1-corinthians-14:33,acts-11:28-30

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 11:30

Verse 30 30.Sending it unto the elders, [presbyters.] We must note two things in this place, that the men of Antioch did choose faithful men, and of known honesty, to carry their blessing; secondly, that they sent it unto the elders, that they might wisely bestow the same. For if alms be thrown into the midst of the common people, or be set in the midst where every one may take what he will, every man will by and by take it to himself as if it were some common prey; and so he that is most bold... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:1-28

The mystery. The beginning and the close of this chapter refer to events of precisely similar character, which took place almost simultaneously, at all events without any concert or communication, in Palestine and in Syria; the reception of the Word of God by Gentiles, and their admission into the Church of God. It is difficult for us, after the lapse of eighteen centuries and a half, during which this has been the rule of the kingdom of heaven, to realize the startling strangeness of such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:27-30

God's bounty and our well-being. The reference, in these verses, to "a great dearth throughout all the world" ( Acts 11:28 ), and to the sending of relief by the disciples, according to their several ability, to the brethren in Judaea ( Acts 11:29 ), may suggest to us thoughts concerning the provision which God has made for us in his Divine goodness and also in his Divine wisdom. We look at— I. HIS PROVISION FOR OUR TEMPORAL WELL - BEING . The great multitudes of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:27-30

Practical sympathy between Jew and Gentile. I. The test of REAL UNION must be an appeal to self-sacrifice. Antioch was wealthy; Judaea was poor. The prophets came from Jerusalem; the return was relief sent to poor brethren, both as a sign of obedience to the Spirit and as a pledge of future oneness. There could be no more decided evidence that the Gentile converts were really incorporated into the apostolic Church. II. The prophetic element quite consistent with the maintenance... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:28

A great famine for great dearth, A.V.; over for throughout, A.V.; Claudius for Claudius Caesar, A.V. and T.R. The world ; ἡ οἰκουμένη , the inhabited earth, the common expression for the whole Roman empire. But the expression must be taken bore as hyperbolical, just as Josephus says that Ahab sent messengers to search for Elijah, κατὰ πᾶσαν τὴν οικουμένην , where, of course, only the neighboring countries to Judaea can be meant, strictly speaking ('Ant. Jud.,'8. 13.4).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:29

And for then, A.V.; that for which , A.V. This is the first example of the practice, so much encouraged by St. Paul, of the Gentile Churches contributing to the wants of the poor Christians of the mother Church of Jerusalem ( Romans 15:25-27 ; 1 Corinthians 16:1 ; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 .; Galatians 2:10 , etc.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:30

Sending for and sent, A.V.; hand for hands, A.V. Sending ( ἀποστείλαντες ). Those by whom they sent were ἀπόστολοι ( 2 Corinthians 8:23 ), messengers, or apostles, To the elders. This is the first mention of presbyters, or elders, in the Church at Jerusalem, which was now fully organized. James the Less was the resident apostle (?) and bishop; with him were the presbyters ( Acts 21:18 ); and under them again the seven deacons ( Acts 6:5 , Acts 6:6 ). The presbyters... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 11:28

Named Agabus - This man is mentioned but in one other place in the New Testament. In Acts 21:10-11, he is referred to as having foretold that Paul would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. It is not expressly said that he was a Christian, but the connection seems to imply that he was.And signified - See John 12:33. The word usually denotes “to indicate by signs, or with a degree of obscurity and uncertainty, not to declare in explicit language.” But here it seems to denote simply “to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 11:29

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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 11:30

Sent it to the elders - Greek: to the presbyters. This is the first mention which we have in the New Testament of elders, or presbyters, in the Christian church. The word literally denotes “aged men,” but in the Jewish synagogue it was merely a name of office. It is clear, however, I think, that the elders of the Jewish synagogue here are not included, for the relief Was intended for the “brethren” (Acts 11:29); that is, the Christians who were at Jerusalem, and it is not probable that a... read more

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