Acts 2:46

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 2:46 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 2:46 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
46And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, etc.] Every day they went up to the temple, at the time of prayer, or whenever any religious service was to be performed; this was their constant practice, and in this they agreed: and breaking bread from house to house; either administering the Lord’s supper in private houses, as the Jews kept their passover, sometimes administering it at one house, and sometimes at another; or because their number was so large, that one house could not hold them, they divided themselves into lesser bodies; and some met, and had the ordinance administered to them in one house, and some in another: or this may be understood of their common meals, which…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“daily . . . in the temple--observing the hours of Jewish worship. and breaking bread from house to house--rather, "at home" (Margin), that is, in private, as contrasted with their temple-worship, but in some stated place or places of meeting. eat their meat with gladness--"exultation." and singleness of heart.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With one accord - Compare Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1. In the temple - This was the public place of worship; and the disciples were not disposed to leave the place where their fathers had so long worshipped God. This does not mean that they were constantly in the temple, but only at the customary hours of prayer - at nine o’clock in the morning, and at three o’clock in the afternoon. And breaking bread - See the notes on Acts 2:42. From house to house - In the margin, “at home.” So the Syriac and Arabic. The common interpretation, however, is, that they did it in their various houses, now in this and now in that, as might be convenient. If it refers to their ordinary meals, then it means that they…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Continuing daily - breaking the bread - in the Lord's Supper, as did many Churches for some ages. They partook of their food with gladness and singleness of heart - They carried the same happy and holy temper through all their common actions: eating and working with the same spirit wherewith they prayed and received the Lord's Supper. Acts 2:47”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“daily: Act 1:14, Act 3:1, Act 5:42; Luk 24:53 breaking: Act 2:42, Act 20:7 from house to house: or, at house, Act 1:13; Co1 11:20-22 did: Act 16:34; Deu 12:7, Deu 12:12, Deu 16:11; Neh 8:10; Ecc 9:7; Luk 11:41; Co1 10:30, Co1 10:31 singleness: Psa 86:11; Mat 6:22; Rom 12:8; Co2 1:12, Co2 11:3; Eph 6:5; Col 3:22 Acts 2:47”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification