-sacrifice" which was exhibited by what they were doing. We dwell on the former of these references. More grace, fresh grace, greater grace, rested on them after the imprisonment and deliverance of their leaders. We are to understand that the holy fervor manifested by them at this time was not accounted for by such things as the incoming of wealthy members or the multiplying of their numbers, but by the increase and enlargement of the "grace" that rested on them. "Great grace "is ever the one secret of great spiritual power. Looking at the incidents connected with the text, we observe—

I. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST BESTOWMENT OF GRACE. Recall the scene of the Pentecost. Show in what sense that may be spoken of as the first coming of the Spirit. Explain why that coming was attended with outward signs, and why the presence of the Spirit is not now manifest in such miraculous gifts. The "grace" in us may be as great—may be greater—though the attendant signs and expressions differ. Show what are the first signs of" grace" working in us. Signs in thought, feeling, conduct, and relations. Illustrate by what is said of Saul of Tarsus: "Behold, he prayeth."

II. THAT FIRST GIFT OF THE SPIRIT WAS WELL RECEIVED AND USED. This may be illustrated in the earnestness and zeal of the apostles, as well as in the active, devoted, and zealous life of those converted under the apostolic teachings.

III. BECAUSE WELL RECEIVED AND USED, MORE GRACE WAS GIVEN. The further grace enabled them to suffer nobly and well; to testify for Christ even before governors and kings, and to pray together and live together and work together, in loving union and mutual forbearance, and charity. And so we come to apprehend afresh God's great and ever-working law, expressed in the familiar words, "To him that hath shall more be given;" "We are not straitened in God;" "Then shall ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lord," etc. God's grace is indeed "free," sovereignly free, but he has been pleased to set it under conditions; and one of the chief conditions is that we shall have used wisely and well the grace already received. To those who are faithful in using grace the promise applies, "He giveth more grace." Then, if we feel the need of and long for "great grace," let us see that we deal rightly in response to the leadings and movings of the grace we have. Empty the vessel in service for others, and God will be sure to refill it. Trim the lamp, and let its light shine brightly all around, and God will be sure to replenish it with abundance of fresh oil.—R.T.

,

The power of a high example.

That of Joses, or Barnabas. This man was the companion of St. Paul in his first missionary journey (). For his character, position, and influence in the Church, etc., see the Commentary. His was by no means the only case of self-sacrifice, but it was, for some unexplained reasons, the most striking case, and it was regarded as a typical one. Possibly the subsequent influence gained by Barnabas led to the preservation of this narrative of his noble self-denial. And we may learn from him what a mission opens for those who can make great sacrifices for Christ.

I. RICHES ARE OFTEN A RELIGIOUS HINDRANCE. Illustrate from our Lord's teaching respecting the "camel and the needle's eye." "How hardly shall they that have riches enter the kingdom of God!" "Not many mighty, not many noble, are called." The poor in this world are often the "rich in faith." Barnabas's property might have kept him from Christ, or made him only such a timid and weak disciple as rich Nicodemus and rich Joseph of Arimathaea were.

II. RICHES OFTEN BECOME A TEST OF RELIGIOUS FEELING. Illustrate from the case of the "rich young ruler," who had some feelings and desires, but could not wholly follow them. Love of position and of wealth was stronger even than longing for "eternal life." Compare Demas.

III. RICHES MAY BECOME A MEDIUM OF RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION, AND SO A MEANS OF RELIGIOUS CULTURE. It did in the case of Barnabas. He used his talents and his gifts for Christ's service and his Church's good, and he further found out how he might, for the same purposes, use his money and his lands. He was both blessed in himself and a means of blessing to others in so doing. Still those who have the trust of riches need the impulse of the example of Barnabas, and may even reach towards the completeness of his serf-sacrifice. Explain that there is sometimes an exaggeration in the surrender of all property, and assumption of voluntary poverty, which is in no sense commended by this example. To use our property wisely and well in the service of Christ is a far nobler thing than to shirk our personal responsibility by surrendering it all to others. The lesson to learn from the record concerning Barnabas is that we should hold all we have—riches, talents, position, influence, everything—at the call and service of our living Savior, and be ready even to sacrifice it all, if in that form we are required to testify our "zeal for the Lord." But the imitation of a high example has this peril. It may be merely the imitation of the act, and not an act dictated by the same motives and done in the same spirit. The followers of "them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" are those, and those only, who act in the hallowing and ennobling influences of the same "constraining love." We must yield and give only for Christ's sake.—R.T.

Acts 3

Acts

Acts 5

Acts 4 - acts-4 - worlddic.com

Recommended reading

More for Acts 4:33

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:1-37Acts 4:1-37 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:23-37Acts 4:23-37 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe resource of the devout, etc. Released from the restraint of law, the apostles returned to "their own company," and there they related what they had passed through. We may be sure that the whole of that community of…Matthew Henry on Acts 4:32-37Acts 4:32-37 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe disciples loved one another. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be so again, when the Spirit shall be poured upon us f…The Prosperity of the Church; The Liberality of the DisciplesActs 4:32-37 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE PROSPERITY OF THE CHURCH; THE LIBERALITY OF THE DISCIPLES. We have a general idea given us in these verses, and it is a very beautiful one, of the spirit and state of this truly primitive church; it is conspectus sæ…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:32-37Acts 4:32-37 · The Pulpit CommentaryChurch unity. We speak in these dark days of unity in Christ, of brotherly love, of the communion of saints. But what do we see when we look around at the multitude of them that believe? We see some forty or fifty denom…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:32-37Acts 4:32-37 · The Pulpit CommentaryA glimpse of ideal social life. Of life, that is, in the idea of the God of love. Such glimpses are given doubtless to stimulate our faith and our aspiration; and withdrawn because struggle, not perfect attainment, is t…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:1-37EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:23-37The resource of the devout, etc. Released from the restraint of law, the apostles returned to "their own company," and there they related what they had passed through. We may be sure that the whole of that community of…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Acts 4:32-37The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be so again, when the Spirit shall be poured upon us f…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Prosperity of the Church; The Liberality of the DisciplesTHE PROSPERITY OF THE CHURCH; THE LIBERALITY OF THE DISCIPLES. We have a general idea given us in these verses, and it is a very beautiful one, of the spirit and state of this truly primitive church; it is conspectus sæ…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:32-37A glimpse of ideal social life. Of life, that is, in the idea of the God of love. Such glimpses are given doubtless to stimulate our faith and our aspiration; and withdrawn because struggle, not perfect attainment, is t…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:32-37Church unity. We speak in these dark days of unity in Christ, of brotherly love, of the communion of saints. But what do we see when we look around at the multitude of them that believe? We see some forty or fifty denom…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:32-35The host of God drawing together in readiness for action. I. A COMMON SPIRIT in the believing multitude. 1. The spirit of faith. 2. Of self-sacrifice. 3. Of fellowship. 4. Of service. They were of one heart and soul to…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 4:32-35A novel unanimity. It is safe to say that this verse marks one of the world's largest moral strides of progress. It is a landmark in itself, of widest significance. It is a moral landmark of deepest and most grateful om…Joseph S. Exell and contributors