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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Acts 2:42 - 2:42
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
They continued steadfastly (ēsan proskarturountes). Periphrastic active imperfect of proskartureō as in Act 1:14 (same participle in Act 2:46).
Fellowship (Koinōniāi). Old word from Koinōnos (partner, sharer in common interest) and this from Koinos what is common to all. This partnership involves participation in, as the blood of Christ (Phi 2:1) or co-operation in the work of the gospel (Phi 1:5) or contribution for those in need (2Co 8:4; 2Co 9:13). Hence there is wide diversity of opinion concerning the precise meaning of Koinōnia in this verse. It may refer to the distribution of funds in Act 2:44or to the oneness of spirit in the community of believers or to the Lord’s Supper (as in 1Co 10:16) in the sense of communion or to the fellowship in the common meals or agapae (love-feasts).
The breaking of bread (tēi klasei tou artou). The word klasis is an old word, but used only by Luke in the N.T. (Luk 24:35; Act 2:42), though the verb klaō occurs in other parts of the N.T. as in Act 2:46. The problem here is whether Luke refers to the ordinary meal as in Luk 24:35 or to the Lord’s Supper. The same verb klaō is used of breaking bread at the ordinary meal (Luk 24:30) or the Lord’s Supper (Luk 22:19). It is generally supposed that the early disciples attached so much significance to the breaking of bread at the ordinary meals, more than our saying grace, that they followed the meal with the Lord’s Supper at first, a combination called agapai or love-feasts. “There can be no doubt that the Eucharist at this period was preceded uniformly by a common repast, as was the case when the ordinance was instituted” (Hackett). This led to some abuses as in 1Co 11:20. Hence it is possible that what is referred to here is the Lord’s Supper following the ordinary meal. “To simply explain tēi klasei tou artou as=‘The Holy Communion’ is to pervert the plain meaning of words, and to mar the picture of family life, which the text places before us as the ideal of the early believers” (Page). But in Act 20:7 they seem to have come together especially for the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Perhaps there is no way to settle the point conclusively here.
The prayers (tais proseuchais). Services where they prayed as in Act 1:14, in the temple (Act 3:1), in their homes (Act 4:23).