Acts 2:46
What does Acts 2:46 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:46 means
The early church maintained a deep spiritual rhythm, characterized by daily devotion. They continued 'stedfastly with one accord in the temple,' engaging in public worship and teaching, while also 'breaking bread at home,' which encompassed fellowship meals and the Lord's Supper in smaller gatherings. Their meals were taken 'with gladness and singleness of heart,' reflecting authentic joy and sincerity. This blend of public and private worship fostered both unity and spiritual growth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And day by day, going in agreement together regularly to the Temple and, taking broken bread together in their houses, they took their food with joy and with true hearts,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Daily also continuing with one accord in the temple, breaking also at every house bread, they were partaking of food in gladness and simplicity of heart,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And every day, being constantly in the temple with one accord, and breaking bread in [the] house, they received their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
Context
Further detailing the daily life of the early church, this verse highlights their consistent devotion, blending public worship in the Temple with private fellowship and meals in homes. This description of their joy and unity sets the scene for the verse immediately following, which details their favor with the wider community and the ongoing growth that the Lord brought to their numbers.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 12:7
and there ye shall eat before Jehovah your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein Jehovah thy God hath blessed thee.
- Luke 24:53
and were continually in the temple, blessing God.
- Acts 20:7
And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
- Luke 11:41
But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
- Psalms 86:11
Teach me thy way, O Jehovah; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name.
- Acts 1:13
And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
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